Born of the Storm

Chapter 6

          The next morning, Luca and I prepared for our journey south to Italy to visit a part of my past, the ones I cherish. I needed to see them again. One of the reasons I wanted to pay this visit was because I knew Luca wanted to but refrained for safety. He had sacrificed so much, and this was something I could give back to him. The car ride was tense and silent, broken only by Luca's occasional questions about my plan.

   "Questo è pericoloso, Teresa" (this is dangerous) he said, glancing at me as he drove.

   I couldn't say a thing. I was unsure of it myself.

   As we approached his family home, a wave of nostalgia hit me. The place looked the same, yet something felt different, I was different. We were greeted warmly by Adelina and Leonardo, their faces lighting up at the sight of us.

   "Papà, mamma," Luca's voice softened, the tension of our journey melting away in their presence. I felt a pang of guilt; Luca had been by my side through everything, and it had strained his relationship with his family.

   "Luca, Teresa, è bello rivederti," (it's so good to see you again) Adelina said sweetly, gesturing us inside. The familiar scent of fresh wood filled the air, bringing a smile to my face. It was the aroma of Leonardo's workshop, always bustling with activity. "Come, let me cook for you."

  "This is such a surprise. What brings you here?" Leonardo asked, his hands busy with his woodworking tools.

   I hesitated, the truth caught in my throat. Luca stepped in smoothly. "We decided to pass by. Teresa wanted to visit her estate, to see how things are going."

   Adelina's eyes were filled with a mix of worry and pity. "How have you been, dear?"

   "I'm well. I trust that you are too." I replied, my eyes drifting around the room that held so many memories. Everything seemed peaceful here, and I wanted to keep it that way.

   Adelina nodded, her eyes following mine. We caught up on what we had missed, sharing in their happiness and tranquility. It was a brief respite from the storm brewing inside me.

   After years of hiding away, I now felt exposed, stripped of the comforting veil of the life I truly wanted. This all felt unfamiliar and unsettling. Standing here, I couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort. I had come a long way from where I started, and yet, doubts lingered like shadows.

   How long would this last? Would there ever be an end to this? The weight of my actions bore down on me, mingling with a yearning for closure—a longing to finally put the past behind me. Despite the discomfort, I found strength.

   "We have to go," Luca reminded me softly. The visit had been short, but it was enough to give me the clarity I needed. To protect the peace, to protect them.

   As we said our goodbyes, Adelina and Leonardo approached me. "Teresa, remember, we are always here for you." They said, their voices a balm to my troubled thoughts.

   The journey back was filled with reflection. I watched the landscapes pass by, each one pulling me deeper into my memories. The mix of emotions swirling within me was almost overwhelming. Returning to this place brought a confusing blend of warmth, sadness, and joy.

   We arrived at a secluded, heavily guarded area. This place was my sanctuary, a refuge for those with nowhere else to go. Over the years, I had built this haven not for myself but for the people who needed it, the one's who suffered, the one's who endured, and the one's who want to live. It was an institution, providing shelter and care for those in need.