Ma moitié

8. Pain au chocolat

***Avery***

My head felt heavier and heavier as each pulse of throbbing questions pounded my senses over and over again. It was exhausting and it took its toll on me. Tired, but unable to sleep and unable to stop it, I stared blankly at Doc. Monteil.

"I know this is too much to bear," he uttered softly.

"It was a lot actually," I cut him mid-way. "It's a lot to process, but retaliation brings no outcome. I just have to live with it and hope for the best." I continued.

"I know I may look like someone who's weak and fragile, but I know when to not back down in any situation, and this is one." I leaned myself back at my seat. "This is sappy." I let out a sigh.

"It is," he let out a soft chuckle.

My arms crossed as they intertwined with each other. "I always wondered why I wasn't allowed outside. Why am I kept in our garden whenever the sun sets, why I never met any children of my age to play with when the sun hides from the horizon?"

"The only time I was able to explore the world was when I turned 21. I knew nothing of the world, I knew nothing about this, about who I am even."

"Am I even human?" I asked.

Doc. Monteil placed his palm towards my shoulder, patting it in a calm manner. "You are," he answered.

"I can't guarantee you anything, Avery, but I know Mr. and Mrs. Auclair were two renowned scientists who specialized in revitalization."

"In the reports, it is said that you were stillborn. Before Mrs. Auclair had led you out of her womb, there were no traces of life. However, both of them knew that something's wrong the moment Mrs. Auclair got pregnant."

"Honorine, being their employer, offered to help both Mr. and Mrs. Auclair."

"Project Alpine was created. Mrs. Auclair injected the fluids they created when you were still inside her. She would inject it once, every month, hoping that it would help you survive."

"You did survive; however, it took 72 hours for the medicine to take effect in your body."

"Mr. and Mrs. Auclair, unsure that Project Alpine would be successful, kept it a secret from Honorine. They knew the risks once you were introduced to the world. That's the reason why they kept you away. They devised a comprehensive plan; all we need to do now is to follow."

All of the information Doc. Monteil kept dawning on me every time he spoke. A number of realizations kept piling up on my head, keeping me focused on what he had to say.

"Avery, you're alive because of Project Alpine. Now, Honorine's ultimate goal is to make you a test subject," he said. "I won't let anything happen to you; I promise. Mr. and Mrs. Auclair hired me for one reason, and that reason is to keep you safe," he continued.

I tilted my head towards him, "What is it that you really do, Doc?" I asked.

He let out a soft scoff, "I'm a mere doctor, Avery, and what's with the formalities, I told you, you can call me Beau." Again, with his smile that let his eyes be reduced to two thin lines.

"All you need to do is trust me," he added.

I shrugged. I can say that he's telling the truth though, his eyes show how sincere he was. "How long until we land?" I asked.

He checked his watch, "Roughly four more hours."

"I see," I replied.

"Beau," I called out his name.

His face lit up, like a child that's about to receive his candy from what good thing he did. "Yes?" He asked.

I pointed at my eyes, gesturing that I wanted to ask about his. "I see that you have a different set of eyes."

"Oh, these two," he blinked quickly as if he was trying to make it look like he had twinkly eyes. "I have heterochromia." He then proceeded to smile once more. "Why?" He asked.

"Nothing, I just find it bizarre. You should keep it that way though, you look scary with black irises." I chuckled.

"Really now?" He exclaimed in a joyful manner. "I wear lenses to keep these two hidden, but I do appreciate you liking them," he continued. "There's no reason for me to wear them now."

I chuckled, "It may suit your new identity as well."

He giggled, "C'est la vie."

"Alright, now I'll be needing French lessons from you." I lightly nudged him.

"As you wish, hubby." He teased. I paused for a moment as to what he mentioned, "Oh, did I overstep?" He asked.

"No, not at all." I answered, unsure of how to react. "How old are you though?" I asked.

"I'm 29, you?"

"26."

The cabin went silent for a bit as we stared at nothingness.

"I should check on my mother before we land." I said to Beau.

He nodded, "Yeah, you should."

We both stood up from our seats and moved to the other cabin. As we were walking to the room, "You should rest as well, we still have a few hours," said Beau.

I smiled at him and gently nodded in reply.

I went to the side of my mother and held her hand.

"You don't know how grateful I am, mom." I whispered.

Deathly silence enveloped the cabin. My eyes began to feel heavy as they both shut, letting me see through nothingness. I'll miss my mother, but this is for the best.

-----

"We will now be handing over a few things before you enter the airport." A group of men in suits approached us while we were off to the airport.

There were a lot of suitcases and documents at hand. I only followed Beau from behind, waiting to be instructed on what would happen next. I turned around to look at our plane ascending from the ground, "Be safe, mother," I whispered as the aircraft flew off from the ramp.

"Here are your new identities, both of you will be addressed as Laurens." The guy in the middle explained as they were handing over the new passports and issued IDs.

"I'll be needing you both to confiscate your phones for me as we provide you with new ones."

I surrendered my phone; Beau did the same.

"Here are your belongings, the keys to the villa are inside, car keys, money, clothes, and necessities are all provided," several men handed over the suitcases and luggage over to our side.

The guy in the middle then saluted Beau, as if they were done doing their thing, and told us to carry on.

We headed straight to the airport. I had a gut feeling that this wouldn't end well, but I had to trust Beau on this one.

-----

Upon exiting the airport, a waft of unfamiliarity engulfed me. I was in another state, another country rather. Fear was near, but I needed to be strong to keep me and my mother safe.

Beau was silent all throughout the trip, constantly looking at his phone as if he were trying to figure something out.

"You hungry?" He asked as we entered our vehicle.

"A little," I answered.

He muttered a soft 'OK' and drove off.

I shrugged the feeling that was weighing in, it felt awkward and heavy at the same time. Did I do something wrong?

I stared out of the window instead of drowning myself in the pool of thoughts I was having. I stared in awe, amazed, as this was my first time to see France. It was amusing, Paris was beautiful as what the pictures showed us in books.

It felt like the place had come to life and I was witnessing every moment with my own eyes. Passing by buildings, passing by the scenery, I couldn't help but glue my eyes through the window of the car as we were moving through them.

The sun was barely visible, the rays barely touching the horizon. This was an experience to remember. Beau fiddles with the radio to fill our ears with the latest popular tunes. I could see the birds flying early in the morning in unison, leaving out a beautiful silhouette above the clouds.

"Here we are," said Beau.

We parked by a coffee shop, Café Loustic, was its name.

As we entered the café, we were greeted by the staff: "Bonjour."

Beau smiled at one of the baristas and headed over the counter, "Bonjour, je prend un café latte, et un café filtre. Aussi, je prend deaux pain au chocolat, s'il vous plaît." (Hi, I'll have a Cafe Latte and one black coffee. Also, I'll have two chocolate croissants, please.)

"Ce sera tout, monsieur?" (Will that be all, sir?) Replied the cashier.

"Oui, merci." (Yes, thank you.) Beau said as he handed over the money to the cashier.

Beau walked over me as I stared, amazed at how he was so fluent in French.

He smiled as he asked, "What?"

"You're amazing." My mouth gapped as I didn't know what to say, my eyes widened as a sign of being amused.

"You'll learn sooner or later," he chuckled.

In the cafe we sat, Beau and me. The coffee arrived as well as the food that he ordered.

"Bon appétit," said the waiter as Beau accompanied them with, "Merci."

"Here, that's a Cafe latte. Mine's black coffee." He offered the mug opposite to him as he grabbed the mug that was opposite to mine.

The aroma of coffee is part of the rhythm of the day, another anchor in routine that soothes and gives a sense of normality and predictability. I gladly drank mine as Beau drank his.

"Chocolate croissants," I mentioned as I looked at two beautiful breads.

"You catch up very quickly." He smiled. "Dig in," he continued.

I gladly took a bite from it, and it felt like I was up in the clouds, living up to my fantasy. It felt like a dream eating it. There was a glowing sense of sunlight with each bite of bread, as if the golden light that bathed the wheat was lighting up my core.

Beau smiled as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Pain au chocolat, sweet and hot, just like you." Then, he winked.