Finding+Me

=Finding Me / Zjisteni Me / Me Trouver =

Five years ago, I would never imagine myself thinking up an idea to jump the electric fence, but I guess God surprises you in a different way. I am not completely clear on why I was in prison, or any of the things that happened before I came here. You see, a few weeks ago, one of the younger prisoners told me that, when people come here, they erase your memory to give you a fresh start - that is if you are ever able to leave. For some, it helped them very much. Herbert Gladstone, for example, was arrested for murder, but he is now, surprisingly, one of the best defenders in the court against children-based crimes.

I am one of the very few who can still remember stuff from the past. The officers call people like that dangerous. They kill anyone in prison who is able to remember what happened on the outside. I need to escape this facility for me to go back to the only thing I remember - my family. I have a picture with me of my husband and two kids, hidden in the pages of my bible, the only book the officers let me keep. I am planning to leave in the morning during chores since that is the only time in the day that the officers aren’t hounding us like dogs.

But before that, I had to see my partners, the people I am planning to escape with. The four of us had eaten together at the prison’s cafeteria to meticulously check every point of our plan. One little mistake can take us all down. Finally, I arrive at the cafeteria. No one was there, which is actually pretty strange. Suddenly, I have the feeling that I am being watched. And I am. The guards have their eyes on me, more than usual and that is not a good sign. In a blink of an eye, everything is clear in my head. Who made the mistake, I have no idea, but there has been a mistake! Someone revealed our plans. So, if I want to get out of this jail alive, I must do it on my own.

The sun was rising. Tucked under a pile of dirty laundry, I lay hidden, my bible pressed to my heart. It was the best place I could hide for the day, waiting for the sun to set when everyone is asleep and only a few guards are working. At that moment I got out from the basket. I put on a police uniform that happened to be laying beneath me. A bag was on the floor. I took it, threw in some clean clothes and my bible, and then tried to find my way out. After passing in front of a few guards, I found the exits and, because of my disguise, easily passed through to freedom beyond the walls.

It was cold outside. I had forgotten the wind on my skin. It had been a long time since I was outside. In the prison we weren't allowed go out, for fear of us escaping. There were five cars in the lot and only two were police vehicles. I reached in the pocket of my uniform and found keys. After testing them on all of the cars, I found a match and took off onto the highway.

After driving for about an hour, I decided to dump the car and change back into civil clothes. I took my bag and started walking. I found a diner right in the middle of the desert. I remember before going to prison I used to go into those kinds of places with my family. I went in and a woman came to me asking for my order. I didn't know how to respond. I couldn't remember the foods I used to like. In prison we didn't have a choice - stale bread, a little cheese and beef jerky. She was looking at me with a smile on her face, and asked if I wanted a coffee and some fries. These words reminded me of something, but I didn't know what. I said yes, so that she would leave me alone and I went to a table at a corner far from the windows. I couldn’t get rid of the numbers that were in my head. They came back in a kind of obsessive way. I didn't know what they were. I opened the bag and took the bible to look at the picture of my family. The woman came with the fries and coffee. The fragrance brought back happy memories which overwhelmed me.

The woman looked at the picture and asked: ‘’ Are they your kids and your husband?’’ ‘’Yes’’, I answered, trying to hide the picture in the bible. It was a habit from when I was in prison. "You know you can call them right? You can use the phone right over there’’ she said concerned, as if she knew that I had lost them. ‘’I know this phone is old, and indeed, it looked so complicated. Just press the phone number and it puts you through’’. She left laughing.

Could this number in my head can be the phone number of my husband? I ran to the phone excited imagining that I would be able to talk to him. I picked the phone dialed the number and waited for him to pick up. ‘’ Hello?’’ I said ‘’It’s me. I'm so happy to hear your voice….’’ He interrupted me and said with a panic in his voice, "Lisa is it you?" and without waiting for a response, "You are everywhere in the news! Where are you?’’ At that moment, I didn't care about who was out there. All I could think of was them. ‘’How are the kids? I miss you so much’’ I added, eager to have all the news about my family. He didn't say anything so I continued ‘’I'm in a coffee shop on the highway, it's called The Desert. Where can I meet you? I really want to see you’’. Finally he said’’ Don't you remember me? It's Arthur, your friend. Actually, your best friend.”

My heart sunk. His voice seemed so far away. All my hope was gone. The thought of seeing my family was gone. I slid down the wall onto the floor. I couldn't feel my legs. ‘’Listen. You stay where you are. I’m coming pick you up….. I know where you are and I'll be there in half an hour" Arthur assured me. Before he hung up, I tried to speak without crying. "Where is my family Arthur?’’

‘’They are in Paris", he responded. "They left because they were afraid of being arrested or killed after you were gone’’. I was relieved at this news, but couldn't stop crying. ‘’Listen I'm coming and I'll explain everything that happened, and we will try to find your family.’’

After the phone call with Arthur, I was sitting in the diner and I was waiting for Arthur. The news started immediately. My photo appeared on TV. I noticed a frightened face of the woman, who had brought me the coffee and fries. I decided to escape from the diner. I quickly walked along the highway and I hoped to meet Arthur.

After a few kilometersI saw a strange object hovering above the road. I couldn´t believe that, but I saw a car flying towards me! The flying car stopped and I said by surprise: “Arthur, is it you? I think I’ve already seen your face before.” Smiling Arthur answered: “You remember me!” I had a lot of questions, but the biggest one was what means of transport this was. I asked him: “Is it a plane or a car?” Arthur started laughing at me, but I didn’t know why. “It’s a flying car,” he explained it to me. We were talking together for a few minutes and arranged how to get to France without any problems. Then we sat into the car and finally we took off. I still couldn’t believe that our car is really flying. We hoped that we won’t have any problems but a problem to face was here!!!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">It was a dark night. The sky was full of black clouds and thunders were deafening. We stopped counting lightnings. I and Arthur were scared. We lost a signal. I asked Arthur: “Where are we? I can´t see anything on the radar.” At that moment I looked through the window and I started screaming: “Arthur, our left wing is in flames”! Arthur pressed the red button. In no time a parachute opened above our heads. We grabbed each other´s hands and screamed out. The wind ruffled our hair. We were falling down for a long time. I saw some lights under us. “We´re near a civilization!” Our feet hit the ground. I had a terrible headache. “What´s that? Darkness. ”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">The sound of our car engine woke me up. I was in an ordinary car .”Arthur? What happened?” I asked him. He didn´t answer. “Hey! Arthur! Talk to me!!! Where´s our flying car?” Arthur looked at me and said: “Are you mad? What do you mean? We´re driving away from the diner.” I was confused. Was it only a dream? Yes, surely! That´s a load of my mind!!! Suddenly we were approaching a familiar place, my jail! ” Oh no!” I started screaming! And Arthur said: ” You know, they promised me a reward….”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">"I can't go back in there! Do you have any idea of what they do to people?" Arthur just kept driving. I looked down a the cup of hot coffee sitting in the cup holder. I grabbed it and tossed the hot liquid at Arthur's face. I had only intended to startle him so I could take control of the car, but the liquid seared his face. The smoke and stench of burning flesh filled up the car. Wisps of tiny grey clouds rose from the few drops that hit the rough leather of the steering wheel. "This cup was holding more than coffee." I realized. "Did he know this? What was he going to do with it? Was this intended for me?" I pondered. Without thinking any more about the liquid, I reached over, opened the driver's side door and pushed her burning captor out the door. I quickly slid across the seat to take control of the car. Using a scarf I found on the seat to protect my hands from the leftover burning drops, I grabbed the wheel and stepped on the gas. I opened the window to release the smoke and drove as fast as I could away from my former life. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">I drove for some time, always making sure the sun was falling behind me. That was the only way I could tell that I was heading the right direction. Something inside kept telling me where to go. Was it a memory or just instinct? Suddenly, I could see it in the distance. The cool rippling water and the white caps were flowing across the tops of the waves. Then there was the familiar scent of a marina and finally, there it stood right in front of me - a ship.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">I knew it would be a long journey, so I stopped into the small coffee shop next to the docks. I grabbed some snacks, hid them under my coat and began to leave when I heard: “Hey Miss, your bag!” <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">It was a young woman in her 20’s. She handed me the grey leather satchel I had grabbed before I left the car.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Oh, how stupid I am! Thank you very much! Do I know you?” I asked. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Of course you don't." she responded. "I am Rachel, nice to meet you, and you?” she answered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“I’m Kate, nice to meet you too. May I offer a cup of coffee?” <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Yes.., thank you!”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">I ordered the coffee to go and searched through the bag for some money. I found a roll of bills in the bag, pulled one out, placed it on the counter and said goodbye. I walked out to the dock and sat down. I wondered what else could be in this bag other than the wad of cash. I found several matchbooks and some keys. One of the keychains said "Bayonne Marina" on it. I wondered if these keys might fit any of the boats here. "Anyone with that kind of cash, must have a decent boat," I thought to myself. I went down to each floating castle and tried the keys. When I was about to give up, the lock turned and I found myself inside a most beautiful cabin. I heard voices. They sounded very familiar, but I just couldn't place the face or name. I hid in a small closet in the cabin and eventually fell asleep.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">The following morning, I woke up and peeked out of the closet. In the cabin window I could see the Eiffel Tower. The wonderful Paris’s landscape hypnotized me. I cant believe my luck, but then reality caught me. I am here to find my family. I remembered that Arthur told me that my family lived in one of the suburbs in the south of Paris, in the city of Montrouge, because the houses are cheaper than in Paris. I took my bag and went to the metro station toward “Mairie de Montrouge”. When I was in the metro, I was sure that I was in Paris. It was like in the French movies that I had watched in the past.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">At the terminal, I went out, and I discovered Montrouge. It was a very cute and very beautiful little city. I could not resist going into a shop! I was living again! I noticed a pretty bag that cost 30€. When I was waiting on line, I noticed, in front of me, a young woman. I had the impression I had seen this person before. Suddenly, I decided to say: “Excuse me Miss,…” She turned around. It was Rachel! Oh my God, I could not believe it!!! <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Oh! Rachel! What a surprise!” <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Kate! I am very happy to see you!”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">After shopping, we went for a walk. Rachel told me that she lived in Montrouge. She offered to show me around this nice city that was still covered with Christmas decorations. It was a delight and made me breathe easier and feel less stressed. We exchanged our phone numbers and I bid her good bye. I had to find my family but I didn’t know how. My idea was to show my family picture to pedestrians, maybe they had already seen them.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">A few hours later, a woman, about 40 years old, told me that she was their neighbor. Kindly, she gave me the address. It was the “5, rue Gabriel Péri”. When I was going to this address, I had the impression that someone was following me, but it may be my imagination. Fifteen minutes later, I arrived. I rang the doorbell and I saw the beaming face of my mother who opened the door.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">The reunion was very moving. After few minutes of discussion, I said “ Mom, I feel like I am being followed by someone, but I am not sure”. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“No my daughter, it might be the secret services. They want to kill you because they don’t want you to reveal the secret of the prison in which you were in. This is why your husband and your children fled to Czeck Republic. They were not safe here anymore because of the terrorist attacks in Paris and Montrouge” she said crying. I am an old woman and I am alone. Someone will notice if you stay here. I will call one of our support groups who will take make you join your husband”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">I had a lovely time with my mom, but I knew I had to carry on searching for my husband and kids. Bye mom, I hope to see you soon.” “Take care, Lisa, sweetheart!” mum whispered quietly. The door closed. I looked round cautiously. It was hard for me to get used to my real name since I really only knew myself by the new identity given to me at the prison.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">I eventually caught a bus to the nearby town of Versailles. I got off, but I was there for the first time so I didn’t know where to go. Luckily, the streets of this picturesque town were crowded. "Where are all these tourists with cameras heading?“ I thought. At the crossroads I saw an elderly man in a black coat. "Excuse me sir, can I ask you where the railway station is?” The man didn’t say anything. He grabbed my hand and indicated with his head. "Follow me,” he said cautiously.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">We went to a forlorn street hidden between two shabby buildings. "I’m a member of the secret organization which provides safe passage for those who need it”, my guide explained. It sounded rather suspicious, but did I have any other choice? "How will you smuggle me abroad?" I inquired. "I need to get to the Czech Republic.” He promised to get a fake ID for me. I agreed with it, because it was the only way to meet my family again. We arranged to meet at 6 am in the suburbs at Warehouse 8 in the industrial quarter.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">When I got up in the morning, I went to the agreed place where the stranger was waiting. “Come with me and don’t ask about anything” he instructed. So I did what he said and went with him. He lead me towards a dark blue truck, and said ”Get in.” When I was inside, someone closed the door and locked it. There were only a few sun beams lighting the vehicle´s cargo space and I simply couldn´t see anything at first. When my eyes got accustomed to the darkness I saw some other girls.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">There was a girl that seemed the same age like me. We talked and my new friend,Lucienne, shared her story with me. I was reluctant to believe that this journey was just a deception, that we would never get to the Czech Republic and that the real intention of the gang of human-traffickers was to sell us as prostitutes. After a long way the truck stopped. We are somewhere at a building site. "Why are we here? What are they going to do with us now?” <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Lucienne, scared as much as I, did not have time to answer. Hooded armed men were swarming everywhere around us like hornets. They escorted us to a windowless cellar, slammed the door locking us in this improvised prison. We were hungry and scared.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">The next day, Bob, "the kidnapper", left the temporary shelter early in the morning. On his way he saw a poster: "WANTED: Lisa Newman! REWARD: €100 000,-. If you see her, inform the police instantly!” While he was sipping his coffee back at the building site he was still thinking about the girl from the poster and mainly the reward offered. Again, he disappeared unnoticed from the building site. From a safe distance he called the police. "Hello. Come to the building site quickly! I know where the wanted girl is,” he screamed to the phone. His legs felt like jelly and he had butterflies in his stomach. Bob was impatient. After 10 minutes the police cars encompassed the building. He saw policemen jumping out of the cars and shouting: "Give up and leave the building!” But the gang of villains didn’t want to give up easily so they started shooting.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">”Do you hear that?”, we asked each other. No, it was not a dream. The shooting was too real and too close. It was a perfect chance to escape. Lucienne and I didn’t wait for it to stop and we took our chances and planned our escape! <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">We ran to the cellar. Lights from outside helped me to see a crowbar on a shelf. Lucienne who was stronger than me gave me a leg up to reach it. I forced the door open. A man who was standing in front of the the door tried to reach to his gun, but I hit him in his knees and on his head and he fell down with a thump. We ran as fast as we could towards the exit in the opposite direction of the gunshots which faded away.We found ourselves in a dark forest. We were scared but we were relieved to be out. We ran until we could see a tunnel of light in the distance. As soon as we reached it, the light burned our eyes. We had been held up in that dark building for so long. Slowly, we started to get accustomed to the sun beaming down on us and we sat down on the soft grass to rest.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">We were a little hungry and I searched the satchel hanging on my shoulder for a bite to eat. No food, but I did find something that could help us determine where we were. Thanks to that GPS that in the satchel, we learned we were across the German – Czech border. We got up and walked to the closest road. We waved down a driver who gave us a lift and dropped us in the town of Domažlice, he gave us some Czech money. To our surprise the Czech currency is called crowns although the country is not a monarchy…When we were parting, Vashek ( the nice driver´s first name ) told us: “Take care of yourself, keep my phone number – you are always welcome in my house!”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">We headed to the nearest railway station, where we bought tickets to Prague. We got off in Prague at the main railway station. If we didn’t have the Prague street map in our satchel, we would have gotten lost quickly in the maze of the twisting streets. All day we were passing sights in the old town center, like Charles Bridge or the Old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock, but statues of the saints standing silently on the bridge or the Skeleton rattling with a pouch of money on the Astronomical Clock could not tell us anything about my husband and family.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Night was coming and our legs started to hurt, so we went to a dark blind alley. When we were there, we saw a house that looked like there wasn’t anybody inside. So Lucienne bravely said, “Wait here, I’ll go inside, and if there isn´t anybody there, we will sleep there tonight.” After a while she returned and nodded to me. As soon as we got inside we both fell asleep. I slept deeply that night. When I woke up in the morning, Lucienne was gone. I was thirsty and hungry and my heart was pounding. I opened the satchel and found a journal. I opened it, only to see that it was written by my husband. It was full of pictures of my family. I flipped to the last page but the journal was so torn up that I couldn’t make out the last sentence. It said “They’re taking us to the Czech Republic in the morning where…”I couldn't quite make out the address. I also found a wadded letter and a smartphone. I uncrumpled the letter and began to read it.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Dear Lisa,” it read. “I decided to go out and get us some food to eat and water to drink. I had some spare change in my pocket, so I went out to look for the nearest roadside store to get us something. I’ll be back as soon as I can. -Lucienne”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">I crumpled the paper back up and shoved it back into the satchel. This time I pulled out the smartphone. I attempted to turn on the device, but the screen requested me to enter a passcode. Fiddling with the phone, I pressed random numbers. To my surprise, the phone unlocked itself revealing rows of apps.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">In the corner on the phone I saw a an app tagged with a number showing missed attempts of calls and unanswered texts. I tapped on it. There was a pause and then a selection of contacts. There was one contact, Aaron, with a great number of notifications attached to it. I opened up the text string and began to read what was written.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Arthur, I am very disappointed to hear about the escape of Lisa from containment in the prison system. I am not pleased to have such a dangerous influential character roaming the streets. I fear that her amnesia serum had run low and her memories are coming back. The prison workers assured me that they put enough dosage in her daily meal. They explained to me that any more and it could be harmful to her health. But sadly, I fear it wasn't sufficient enough. She must have remembered that she was needed amongst her group, the Resistance. She was, or in fact must still be their leader. I’m sure she was eager to get back to her group and her family, who also supported her cause. I dispatched the police to immediately find her family and any others affiliated with her and have them contained and sent to prison immediately. I’m very thankful for your unwavering cooperation with our plans. I hope to hear from you soon - Aaron.”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">My stomach was in knots as I shoved the phone back into the satchel. I did not understand what was going on, or who I was, or what I was part of. My family was in danger from whoever this Aaron character is. So many unanswered questions ran through my mind. The only option I had, I got up and ran outside the building in search of Lucienne. Maybe she knew more. After I ran through the back door of the house, I found myself in an alley. There was a dark figure moving toward me and I glanced had to try to make out the face. His gait was familiar but it was difficult because it seemed the man's face was disfigured and had a slight limp. Of course, then I remembered and I thought, can it be? Yes, it was! It was my old "friend" Arthur.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">"Wasn't expecting to see me agin, were you?" he said in a revengeful manner. "Well, neither was your little friend." I began to think of what he might have done to my new friend and I used all of my strength to bolt past Arthur and into the street where I found a taxicab. I grabbed opened the door, threw myself in and yelled "drive!". The driver obliged and then turned to me and said, "I have the address and we are on our way." I looked up and saw my young friend. I was so happy to learn that Arthur had not really gotten to her since right now she was the only person I could trust. But where arewe going?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">As we moved through the city of Prague, things began to look familiar. We past the Four Seasons where my husband and I had our wedding reception. Then we crossed a bridge and soon arrived at our destination. Memories flooded back into my brain. This was my home! I remembered making dinner for my family, holding my newborn baby, and moving in with my husband, Jacob. The door was closed, but when I shook the doorknob, I found it was unlocked. Then, I slowly opened it and walked in. I couldn’t believe what I saw.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Inside the house, my family was sitting at the dinner table. I could see my husband and kids! Tears welled up in my eyes, choking myself with the emotions. There they were, sitting like a normal family. My beautiful children, Lily and James sat politely, eating the special chicken casserole which I had made for them since they were children. But, that wasn’t all I saw. There was a fourth person in the room: an exact doppelgänger of myself sitting with my family. I stood there confused as all of them turned to look at me.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“What’s going on?” I asked frantically. My eyes grew wide in shock and my breathing quickened. I began rapping my knuckles on the dinner table, and my legs shook uncontrollably. I pinched myself to see if this was a dream. Surely, it was not.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“My family and I are having dinner. Who are you? Why do you look like Lisa?” my husband said in an agitated manner.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“I am Lisa! Don’t you remember me?”, I answered, in more of a desperate plea than a reply. I looked to my husband and kids hoping that something would come to them. Sadly, they were just as lost as me. I stared directly at my clone with a mixture of curiosity and utter bewilderment. At that moment, the woman stood up and stared at me. We looked at each other for a few seconds before she finally spoke: “You were never supposed to leave the prison.”

==== <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16.6296005249023px;">Jacob said: “Lily and James, go to your room, please.” The kids stood up and left the dining room. Confused, Jacob didn ́t understand the situation at all. He wanted me to give him a reason to trust me. I was really nervous because I didn ́t know how to prove my ID. You could cut the atmosphere with a knife. I quested after my memories but I couldn't work out how to convince him that I am his real wife. ====

==== <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16.6296005249023px;">Suddenly, I saw my satchel and I remembered that I had the smartphone with the text from Aaron saying how I was mistreated in the prison. My hands were shaking but I grabbed up the satchel and pulled out my smartphone. The doppelgänger of mine looked at me murderously and left the dining room inconspicuously. I didn't know why she left the room at that time, but it was a fabulous chance for me to read out Aaron ́s text to Jacob. ====

==== <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16.6296005249023px;">When I finished reading the Aaron’s message, Arthur appeared on the doorstep. I was shocked that my old “friend” was back. ==== ==== <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16.6296005249023px;"> It turns out that that woman secretly texted a message to Arthur, “Come here quickly, Lisa is here. Escort her away!!” ==== ==== <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16.6296005249023px;">My husband was more confused than before. Jacob was speechless. Arthur began to speak with authority. “Don ́t listen to her. She is a crazy and dangerous woman. I work for the CIA and I have to arrest her.” ====

==== <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16.6296005249023px;">“He is such a liar!” I screamed. Arthur caught me and pushed me toward the door. I wanted to defend myself and fight for my freedom, but he was too strong and the only thing I achieved was that he was even more angry with me. Jacob was in such confused shock that he didn't know what to do. As Arthur was trying to put me into his car by force, I saw the taxi that had gotten me here and Lucienne was still in it. I started shouting for help. She saw me and the last thing that I saw before I fell into the car was that Lucienne said something to her taxi driver. ====

==== <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16.6296005249023px;">Lucienne ́s instructions were brief but clear: “That ́s her, follow this car.” A furious car chase broke out in the streets of Prague. Our car was dashing along the streets very fast until it seemed that they lost us. Then Arthur took me to a strange and lonely place and locked me in a dark empty room. “The search for my family has to start again, I am on the starting line again!” I told myself. ====

==== <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16.6296005249023px;">It was midnight and Lisa ́s husband Jacob couldn't fall asleep. He lied in bed, puzzled. He was thinking…"How could my wife guess that the woman escaped from the prison? I have to find out the truth!” he said to himself. ====

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Lisa?”, he called to the woman, anxiously. “Come here, please. We need to talk.” She rant to him quickly with a smile full of affection and tenderness, as usual.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“ Yes, honey, what’s happening ?” she responded sweetly.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“I was wondering about some details in this story, and maybe you could help me…”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">She grew pale instantly, but the young woman tried to look relaxed and serene. “Of course, tell me” she said thoughtfully.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“How did you know that the woman who looks amazingly like you was on the run? You’ve never seen her before !”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Her face turned red and she looked at him with an embarrassed expression. She sought in vain a valid reason, an argument to give a rational explanation to this pretty weird story. “Honey, you’re very tired… And I am too. We will talk about that tomorrow, because I think we are still shocked by the intrusion of this woman. This is not necessarily a good time to discuss that”, she said serenely.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Lisa’s double got alarmed while Jacob kept staring at her full of anger. “NO ! I want explanations right now !” he yelled. “You know I hate lies, Lisa.” Jacob added.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Jacob ! Stop shouting ! said Lisa, horrified. Please, stop, our kids will get frightened !”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“I know you’re not telling me the truth… Go ahead, spit it out !”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“I’ve already promised that I’ll explain it all tomorrow. Get some rest now”, she whispered.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“You will have to be really convincing ! The CIA is involved in this. Remember!”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Go to bed, I will bring you some tea”, she declared ignoring Jacob’s words.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">The doppelganger vanished instantly, still shivering. “I have to be careful or he will rapidly find out the truth.” She said to herself. She crossed the whole house silently, and went to the shoe closet where she opened a hidden door. The secret door lead to a long dark tunnel which smelt filthy. After exactly seven steps, she stopped, got on her knees and removed a board which hid a huge steel box filled with various items : photos, letters, perfumes, vials, etc… Well, all the trinkets were belonged to the real Lisa, the one who was shipped by Arthur earlier. The alter ego caught two bags of a soporific tea marked with a mysterious symbol, a symbol linked to the prison where Lisa escaped from. Obviously, it was impossible to find this kind of drink in supermarkets. It was a very powerful beverage that made you fall into a deep sleep : “With that, he won’t remember anything, just like his scatterbrained wife”, she thought.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">She quickly took all her stuff and went out the secret room then the shoe closet and started preparing tea for Jacob. She had to be careful because too much of this soporific tea could plunge Jacob into a coma. That wasn’t what she was aiming at. She had worked too hard to build get Jacob trust her to take any risks.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">However, she was afraid of Lisa. Should her memory come back, so she could denounce her identity usurper. Although now it was easier for her to locate her “victim” now. She decided to call her “friend” Arthur.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Arthur ?” she whispered as she looked around her to make sure no one could hear. Arthur responded, “Hey, is everything okay ?”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Yes, I’m fine, but I need to know where she is… Where is… Uh… Lisa ?”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Arthur began to laugh loudly. “Are you afraid ? Don’t worry ! She’s next to me, in the car. And she’s going back to her cell !” he said reassuringly

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“That is good to hear, thank you ! I wish she could disappear forever…” the second part of her statement whispered under her breath, so that even Arthur couldn't hear her.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“You’re welcome ! Whenever you need, call me back. Bye !”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">She let out a sigh of relief. This was one of the most frightening nights of her life. She went back the her room where Jacob was still awake.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">“Here’s your tea, honey !” she said in a perky way.” You know how a hot cup helps you relax. You’ll sleep well, and we will talk in the morning. I promise.”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Jacob didn’t even give her a shadow of a smile. He knew something was going on. She was hiding something, something big. “Who were you talking to on the phone earlier ?” he asked strangely. "It was a wrong number…” she answered nervously.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Too tired, Jacob didn’t seek more explanations, even if he knew she wasn’t totally honest. He just handled the exquisitely fragrant cup of the and began to drink. “Farewell, memories”, the fake Lisa thought. As Jacob took a sip of tea, she turned away and gave a faint Machiavellian smile. As he laid his head down and closed his eyes, she covered him with blankets and kissed him on the forehead. Leaving her family in the middle of the night, she decide to take this opportunity to come face to face with the intruder. She pushed the car down the driveway and sped away to the safe house where Arthur locked Lisa up before their trip back to the prison.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">The door handle moved slowly and in walked my mirror image. I looked at her with attention. She had long blond hair and was tall. She looked like me. The only thing that distinguished us was our eyes: mine were hazel while hers were green. " You are surprise, right?" She said as she walked toward me.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">"Who are you? Why do you look so much like me?"

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">"My name is Lydia", she said after she noticed that I was about to become aggressive toward her. " You don't know, do you? Don't you understand? I thought Mom told you..."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">"Wait.... Mom? Told me what? Explain!" I was more confused than ever now.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">"Yes, our Mom gave birth of two adorable babies. In the beginning, she was supposed to save her two daughters but not having enough money to raise two children, she gave away one for adoption.... me. I was taken to a foster care for children and at age 18, I wanted to know my family, my parents, my origins. So, I asked where my parents were and for what reason I had been abandoned. The lady of the foster care didn't tell me who they were because it was confidential. Then one night, I stole my papers and then I had everything I had been searching for....the name and address of my parents. The following day, I went to see them and as soon as mother saw me, she had immediately known who I was and why I was there. At that time, I still had the hope to be part of a family. But when I saw a picture of you and our dear parents full of joy, I understood that she had chosen you over me. I did not belong there."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">"I had such a strong hatred for you and especially my supposed mother. How had she been able to choose one of her daughters over the other? From that moment, I promised myself to find you and destroy your happy life. Yes, it was I who organized everything for you to be imprisoned. I was the criminal, but I was able to leave clues to where they could find me, or specifically you, the "innocent" twin. I managed to make of all my misfortunes yours. And as we look like each other, my sweet sister, it was easy. When you were in jail, I took your place in your family and nobody noticed anything. I finally had the feeling to be part of a family. Your husband and your children had no clue that I wasn't you. In the beginning, I didn't get into the habit of be called "Mom" but now I love it!. Your husband thinks that I am you. How sad that he didn't even recognize the real you. And here we are, sister. How does it feel to be the outsider?"

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">I was stunned. I had a twin and I I have never known. Why no one ever told me about Lydia?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">" Why do you want to hurt me? It was not my choice. You are punishing me for something I did not do ! I would have loved having a sister. My life would have been different and would not have suffered the way I did with an alcoholic mother!"

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Suddenly the door burst open and in charged my husband. "I know how to find out the truth once and for all." he exclaimed. He calmly walked over to my double, put his left hand at her hip and and held her right hand in his palm. "Honey, let's dance to the song that brought us together. You know....the one that we played at our wedding for our first dance."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Lydia smiled nervously and tried to think of the most popular weeding song. "Yes, this must be it", she thought. "oh yes", she said. "Wasn't that the Ellie Goulding song, "Love me like you do?".

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.6000003814697px;">Before he could react, the sound grew louder. "And, darling, I will be loving you 'til we're seventy". Jacob looked over to me, my Smartphone in my hand. It was the ringtone that I had set to his name on my contacts. He quickly pushed Lydia away, took me in his arms and breathed a sign of relief. "I knew it was you" he whispered in my ear as we began to dance.