A Way Home
Chapter 19 – The End
"You're not alone/ Together we stand/ I'll be by your side/ You know I'll take your hand/ When it gets cold/ and it feels like the end/ there's no place to go/ you know I won't give in/ No, I won't give in/ Keep holding on/ 'cause you know I'll make it through/ I'll make it through/ Just stay strong/ 'cause you know I'm here for you/ I'm here for you/ There's nothing you can say/ nothing you can do/ There's no other way when it comes to the truth/ So keep holding on/ 'cause you know I'll make it through/ I'll make it through/ So far away/ I wish you were here/ Before it's too late/ this could all disappear/ Before the doors close/ and it comes to an end/ with you by my side I will fight and defend/ I'll fight and defend."
-Keep Holding On, Avril Lavigne
-
I hugged Erik, Charity, and Dominique, and then waved goodbye. I had spent the past four days with Gabriella, fashioning the proper clothes that I would need for the trip. I wore medium brown pants that went down to my knees, a pair of black boots that women in the nineteenth century would most likely use for riding horses, or when they went on a trip, and a plain white T-shirt. Everyone else called it a tunic, but in the 21st century, it was called a T-shirt, and we all knew it.
I waved one last goodbye as my family faded out of sight, and I faded into sight. When I finally appeared in the 21st century, with the help of AM2's time belt, I knew exactly what year I was in: It was the summer of 2006, and I was in France, at the same time that I was in Canada. I went up to the closest woman and asked her what the day of the month it was. I was fairly sure that it was June, but I wasn't positive, so I needed to ask someone.
The woman verified my suspicions, and told me that it was June 8th. Perfect. It was the day before I found the manuscript. That would give me time to find a ticket home to Canada. I knew that I couldn't phone my mom. I also knew that I couldn't phone Joey or David, even though the Council had given me a number to call them at.
So I decided to do the only thing I could: Beg for passage. And when that failed, I would sneak aboard. Either way, I would find a way to get to Canada.
I headed for the nearest alley, and then covered myself in dirt. Pity was the best way to beg passage. I should probably have gone to Canada back when I was in the nineteenth century, but there was nothing to be done about it now.
I traveled to the nearest airport and searched the tarmac for a private plane. It would have to be one that would be heading for Canada, and also one that would carry a compartment where I could hide. I needed to be able to get there within the day, so a private plane would be the fastest thing.
I went up to the first person who didn't look like a pilot, and spoke to him in French.
"S'il vous plait," I began, but the man cut me off.
"I have no idea what you're saying," he said in English, "so don't bother talking to me. And if you can't understand me, then tough luck." He turned away.
"Actually, I can understand you perfectly," I replied. "I was wondering if I could ask for passage to Canada. That is, if that is where you are going." I smiled, and took a handkerchief from my pants pocket and wiped my face, which I had covered in dirt to make myself look threadbare, although my clothes I had been unwilling to soil with dirt.
The man turned back around to face me and raised an eyebrow as I smiled at him with somewhat white teeth. "Who are you?" He asked, his eyes getting wider as he took in my confidence, my not-so-skinny figure, and my youth. "What are you, a Muslim or something?" He asked.
"Okay, first of all," I said, "It's not polite to insult any culture, so shut your pie hole about all of that. Second of all, no I am not Muslim, and I don't even want to know what gave you that idea. Thirdly, I need a ride to Canada, more specifically, Toronto, Ontario."
"You're in luck," he said, smiling. Apparently, my attitude seemed to have amused him. "That's where I'm headed."
"Mind if I tag along?" I asked, making sure that my wedding ring, which was back on my finger, was showing clearly.
"Go ahead," he said.
-
When I finally reached home, I was relieved to see my old home. But I had to make sure that no one saw me there. I headed straight for my old school, and went in like there was nothing wrong with me being there.
Some of the kids there gave me funny looks, as though they half recognized me.
I passed myself as the younger version of me was sitting in her/my favorite spot, reading a book. I had never seen myself from this angle, and I realized that I wasn't actually as ugly as I had thought. It was like looking at myself in a photo, except this was real life.
I tilted my head the other way, making sure that the manuscript was tucked securely in my shoulder pack, which I had labored over with Gabriella for several days.
When I reached the right shelf, I pulled it out, looked around, and set it on the shelf. Then I hid a few shelves down.
I had to wait about twenty minutes, lingering and loitering two shelves down. Then I saw mini me get up and take her/my stuff and return the book she/I had been reading. She began to search the shelves for another book, and for a moment, I saw it through her eyes, from my memories.
She found the manuscript. Yes! Score! Mission accomplished.
I pulled out my belt and reviewed the combination. I couldn't risk going back the way I had come, because, for one, I had no way of getting back to France in this century. Which was why I had saved the best part of this new, shiny and better belt for this moment.
I pressed a few buttons and the covering slipped away, out of sight. A second keypad appeared. This one directed a location. So, I located myself to appear in Paris, France. Then I covered the belt back up, and I punched in the time.
As I faded from sight, I saw my small self pull out a sweater and put it on. I smiled. That younger version of myself had no idea where the manuscript would lead her, but she and I both knew that it was something special.
-
As I reappeared in the right time, I realized where I was, and I whooped for joy. I was back where I had started, with Erik, Charity, Dominique, Henri and Philippe were there, and they all smiled at me.
"So, it was successful?" Erik asked.
I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him. "Mission accomplished, Captain," I said, and smiled.
"Ew!" Dominique exclaimed. "Go do that somewhere else."
I smiled at her, and knew in my heart that, no matter what happened to us, I would always be there. No one in my family would ever be alone.
"Keep Holding on," I said.
"Huh?" Dominique asked, looking confused.
I smiled. "I love you," I told her, and hugged her. Then I gathered Charity into the hug. "I love you both." I smiled up at Erik. "I love you all.
And we lived happily ever after.
A/N: There it is! The last chapter. I know that I said there would be 2 more chapters, but I was able to squeeze the two of them together. It saves time, and I thought that this was better anyways. Review, please, and let me know what you think!