The bus rolled into Willowbrook at dawn, its brakes hissing as it pulled to a stop in front of the town's only station. Vivian stepped out into cool mountain air that smelled of pine trees and rain, pulling her jacket tighter around her. The town was exactly what she'd hoped for – small, quiet, and far enough from New York that Richard would never think to look for her here.
Main Street was lined with wooden storefronts that looked like they'd been frozen in time – a bakery with a hand-painted sign that read "Mama's Sweet Treats," a hardware store with rusted bicycles leaning against the wall, a bookstore with a window full of worn paperbacks. A jukebox inside the diner on the corner was playing "Every Breath You Take" by The Police, the familiar tune making her smile with 90s nostalgia.
"First time in Willowbrook?" A woman with silver hair tied back in a bun was sweeping the sidewalk in front of the bakery, pausing to give Vivian a warm smile. "You look like you could use some coffee and a warm breakfast."
"Thank you, I really could," Vivian said, her stomach growling in agreement. She'd eaten nothing but vending machine chips on the bus ride, and the thought of fresh food made her mouth water.
"I'm Martha," the woman said, setting down her broom. "I own the bakery – and I rent out the apartment above it. You look like you might be looking for a place to stay."
Vivian's heart leaped. She'd been worried about finding affordable housing, especially with a baby on the way – and twins at that. "Is it available?"
"Been empty for three months," Martha said, leading her toward the bakery door. "The last tenant moved to Seattle for work. It's not much, but it's clean and quiet. And the rent is reasonable – especially if you're willing to help out in the bakery sometimes."
"I'd be happy to," Vivian said, following her inside. The smell of cinnamon and fresh bread hit her like a warm hug, and she had to fight the urge to burst into tears. In New York, she'd eaten nothing but expensive but impersonal meals – this felt like home.
Over plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, and homemade cinnamon rolls, Vivian told Martha a simplified version of her story – she was a single mother expecting twins, running from an abusive relationship, looking for a fresh start. Martha's eyes softened with sympathy, and she reached across the table to pat Vivian's hand.
"You're safe here, dear," she said. "Willowbrook takes care of its own. Now, let me show you the apartment."
The space above the bakery was perfect – two bedrooms, a small kitchen, a living room with a wood-burning stove, and a balcony that overlooked the town square. The furniture was old but well-cared for, and there were fresh flowers in a vase on the dining table.
"It's perfect," Vivian said, pulling out the cash she'd brought with her. "How much for the first month's rent and deposit?"
"Let's just say we'll work it out," Martha said, pushing the money back gently. "You focus on taking care of yourself and that baby – and those two little ones you're carrying. The rent can wait until you're on your feet."
Tears finally spilled over Vivian's cheeks as she hugged Martha tightly. She'd been so focused on fighting for her children that she'd forgotten what kindness felt like.
Over the next few weeks, Vivian settled into life in Willowbrook. She helped Martha in the bakery every morning, using her knowledge of modern business practices to help increase sales – she suggested adding coffee-to-go cups, creating a loyalty program, and even setting up a small stand at the weekly farmers' market. Martha was thrilled with the results, and soon the bakery was busier than it had been in years.
But Vivian's real work was happening in the Spiritual Spring Space. Every night, after Martha had gone home and the bakery was quiet, she'd slip into the space and work on her plans. Using the financial forecasting algorithms from her inventory, she mapped out exactly how to take advantage of the upcoming economic opportunities – the dot-com boom, the Asian Financial Crisis, the rise of tech giants that were still just ideas in their founders' heads.
She started small, using the little money she had to invest in penny stocks that she knew would skyrocket in value. Within a month, her initial $500 investment had grown to $5,000. She reinvested every penny, spreading her investments across industries she knew would thrive – software, biotech, renewable energy. She also used the space's advanced technology blueprints to design a new type of water purification system that could be built with 90s-era materials, perfect for the drought-prone regions that would soon be facing water shortages.
But her most important task was preparing for Marcus's arrival. She'd called his boarding school the day after she'd arrived in Willowbrook, telling them that she was taking him out of school to move closer to family. The headmaster had been hesitant at first – Richard had paid for Marcus's tuition in full – but Vivian had been prepared. Using the space's resources, she'd created fake documents showing that she had full custody of her son, along with a trust fund set up for his education. A week later, Marcus was on a bus to Willowbrook.