“Hi, there” the strange man greeted

“Hello, sir” teenage Kara responded

“What’s your name? I’m Joseph” he said

“I’m Kara Miller, sir”

“What a beautiful name you have there, Ms Miller”

“Thank you, sir. My parents say it means beloved or dear because it was derived from the Italian word ‘cara’ ” she smiled

“Oh, wonderful. You are truly a dear” he smiled

“Can I be your friend, Kara?” he asked

“Yes, sir” she responded hastily. He was such a good looking gentleman and so well mannered.

“That’s great!” he exclaimed happily and she smiled and then complete darkness followed.

“Maybe we should take her to the hospital” Carla suggested

“And give her mom a fright?” came Kitty’s response

“Oh God, no!”Carla exclaimed

“Who is that guy anyway?” Kitty asked no one in particular

“Beats me. If you, her best friend don’t know then who else is going to know?” Carla said

Kneeling beside the couch, Kitty took Kara’s hands in her hands and said, “Get up, please.”

“If she’s not up in the next minute or so, we’re taking her to the hospital” Carla announced

“Please don’t” Kara replied softly

“Oh thank God” they exclaimed engulfing her in a group hug

“Can’t breathe” she said

“Oh sorry, sorry” Kitty apologised

“Someone get her some water” Carla instructed

“Here, drink some” Kitty instructed

“Thank you,” Kara said as she sat the glass down

“Who is that man, Kay?”

“Is he gone?” Kara asked

“No, they are in the conference room,” Carla replied

“They?” Kara asked

“Yes, he came with some children who might I add look a lot like you did at their age” Kitty explained

“So, it wasn’t a dream?” she said as everything dawned on her

“What wasn’t a dream? Kay, please talk to me. I was so terrified” Kitty pled

“Remember the time I disappeared?”

“Yes, I do. Everyone does. What does that have to do with anything?”

“Everything. I met him that day”

“What?!”

“I need to talk to him” and she got up and made her way out of her office

******************************************************************

“Uncle Joseph, is she going to be okay?” Avery asked

“She’s fine” Kara responded at the entrance to the conference room

“Hi” Avery greeted shyly

“Hi” Kara responded

“My name is Avery, this is my twin brother, Liam and this is uncle Joseph”

“I’m Kara but your uncle knew that already. Am I right, Joseph?” the way she said the last part let Kitty know that it was about to get messy and the kids didn’t need to see all that.

“Hi kids, I’m Katherine but everyone calls me Kitty. Why don’t you come with me so that Kara and your uncle could talk?”

Liam looked over at Joseph who nodded that it was a good idea to go with her.

“Come on, Ry” Liam beckoned to his twin

“I’ll keep them occupied. Remember that we work here. Keep it cute” Kitty whispered

“Got it,” Kara said without taking her eyes off Joseph for a second

“Now, it’s just both of us. Why don’t you have a seat, Kara?”

She obliged.

“How did you recognize me?” Joseph asked

“That is not what we should be talking about here, Joseph.”

“Alright. What should we be talking about?”

“You must be kidding me,” she said through gritted teeth

“Whoa, there. You are a feisty one now huh. Not the sweet little girl I met”

“You killed that girl”

“I’m sorry”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it. Tell me what happened that day.”

“Straight to the point huh. You really have changed”

“Cut the bs. It’s been ten years.”

“Ouch, I guess I deserve that”

“Before I say anything, the children are not at fault. Don’t count the adults’ choices against them. They are victims just like you.”

“Okay, whatever. Just tell me”

“When we met, I was out looking for a young girl to be used in an experiment.”

“What?!” she exclaimed

“Please keep your voice down. Remember what your friend said.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Let’s talk elsewhere.”

“I don’t trust you. My life hasn’t been the same since I met you a decade ago”

“Okay, I guess I deserve that”

“I don’t care about what you deserve or not. I care about knowing what happened to me ten years ago”

“Okay, here goes”