The Perfect Crime

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Her face showed visible emotions of shock before composing to its original state; sadness.

She stretched out her hand and gently cupped my cheek.

"Oh, honey," she said, her eyes were glassy from the tears, "I'm sorry. I'm not your mom."

"B-but you look exactly like her."

"Well that's what happens when you're twins," she said with a slight chuckle.

"Twins?"

"I'm Brenda," she said. "Your mom didn't tell you about me? I'm not surprised. After that big fight we never spoke to each other until...” she trailed off, "and now you're here!" she exclaimed and engulfed me in a big hug.

If you ever need help, go to your Aunt Brenda, my mom’s voice rang through my head once again.

"I remember you! My mom mentioned you befor- before she died."

Her eyes went glassy again when I said that. I pulled her into a hug and we both stood there for what seemed like hours. Finally she pulled away.

"How did you manage to find this place?" She said with a sniffle.

Should I tell her the truth?

I decided against it. I didn't want to worry her. Besides, I couldn't risk her getting found by Craig.

"I am running from someone. Someone dangerous."

Her eyes widened and let out a soft whisper, so soft that I wouldn't have even heard if it if wasn't so quiet in.

"Craig."

Now it was my turn to be surprised.

"You know him?"

"Yes," she said softly. "Your mom came to me before she died. She told me I might-"

It was then my stomach decided to let out a loud rumble.

"Goodness, I didn't realise that you must be starving. Come, let's get you some food," she said and briskly walked out the room.

"Wait she told you what?" I said running after her. She either didn't hear me or chose to ignore me.

I followed her to the kitchen, where she started pulling out pots and pans to cook. There was a small table in the middle of the kitchen, so I sat down.

"What would you like to eat, dear?" she asked, a grin on her face.

My stomach growled again. "Anything," I said a little too desperately. At this point I really would eat anything.

"Well seeing that it's still early, how about eggs?" she asked.

"Perfect," I replied, wishing that the food would just magically get cooked in a second.

Unfortunately, it couldn't be made in a second, but the 5 minutes that it took was good enough.

Aunt Brenda laid the food in front of me and poured me a glass of juice. I immediately started stuffing my face, but then I remembered my manners.

"Thanks," I mumbled since my mouth was full of food. She looked at me and smiled.

We sat in silence while I ate. Soon I went for seconds, and then thirds. Pretty soon I had eaten all of the food she made, and yet I was still hungry. I stared at the pot, unimpressed at its non-magical abilities to produce more food.

"Want me to make more?" she asked, slightly amused at my facial expression. I nodded a bit too eagerly.

Just as she got up to make more food, the sound of cars pulling up was heard.

"Just a moment," she said before running to the window next to the door and peaking behind the curtain.

She let out a little squeal and ran back to the kitchen.

"What? What is it?" I asked, worried.

"I-It's-It's Craig's men! You need to get out of here now!"

"No! They'll hurt you!"

Someone outside started knocking loudly.

"They won't! They won't know who I am! These people are too young to remember my sister. They're here looking for you. You have to go!"

"Open up!" The man started knocking louder.

"But-"

"Just go! In the car outside, there's money in the cubby, take that. Then follow the trail. It will lead you out of here."

She pulled my backpack from me and walked to her cupboard. She started shoving all sorts of food in there.

She walked to the back door in the kitchen and opened it for me.

"Goodbye, my sweet Laine," she whispered and kissed my forehead.

"Open this door now or-"

I don't know what happened next, I had already left by then.

I followed her instructions. I went to the car that was outside. It was a light blue and slightly brown from the rust. it old, broken down car that had no wheels or windows. I opened the doors and found a whole wad of money, exactly where she said it would be, in the cubby. I felt bad for taking it, but I knew I would need it. I would return the money back to her someday.

I then looked around and saw the trail she was talking about. It was one of those trails you find at a hike. I followed it, hoping it would