Chapter 5: The Road To Peter Pan

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Gwen had to drive to Pauline's house, since she realized she had unconsciously stopped at her old apartment. The result of becoming a befuddled mess thanks to Belle dropping bombshells every two minutes. Belle ordered to drop her off and meet up at the old apartment noon the next day.

Paris.

Gwen had never been to Paris. She hadn't been outside of England. Now she was preparing to go on a crazy road trip. She did not even know how long this would take. Once Peter was found, they would have to head to wherever Skul was to save Pauline. It was unnerving, preparing to dive into the unknown.

"You're late, sweetie. Caught in the rain?" Mrs Gonzales already had dinner laid out on the dining table. Gwen's heart sank, she would leave the poor woman to take care of herself while she went on this crazy goose chase. But it was all with the intention to bring her daughter back to complete their family.

After dinner, Gwen sat at the edge of Mrs Gonzales's bed as she took her medications.

"Mrs. Gonzales, you've already done so much by taking care of me..." Gwen started.

"What's this all about, sweetie?" The old woman was confused as Gwen tucked her into bed.

"Please listen. I can't let you keep living like this because you deserve better, you deserve your daughter back." Gwen let out a shaky sigh before continuing.

"I... Will get her back, I promise you. I'm leaving tomorrow. I've gotten lead. I'm sorry, but nothing you say is going to stop me from going. I will find Pauline, if it's the last thing I do," Gwen looked up to see the confused eyes of her caretaker.

"Gwen... I-" Gwen presumed the stubborn look in her eyes made it clear to the woman there was no convincing once she had made up her mind. She clasped both of Gwen's hand together and brought them to her chest.

"My dear, I would hate for you to hurt yourself, but I know I can't stop you. Please take care of yourself. I cherish you like a child of my own," she said.

Gwen felt a sob lodge in her throat, her eyes getting watery. For Mrs Gonzales alone, she would face Skul head on and bring Pauline back. Mrs Gonzales was the mother she never had. Gwen was not planning to let her down.

She said a prayer under her breath and placed a kiss on Gwen's hands. "Please keep both my girls safe, Lord."

Gwen let out a sad smile and enveloped her in a hug. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"I will bring Pauline back to you safe and sound, nothing will stop me. I promise."

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Gwen packed her backpack with whatever she deemed necessary, got on to writing an absent letter to the university, and tried to get some shut-eye.

Early the next morning, she said her goodbyes to Mrs Gonzales and informed her for the period that she would be gone, she called the hired caretaker to replace her. Reluctantly, Mrs Gonzales agreed. Gwen drove straight to the university and submitted her letter to the office.

Thankfully, she had no friends that would question her disappearance. However, as she was walking out of the admin office, she had the strangest feeling that she was being watched. She shrugged it off and headed over to her car to fill its tanks with petrol for their long journey.

Little did she know; the eyes following her were far from gone.

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Belle was already waiting. She sat cross-legged on the pavement beside the entrance of the apartment building. A laptop was balancing on her knee as she ran her fingers along the keys of the board. Gwen pressed her car horn, signalling the girl who slapped her laptop shut and strode over. She got in and threw a backpack over to the back seat.

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