Chapter 14 - Seven Years After the Parking Garage, Belle Returned to the Same Place With Me—And Left Flowers for the Little Girl She Used to BeBelle was thirteen.

She wanted to see the parking garage.
I didn't want to.
She did.
We went.
The garage had been renovated.
Bright lights.
New cameras.
No empty corners.
She stood where I had found her.
"Do you remember?"
"Everything."
She looked at me.
"I was scared."
"I know."
"I thought Daddy hated me."
"He never did."
"Why did you stay?"
I smiled.
"Because you asked me to."
She hugged me.
"That was the best thing that ever happened."
I looked at the little girl she had become.
Strong.
Smart.
Alive.
Then Harlan arrived.
He stood beside us.
"I knew you'd come here."
Belle smiled.
"Of course."
Harlan took my hand.
"We should go home."
I looked at him.
Home.
May you like
The word still felt strange.
But it felt good.