Page 124 of The Daredevil

Aunt Klara and Viktor were hurting from reliving the abduction. I didn’t know how to move forward. I needed to think, to breathe.

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I got up. “I need some air.”

Michelle joined me and told Aunt Klara and Viktor, “We’ll be back.”

“I know it’s a lot to take in. Take all the time you need,” Aunt Klara said.

When we stepped outside, I wanted to release this frustration inside of me. The rock at the tip of my shoes became the target. I kicked it, and it flew into the street.

“Feel better?” Michelle cocked her head.

“A little.”

The chilly air soothed me, and I inhaled, filling my lungs with much-needed refreshment. The sun shone bright against the blue sky with hardly any clouds, but my darkness in my soul right now couldn’t appreciate it.

“I’ll drive.” Michelle reached for the driver’s side door handle.Her earring—the lightning bolt or letter M I’d found and returned to her—glistened in the sun. That subtle spark of light speared the darkness from my soul.

I touched her earring, hoping to absorb the vibrancy of it. It had given me hope when I found it, and it offered me a new way of looking at my issue now.

The truth had many faces, and not all of them were pleasant. I should know the truth didn’t always live up to my expectations. It was like my scientific research, which often yielded disappointing results. I either had to accept them and move on to another theory, or beat myself up about something I couldn’t control. Trial and error. Live and learn.

What I’d heard from my remaining family members was eye-opening and heart-wrenching. I tried to place myself in their shoes, and my body trembled. I didn’t know if I could have lived like that. It took courage, persistence, and a constant glance over your shoulder, hoping your enemy wouldn’t strike unexpectedly.

Viktor worked in the lion’s den, full of hungry beasts. It took a man with a strong will to survive that dangerous life. Aunt Klara must have worried herself to death every day, not knowing if her husband would return safely and also worrying about her son, who thought she was his aunt.

I thought I’d lived on the edge by taking part in daring adventures around the world and owning businesses that offered the same thrill to people, but compared to what they went through, my lifestyle couldn’t measure up.

If my life were a movie, the director would have a tough time connecting all the pieces and trying to make sense of it. Perhaps that was the issue. I was having a hard time placing all the parts into an order where I could see everything. It was a big mess, like looking at an intricate cellular division under a microscope. Too many tiny pieces happening all at once, and it was hard to focus on one thing.

Despite my understanding of Viktor and Aunt Klara’s motivations—I couldn’t call them Mom or Dad yet—I couldn’t help feeling betrayed.

I wanted to listen to their explanation, accept it, forgive them, and start over as a family, but I couldn’t. Someday, yes, but not today.

“Where are you taking me?” I slid into the passenger seat, loving that she was chauffeuring me.

“I have the perfect place for you.” Her eyes gleamed, and I surrendered to wherever she took me.

CHAPTERSIXTY-EIGHT

MICHELLE

The ocean glistenedfrom the sun like a blanket of diamonds.

I sat with Royce on the slab of rock, looking out at the water. The March weather was chilly, but it wasn’t so bad with our jackets on.

Two seagulls landed in front of us and cawed as though asking us for food. A couple walked along the shore in the distance.

I looked over at Royce, who stared out at the waters with an impassionate expression. I could only imagine the storm brewing inside him.

Gripping his warm hands, I brought them over to my lap. “What’s on your mind?”

He met my gaze. “Just thinking of life’s trials. I’d rather weather the storm with you than enjoy the sunshine with anyone else.”

I sucked in a breath. He always knew how to touch my heart.

When my heart calmed, I said, “This is where I found your wish bottle, over there by all the pebbles and shells. It gave me hope that day. I was shocked that it had remained intact after all these years of being tossed around by the powerful waves, wind, and storms. Somehow, it miraculously made it to me.” I squeezed his hand. “We don’t have all the answers. Sometimes we just take what life offers and do something about it. For me, I took it home and treasured it.”

Royce jumped off the rock and dragged me with him. “Show me the spot.”

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