The elevator's bell rang when we reached the 4th floor and this is when I looked at Shawn. I was trying not to look at him during the ride because I know  what his face would be like. Filled with anger and worry. And I do not like to look at him like this.

When I finally looked at him he still had the same emotions written on his face when we reached the door. Not surprised. We were standing outside room 417 and we were both silent. I'm guessing we simply couldn't find anything else to say to each other. Shawn was staring blankly at the floor and I was feeling empty.

While standing there, in front of 417, I realised that this would be the first time I'd meet Karen. I've heard so much about her- about how kind she is; how fun and smiley she always is and I couldn't wait to meet her. Yet, the tables have turned and now I may not be able to see her smile, or hear her laugh. I was feeling terrible but I couldn't let Shawn notice this. He'd be even more devastated and I cannot let this happen. So I decided to be truly there for him and not show my emotions. 

I reached for him and caught his hand. I loved the feeling when our hands were gently intertwined. I stared at his beautiful brownish hazel eyes and smiled gently. 

His lips turned upwards slightly but the smile didn't reach his face. Even though he was trying to smile, his eyes were showing how truly broken he was.

I can't look at him like that, and I don't think I ever will, so I forced myself to speak and encourage him, even though I knew my voice would sound broken.

''Hey, look at me'' I said, my voice already breaking

Shawn lifted his face and slowly turned towards me, his eyes still closed, trying to stop the tears.

''We're together okay? We can face anything together. I'm here for you.'' 

Shawn's face shifted and his expression was breaking. He couldn't hold it together.

''No! Hey! Hey! Please Shawn. Don't" My voice breaking as well

"Whooo'' Shawn whispered while trying to catch his breath ''Okay, here we go'' Shawn said and twisted the door knob to 417.

In front of us, laying down, was Karen, fully covered in bruises. Her arm and head bandaged and her leg broken, lifted upwards by a rope. Her left eye has already turned purple and her mouth was in stitches.

''Oh mum'' Shawn broke and ran towards her. He started rubbing her hair gently while tears were flooding down his eyes

''My beautiful boy'' Karen said in an exhausted tone, the edges of her lips rising gently

The moment was so intimate and beautiful. At this exact moment I realised how much the Mendes family(and army) love and support each other.

I was still waiting at the door, overwhelmed by the love, hurt, pain and emotion in this room when Karen turned towards me and asked:

''And who might be this beautiful young lady?''

I was still speechless so Shawn answered on behalf of me

''Mum, this is Katherine Williams. Katherine, this is my mum''

''I'm so glad I finally get to meet you. I've heard so much about you.''

''Oh really?'' Karen asked still smiling. 

'What a stong woman' I thought

''Yes,'' I answered right after I gathered my thoughts, ''Shawn loves you very much'' 

''And I love him too. We tell each other everything and trust is very important in our family'' Karen said while smiling warmly at Shawn. However he turned to his previous state again. Nervous, angry, worried. 

I immediately knew what was coursing through his mind. 

The carcrash, and why it happened in the 1st place.

''Shawn, honey? What is it?'' Karen asked confused

''Mum..I-'' Shawn was chocking on his words. He was trying to tell her what caused the carcrash and well...he was mostly trying to explain why he was the one responsible.

''I- I need to tell you something'' Shawn said pronouncing every word slowly

''What's wrong?'' Karen looked worried. She didn't understand what was happening and for a slpit second she looked at me with curious eyes-dying to know what's truly happening

''I am responsible for the carcrach'' Shawn said so quickly that you could barely catch his words. It was as if he had the words stuck in his throat and now he shot them right out of a fire gun

Karen chuckled ''What are you talking about honey? I was alone in the car and you were at school at the time. How can you be the one responsible for my mistake? I know you love me a lot, and I love you just as much, but you can't take responsibility when you're not the one to-''

''-blame. Yes, that's exactly what you should be doing right now. Blaming me, because I really am responsible for the crash'' Shawn said, looking staright into his mother's eyes.

Karen's smile vanished. She was now allowing the thought to sink in. And she wasn't taking it very well.

''What do you mean. How did you cause it?'' She said coldly looking at the floor

''I knew the brakes weren't working properly but I didn't tell you.'' Shawn confessed

Karen looked at him with wide eyes. A few seconds passed before she could say anything

''How can you not tell me such a thing, Shawn? Do you know what could have happened? I could have-''  Karen didin't try to finish the sentence

''Died.'' But Shawn did.

''I know that, and I would always feel guilty. Your life was in my hands and I just let it slip. And for that I am truly sorry.'' 

You could tell Shawn meant it. I could see it in his eyes. They were broken. Still. So were Karen's. She couldn't believe her son would do such a thing, but I knew what the real situation was so I wasn't going to let it slip away.

''I know this isn't my place to say anything-''

''You're right. It isn't'' Karen said coldly, still believing the story Shawn told her. It was the true story, bit it wasn't the whole of it. 

''However there's more to the story than Shawn tells you'' I said

''Katherine, please don't-'' Shawn whispered

''Shawn didn't tell you because he thought that the problem the brakes caused him were only a one-time-thing. They were working perfectly during the whole day and the only time they didn't, was right when he came home from school. He thought they were okay and that it was his fault that the car didn't stop. Otherwise he would have never, ever, hidden something like this from you. He loves you too much to do such a thing. Please consider this side of the story before blaming him.'' 

''Thank you, Katherine'' I heard Karen say softly, looking at the floor, still absorbing all of the information we've given her.

The situation was too intense, too emotional for me to stay there any longer. So...I opened the door and ran towards the tree house.

I'm truly sorry that I haven't uploaded in a while. 

My summer is planned and I have so many places that I'm going to, so I don't always have time to write and upload. However, I try to upload new chapters whenever I can. I hope you all  understand. Thank you for the support xx

-The Dreamcatcher