CHAPTER 16: THE HIDEAWAY
The mountain facility was different from the safe house.
Bigger. More secure. More isolated.
It was built into the side of a cliff, accessible only by a winding road.
Cameras everywhere. Guards everywhere.
Emma adjusted quickly.
She had her own room. A playground. A garden.
She started school again.
Small classes. Private tutors.
She made a friend.
A girl named Sarah.
They played together every day.
I watched her from the window.
She was smiling.
Laughing.
Like nothing had ever happened.
I wished I could feel the same way.
But I couldn't stop thinking about Daniel.
Where he was.
What he was planning.
When he would come for us.
Thomas visited once a week.
He brought updates.
"We're close," he said. "We have a lead. He's been spotted in Mexico."
"Mexico?"
"He has contacts there. People who can hide him."
"Is he coming back?"
"We don't think so. He's probably going to disappear."
"Disappear?"
"He can't reach Emma. He knows that. He's probably going to start over somewhere else."
I wanted to believe it.
But I knew Daniel.
He wasn't the type to give up.
He would find a way.
He always did.
"Keep looking," I said.
"We will."
"And when you find him?"
"We'll bring him back."
"Don't bring him back. Just stop him."
Thomas nodded.
"Understood."
I went back to the window.
Emma was still playing.
Still laughing.
And I made a decision.
I was going to protect her.
No matter what.
Even if it meant doing things I never thought I'd do.
Even if it meant becoming someone I didn't recognize.
Because that was what it took.
That was what it always took.
To survive.
May you like
To fight.
To win.
