Sarah Marco is back. Weak and defenseless—terribly injured. This is the best time to run away, effortlessly. I reach for his breast pocket, leaning forward, to pull out the keys with two fingers stretched to their limits. Unfortunately, it is the wrong key. I toss the bunch over the bed checking for any other keys that fit but find none, except a few dollar notes. Using my toes to feel his trousers for a bump, I finally hear a clicking sound. With my toes, I try to pull out the keys from his pocket, horror-stricken at the thought of him waking up at the same moment.The keys fall out of his pockets with a mild clash on the rugged floor while he remains lifeless, losing blood. Heaving a sigh, I drag the keys, pulling them gradually towards me until they get to a point where my hands can comfortably reach. I pick it up with my free hand, hurriedly fitting it into the lock until it clicks open. Filled with surprise and horror I caress my wrist, jumping put of the bed and running to
SarahI drive down to the bar. My memory seems to be coming back gradually. As late as it is, I see people flocking in and out of the bar while I pull over abruptly, knocking down a trash bin. Turning off the car engine, I step out, with Marco’s phone in my hand hoping to find Betty before I’m tempted to call. She seems to be the second person I can trust. Or at least that knows me enough. I’m desperately in need of some clarity.The condition of my memory makes it difficult to think of the right decision. It feels strange to be among people, as I manipulate my way through the clumsy crowd, the stench of pipe and whiskey fills the entrance as I walk into the bar, my arms wrapped around my body. Everyone is too busy to notice me but I feel so exposed after weeks of being in confinement.“There you are. You aren’t a bad driver after all,” I hear a voice call out, startling me as I feel a tap on my shoulder. Turning around I find Betty, with a wide smile. She seems taller than the l
Sarah My brother? I almost run into a street light as I take a sharp turn. Betty made it clear that I had no relations even if she didn’t tell me how that came to be. “We’ve searched everywhere for you, Maria,” the voice continues, oblivious to the horror I feel, as my heartbeat begins a loud drumroll. The shook I feel wouldn’t let me attempt a word as I drive along, trying my best to steady the wobbly vehicle.How can that be? I drive along, searching for the nearest exit out of town like Betty advised. “I heard of your illness, Maria. I would have come earlier for you if I heard early enough,” the voice continuesI remain silent, listening to the voice as my face grow pale at every chime of the car radio.“Mother has been dying to see you. I see you don’t want anything to do with us. I’ll relay that to mother. She can finally find closure on her sick bed—”“Wait” I cut in, bringing the vehicle to a halt. I’ve a mother too? Did betty lie to me? “I…I want to meet my family,” I repl
Sarah I stare at the navigation screen, then the voice adds,“Stay right where you're. I'll come get you.” A beep follows immediately after and I'm left with a black screen and the thumping of my heart, waiting in silence. I take another peep out. The walkways have become more deserted. Few street men walking in groups, staggering around with bottles of strong drink in their hands. I suck in another breath with my eyes closed, hating the temporary darkness my memory has thrown me into. Just as I fling my eyes open , I see a the headlight of a coming vehicle , far ahead, but bright enough to cause me to squint. That should be him. My brother. I rush out of the vehicle, running toward the coming vehicle. The car parks abruptly just beside me as I stop running waiting to see my brother or a face that might revive my memory of my family. A man come running out of the vehicle, leaving his car engine on. But I notice the anger in his eyes, the bloodstains on his padded sho
MarcoHer sudden reaction doesn't bother me as much as her state of health. She's getting worse by the minute and I don't have a way to bring her back to her memory, back to the sweet innocent Sarah.“Why not? Since when did I grant you the privilege of taking decisions for me?” I ask, knowing that it's a waste of my time exchanging words with such crazy. “They'll kill you if they find us,” she adds. The fear is evident in her eyes but I know exactly what she needs.The drugs have started to take effect. I expect her to be calmer. It could be that the drugs don't work anymore for her. It's a good thing I know just the right alternative.I walk out of her room while still engaging her in the discussion,“... And who are these people, if I may ask?”I'm running out on sedatives, as I open the cupboards in the kitchen. I decide to draw out the last bottle I have. As far as I'm concerned, Sarah is not just a threat to me but herself. The more she stays unconscious, the better for her and
Marco“One step ahead. How does that make you feel?” a voice booms from the other end of the line. He was so swift in receiving the call, one might think he had been waiting all night for my call.He sounds familiar, like one of the attackers from the previous visit.“I don't know what time zone you're on, but it's not yet seven AM over here. I've been keeping my end of the deal, so we have no business.”“Just a reminder, Sidorov. We don't play games,” he replies. I could tell the anger in his voice but I'm just as irritated.“The only one playing games here would be you. Bloody brother? Who the fuck believes such cheap lies? She might be crazy but not stupid enough to ever believe she had a brother ready to swoop in and save her. Cheesy, don't you agree?”“Maybe if you hadn't shoved out your ugly face, Maria would be with me. I don't trust you one bit.”“But your boss does, and you need my protection. In a matter of hours, you'll come crawling for a place in my gang. Let this be the l
MarcoLarge , fancy chandeliers, suddenly find their way up the ceiling of the antique mosque, and radiant colourful lights making it seem just like a chapel ground, the typical white wedding.I sent Sophia to make a scan of the area immediately we tracked their location. There's a long roll of red carpet at the center with chairs covered in two rows of blue and white linen, filing both sides of the once–empty mosque. Beautiful flowers, lavished all around in elongated ceramic vases along the carpeted floor. A continuous row of dishes, and fine wines. A grand wedding indeed. It's Impossible to tell how hastily the decorations were planned. It looks just perfect. Normal. And Happy. Such words shouldn't be used to describe such a wedding. To the commoners and bystanders, it's an unnecessary lavish wedding of a philanthropist and a tycoon, but to the other world, it's a fancily decorated war zone, and as groom, it’s nothing close to innocent, or whatever picture the society have of me.
Marco Did she just confess her feelings? My face suddenly goes limp, as our gaze meet intensely. She doesn't just stop there, she's still talking,“Why do you think I saved you? I couldn't watch you die because of what I feel Marco,” her free hand reaches for my face, caressing my beards.I stagger away from her immediately. Maybe I've had too many drinks. Sarah is crazy. She’s lost her memory. She doesn't mean what she's saying. She mustn't.“You... You tried to run away. I can't believe any more of your crazy words. I'll go get your meds...”“I don't need meds, Marco. I'm not crazy. I...” she pauses, peeling her gaze off me and staring at her pink fingers.She wants to say something, probably another crazy proclamation,“... I remember everything. Including the night at my apartment. Our little moment... Ever since you walked into that hospital, I couldn't help but notice you. I fell every minute for you, Marco.”“Sarah. Stop talking... You're lying...”“i would gain nothing from ly