What Exactly Happened: Part 3

"Hi," he said softly, taking a step forward and leaning against the railing next to her. He wasn't sure if it was an invitation or just a greeting but either way she nodded and turned to face him. "You must be Sarah."

She didn't respond at first, just stared at him blankly, her gaze intense. He couldn't quite read her expression but he was used to dealing with this kind of reaction. Most people found it difficult to handle being told something personal by someone they had never met.

"Yes, that's me," she said after a long pause.

"It's nice to meet you," he replied, offering her a warm smile.

She nodded, looking away again. He couldn't blame her, this situation was probably not easy for either of them to handle. He wasn't usually able to handle the feelings of uncertainty surrounding his life in general. But Sarah, he felt, had to deal with it all differently. He wondered what it was like to live her life constantly on the edge and always knowing that the other shoe was going to drop. Maybe someday he would find the courage to ask her what it was like. Someday when they no longer existed.

"My name is Edward," he continued, deciding that it was easier to talk about it than to let silence engulf them. She nodded again, still not saying anything. He shifted slightly and leaned against the rail, taking a sip of his coffee. "Are you married?" he asked.

A frown appeared on her face, her lips forming a thin line. "No, I'm not," she replied simply.

He frowned. "Do you have children?"

"No," she responded, shaking her head.

"Is your husband working right now?"

"No."

"Then where is he?"

She shrugged slightly and averted her gaze. He frowned deeper. There was something about the way she was acting, the way she kept refusing to look at him, that didn't seem right. He decided to press on anyway and say the only thing he could think of that might help her get past whatever was bothering her.

"Where are your kids?"

At the mention of his kids, she finally looked up and stared at him. Her eyes widened and her lips parted slightly. He didn't know if she understood what he meant exactly by that question. Was she trying to answer it or was she just confused? He wasn't exactly sure.

"I...don't have any," she whispered. Her gaze dropped once more, unable to bear meeting his eyes.

He watched her carefully for a few moments before he said the words he'd never dared to say. "I'm sorry."

He didn't know whether she heard him or not, whether she'd comprehended what he'd said or not. Either way, she stood up abruptly, startling him slightly, and rushed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her. He sat there stunned for a moment, completely shocked at what he'd said. Had he gone too far? He knew that he was asking her very personal questions, he knew that she wasn't comfortable telling him about herself, but it just slipped out. What the hell?

He quickly finished off the rest of his coffee and walked towards the door. He wanted to see her, he wanted to know how she was doing. If she was okay or if something else happened. If she needed his help. If she even remembered what he was asking about. Anything but sit around uselessly and wait.

But before he could move any further away from the door, he was pulled back inside. He stumbled backwards into the wall and barely managed to catch himself before he hit the floor. Once more he was trapped inside the hallway, looking up at the door. The handle was rattling, shaking as if she was desperate for him to open the door and let her out. To let her escape.

To be continued...