The Hannah Carmichael Chronicles
Your Briefing:
Hannah Carmichael is a Super Spy, who is trying to take down CGT – the evil spy agency which she used to be a part of. Her husband Zeke, was secretly working to take them down as well, and roped Hannah and her friend and fellow agent Stephanie into the fight.
Hannah’s mother Evelyn was a known terrorist and CGT enemy, but now seems to have been on the same side all along. Her Father James, was believed to be dead and missing for over a decade, but has now shown up from his fight in the shadows to help take them down once and for all.
In this Special FLASHBACK Instalment, we will get a glimpse into Hannah’s life when she had what she thought was one of the last conversations with her Dad before he went missing. Why did her Dad send her away?
FLASHBACK 6
Hannah snapped her head up from the desk and frowned at her dad as he stood in the doorway. His arms were crossed as he leant against the doorframe, but at her expression, he dropped them to his side.
“This is the best thing for everyone Hannah,” he said softly.
She shook her head, “Best for everyone, or just you?”
“Oh come on Hannah, don’t throw clichés in my face. You know things are different for our family.”
Hannah scoffed then turned back to her English homework. At the door, her Dad sighed, then moved into the room and sat on her bed.
“With your Mother AWOL, and the accusations that landed her there, we just can’t keep going the way we are.”
Hannah shook her head, trying to keep the tears from escaping.
“What about me? About us? How am I supposed to be away from my Father right now?” She asked turning and watching his expression soften.
“It’s only two years, and you get to come home in between Semesters.” Her Dad squared his shoulders and gave a small, firm nod, “You need structure; to get out of the media storm.” He relaxed his body and lowered his voice, “Don’t you want to spend time with people who aren’t convinced you’re the child of a traitor?”
Hannah shrugged and looked at the plush carpet that she had begged her Mother to put in her bedroom. Her Mum hadn’t wanted to agree, saying it would fray too quickly and they would just have to replace it six months later.
Hannah exhaled sharply as she stared at the now frayed carpet edges, only three months in. Looking up at her Dad, she inhaled deeply and forced a smile on her face, “Would we still do our special Christmas tradition when I came back for the holidays?”
He smiled and shook his head, “aren’t you sick of that silly tradition by now?”
Hannah chuckled and let a tear slip down her cheek, “never. The smell of gingerbread cookies and Mac and Cheese is-”
“It’s wrong is what it is,” Her Dad jumped in before she could finish, and Hannah grinned. At five years old, Gingerbread and Mac and Cheese were the logical choice to put into a blender. At least now, they made them separately.
“A tradition is a tradition. Of course we will,” her Dad said as he stood up and walked to the door.
“How long until I have to go?” Hannah asked.
Her Dad stopped walking but didn’t turn to face her, “two weeks.”
She nodded silently and watched him close her door behind him. As she exhaled, Hannah turned back to her desk and pulled out a small wooden box that her Mum had given her. A puzzle box, which apparently held something important, and the last thing she had given her before she disappeared a traitor.
As Hannah worked on the box she heard voices in the hallway and carefully put it away in her draw. Opening the door a crack, she listened carefully to hear what her Dad and another voice was saying.
“Does she know anything?” The other male voice was gruff and Hannah frowned.
“I told her she’s going away to boarding school,” her Dad said, sighing. Hannah held her breath and she tried not to make a sound.
“Her whole world is going to change,” her Dad groaned.
“It already has.”
The voices trailed away and Hannah let out the air in her lungs. Slowly she closed the door and fell onto the ground. Her Dad was right. Her whole world was different; and it may never be the same again.
Author’s Note:
Thanks for reading the latest instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back Soon for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!
Christy Grace
Christy Grace Scarlet Pen 