Grace's family was picture-perfect television. The beautiful front of the two-story house, the lawn always mowed, the flowerbeds planted by the owner herself, which the neighbors of this "golden" neighborhood looked at with envy. All the families here had money, ironed expensive suits and cards to golf clubs, where they all crossed paths, smiling and asking about business. Reputation went before them, but the Graces stood out even here.
Mr. Grace headed the firm Odinteil, which provided more than one area with Massachusetts security systems. He was a solidly built man, with an evenly trimmed beard and an expensive watch on his wrist, from his small home collection. As for Mrs. Grace, she was a skinny, curly-haired blonde, a head taller than her husband, but the couple's appearance was not spoiled. Thanks to her, the house was always clean, the husband in perfect clothes and the family deliciously fed.
Mr. and Mrs. Grace also had two children, whom the neighbors held up as examples to their offspring. The so-called son and daughter of their mother's friend. Alec had graduated from high school with honors, had gotten into the local Montifair, one of the best colleges in the country, and had a sports scholarship. A guy with such a reputation will not be opposed by any parent if he becomes their daughter's chosen one. Catherine, the daughter of the family, also excelled in school, went to music lessons and helped her mom in everything.
And most of all this family was afraid that someday their perfect picture could be destroyed, so everyone put maximum effort, just to keep the existing happiness. But life was always unpredictable.
***
When Alec went to college, he had to leave his father's house to immerse himself in his new academic life. It was unusual for the three of them, but they were heartily happy for the boy and proud of him. Mrs. Grace now had three plates for dinner, his father had no one to go to the games, and Catherine could not throw the ball with his older brother.
The girl was the hardest to bear the distance with her older brother. The difference of eight years did not prevent these two from being close to each other. Catherine could brag to her friends and classmates about her brother, and he always looked out for her. Her two neighbors that she went to school with together now only came to see her. Chad and Jeremy loved spending time with the girl, and before Alec left, he had passed on to them the care and protection of her. He would come for the vacations, and then Grace's family would rejoice that they were all together again.
Alec would talk about his studies to his sister, who shunned Montifer. He smiled, trying not to laugh at her childish fear of the sight of college, but he liked Catherine's interest in his stories.
And so it went on for three years. Everything went on as usual: the house had the same facade, the lawn was perfectly mowed, and the flowerbeds continued to attract the glances of envious neighbors.
On one of these spring days, thirteen-year-old Catherine, together with her constant friends, walked around the city. The boys had visited a movie, ran in for ice cream and were now walking along the road they were already accustomed to, which passed through, still frightening the girl, Montifer. They stopped, as they often did, at the fence, looking out over the entire college campus.
- We're all three of us going to be there someday. — Jeremy said, dark-haired, not noticing the ice cream dripping onto the pavement, — Do you think it's cool inside their rooms?
- Alec said he liked it. — Catherine looked at the main building, glancing at the dormitory signs. — Why do they have such strange names?
- Maybe the founder of the college was an animal lover. — Jeremy chuckled. — Why, I'd like to go to the Cougars. They must be the coolest guys there. Where would you like to go?
- Wherever you want to go. — said Chad, who had been silent until then, adjusting the straps of his backpack on his shoulder. — I don't want us to be separated by some college structure.
- I don't want to go there at all. — Catherine snorted, walking over to the trash can by the gate to throw away a wrapper.
- Are you still scared? — The boys walked over to her, and all three of them stared at the nameplate.
- I think it's weird. — her gaze ran over the letters, noticing the scuff marks on the golden metal surface as the plaque was often wiped clean by the bullies' inscriptions. — Think about it, where else have you seen such a stupid division. And by animal.
- Maybe you're right. —Chad said thoughtfully, — we should go in and see what's inside.
- —Well, — Jer clapped his hands together as he stepped forward, — that's a good idea. We'll see the cool guys, and maybe we'll meet Alec and he'll give us a tour.
- Not me. — the girl turned away from the college, heading further down their path. — We're just kids, we don't need to get involved in anything.
- By the way, you've heard stories about students disappearing there, - the guys followed her, - But it's stupid to believe them, the FBI would have been here long ago.
- Maybe they're covering up all these cases, huh? - Jeremy picked up on that theme. — Sometimes they have students so quiet that they don't even look for them.
- It's none of our business. — Catherine stopped him. — We're still in middle school. We don't have to worry about Montifer's weirdness.
- Oh, come on, curiosity is not a vice, Catherine, — Jeremy replied, and he and Chad continued talking about all the college rumors. The girl walked on, trying not to worry about her brother.
***
Catherine was sitting in her room, reading the third part of the story of the boy who survived, when suddenly she heard her mother's voice.
- Honey, the boys are here to see you, — Mrs. Grace looked fondly at her daughter's happy friends, whom she immediately let into the house. They said "hello" to Mr. Grace, who was sitting in an armchair reading some papers. — You may go up to her room,— they nodded as they made their way to the stairs. — Will you boys have some juice?
- Yes, thank you, Mrs. Grace. — they replied at the same time, causing the woman to smile even more.
The boys quickly scurried down the stairs, flying into the room to Catherine, who was putting a book away on the nightstand. Although the room was blatantly girly, both loved being here, it felt like they were in their own home.
- What's up with you two? - Catherine couldn't help but notice that the two were terribly excited. The boys were about to start talking when the housekeeper brought in juice, having already memorized their favorites, and some snacks for them to eat.
- We saw this tonight! — Jeremy said, handing the juice to the girl. - And we filmed the whole thing for you.
- We sneaked into Montifer,— Chad fumbled in his pockets, pulling out his cell phone. - There was a party at the Cougars' dorm, and we climbed in through the basement window. There was so much stuff there, you'll be shocked...
- Wait,— Catherine stopped her friend, —I don't want to know.
- But there,— Jeremy started, but stopped when he saw the look in her eyes. It only now occurred to the boys, looking at the afraid eyes, that she was just a girl and it was normal for her to be afraid,— I'm sorry, when you want to know, we'll tell you.
- I don't want to know, not because I'm not interested,— Catherine lowered her legs off the bed, taking the picture with Alec in her hands, — I have a brother studying there. We're happy when he calls once a week, or even less often, and all these rumors are making me afraid for him.
- We understand,—Chad and Jeremy moved closer to their friend, looking at the picture, seeing the smile on her face. There Katerina is still about five years old, sitting on Alec's shoulders and laughing while he holds her. - We won't do that again.
They hugged her and then sat down, closing the subject of Montifer, and started talking like they normally do. Mrs. Grace walked past her daughter's room several times and the smile never fell from her face, enjoying the joy of the children.
But after a couple weeks, the family's joy ended. They received a call from Montifer, calling the family to the college. Catherine was asked to watch over Chad's mom, but as soon as they returned, the residents of the "golden" neighborhood saw clouds over the Grace family home for the first time.
Alec Grace went missing on May 13th. That date became a punishment for everyone who knew him. Behind the backs of the Grace family began whispering as soon as any of them were seen. Alec's picture hung all over town, making it impossible to walk around.
***
Catherine texted her friends to meet them at a playground near their homes. The girl's hands were sweating as she wiped them on the fabric of her jeans.
- Hey, — Chad greeted her, and he and Jeremy sat down next to her friend, —any news on your brother?
- No,— she sighed, looking at the facades of the houses, — I'm going to miss this place. But I'll miss you even more.
- What?— Jer turned to her dazedly, — what do you mean?
- Dad's decided move to Atlanta,—Catherine looked back and forth, — We're all going there.
- You can't change that,—Chad exhaled and began to take off the bracelet his mom had made for him, — Take it with you so you don't forget about us. We're always there for you.
- Yeah, and take it then, — Jer took off his soccer club badge, placing it in his girlfriend's other palm.
- I'll never forget you guys. Who else would barge into my boring life like that?
Trinity grinned sadly as Catherine put on her bracelet and clipped the badge onto her sweatshirt.
Gracias por leer!
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