Chapter 19 - The Life I ChoseWe never released the files immediately.
Some truths required preparation.
Law enforcement became involved.
Investigations began.
The remaining people responsible would eventually face the consequences of their actions.
But I refused to let the mystery consume my life.
The refuge continued.
More women arrived.
More children found safety.
And every morning, the mountains remained exactly where they had always been.
One evening, I stood on the terrace watching the sunset.
David joined me.
"Are you afraid?"
I considered the question.
"Yes."
He smiled.
"Good."
I looked at him.
"Good?"
"Fear means you understand what's at stake."
I laughed softly.
"I used to think being strong meant never being afraid."
"And now?"
I looked at the women walking through the gardens below.
"Now I think being strong means being afraid and choosing your life anyway."
The sun disappeared behind the red cliffs.
For the first time, I felt completely at peace.
May you like
Not because the past was gone.
Because it no longer owned me.
