Chapitre 3
The day passes slowly, the Federal agent having to keep a low profile, not have the attention on them. They search information on their computer about some suspects that the little group of students gives them about. Otherwise, they just watch TV or play carts. Kristin can't stop herself to watch her daughter, who stays on her side of the room, working on her computer. She didn't cross her eyes, she avoid looking in her mother direction. The joyful little girl was gone very far, letting a sad and hurt young woman.
"We'd have to walk around the neighborhood," Barnes whispered.
"Katsa runs in the afternoon, it can give you the opportunity to do so if one of you goes with her." one of the boys suggested.
Katsa glared at him, not liking him talking about her habit. She wouldn't normally care if her mother hadn't been there. Katsa start running without a word, she can't believe that after all those years alone, trying to survive in different ways, her mom was here next to her.
"Katsa..."
"Not here."
After a while, they stop in a park to stretch.
"The guy you want come here to meet a woman at the same hours every day."
"Thank you" whisper Kristin.
Katsa was about to leave but Kristin grabbed gently her wrist, forcing her girl to turn to her. Katsa meet her green eyes tearful.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry little angel. I know you are mad at me, and you have every right. But know that I never forgot you."
Tears in her eyes, Katsa free her wrist, turning her back to her mom. A shaky sigh escaped her. Kristin stifled a sob, her heart broken to have loose her little girl. Katsa turn toward her, before hugging her shyly.
"Never forget that I love you, I always do Kat'."
As an answer, Katsa kiss her cheeks. Kristin knew she didn't forgive her, but savored this small gesture, this small step. A tear rolled down her cheek, how everything could have gone so wrong? With one hand, she brushed Katsa's hair back before resting her hand on her cheek and looking into her beautiful eyes.
"I'm proud of you sweetie. I know nothing will fix my mistakes, but my door will always be open to you."
"No. Not with him in the same building. Not with your daughter in the same apartment as you." Katsa breathed, taking a step back, her voice harsh.
Kristin looked down at her feet. She had been foolish to let her ex-husband steal her relationship with her eldest.
"Can I at least have a hug?" Kristin asked with a trembling voice.
For a moment, Katsa didn't move, staring at her mother. But when Kristin thought she was going to refuse, her daughter sighed before nestling in her arms. She circled her waist, pulling her closer, burying her nose in her hair, inhaling her scent, enjoying her embrace. It would be a lie to say she hadn't dreamed of this in years. Katsa let go uncomfortably.
"I'll do my lace again and we'll get back to it? We'll go through the other side of the neighborhood you see."
"Okay. Thank you Katsa."
"Hmmm"
Katsa made her shoelace, but looking up spotted an armed man walking towards them, and raising his weapon. Without thinking for a second, Katsa lunged at her mother, pinning her to the ground as the gunshot rang out. The man approached the duo to finish his work, he had recognized the agent, and was determined to eliminate her so that she would not identify the gang. It was without counting on Katsa who quickly analyzed the situation before throwing herself into the suspect's legs, causing him to lose his balance. She grabbed his arm holding the gun twisting in his back. A nearby patrol intervened, taking over.
"Kristin!" Barnes exclaimed as she arrived followed by the rest of the team.
"I'm fine...thanks to Katsa."
"Nice job" declared Remy to the young woman.
"No bother. I just did what I had to do." Katsa pushed away.
