|
Chapter 10 — Mary's Story
"Of course you did!" Mary moved her body ahead, their fingers mixing. "You did everything!"
"But how McCormick could have rescued you then? How?"
"He did not rescue me," Mary leaned on the back of the sofa.
"What?"
"I was rescued by another man, not Mark--"
"But who was he?"
"I do not know. Mason, listen to me, OK? Don’t interrupt because then I must start from the beginning again," she smiled weakly.
"I am ready to listen to your voice the whole eternity," Mason answered truthfully and moved closer to Mary. "I’m listening to you. Start."
"The last that I remember about that awful night is your eyes. Eyes filled with pain and anguish. And then... Just a line was broken." Mason flinched. The shadow of Death touched his wing. Mary continued. "The next thing that I remember is a white ceiling. It was the clinic. Common usual. But I didn’t understand this then and at first I just saw a white ceiling and did not know where I where, or who I was. In general I did not know or understand anything. Then — I think after months — my memory began to have some flashes. I began to remember something but there were not any clear images, it transformed into something more particular, only when I’ve seen Mark." Mason wanted to say something, but he thought he’d better not. "Mark did not know that I was alive. He just arrived to work in this clinic. He was shocked when he found out about me, as soon my physical condition allowed as he has taken me away from hospital. He transported me to Mexico and start waiting."
"For what?" Mason asked although he was not sure that he wants to know the answer.
"For the time my memory will be back and I’ll recognize him."
"Mary, I do not understand--"
"The minute I saw Mark, I remembered who he is and what he did to me too. And I have understood that I’m under his full control. Mason, I pretended that I cannot recognize him."
"And he?" Mason felt trembling. He didn’t even want to think about what McCormick might have done to her--
"His sounded strange, but he believed me. The truth is I only had part of my memory then, but when he took me away from hospital — it happened two or three months ago — I remember almost everything. Even your name," Mary smiled weakly.
"Mary, but what for? Why has he taken you away? What did he want from you?"
"For me to be a lawful wife for him. I don’t know, what I would have done if he start to force me... But Mark didn't insist. He spoke that while I did not remember him, he will not force me into anything. I wanted only one thing — to never see him," Mary lowered her head, tears dropped on the plaid.
Mason got her closer to him and embraced her. He felt that her shoulders are trembling and understood that she cries.
"Mary doesn't cry! This bustard does not deserve even one of your tears!
At last Mary stopped trembling and wiped her wet face against his shirt. "I should finish. From the moment I crossed the threshold of that home I thought only of how I can get out. But all the ways were cut off. I did not even know the number to ring the police. Mark was very cautious. He hired a woman who didn’t speak English to do the cooking and cleaning for us. I couldn’t leave the house; all the windows and doors were locked by automatic system--"
"That’s reminds me, how did you manage to get out of there?"
"The window was open... Probably, the electricity was casually disconnected."
"May be. And it was just improbable coincidence that you arrived to me at the same moment."
"Happy coincidence."
"Yes. In general Mark made only one mistake in all this time — give in to my arguments, he has taken me to the city. There I found out several important things — that I was in Mexico, in Santa Catalina, that Mark hated me, and that he has connections to some dark persons."
"Mary, the first thing I can understand, but the second and third?"
"Mark has taken me to a cafe on the shore. Usually he was nice enough with me, but here... He was very nervous. He constantly looked back, jerked me and his treatment was not too polite. With every moment he became more pressured and finally he just forced me to return to the car. And at the point I’ve seen his hate. He looked at me as if he wanted to set me on fire. Later he brought me at home, locked and left. It happened yesterday," Mary gave Mason a gaze and again nestled her head against his chest. "When he left, I began to remember all the other things. And your telephone number too. Several times I got on a woman, and then you’ve taken the receiver. And you know the rest. Mason, you are married, right? Mason did not know what to answer her. He didn’t want to tell her everything that happened after her death time. But he must tell her something. Something that will give Mary an understanding- that he still loves her. And always will."
"I was married," he answered. "My wife died in the car accident about month ago."
* * *
A silence fell in the cabin, silence, which was interrupted only by a weak sound of waves.
Mary nestled closer to Mason.
"You loved her?"
Mason thought and then slowly had shaken his head.
"No."
"She was a very good person, but I did not love her. We met in a hard time for her, I’ve helped her... She reminded me of you," he said unexpected for himself. "I do not know why. But she did. Mary--"
"It's Ok, Mason. You thought that I died and decided to move on with your life. It is normal, and I would not wish it other way. Really do you think that I wanted you to mourn me all your life? I am only sorry, that you had to pass through this once again--" Mason pressed her palms together. "I’ve passed a lot more than that this year, but I’ll tell you all about it later, OK? Just answer me one question. Why do you think what Mark is connected with crimes?"
"He behaved strangely there, in cafe. As if he was afraid that anyone would find us. Strange people called the house ... I do not know. May be I am mistaken."
"Don't seek to excuse him! Mark is capable of doing horror things and you know it. Mary, you need to have a rest. Let's go, I will lead you to your cabin."
"And you?"
"I must to go up and do something. But I'll be back soon."
"Alright."
Mary fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. Her face looked exhausted, but happy as a child. Mason touched her hair by his palm. Mary moved in her sleep and smiled. Mason smiled too because she recognized his touch, and then he went up to the deck. The fresh wind immediately messed his hair, cooled his blazed cheeks. He felt himself completely happy. However in the depth his soul he has an alarm.
Let this not to be found out a dream! Let this stay the reality!
|
|