Chapter 5: Kismet...Rings of Truth

Who was she?

Sammy Hoffman…the only thing about her that she somehow is certain about was her truth. Whenever she realized the word ‘truth’ her naked ring finger burns.

Who was she? The name that she went by after an accident that left her with a scar behind the ear. Not understanding what had happened to her… she had become a quiet withdrawn woman who enjoyed living alone. Today was her birthday she somehow realized, she turned twenty six. Her reason for sitting there on this rock with the ocean around her, the tied was coming in fast but she don’t seemed to have a care in the world. Her mind was still numb. Grief was what she should feel but the only feeling was numbness.

Having no clue how she ended up where she was now sometimes drives her crazy. The voice behind her suddenly startles her. Instinctively she kept her back turned to him.

“Lady, is you okay?”

Peter William was idly walking beside the beach enjoying the water that spray against him. He was still numbed from the stressful week behind him. He stumbled onto this place accidental uncertain where precisely he found himself. He knew he could just ask some of the locals but he like the intriguing aspect of not knowing. He kept his eyes on her but she didn’t seem to be aware of what was going on around her. Something so deeply instinctively pulled him towards her lone figure. His hands itch touching her.

Who is she? The question kept repeating itself in her mind. Her very thoughts were going on around in circles. For months she kept herself numb not allowing the thoughts entrance. However the phone call on her birthday left her devastated with grief. For the very first time in months she was actually forced to look at herself and the person she had become.

Where did it all start?

Peter was making his way towards her. A giant wave had crashed over her but she sits motionless. There really was something magical about her that pulls him like a magnet.

Sammy smiled cynical having this knowledge where it had started. She had just turned sixteen discovering that she actually had certain feminine features that made people took notice of her. However before any of this had fully dawned on her she was crashed and left broken.

Her full sensual lips twisted cynical anew. Another wave crashed over her. Now drenched to the bone she stood and jumped from sight.

Peter gasped in shock when he saw her vanished from his sight. He renewed his effort to try and reached the rock where the woman was seconds ago.

Also drenched to the bone with clothes clinging heavily to his body he managed to reach the rocks getting on top he searched the water but there was no sign of her. He quickly jumped back into the water and made his way back to the shore. He turned and watched the tie coming full circle as wave after wave crashed over the rocks where he stood moments ago

“Idiot!” he scowled himself. “Why on earth you even went into the water was beyond reason.” He was still a bit concern about the woman who had just vanished now. He can’t shake the feeling he must find her. He discovered the strange urgency within him.

Shaking his head thinking that the ocean was muddling his thoughts however it was like the image of the woman was finding roots within him. She seemed to be etched within his memory.

“Who are you?” his voice was carried away by the breeze.

The realization starts to dawn in her dazed mind she was on a quest in search of herself. Who she was however she doesn’t know her mind continues searching for the answer but the question eludes her?

She frowns briefly remembering the voice that called her before she jumped into the ocean. Once she found sand under her feet she found the rucksack and just took flight back into the city wandering aimlessly. She was looking for an answer but don’t know what the question was…

Her feet continue pounding the streets. The hustle and bustle of the day turns into nightlife and bright lights. It never dawn on her that she is on a dangerous path. The angels took it upon themselves to guard over her.

A light in a darken street pull her closer. The gates were open and the bench was the most inviting place at that moment for her tired feet. With no hesitance she move forward and sit down. The beautiful garden was quiet, it never dawn on her that she was trespassing.

Sammy sits down and closes her eyes. She was fast asleep by the time the dogs take a guarding position beside her sitting motionless she in a soundless sleep.

The moon tries to sneak past the clouds wanting to take a sneak peek at her. The clouds stay master of the sky that night. As the hours past it was replace by the early cool dawn of morning.

A kaleidoscope of images play in her mind fighting for supremacy, just before she open her eyes she has a brief image of a man smiling captivatingly with her. Her eyes open and the image are gone.

She suddenly was aware of the dogs sitting on either side of her. They were looking at her with kindness in their eyes. The dogs look past her. She instantly jumps onto her feet turning to face him. At first glance he was a stern, serious man, judging him in his early fifties. She notice his eyes twinkling at her apparently amuse by her candid look.

“Good morning, did you sleep well?” he queries.

She didn’t answer him but continue looking intently at him. She senses no danger from him or his immediate presence. Something about him comforts her.

“Last night I found myself in the most curious dilemma. I keep calling my dogs but they simply didn’t obey my command. I was first concern when I went searching for them. I found them along with you. They took it upon themselves to guard you. My dear you choose the most peculiar position for sleeping. The women I had known in my life prefer to sleep on the softest bed they could find. You can imagine my surprise when I found you sitting motionless up right clearly tired, very beautiful and sound asleep. For the life of me I didn’t have the heart to wake you. During the night I check on you regularly and behold me still, you didn’t move an inch. Thus my dilemma, should I wake you and or carry you inside to sleep on a bed. Instead it dawn on me that this action on my part would frighten you so I allow my dogs to guard you as I did. Now tell me beautiful who are you?”

“I am Sammy, I think,” she says puzzled, uncertain.

Sammy watches him with a serious of reflections washing over her.

“Well beautiful, if I look trustworthy enough you may enter my home and shower then I will feed you. When you feel comfortable with me and you prefer you can tell me why and how you ended up here. I am Leonardo “Leo” William.”

Sammy found her host in his garden a morning feast waiting for her. The picture seems vaguely familiar for a moment. Then the notion vanishes. She goes to him finding his presence alluringly comfortable in kindness. His eyes were twinkling with her again she like that about him. She goes and sits across from him.

“Well Sammy dear, how is it you find yourself in this predicament?”

Leo handed her a glass of juice leaning back in his chair waiting for an answer if she prefer. It is clear to him she is thinking about her answer but confusion mingles with uncertainty leaving her vulnerable again. He instantly reaches out to sooth her fears with the touch of a hand.

“You are safe here beautiful. No harm will befall you in my presence. My bossy daughter will have my head I guarantee you.”

“Leo I don’t remember how I ended up here in Cape Town,”

Sammy stood fast circling the confines of the enclosed garden. The blankness overflowing with jumbled thoughts is driving her crazy.

“What was the first thing that jumps into your thoughts?”

“Waking up in the most expensive suite in the Waterfront Hotel I am completely clueless how I ended up there.”

“What else do you remember before yesterday?”

Sammy stands still looking into space her eyebrows furrowed with thought.

“I am Sammy Hoffman, living in Steinkopf in the Namaqualand region. I was touring through the country to get away from the pain and the dark looming shadow just at the edge of my memory. I step from the plane then nothing. I only remember this now when I step from the shower.”

“Would you allow me to call a doctor?” he queries gently.

“I don’t like them. They always stick me with needles making me forget,” she says sharply. “I don’t like forgetting,” she frown realizing what she just said. She looks at Leo for an explanation.

“What is the reason you don’t like doctors?” he stand coming towards her.

“I…” confusion is clearly in her eyes.

“Sammy doesn’t force the issue. Things will settle the way it should in due time. Just stay calm. If I may wager an opinion as an amateur but using a bit common sense, you must have hurt yourself somewhere now you suffer from some kind of amnesia. Spend the day with me maybe something will come back to you.”

“Leo…my head does feel tender in the back and I have a mark on my neck,”

The dogs bark suddenly furiously. Leo goes to see what the commotion is all about.

Sammy turn wanting to go inside when she realizes someone is just standing within the shadow of the interior of the house.

“Leo,” she called but her voice is barely a whisper.

“One way or another I will get you. Your time is running out,” he warns.