Fear is like a tree that grows inside of me, silenty.
It's just a short chapter, I'm sorry, I don't really have time this week. I promise to work more on it next week! :)
Thanks so much for all the feedback, I really appreciate it. I will have a look at the paragraphs next week as well! I hope you enjoy this chapter, even though it's pretty short :s
The Rasmus - Open My Eyes
John didn't have to wait long for an answer. He could only imagine Sophie sitting in front of her phone, impatiently checking it for news on Mary. That's how he would've reacted, but then again, he was Mary's husband.
He dismissed the thought and read the message instead.
23:32 John! Or course! How's Mary? Why do you keep replying on her phone? One should think you're spying on her.
That hurt. Then he remembered that Sophie didn't know about the hospital and it made sense. Kind of. However, he didn't want her to ignore him as soon as she got her answer, so he just went on with the next question. Some smalltalk might be nice, he guessed, plus he didn't really have a plan on this. He just knew that something felt wrong and he'd be damned if he couldn't figure it out.
23:38 So, how long have you known Mary? She never talked about you, must've been pretty serious differences you two had.
It might have been a bit low to mention that he'd never heard of Sophie before, but it was true enough. Funnily, she agreed.
23:40 I'm not surprised she never talked about me. I'd rather not tell what happened, though. It's as much Mary's secret as it is mine, and we swore never to tell anyone. Just know that I met her when we were both seventeen.
That was the most text John had ever gotten from her, but it only left him more clueless. Secrets were never good, not with the Mary he had gotten to know.
23:43 A secret? Well, she certainly has more of those. How long haven't you seen each other? You must be crazy because you missed her.
Or not, if they hated each other. It's hard to overcome hate, though.
23:45 Yeah, she was one of my best friends. It was almost ten years, and I'm very glad we talk again. I'd love to get to know you, too. When will Mary be back from the hospital?
John wasn't sure if he liked this Sophie-person, or if he'd like to meet her. But on the other hand, she was a good friend of his wife, so a good husband wouldn't say no to them.
While thinking about all that, he found something weird rereading the message. He couldn't quite pin it down until he reread the whole conversation, then it was obvious as a street sign: He had never mentioned Mary being in hospital. That was weird, very weird.
23:51 How do you know about the hospital? I never told you, and Mary's phone is here.
There was a long silence and John almost thought he had scared her off. If she had a decent answer, she would text him right away, wouldn't she?
He lay back the phone, watching the ceiling again while waiting. When the message came, he nearly threw himself on the phone to read it.
00:14 I'm sorry, my partner just woke up and asked what I'm doing. Anyway, Mary asked a nurse on the hospital to tell me since she couldn't text me herself. Very tragic, I am so very sorry about your child, John.
A nurse. Sure. Just after John had promised to tell Sophie that Mary was fine, she sent a stranger to text her all the details. That sounded so very wrong.
00:18 I'd like to meet you in person, Sophie.
It sounded weird and desperate, but John didn't care. Something had to happen here. And slowly, a plan formed in his mind.
00:23 That sounds like you're hitting on me. I told you, I'm taken. And don't you dare cheat on Mary.
00:25 A double date. You and your boyfriend and Mary and me. Next week, as soon as Mary is okay again.
It wasn't a question, but he didn't want to ask. He wanted this to happen and he wanted to know what was going on. Mary and her bloody little secrets, he definitely had enough of them by now.
00:29 Sure. Text me the details about it as soon as you have them. I'll go to sleep now, though, and you should, too. It's late. Good night, John.
He didn't answer on that. It was enough for him. Should this Sophie-person sleep, he'd make plans in the meantime. He knew perfectly well what he would do tomorrow, besides from getting Mary home, and he would get behind this mess.
While still thinking about his scheme, his eyes fell shut and he drifted off. His dreams showed Mary and Sherlock, arguing about Sophie, who remained a shadow in the middle of them, and slowly they disappeared in the distance without John having even the slightest chance of getting near them. The scenery changed and he was suddenly on the hospital roof. Mary lay in a bed next to him while the Sophie-shadow dragged Sherlock to the edge. His feet were like glued to the ground and he could only watch the shadow dragging his best friend over the edge and John's screams filled the air, along with Mary's laughter.