Journey Home

Chapter Twenty-Six

I swallow and keep walking, even though it feels like my legs are turning to lead as I look at the familiar building.

Austin grabs my arm and pulls me back. "Let's get out of here, Zo. Come on!"

My brain is on fire. Gently, I remove his hand and take in mine instead. "Just...trust me, Austin... I..." I can't manage to explain and just gently tug him along.

Austin has a look on his face that says that he believes I'm crazy, but the sudden lightbulb that's gone off in my head is too blinding.

I shove open the door to Miss Flavrin's and march in, throwing open the door to her office. I crumple to the ground just as I remember my broken leg,-it's almost healed but all that's been happening made me forget about it-I stand back up and try to look professional.

Miss Flavrin gives me a look of utter disgust as she snatches up a phone, waving it at me triumphantly. "Why, if it isn't the little runaway," she sneers. Her eyes glance at Austin for a second, then focus on me. "The-the prison convict!"

I return her look of disgust and feel something change. This is different from all the times I've glared at her, full of hate.

This time, my look is just pure disgust for this woman that I've held in fear for so long. "Miss Flavrin," I say coolly. "I have something to tell you."

Perhaps it's the look in my eyes - a knowing look - but she shrinks back, spitting out a curse word. "What?" she snaps, the sound of her voice like a rifle crack.

"I remembered..." I reach out and take Austin's hand. "He hasn't yet, and I'm not sure why I have, but I found out the truth about you."

Her mouth moves silently, but no words come out.

"You're...Austin's mom," I state, feeling a rush of cold come over my body.

Austin's hand is holding mine in a death grip. "Z-Z-Zoey? I-I..."

Miss Flavrin gives me a look full of pure venom. "Shut your mouth, delusional girl! I'm calling the police now."

"What will you tell them? There will be an investigation into your name. After all, I escaped under your care and went on to break someone out of jail. That won't go over well."

She slowly sets down the phone. "Despicable child."

"Why?" I ask softly. "Why doesn't Austin know? Why do I?"

"Get out of my orphanage."

Austin stumbles a step forward. "M-Mom?"

She glares at him. "Delusions! I said, GET OUT!"

"Miss Flavrin, we can't go yet. I need explanations," I say, pulling Austin back. I wish I could have done this without him. Miss Flavrin was rotten to me, I can't imagine what she and Austin will be like.

"You're my son," Miss Flavrin says bitterly. "Your father and I were divorced. That's all you need to know."

"How did Zoey relate?" Austin asks. "Why don't I remember you, or this place? Did we just never meet? Why?"

"You two... Never dreamed you'd find each other again..." She fixes an almost-soft look onto her son. "It's easier to forget, Austin. Just walk away and forget about it."

"I can't do that."

"Leave me alone," Miss Flavrin says quietly. Not dangerously, just like she can't bring herself to speak louder. "We'll talk later. Please."

Slowly, we back out of the room. Austin is shaking all over, but it stops every few seconds as he tries to pull himself together.

"Why don't I remember her, Zo? Why do you?" His eyes meet mine pleadingly.

I avert my eyes, also shaking. I don't know...