Arsonist's Lullaby

Chapter 22 - Jesse

We arrived at the airport in Paris after a long day of trying to find the right terminals and accidentally getting on the wrong flight. Turns out Sam wasn't a huge fan of flying and I had to pull her hair back for almost half of the trip as she threw up all the dry Cheerios and fruit snacks she had snacked on.

"At least we don't have to try finding a cab." I offered seeing a man in a suit holding up a sign with her name on it.

"Here goes nothing." She muttered and held my hand, dragging her carry on in the other as we walked up to the man.

"Ah, Madame Clementine! So nice to finally see you again." He briefly bowed and took all her bags. I refused when he tried to take mine but seemed persistent so I let him carry what he could to the car, well limo actually, and helped put the rest in the trunk.

"Your family sure does ride with style." I whistled joining her on the dark leather seats. She didn't seem to hear me as she looked out the window, her eyebrows pulled together with worry.

"Hey, there's nothing to be nervous about. They're your family." I said. She kept tugging at her necklace but nodded, taking my hand and squeezing it until we finally reached our destination.

"Welcome home." The chauffeur smiled opening the door for us. from what we had googled, Sam (Clementine) was obviously rich. like filthy rich. But It still took me by surprise as we looked at the miles and miles of land her family owned.

"Holy-" I started.

"Shit." She finished. I noticed her backing up towards the car but stopped her before she could try doing anything.

"We came all this way Sam. C'mon." I gently tugged at her hand and followed the chauffeur past the iron gates and towards the large expensive looking doors.

"Jesse I can't do this. What if it's a mistake? What if I ran away for a good reason?" She whispered desperately. Before I could reply, the doors were opened and a small woman with graying hair braided back into a neat bun wearing an apron hobbled out followed by an older and more sophisticated looking version of Sam.

"Mon cher! Oh mon petit oiseau!" The woman half laughed, half sobbed before throwing her arms around Sam. She hesitantly hugged her back while discreetly looking at me in confusion.

"You are back, you are okay!" She gushed happily before wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

Sam gave a small and I could tell she was uncomfortable but so could the woman.

"Ce qui s'est passé? What happened? Why doesn't she look happy to see me?" The woman frowned looking hurt and confused. Before I could explain, the other woman had already beat me to it.

"There was an accident and she got amnesia. She doesn't really remember anything about her old life." The older looking Sam explained making the woman gasp.

"Oh, my poor little bird!" She whispered in despair.

"Francesca, right?" Sam gently touched the woman's shaking shoulders. She looked up at her with worry.

"I remember you." Sam gently smiled holding her hands in hers making Francesca beam happily.

"I kind of remember some things." Sam pulled away looking at who I guessed to be her sister.

"Do you remember me?" The woman asked adjusting the pearls on her neck.

"Please tell me you're not my mother." Sam asked making her snicker.

"Please. I would rather die first than become that woman." She scoffed.

"Claire!" Sam's face suddenly brightened and they both ran towards each other.