REMI HOOD

Chapter 37

Remi

I check the time on my phone, it's half past twelve in the afternoon and I still haven't found a way to go to the location Will had told me. I have no idea how Miami works, the city in Florida where mom is living. I don't know if I'm even in Miami. I stick out my hand in front of what feels like the hundreth taxi which speeds past me. I see another taxi about to pass me.

This is my last attempt, then I'm going to try another mode of transport...

I stick out my hand, fully expecting the taxi to pass me again. To my surprise, the taxi stops and I almost jump up and down in my success. I get into the backseat of the car and rattle off the address to him.

"How long will it take to reach there?" I ask him as he drives.

"Well, we are at the West Palm Beach airport, near Boynton-Beach. Miami is about fifty five minutes away from here, so I think it would take about a little over an hour." he tells me and continues. "If you wanted to go to Miami, why didn't you just take a flight that goes to the Miami airport?"

I smile sheepishly at him through the mirror. "This is my first time in the US, I don't know anything about the airports and cities. I thought all states had one airport..."

He nods his head understandably, then smiles brightly. "No problem, welcome to Florida!"

I smile back and we chat for a while. I open my phone to see multiple missed calls from Will and some from Finn too. Will had sent a text to me as well, saying good morning.

They've found out I've gone.

I'm sure they know I'm in Florida... I bet they are on their way to Miami.

They'll probably take the correct airport too... They might reach there before me.

"Can you drive as fast as you can? I'm sort of in a hurry." I tell him to which he nods his head and increases the taxi's speed.

I stare at the house in front of me, surrounded by what feels like a friendly neighborhood. The house is not huge but big with a garage. Its hazel brick walls shine in the sun, looking cozy. The windows are closed with curtains preventing me from peeking inside. Whoever lives in the house seems to be well-off.

Is this truly where mom is living?

I walk up to the porch and I raise my hand to ring the bell. I hesitate for a few seconds.

What if she doesn't want to see me?

What if this is not her real location?

I shake out all of my thoughts and I take a deep breath and I ring the bell. I wait for a minute and when nobody answers, I ring the doorbell again. "Hello? Is anyone there?" I ask loudly.

I knock on the door a couple of times but still nobody answers the door. The hope inside me fades a little bit. The sound of someone running down the stairs causes my heart rate to speed. I hear keys jingle and the door opens with a click.

"I'm sorry I took so long, I was a bit preoccupied-"

Mom's mouth falls open and stumbles a few steps back into the house. I feel like I'm staring into a reflection of my older self. Tears fill my eyes and I let them fall freely.

"R-Remi?" She croaks on her own tears.

It really is mom.

I nod my head. "Mom."

I throw myself into her arms and she pulls me closer, hugging me tight. I sob into her arms, I remember her touch, holding me when I was scared of the sound of thunder when I was a toddler. Mom brushes my hair with her fingers. "My little princess... All grown up." She mutters into my shoulder.