Clotilde's Revenge

PROLOGUE

A young woman huddled in the cold. In her hands was an old picture she did hold. A woman met her with a smile, with three girls on every side. Suddenly a drop of water did reside. Then a wail rang throughout the room. Throughout this person's being one thought rose. It was the thought of revenge that did grow. She'd waited for years to settle the score. "Things will not end as they had before! With that, the young woman found that which she'd come to abhor. A young couple's picture in the paper for all to see. The woman read the title angrily-"This young woman known for her past bravery, came to our orphanage to see, If a child they could adopt",. . . as she was about to stop, an unfortunate thought came to fruition, as the woman thought more in vengeful anticipation. . .

1 year Later. . .

The air was crisp and clear as Rose went out the door. She took a deep breath and with a skip in her step, the backdrop she did meet, was that of a quiet rural neighborhood with a clear view of mountains behind.  As she went on her way, she had wondered what was to be in store. It'd been one year since this became her home. In the past, she had nothing to look forward to. Then before she knew it she had a family she could call her own. But while she was grateful there was something she felt she lacked. She couldn't put her finger on it, but then. . . after hearing a particular story from her aunts one thought came through. She went back to the previous week on a cold Saturday night as her aunts passed through. "Can you tell me a story?", Rose asked Lucy, Chloe, Carol, Nancy, and Sky. "Well, how does an adventure story sound to you?", asked Carol. "Yes, please she said enthusiastically. "Once upon a time, a huge fire took three girls home. "

As Carol said this, she glanced at the others as they shared a silent understanding. As the aunts told the story, with each new character brought in, each told that person's story. Rose listened spellbound as their voices would rise and fall. And when they reached that of their friend's demise-(unbeknownst to their niece), Rose thought of how great they were at telling stories as their sorrow seemed so genuine. When they'd reached the conclusion of the story and had tucked her into bed, Rose asked directing her attention to Carol as she felt she must know, "Auntie, why did you tell me this story as if it were true? as she thought it surely couldn't be. Her aunts looked at each other as Sky asked, "Well, what do you think? Do you think it's possible?" And as they'd gone, Rose realized she'd been left not with answers but curious questions instead.  

While Rose had thought that such a thing was too big to be true, the tale had not left her mind. As she came back home, her mom was preparing dinner for that night. Rose asked as her patience she couldn't find, " Mom, Aunties told me a story last Saturday about a group of girls who went looking for a home after they'd lost theirs to a fire. " Julie froze and stiffened as she responded, "Oh they did, did they?" "Yes, it sounded really exciting! Where did they hear it? You've never told me that story before. " Julie stiffened even more as she tried to make light of the situation, "It's probably an old folktale of some kind. And later that night, she confided in John as to what should be done, as she feared they wouldn't be able to hide it for long. Yet, realizing they had no answer to this dilemma they now faced, they decided to put that concern to the side, as they felt that when they were ready all could be brought to the surface. But such an opportunity they were not likely to find. The next day, as Rose went on a stroll, eyes followed her as she along. As she walked, suddenly feeling alert, a look she stole just as this person hid from her sight.

She thought nothing of it as she turned to go home. When she realized that at her feet a note did appear. Upon reading, she'd gathered that it was a plea. It claimed that if answers are what she wanted then she'd have to go to her under the guise of night. Promising that she would be close by, Rose realized the one who sent it quickly took flight. Rose knew it was not the wisest plan to sneak out yet her curiosity had gotten the best of her. At last, she'd get answers to the questions she had for the last week. So a few hours later, she quietly snuck out. As Rose walked into the night she realized she was being watched as a woman signaled to her imploringly. Rose approached only to find that the woman disappeared. But instead of turning back, she went to where she thought she must be. When she came to where the woman stood, while looking in the dark she failed to see, that very near to her this woman did tread.  

"You came, as I hoped you would. " Rose asked suspicion in her tone, "Know the story my aunts told? I thought it was a fairytale. " "Hardly, the woman laughed with harsh pleasure. "How... How did I know?" the woman finished. "Well, my dear it's because I was there. "Rose turned to find the woman on the trail behind her. "Wish to know more?" the woman asked offering her hand. "If so, you must come this moment", the woman said turning to go. "But what about my family? If they wake up and don't see me. . . "I'm telling you because they already know. " "Are you not curious why they never told you?" Rose hesitated suddenly afraid. She then tentatively went after her, more determined than she had been. "Mom knew. . . And if she did, why did she lie to me?"

Rose and the stranger walked for several miles when at last a small cabin came into sight. Coming into the cabin, everything seemed dark. Rose jumped, and as the door slammed shut, she looked at it breathing heavily. "In here, the woman said from another room. Upon entering, Rose watched as the young woman poured some tea. Setting it on the table, the woman gestured to the seat. Rose nodded and took the invitation. As she sipped she glanced at the woman as she took off her coat. She was rather small for her size, her hair a dirty blond. While young she appeared to be, she looked as if she'd carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her eyes looked at the same time, quite forlorn. After a few moments, the young woman got up and put two old newspapers in front of Rose. Rose saw the first title and froze, she read shakily-F. . . fire took home, w. . where about of occupants unknown.

She then went to the other newspaper and read up on an adoption-seeing her parents, she realized it was about her. She looked at the woman slowly. "What. . . what is this?" "That story your aunts told you. . . that is far from fiction!" Rose glanced cautiously at a videotape on the side opposite her and asked nervously, "What is that video supposed to show?" The young woman went to her video player and stuck it in. Suddenly an image of a burning house flashed onto the screen. "This video, the woman said, was of our home in Paris. "Our mother, your grandmother was abandoned. While the woman who claimed to be a hero got out safely, our mother was let go. " "Are you saying my mom is not what my aunts claimed and that she left my grandmother to burn?" "Not only that, but she would not even let her sisters think about much less talk about it. She treated it as if there was no significance to what she did!" " No, there has to be some kind of mistake!" "This isn't true," she muttered again and again. Suddenly she wished she had never learned the truth.  

As she stumbled towards the door, The woman pulled her into a hug and put a stun gun to her neck, as Rose beginning to cry looked up and said, "I wish I could forget!" the woman embraced her tightly and whispered in her ear, "you will, you won't ever have to remember. " What. . . she didn't finish for the young woman engaged the stun gun then. "You're mine," Clotilde laughed harshly as she then began the 2nd part of her plan.  

Meanwhile, Julie awoke with the awful feeling that something was wrong and lept from bed. All seemed as quiet as could be. Yet Julie realized there was an element the house now lacked. "Rose, Rose" she called again and again, as worry began to settle in. Julie ran to John as the feeling of fear had settled in. "Julie? asked John sleepily as he came to her side. What's wrong?" he asked now wide awake. He looked around and asked, "And where is Rose?" But the silence was the only response that came. Julie got up and ran about yelling for Rose. Not finding her, she collapsed and then cried. Not knowing what to do, John sat her in bed as she said, "We need to find Rose. All her stuff is gone. " John nodded and started saying all he knew she had wanted to hear. "I'll go to the police. They should be able to help. And I'll let the rest of the family know. Stay here and don't worry, we'll find her. " After John left, Julie thought back on the events of the past few days, then suddenly felt sick. Upon checking with police, her worst fears had been confirmed, for Clotilde had been released. What had been worry was then quickly replaced with angry anxiety.

A few moments later, John returned with all the others in tow. "The police said we'll have to wait for 24 hours before we can file a report," said John exhausted. "They may have to move it up sooner," said Julie as she explained her suspicions. " This is my fault, Carol moaned. If I hadn't brought up that story. . . "We're all to blame, said Sky. We should have told her a long time ago. Maybe then she wouldn't have been curious enough to go to other sources for answers. " "Regardless, said Julie, we can't think of such things right now. " "How are we gonna find out where she went?" asked Joe. "I don't know but right now we need to inform the police of Clotilde, said John. Even if we still have to wait. " "Okay but we must also ask around to see if anyone noticed anything and we need to hurry before it's too late, said Nancy. Let's bring her home. " 

Rose woke up in a bed and found that her head throbbed in pain. Suddenly she began to shiver though she didn't know why. She got out of bed and changed into the clothes she found, only to realize she had no memories that came to mind. Uncertain though she was, hungry she followed the scent of food. "Hello, is anyone there?" she asked as a young woman came out telling her to come so she complied. "Who. . . who are you?" and Who am I?" asked Rose. The woman set a plate on the table in front of her saying, "You must be hungry. Eat, then I'll explain. " Rose ate the eggs, sausage, potatoes, and toast on her plate. Then the woman said, "Your name is Therese and I'm your mother. " "What happened to me? And why can't I remember anything?" asked Rose.

"You were in an accident and the impact on your head, as well as the trauma of the accident itself, is the cause of your memory loss," said Clotilde as she went to the bookshelf and took down a picture along with a print of a baby footprint. "This, Clotilde said is me holding you shortly after you were born. And this is a copy of your baby's footprint. " "Oh, said Rose trying to relax. "Don't you worry. That nightmare is a thing of the past. Everything will be better before you know it, you'll see," said Clotilde. "Now go and rest, that's the fastest way to recover. " "Alright, night Mom, Rose said as she went up to her room. As soon as she went up for the night, Clotilde cheered to herself for the brilliance of her plan. Now the last part of her plan had to begin. She left a plate of fruit laced with strong sedatives and a note explaining that she'd be back soon. She then went towards Julie's home.

First, she sliced all the tires on each of the cars and then went to hide. Soon they came out and noticed how all their tires were flat thus decided to walk to each house to ask for any information they could find pertaining to Rose or Clotilde. With the house deserted, Clotilde then snuck inside. After leaving a thinking of you gift laced with tranquilizer throughout, she'd gone and slipped into a tiny cubby space. Julie upon seeing it was extremely suspicious until she found the police signature. Relaxing she then ate one of the many fruits which did reside while she sat to think of what could be done. Soon John and the others returned and ate from the basket they obtained. Slowly, Clotilde watched them all go down one by one. When at last they had all gone still, Clotilde then came out, taking their belongings until all were bare and tying them up, she gathered them, fearing what would happen should they remain. She had no intention of losing again. So she gathered them into a car and drove away. She took them all to the cabin she took them before. And after dragging them inside, she locked the door as she had before, for she felt that there was no escape that they could find.

Then she went quickly on her way. Clotilde returned to her place to find Rose eating the fruit. "Hello Mother, said Rose. Clotilde smiled so much that no matter how hard she tried, her joy could not be suppressed. Hugging Rose, she said, "Therese, I think we should move to my old home. To where your grandmother lived. " You mean Paris, Mother? asked Rose. "Yes dear, I think you'd be a lot happier there. I want you to experience what I could not. Do you want to know why I gave you the name Therese? "Yes mother, why Therese? Rose inquired. It's because that was your late grandmother's name. You never got to know her, but if she saw you today, she'd be so happy. Clotilde touched her face affectionately, Now go pack up. We have a lot to organize before we go. We'll leave tomorrow.

Julie woke up groggily, wondering for a moment where she was. She then realized that her feet, hands, and mouth were bound. She glanced around the room and with horror realized where she was. It was the cabin they were placed in before. "Clotilde did this, Julie thought angrily. brushing her tongue across the tape it soon came off. Slowly and painfully, she crawled across the floor to where John lay. "John, John wake up," said Julie Frantically. Our daughter needs help, and we can't do that until we get out of here." Slowly John began to groan. As Julie did before him, he brushed his tongue across the tape until it came loose. "I have a small door-picking set in my shoe, if I could just reach it". . . stretching his hand loose he searched for a hidden string. Pulling it up, the pick he grabbed and started rubbing quickly across his binds. When his hand was loose, he freed his feet, then went to Julie and did the same. "Clotilde did this, didn't she?", John asked. "Almost certainly, said Julie.

She intended to get rid of us after taking all we had. " "Including Rose? asked John. "Including Rose," Julie affirmed. "Considering the drugs she used to knock us out, I can't say I'm surprised, said John. And she's probably intending to flee to Paris. The only reason I could see Rose going with is if she'd been drugged like us. " "But once she comes to, surely she'd fight to get away. " "Well, regardless of the reasons, we need to get out of here and find her quick, said John going to the door. Using the pick, the door's lock fell down. And Julie said, "Stay with them until they're awake. Then have some go to our house, and some to the airport. I'm going to track her down. " John nodded in understanding. Hopefully Rose still had the necklace she'd given to her. She'd given it to Rose as an adoption present. Checking her phone tracking she ran as fast as she could. Eventually, she came to the cabin and found her car. Looking inside she saw Rose asleep and then she saw her-Clotilde. Going to her car, she found a sharp broken piece of trash and put small holes in each tire, then hid. She waited for the right moment to strike.  

Clotilde woke up and after checking on Rose had set to work. Julie watched as she pumped a syringe into Rose's food. And as she watched she was so angry, she began to shake. She watched in horror as Rose ate the food smiling. She saw them putting their luggage into the trunk of the car. Then Clotilde said, "Come on Therese, we don't want to miss our flight. " It's a long trip, you ready?" "Yes, Mother," Julie in horror heard Rose say. As Rose sat down she said, "I'm so tired all of a sudden. Clotilde said, "Rest, I'll wake you when we get there. Oh, and I'll be right back, there's one more thing I must see to. Getting out, she watched to ensure she was out, only to notice her tires were flat. She then ran to look for new ones which she could use, before which she thought she'd locked the doors. After replacing them, which took a fair chunk of time, she went and dumped gasoline on the house throughout, then was about to strike a match. "Stop," said a voice she had not expected to hear. Turning she said, " I thought I was rid of you."

Rose awoke and wondering where Clotilde had gone, got out to look around. "Let her go," she heard a familiar voice say. Now, where had she heard that voice before? "  You were clearly watching this place so you should know that she won't go to you anymore so then I would, you traitor!" "Clotilde, how is it that you still blame me for what happened all those years ago? I didn't leave her there because I wanted to. " As Julie said this, Rose saw her look imploringly at Clotilde as she attempted to go forward. "Stay back, Clotilde said, or I'll light us as we stand. As Rose glanced about noticing the lit candle, her head began to sway and ack. As she heard Julie beg Clotilde to stop and listen, she decided to sneak in. As Clotilde felt threatened she threw the candle at the floor. "Mother, Rose screamed pushing Clotilde out of harm's way. Suddenly a sea of flames engulfed their old home. Clotilde embraced Rose saying, again and again," Everything's okay." Therese, thank you for helping me."

"Mother, why was that person in our house? What did she want?" Let's get in the car and go, then I'll explain, said Clotilde. As she rushed Rose to the car and they drove away, Clotilde said, "That woman wanted to take you from me. but don't worry, she won't ever go near you again." Clotilde gave her a water bottle laced with sedatives and Rose drank as Clotilde stroked her head. As her vision began to blur, Clotilde smiled triumphantly as everything then went dark. Everything was as it should be...To be continued