Chapter 12 by Fathiah Zarafi

Mary Anne had delivered a plate of bread and butter during the day. As much as I refused to take in food coming from her, I knew I had to replenish my energy. I may need it a lot to escape tomorrow. The bread seemed normal and harmless as I inspected it under the light. It was a bit awkward trying to eat with your wrists bounded together but at least it was better than having to eat straight off the plate like last time. I didn't expect myself to ravish it like I hadn't eaten in a week but despite the small meal, my stomach still growled in hunger. Once the bread had completely cleared, I pushed the plate away.

Shakily, I got up to my feet and headed for the blocked window. I peeked out through the cracks of the planks into the outside world. Perfect view, I mused to myself, I can see the whole front yard from here. It would make my sneaking out easier. The time must have been around midday; the sun had risen to the middle of the sky. With nothing else to do, I began pacing around in the small space. My walking cast emitted a heavy thump with each step I took. I glared at the white plastic wrapped around my leg; if I weren't careful, it would get in the way of my escape. The cast wasn't exactly made for running.

I settled myself on top of a brown trunk with a heavy sigh. However, I immediately yelped in pain when I felt a prickling sensation on my bottom. I got up, ready to throw away whatever it was but was stopped once I grabbed a hold of it. It was a broken picture frame. Inside was a picture of two beaming couples. I instantly recognized the smile of the young brunette gentleman; it was Father. Clinging to his arm was Mother and she had her head on his shoulder while grinning at the camera. Next to time was a man adorning thick glasses and an outdated mullet cut. He had an arm around a younger and thinner Mary Anne. I frowned at the picture and drew it closer to my eyes; instead of her husband, Mary Anne was staring lovingly at Father.

I gently placed the picture on the floor. Did Mary Anne—had feelings for Father? Everything was just so confusing. Deciding to satisfy my curiosity, I unlocked the trunk and pushed the heavy lid open. A cloud of dust flew into the air, drawing a sneezing fit from me. With watery eyes, I began digging into the trunk. I pushed the stacks of newspapers aside and saw piles of letters hidden underneath it. There were at least twenty of them, all neatly tied in a bundle. I gently pulled on the string to unravel them.

The first one that I held was dated February 23rd, 1990 and addressed to Mary Anne DeHeart. I tugged the letter out and unfolded it.

Dear Mary,

Julia had safely given birth to our daughter yesterday. She is the perfect miniature of her mother, with thick brown curls on her head and big brown eyes. Lucy Rose is the most perfect thing I have ever seen and I've fallen in love all over again. I remembered that you wanted to name our children Lily and Lavender, after your favorite flowers. Our kids would have been the cutest blonde angels and I would fall more in love with you watching you birth our children.

It is such a tragedy that we have to go our separate ways. I never would have imagined being apart from you, love, but we are powerless against our true destiny. Every night I lie awake imagining what my world would be like if you had come along with me to San Diego. I would feel guilty towards Julia afterwards but I couldn't help it. I was torn to pieces when I came home only to find you engaged to Ronald. Perhaps it was selfish of me to think that you would have waited for me during my time away. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep for days. Luckily destiny sent Julia over to mend my broken self. I owe so much to her, Mary. She had sacrificed so much for me.

This is the last time I'll ever write to you, Mary. Please don't get me wrong; I love you with all my heart and no one will ever replace you in my heart but the birth of Lucy had opened my eyes. Our paramour cannot continue, my love, for I need to focus my undivided attention to the little angel sleeping peacefully next to her mother. It is not fair to her nor is it for Julia. It breaks my heart all over again to say goodbye to you but alas, it is inevitable. So here it is, goodbye my Mary. I trust Ronald to care for you as I had done years ago.

Forever and always,
Jon

Silent tears cascaded down my cheeks without my knowledge. Mary Anne was in love with my father and probably still was. I neatly folded the paper and tucked it back inside the envelope. With a heavy sigh, I collapsed in front of the trunk and leaned my back to it. I didn't understand; if Mary Anne was in love with Father, why did she do all those things? Was it a cruel form of revenge for breaking her heart? Oh Dad, I cogitated, everything is so messed up.

With trembling hands, I reached for another letter. This time it was dated 24th of December, 1992 and it was addressed to Father. The letter was unopened and undelivered. I tore the envelope open and pulled out the paper hidden inside.


Dear Jon,

I know that you have told me to stop writing to you but I have to express my feelings to you, for I have no one else that would understand. That bittersweet night we shared together will continue haunting my memories forever. When you fell asleep after our lovemaking, I lie awake to memorize your beautiful face. You haven't aged a day, sweetheart. It breaks my heart knowing that awful Julia was considering divorcing you. Although I refuse to admit it, a part of me jumped in joy upon hearing the news. Perhaps with you free from that wench's grasp, we could finally have our happy ending.

The real reason I'm writing this letter Jon, is to tell you the truth. When we went out drinking, you were the only one who did such. I didn't even finish that one glass you bought for me. When we made love, you were drunk but I remained sober. We left out protection, or dare I say it, I was the one who had purposely forgotten it. Please don't be mad, Jon. There was this voice in my head telling me that if I did the exact, you will come back to me. I'm pregnant, Jon, with your child and I couldn't be happier. Ronald thinks it is his but I couldn't break the news to him yet.

Please come back to me, sweetheart. We can raise this baby together, just like we've always dreamed of. Julia wouldn't stay angry for long; she knows how much we love each other. Please, Jon. I am nothing without you. If you are worried about Lucy, I can raise her as my own too. Anything to be by your side again. Please say yes.

With all my heart,
Mary Anne

I threw the letters back inside the trunk, furious at what I have read. Mary Anne did this to herself; she took advantage of Father's vulnerable state and—seduced him. Has she no dignity? I shuffled back to the piano bench and slumped tiredly on it. My body felt exhausted and drained, either from the lack of eating or all the confusing information I had just absorbed. Before I knew it, I had drifted off to a dreamless sleep.

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When I woke up, my vision was teemed with darkness. The sun had already set, leaving me blinded in the dark. I threw my hands in front of me to avoid bumping into stuffs as I made my way to the light source but since they were tied together, I ended up bruising my unprotected shin repeatedly. My fingers finally found the metal string and my shin cried out in relief. With a soft pull, light shun through the room.

I decided to begin my hunt for weapons for tomorrow's break out. My first search was in a big box next to the trunk. Nothing was in it except for ratty clothes. The search lasted for hours as I rummaged around the attic. Almost all of the things in here were Tristan's childhood stuff and Mary Anne's old clothes. With a frustrated huff, I pushed away a chest filled with baby toys. My hopes were beginning to fade until I peeled open the flaps of yet another box. I grinned with joy upon seeing heaps of old gardening tools kept in it.

I pulled out a folding saw and traced the blade with my fingers. It was a little blunt but still sharp enough to cut through things. The next agenda I had to fulfill was to remove the cast on my foot. My foot hasn't healed completely yet but I couldn't risk it getting in the way of my escape. I removed the plastic walking cast to reveal the plaster underneath. Using the folding saw, I cut a slit down the cast. Once my foot was free, I ripped a section of Mary Anne's old clothes and wrapped it around my ankle to support it. To test out whether my ankle was strong enough, I strode along the attic. I was a little wobbly and small pain would travel up occasionally but it was nothing I couldn't handle.

I tucked the folding saw into my back pocket and walked to a mannequin I saw earlier. Mary Anne's wedding gown was displayed proudly on it. I tilted the mannequin to test its weight; it was heavy enough for me to drag across the room. With my plan and tools all set up, I once again took refuge on the old piano bench. I needed to accumulate my energy for tomorrow.

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I woke up the next morning with my spirits ablaze. Rushing to the window, I saw Tristan preparing to leave to school. My mind briefly wondered if anybody at school noticed my absence. It was then that I truly missed Chayton and how he lit up my day. I sat down on the floor and patiently waited for the time to pass by. Morning turned to day and day turned to evening. I was roused out of my fitful slumber by the sound of a car engine. I hastily ran to the window and peered out. Mary Anne was backing her car up from the driveway. I smiled to myself. Perfect.

I waited for a few more minutes before acting out my plan. I used the folding saw to cut through the ropes around my wrists before dragging the mannequin to the attic door and placing it right on top. With all the strength I could muster, I began pounding on the door with the heavy mannequin. My arms burned from the weight and repeating movements but I pushed it all to the back of my mind. The sound of metal clashing against wood thundered loudly in the room. It took me a while but the wood door finally gave away and broke under the weight of the mannequin. I sighed in relief as I threw the doll down. I flexed my arms a few times before peeking down the gaping hole.

It was quite a drop down, I noted. I was worried for my ankle, seeing how it was still healing. The folding stairs was fragile and nearly broken in half. It looked like it could come apart with little weight but I decided to take my chances with it rather than jumping to the second floor. The stairs shook and creaked as I went down it step by step. A surprised scream tore from my throat when one step broke under my foot. I grabbed on to the sides for dear life as I readjusted my weight. I resumed my descent slowly and steadily until I reached the bottom without any scratch.

I walked down the hall and stopped by my room to fetch a shoe. What I saw caught me by surprise. All of my belongings were neatly packed into my suitcase and placed on top of the bed. I didn't wait to unravel whatever Mary Anne's schemes this time. Throwing on a shoe for my once casted foot, I proceeded to the door.

I immediately froze when I heard noises coming from outside of the house. The sound of a car door slamming and Tristan's voice drifted in the air and reached my ears. Soon enough, Mary Anne's own voice joined, followed by the sound of the front door opening. My heart thundered wildly inside my ribcage; I was trapped.

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