Chapter 19: A Fresh start
Years Later
“Momma! We’re off to school!” Kaitherine’s voice rang out, cheerful as always.
“See you after school,” Catherine chimed in, the two girls stepping out the door together.
Celine watched them leave from the kitchen window, a soft smile playing on her lips. They had adapted well, blending into Glenavare—a secluded, tranquil town surrounded by dense woods. It was the perfect haven, where everyone knew everyone, and strangers were rare. But their quiet life came at a price. Celine couldn’t shake the shadow of the past or forget what it took to get here.
Flashback: The Escape
The hospital was a maze of whispers and lingering stares. Cleo sat stiffly in her wheelchair, bandages wrapped around her legs and an IV taped to her arm. She had insisted the doctor play his part convincingly, knowing they were being watched. The men outside, their eyes like hawks, weren’t here for small talk. They were here for blood.
Celine stood at the edge of the room, her hands clenched into fists. "Cleo, why are you doing this? You can’t seriously think this will work."
Cleo shot her a sharp look, her voice cold and loud enough to carry. "Because I have no choice, Celine! You’ve already done enough damage."
Celine flinched, but the glimmer in Cleo’s eyes told her it was all part of the plan. She was putting on a show for the spies listening beyond the hospital walls.
"Dr. Morales," Cleo said, turning her attention to the older man standing nearby. "Remember, I’m temporarily paralyzed. It’s critical that I stay here under observation. Tell them that, and nothing else."
Dr. Morales hesitated, his brow furrowed. "Cleo, are you sure about this? They’ll know something’s wrong if—"
"They won’t," Cleo interrupted, her voice firm. "By the time they start questioning anything, we’ll be long gone."
The doctor sighed, reluctantly nodding. "Fine. I’ll do my part. But you need to move quickly."
---
That night, Cleo waited until the hospital was shrouded in silence. She had already bribed the night nurse to look the other way. With the help of a crutch she had hidden under her bed, Cleo slipped out of her wheelchair and moved quietly to Celine’s room.
Celine was already awake, sitting on the edge of her bed, her face pale with worry. "Cleo—"
"Shh," Cleo whispered, motioning for her to stay quiet. "Get the twins. It’s time."
Minutes later, they were in the hospital parking lot. Katherine and Catherine were huddled together in the back of a rented van, their eyes wide with fear and confusion.
"Where are we going?" Katherine whispered.
"Someplace safe," Cleo said, her tone soothing despite the tension in her shoulders. "We’ll explain everything soon."
---
The drive to Glenavare was tense. Cleo kept glancing in the rearview mirror, half-expecting headlights to appear behind them. But the road remained empty, the thick forest on either side their only company.
When they finally arrived, the town felt like a different world. Nestled in a hidden valley, Glenavare was small and insular, its cobblestone streets lined with quaint cottages. The locals were wary at first, but Cleo’s resourcefulness and Celine’s warmth slowly won them over.
Glenavare: A New Beginning
Celine took on small jobs to support the family, drawing on the discipline she had learned during her time in an army school. Though she rarely spoke about it, her training often came through in her quiet strength and resilience. Cleo, meanwhile, stayed in the background, always watching, always planning.
The twins thrived in their new environment. Katherine and Catherine, now old enough for high school, quickly made friends, their laughter echoing through the town’s quiet streets. For a while, it almost felt normal.
Years Later
“Hey, Kathy and Cat!” Rebecca called out, catching up to the girls as they walked to school.
“Hey, Rebecca!” they replied in unison.
“How was your weekend? Mine was fantastic, by the way.”
“Good for you,” Katherine replied with a grin.
“Ours was worse than a catastrophic event,” Catherine added, rolling her eyes.
Rebecca laughed. “Why? What happened?”
“The cutest boy in our neighborhood left for the weekend to visit his mom,” Kaitherine explained dramatically.
“Yeah, it was tragic,” Catherine agreed.
Rebecca shook her head, laughing. “You two are unbelievable.”
---
Meanwhile, back at home, Celine sat on the porch, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Cleo joined her, handing her a cup of tea.
“They’re doing well,” Cleo said, breaking the silence.
Celine nodded. “Better than I could’ve hoped for.”
“But?” Cleo pressed.
Celine sighed. “I just... I wonder if we’ll ever stop looking over our shoulders. If they’ll ever stop looking for us.”
Cleo placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We’ve done everything we can to keep them safe. Glenavare is our home now. They won’t find us here."
Celine looked at her friend, gratitude shining in her eyes. "I don’t know what I would’ve done without you, Cleo."
Cleo smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "We’re in this together, Celine. Always."
But even as she said the words, a part of her remained on edge. The past was never truly gone—it lingered, a shadow waiting for the right moment to reappear. And when it did, Cleo knew she would do whatever it took to protect the family she had chosen.