CHASING SHADOW

Chapter 18: (Emma's POV)

The hospital room as filled with the soft sounds of beeping monitors and the distant chatter of nurses as they bustled about. I cradled my daughters close, their tiny bodies nestled against me like living treasures. With each passing moment, the anticipation of leaving the sterile confines of the hospital grew, mingling with a mix of anxiety and excitement.

The doctor entered, clipboard in hand, her smile warm as she approached. "Emma, I think we're ready to discharge you and your girls. You've both done wonderfully."

I couldn't help but smile back, though the weight of impending responsibilities loomed heavily over me. "Thank you. I'm excited but a little nervous."

"That's completely normal," she reassured me. "Just take it one day at a time. And remember, we're just a phone call away if you have any questions."

After signing the necessary paperwork and gathering the last of my belongings, I felt a surge of hope. The fresh start I had been dreaming of was finally within reach. As I wrapped the twins snugly in their blankets, I took a moment to breathe in their sweet scent, the weight of their presence grounding me.

But just as the nurse wheeled the cart carrying the twins towards the exit, a flicker of doubt shot through me. What if Evelyn was waiting for me?

I pushed the thought aside, forcing myself to focus on the joy of bringing my daughters home.

With every step toward the exit, I felt a mixture of liberation and trepidation. The sliding doors opened to reveal the bright sunlight, a stark contrast to the dimly lit hospital corridors. I stepped outside, inhaling the fresh air, and it felt as if I was shedding a layer of the past.

"Are you ready to be a mommy?" I whispered to my girls, feeling the gravity of the question.

Once in the car, I buckled them into their car seats with tender care, marveling at how tiny they looked. The drive home felt surreal, a blend of reality and the dream I had longed for. My mother had offered to come stay with me, a gesture that filled me with relief and dread all at once.

What if she sees the things I see?

As we pulled into the driveway, I felt a knot of anxiety settle in my stomach. My mother's car was already parked outside, the familiar shape bringing a small sense of comfort. She stepped out, her face lighting up when she saw us.

"Emma!" she called, rushing toward us with open arms. "Oh, my goodness, look at you!"

"Hi, Mom," I said, managing a smile as I stepped out of the car, the weight of the twins in my arms grounding me.

She enveloped me in a hug, and I felt the warmth of her presence ease some of my worries. "You did it, sweetheart! I'm so proud of you," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

As she pulled back to look at the twins, I could see tears in her eyes. "They're perfect! Can I hold one?"

"Of course," I said, gently handing her the first baby. "This is Chloe."

"Oh, my little Chloe!" she cooed, her eyes shining as she cradled my daughter close. I felt a rush of warmth seeing my mom so engaged, her nurturing instincts pouring out.

"And this is Noah," I added, handing her the second twin.

"They're beautiful, Emma. You're going to be a wonderful mother," she said, beaming as she took both babies into her arms.

We made our way inside, and the familiar surroundings of my home wrapped around me like a hug. It felt strange to be back here, but now it was filled with new life and possibility. My mom set the twins down in the living room, adjusting their blankets and checking their pacifiers as if she were already on high alert.

"I'll get things set up for you, and then we can talk about a schedule," she said, her tone all business as she moved around the room. "You'll need to rest when they do, and we can work on feeding routines together."

"Okay, that sounds good," I replied, grateful for her support but still feeling the weight of uncertainty.

As the day progressed, my mother busied herself with organizing the nursery and preparing meals, her presence providing a comforting structure I desperately needed. But even in the midst of it all, I couldn't shake the feeling that Evelyn was lurking just beyond the periphery of my consciousness.

That evening, after a long day filled with feeding, changing, and settling the twins into their new home, I finally found a moment of quiet. I sat on the couch, watching my mother gently rock Noah in her arms, her soft hums filling the air. Chloe was peacefully asleep in her crib, and for a moment, everything felt right.

But just as I began to relax, I caught a flicker of movement from the corner of my eye. I turned sharply, my heart racing as I searched the dim corners of the room. Nothing. Just shadows playing tricks in the low light.

I took a deep breath, attempting to steady my racing heart. You're imagining things, Emma. You're just tired.

My mother glanced up, sensing my unease. "Everything okay, honey?"

"Yeah, just a bit tired," I replied, forcing a smile.

As I settled back into the couch, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was being watched. I glanced at the empty space in the room, half-expecting to see Evelyn's familiar silhouette, but it was just shadows.

With my girls asleep, I decided to take a moment for myself. I slipped into the bathroom, the cool tiles grounding me as I splashed water on my face. Staring at my reflection, I couldn't help but notice the dark circles under my eyes and the weariness etched into my features.

You can do this. You have to stay strong for them.

But just as I turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of something in the mirror—an outline, a shadow that seemed to shift behind me. I spun around, my heart in my throat, but the bathroom was empty. Just the quiet hum of the house settling around me.

I shook my head, pushing the thoughts aside. Evelyn isn't here. She can't hurt you. You're safe.

As I returned to the living room, I felt the weight of the world pressing down on me. My mother was still cradling Noah, her eyes heavy with fatigue, but her smile was reassuring.

"Why don't you take a little time to rest?" she suggested. "I'll watch the twins for a while."

"Are you sure?" I asked, hesitating.

"Absolutely. You need to recharge, Emma."

I nodded, grateful for the chance to rest. But as I made my way to the bedroom, the sensation of being watched returned, prickling the back of my neck. I closed the door behind me, locking it just to be safe.

I'll sleep with the lights on, I thought, trying to reassure myself as I crawled into bed, exhaustion weighing heavily on my eyelids.

But even as I closed my eyes, I could feel Evelyn's presence, a dark shadow creeping into my dreams, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

You're not safe, Emma. You can't escape me.