Hide & Seek

Chapter 1

- That is such a lovely apartment, don't you think, honey?, Kate asked smiling slightly.

Anastasia did not respond. She walked around the dark place they would call "home" from now on. It didn't feel like home at all. A real home would be warm, welcoming, full of memories. This place was cold, depressing and empty. She sat on the old couch burrying her face in her small hands.

- Oh, sweetie... I know it's not the best place here, but it's all we can afford now. Anyway, this is our place now, we can change a few things, Kate said examining the house. Okay, a lot, she continued chuckling.

Anastasia smiled. Her mother was so caring and tried her best for her wellbeing.

- Point is, we are safe here, right? We can start a new life, meet new people and finally be happy, Kate encouraged her daughter kissing her forehead.

-You are right, mom... We will be just fine here, Anastasia smiled.

-That's my girl! Now go take some sleep, it's already too late and tomorrow is a new day!, Kate said excitedly while heading to her room.

Anastasia headed to her bedroom as well. It was cramped, but it had all she needed. A bed, a desk and a small window. She left her backpack on the desk and sank in the bed. She left a deep sigh and closed her eyes.

Will we be fine? Will we make it and build a new life from scratch? What if something goes wrong? This is not a good plan...

Her thoughts were messing with her head, making her dizzier and dizzier as time passed until she finally gave up and let the darkness consume her.

*******

The sun rays 'piercing' the thin cloth of the curtains mixing up with the sound of cars rushing in the streets were enough to wake Anastasia up. When she entered the kitchen she found her mother cooking breakfast humming a happy tune by herself.

- Good morning, sweetie! Did you have a good night sleep?
- Yeah, what about you? You seem to be so excited. What happened?, Anastasia asked her mother confused.
- Why shouldn't I be? Today is your first day at school and I am sure it is going to be great! Oh, and while you are at school I can clean this place a little bit. And last but not least, I think I found a really good job.

Kate was so happy, Anastasia couldn't help but smile. Maybe it wasn't such an awful choice to live there. At first, it would be difficult but they would get used to it soon.

- Really? That's great, mom! What kind of job did you find?
- Well, it's not that great, but the salary is pretty good. I will be working at an internet cafe, I heard they were hiring, Kate shrugged serving her daughter breakfast.

- That's awesome, it will totally help us out, Anastasia replied hugging her mother.

- I know, baby, I know. Okay, so finish your breakfast and get ready, or else you are going to be late for school, young lady!, Kate kissed her daughter's forehead.

Anastasia grinned eating the last piece of pancake and headed to the bathroom. When she looked in the mirror, though, she frowned.

The only characteristic she could recognise on her face was her eyes, even though they were extremely tired due to the lack of sleep. Dark brown, just like her father's. Her hair were dyed blonde in order to match her new identity. She was not Holland anymore.
Holland Cox was dead.
She was Anastasia Young.

Without further hesitation she grabbed her backpack and phone and after hugging Kate she started walking towards her new High School. When she reached the entrance she took a deep breath.

'North Carolina, here I come.'