Chapter 23

Clementine stated fact after fact, making Cameron shut his eyes in despair. He wanted to speak, but the words were hard to get out. Bitterness spread through him. Suddenly, he thought about one night when a young Clementine had been too scared to sleep. He'd sat by her bed and held a teddy bear while reading her a bedtime story. At the end of the story, he'd placed the teddy bear by her pillow and said softly but surely, "I'll always protect you like this teddy bear, and I'll never hurt you. You'll always be my first choice." Delight and surprise had flashed in Clementine's eyes, but she'd quickly lowered her eyes. "You're just saying that to pacify me." "No, I'm not. Let's make a pinky promise." "Okay, then. I won't talk to you ever again if you dare hurt me!" Tears rolled down Cameron's face as he opened his eyes to look at Clementine. She was already gone, though. All he saw was her back as she descended the mountain. "Clementine!" She faltered but didn't turn back. He didn't