Eliza's Shadow Read Online Free PDF Page B

pensively as she inspected my
face.
    “I suppose you’re old enough to know now, Eliza. I
guess I expected you to ask one day.” She conceded with a sigh before
continuing.
    “Well, I wasn't shocked when I got the call from
Cora, surprised, but not shocked. Everything was just such a mess down there. I
was so angry with your mom. I’m sorry to tell you this, babe, but it’s the
truth. I just couldn’t believe she did that to you. You probably don’t know this,
but the police called me a couple days after your mom disappeared. They were
desperate to find your next of kin. I… I was going to go down there right away
but then… well, you were with Cora and I thought… I hoped your mom would show
up. I had been worrying about what was going to happen to you. So when I got
the call that night, I moved quickly to get you out of there." She stated
frankly.
    Jane began to pour the hot chocolate into mugs as
she continued with her side of the story.
    "When I picked you up at the airport you
looked fragile. Standing there with your backpack full of books. You were so
tiny and pale with dark circles under your eyes. I remember looking into your
big green eyes and thinking that you looked like a little adult, carrying around
adult pain and worry. I was angry at myself for not getting you earlier and I
worried that nothing I could do would heal you." She sighed as if she
still shouldered some guilt, so many years later.
    She stopped and looked at me with a pained,
pleading expression, waiting for a response.
    "It's ok, Jane, this is what I want to hear,
go on." I put on a brave face and took a sip of hot chocolate.
    She grimaced then grabbed her mug and circled the
bar to join me on a stool.
    "The first couple of days you were here, you
hardly spoke. You spent hours in your room reading through the little stack of
books you’d brought from home. I guess some things never change! But at the
time it was unnerving. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to force you to
talk about anything you didn't want to, of course. I didn't know anything about
children and you'd been through things most adults never have to endure.
Finally, your silence broke. You just started talking. You asked me questions
about my travels and wanted to know all about Viva. You even laughed. I
realized then that you were one of the strongest, most resilient people
around." As she spoke, Jane reached over and laid a hand over my hand,
resting in my lap.
    She continued, "I realized that no one could
mend your family, or bring your mom back. But I could make sure you were never
alone again and I could give you a safe, happy life. That was the promise I
made to myself. I hope that's how you've felt living with me, Eliza." Her
voice dropped to a whisper and her eyes filled with doubt.
    Hating that she would even question what she had
done for me for even a second, I quickly responded, "Oh Jane, I love our
life. That's not what this is about." I shook my head vigorously in an
attempt to dispel any of her worry.
    Jane examined my face and her expression morphed
from concern to curiosity.
    “Well, if you’re not unhappy here then why are you
suddenly asking about all this now?” She asked.
    I shrugged my shoulders and cast my gaze to our
twined hands resting in my lap, then removed my hand anxiously before speaking.
    The truth was, I didn’t know how to answer her
question. She clearly didn’t know what Cora and I knew… that whatever happened
to my mother was somehow linked to my nightmare. She didn’t know that was the
reason Cora sent me to her. The nightmares didn’t follow me and I hadn’t
thought about the threat that lived in them for years.
    "It’s just that… I’ve been remembering some
things from back then, things that scare me." My voice trailed and I gazed
around the room trying to find words to describe the emotions that swirled
within me.
    "You’re going to think I’m crazy.” I
stammered hesitantly. My cheeks grew hot under Jane’s