The Heart Left Behind (Cole and Yvonne) novel Chapter 88

Why did Lorraine run off there all alone?

"I saw her running toward the backyard," Jonas said quietly, hesitating over whether to mention his brother.

"Wait here for me, Jonas." I found a safe spot to leave Jonas and started calling out Lorraine's name as I ventured deeper.

The place was even filthier than I had imagined. The concrete path was overgrown with weeds. This place had probably been untouched for a couple of years. As a grown man, I had to turn sideways to squeeze through some parts.

"Lorraine?"

The grass scratched at my arms, and the dirt got into the cuts, making them sting. I frowned at the pain.

"Lorraine? Can you hear me?"

The backyard was about the size of two basketball courts, and I couldn't recall much about it except that I had played hide-and-seek here as a kid. Lorraine was out here with no phone. It would be nearly impossible for her to find her way out.

"Is anyone there?" A faint, weak voice answered.

I turned toward it. "Lorraine? Is that you?"

"Who's there?" A frail reply sounded. "If someone's there… help me."

Her voice was so weak it sounded like she might pass out at any moment. I followed the sound and, through the dim light of my phone's flashlight, found a figure curled up on the ground. She trembled, the faint glow surrounding her pale figure making her look utterly pitiful.

"Lorraine? Can you stand?" I crouched down to examine her injuries. There was a deep gash on her calf that was about the length of a finger.

"The wound is too deep. I need to get you out of here and bandage it," I said.

Blood was everywhere, the metallic scent stinging my nose and eyes.

"Wait… Don't go yet," Lorraine said faintly, her lips pale. Each word seemed to take all her energy, and her grip on my hand was weak.

"We can't wait," I said firmly. I slid my arm under her knees and lifted her. She clung to my shirt for support, resting her head against my shoulder. Raising a trembling hand, she whispered, "I haven't found Xavier yet. He's still inside."

"Why are you looking for Xavier?" I puzzled. Was he stirring up trouble again?

"I saw him run in here. Please go find him," she pleaded.

The terrain here was too complicated. If she couldn't navigate it, how could a child?

"Go," she urged.

Lorraine was soaking wet, likely from falling into a pond in the dark. Combined with her blood loss, she was barely conscious. She was swaying as if she might faint at any second.

"Daddy, I…"

"It was me," a voice said from behind. Jonas froze, his face turning pale as he glanced at Xavier, silently pleading with him to leave.

I pinched Jonas' cheek lightly before turning to face Xavier, who confidently walked toward me.

"I just wanted to teach her a lesson," Xavier said nonchalantly. "Who told her to keep trying to control me?" His gaze flickered briefly to Lorraine, his pupils dilating slightly before he composed himself again.

I caught the momentary shock in his eyes, but by the time he looked back at me, his expression was as calm as ever. How could he stay so composed after causing this? I couldn't imagine how strong his nerves had to be.

Most kids would have been terrified to see Lorraine in this state, but Xavier? He acted like it was nothing.

"You think you did nothing wrong?" I asked coldly.

"I didn't do anything wrong. It's her fault for being clumsy," Xavier said, glancing at Lorraine with disdain, though he avoided making direct eye contact with her.

"You think you did nothing wrong, but you can't even look at her?"

"Who says I can't?" Xavier snapped, suddenly turning to glare at Lorraine. "I'm not afraid to look at her!"