The Twists of Fate
By Mary Jonch
Chapter 1
The Escape
Aunt Elroy got out of the room and closed the door behind her.
The stairs creaked under the butler's steps.
For the last six years, Aunt Elroy had visited regularly the old Andrew mansion to check on "his" wellbeing and "his" safety. She loved him so! Why did he have to fall in love with that little shameless girl ? Because of her, she had nearly lost him, the person she cherished the most. Oh, all those hurtful words he had unintentionally said, when she was still among them ! If Aunt Elroy ever hated anyone above all things, it was certainly her.
Fortunately, he had fallen off his horse. That fall which, for the rest of the world, had killed her nephew. But it had been all a masquerade, thanks to which she had been able to remain as the only object of his affections. With the complicity of the family doctor, whom she had rewarded handsomely on that occasion, Aunt Elroy had managed to convince the other members of the Andrew family that Anthony had died in the accident. For her strategem to be carried off successfully, it had been essential that nobody learnt of his recovery. Otherwise, the secret would have been betrayed one day or other. She was certain of that.
Anthony's reaction had been quite unexpected. Not that she wasn't prepared for any eventuality, but never, ever, had the idea of memory loss crossed her mind. Indeed, that had greatly simplified things; she had even thought she would have to kidnap him against his will (that would surely have broken his heart, but if there hadn't been any other choice...). Her nephew's memory loss had been for her the means to make him forget his past, his mother and above all... Candy.
Now, after six years, he belonged only to her. Her alone. Nobody could have got between them. Nobody ! And that must continue that way, even if it was at the expense of Anthony's freedom.
*****
With his hair flowing in the wind, Anthony observed his aunt from his window. His aunt, who had raised him since he was a little child. She had always looked after him. Even during the terrible illness that had befallen him at the age of fifteen, which he didn't quite remember. When he woke up, the first person his eyes saw was his aunt. Admittedly, he didn't remember her either, but the doctor had said it was completely normal, that it was in fact temporary amnesia due to his illness. In a few days he would remember everything. And it was true... well, almost. He didn't want to tell his aunt, so as not to hurt her, but although she looked familiar, it wasn't her face that appeared to him in his dreams, every night. No, it wasn't hers, but that of a beautiful girl with golden blond hair and eyes of such an intense green that one would never grow tired of looking at her. This girl seemed so real sometimes. But who could she be ? Was she simply born of his imagination, or had he actually known her ? This remained a mystery, which he had promised himself, deep inside, to find the key to. His aunt wouldn't have understood if he had told her. This was the reason why he had decided to keep all this to himself.
Someone knocked on the door.
The door closed, leaving Anthony again alone with his thoughts. If he had one thing to reproach his aunt, it was having him for so long isolated from the world. And yet, he didn't know why but he had always obeyed. He had never risked going beyond the mansion's boundaries. Fear of the unknown, no doubt.
*****
A week later...
After the dinner was over, Anthony went back upstairs to his room. This time he had to act. The longing that had been gnawing him for months was today strongest. He couldn't remain eternally shut away inside these walls. It was necessary that he went out, that he realised by himself what the outer world really was.
The argument he had had the day before with his aunt was not unrelated to his decision.
Anthony started losing his patience.
Despite the sincere affection he felt towards his aunt, Anthony was from then on certain of one thing: he MUST escape. The words they had just exchanged had confirmed his doubts. Aunt Elroy had gone too far, and it was a case of making her understand that he was the only master of his own existence.
*****
Six years had passed since Anthony's death. For all those who had loved him, the damage had been deep, but the wound had finally closed. Anthony was now no more than a sweet memory, someone whom everybody loved to remember, warming their hearts in lonely times. Everybody was happy to have known him, to have loved him, and to have known how to share with him, while it was still time, some magic and unforgettable moments.
Of all who had offered him their friendship or their love, Candy must certainly be, along with Archibald, the one who had suffered the most because of his decease. But those days were now gone by. Her meeting with Terry, and the precious moments they had spent together, have allowed her to cross out slowly, little by little, a painful past, and to forget. To forget that she had once loved this boy with all her heart and all her being. To forget his tender smile and his big blue eyes. To forget his warm and comforting words. To forget, yes... or at least to try and do it, but without success. Oh ! Surely Candy still loves Terry madly, but her relationship with Anthony was... different. It was her first love, and one never forgets the first love, whatever happens. But above all, Anthony was the first person who had known how to give her affection when she had arrived at the Legans' house. Just as she had felt alone and abandoned by everyone, a face appeared, like in a dream. A smiling, soothing face, that was able to make her regain courage. This face would never be erased from her memory, even if she wanted.
Miss Pony and Sister Mary looked at each other. She still hadn't forgotten him.
Not Terry either.
Miss Pony glanced at the clock.
Candy got up, kissed "her two mums" tenderly and retired to bed.
« Anthony... Terry... I would love so much to see you again! Unfortunately, I know that's impossible... »
*****
Anthony had more or less managed to evade the vigilance of the service. When he was about to actually leave the mansion, a noise made him jump. Anthony turned around and stared at the woods. Nothing. It must be his imagination. After all, he was nervous enough. Anthony walked a few steps, then turned around again. This time he hadn't imagined it. He had heard perfectly clearly a noise in the direction of the woods. All of a sudden, his heart shrank. What if his aunt had hired someone to avoid him escaping from the old Andrew manor ? No, surely she wouldn't do this, would she ? And yet... he thought he heard noise of footsteps on the ground.
Suddenly, somebody, or rather something threw itself against him. Anthony struggled as he could, while trying not to cry out so as not to alert anyone. He just then realised that what had frightened him so was actually nothing more than a poor little animal, scared and disoriented.
A few minutes passed during which none of the two opponents let the other go. Then Anthony gave up, and the animal calmed down bit by bit. Now it looked at Anthony, a glimmer of mischievousness in its eyes. Amused by the strange expression of the little animal, the young man took it in his arms.
The animal lowered its head a little.
After this, Anthony put the little animal on his shoulders and started out again.
*****
Chicago. He had finally arrived. The city lights seemed to shine with a thousand fires. He had never thought that one day he would be able to see the smallest bit of this prodigious city. Today his dream had come true. A new world offered itself to him, and he wasn't going to let this chance pass him by !
Anthony spent part of the night wandering through the city. How enormous it seemed to him... and how familiar ! It was as if he had dreamed so intensely during these years, that he had the impression that he had known it all the way through.
His footsteps took him in front of one of the most famous theatres in Chicago.
« How wonderful ! » he said to himself.
Suddenly, while he was busy admiring the sculpted façade of the imposing building someone stormed out of the theatre and bumped into him. Anthony lost his balance.
Anthony hadn't had the time to say a word before the stranger disappeared.
The small animal approached its master and rubbed its head against his arm.
Anthony took the bit of paper that Prune was giving him, and looked at it attentively.
Special thanks :
Thanks Patty ! Without you, I wouldn’t be able to translate my fic into english ! Congratulations for your work ! That’s great ! !
Thanks Nila for being kind enough to post my fic in your website !
Thanks every Candyfriend for reading my work ! Don’t hesitate to give your opinion !
Love, Mary.