FROM FRANCE TO USA

Untill I see you again

When a good news comes, a bad news always follows. The story of my life.

I couldn't move. Couldn't hear. Couldn't cry. Couldn't breathe. I was frozen, staring at the closed door of the room where I'd just seen the lifeless bodies of Lydia and David. Th-they... d-di-died.

2 Hours Earlier:

"Hey, hey kiddo, I'm sure she's okay. Probably behind schedule and her phone's dead."

"No, it's not that. She'd use David's phone. Something happened to her, Alex. I'm sure of it. When it comes to me, she's never late and always answers. It's not normal... I'm scared." My voice shook with panic.

Alex's hug slowly calmed me, but then my phone rang. Lydia's mom. She was sobbing, words tumbling out in a rush.

"Mme Howard, please, slower. I don't understand."

"Sorry, Madison, but Lydia and David died in a car accident last night. The hospital just called. I know you were in Cardiff with her, so... I..." She broke down again. My world shattered. Alex's eyes searched my face, confusion and fear mixing.

"Madison, could you go to the hospital? Please, maybe it's a mistake... Madison? Are you there?"

"I... I... Yes." It was all I could manage before she thanked me and hung up.

I turned to Alex, numb. "They died."

"Wh-what? Madi... who died?"

"Lydia and David. They died." My voice was barely a whisper. Alex's arms tightened around me, but I couldn't return the embrace. I felt nothing.

"I need to go to the hospital," I said.

"Okay, I'll take you. Let's go."

Present Time:

"They're really dead," I said to Alex, my gaze fixed on the floor.

"I know, kiddo... I know." Her hand squeezed my shoulder.

ALEX'S POV:

I haven't known Madi long, but her reaction terrified me. Yesterday, she'd opened up a bit, but I knew it was just the tip of the iceberg. Now, she was a blank slate, emotions locked away.

"I have to call Lydia's mom," she said. I couldn't let her do it alone.

"I'll call her, Madi. You've been through enough. But first, we're going back to my hotel. We'll get your stuff tomorrow." She nodded and followed me to the car.

Back in my room, she handed me her phone. "Thank you, Alex, for being here."

"Always, kiddo. And you know, it's okay to cry. I'm not judging."

She sighed. "I know, Alex... I know."

"Okay, get some rest. I'll call Mrs. Howard."

Just as I was about to dial, I remembered my limited French. I went back to Madi.

"Madi... does Mrs. Howard speak English?"

She smiled sleepily. "Yes, Alex."

"Great." I smiled back, but she was already asleep. Poor kid. Her life sounded like a nightmare, and this was the worst kind of wake-up call. At least I'd made her smile.

The call with Mrs. Howard was agonizing. How could anyone be okay after news like this? Afterward, I finally got some sleep myself.

MADI'S POV:

I woke up in a strange bed, memories flooding back. It wasn't a dream. Lydia and David were really gone...

"Hey, kiddo, you okay?" Alex asked.

"Yeah. You?"

"I am."

We ate breakfast in silence. I was grateful Alex didn't push me to talk. We packed up her things and drove to my hotel – the one I'd shared with Lydia.

Alex held the key to my room. "Want me to open it?"

"Please."

She unlocked the door. "Can you come in?"

"Yes, it's okay."

We packed my things, and Alex gathered Lydia's. I couldn't bear to touch them.

"Do you want to take something of hers?" Alex asked.

I shrugged, then spotted the necklace Lydia always wore. "I'll take this."

Alex nodded, and we left.

"What now?" I asked.

"Now your new life begins. We'll call Rory, then go to your foster care so they can give me guardianship papers. You'll be living with me in the US until you're eighteen."

"Thank you, Alex, for not giving up on me." I was happy, but the happiness felt wrong, hollow. Lydia was dead. I couldn't be happy.

WOOOOW A NEW CHAPTER AGAIN ! I was inspired today ! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and that you can't wait to see how Madis' life will be now.