After The Awakening | ONC 2023

Chapter Six

Xavier loosened his tie as he headed back to his apartment. Despite Ray answering his questions, she remained as much a mystery as before.

Her past, or lack of one, bothered him, and he wondered why Mari had agreed to take her. He hadn't been exaggerating when he'd said she didn't like kids. Mari had found most children barely stomachable and teenagers were to be avoided at all costs. And yet she'd stepped in as Ray's caregiver, but to what purpose?

'Xavier.'

He turned at his name as the lab technician, Anthony, waved something at him.

'I wanted to get this to you as soon as we finished examining it.' He handed the envelope over. 'I know Marilyn was your partner,' he said in a way of explanation.

Xavier turned the envelope over and noted his name in tiny blue script.

'It was found amongst Marilyn's possessions.'

'Why am I only finding out about this now?'

Anthony shrugged. 'You know it's protocol for all possessions to be examined first.'

'And was anything found?'

'No bugs. No listening devices. Only one burner phone with no numbers in it and no call ever having been made to or from it. She seems like a woman on her own.'

'Except for Ray.'

Anthony looked uncomfortable. 'Must be hard on the girl. I heard she was only young.'

'Mari raised her, so I guarantee you she's stronger than she looks,' Xavier reassured him.

'I'll leave you to it, then.' Anthony tactfully left, realising that Xavier's mind was somewhere else.

Xavier watched him go with relief. Anthony and the other lab technicians already knew the contents of the letter, and yet he craved privacy to read it. He still felt as though Mari would have written it for his eyes only, and that's something he intended to honour.

Once inside, he poured himself a whiskey for the occasion. It was a pricier brand than they'd drunk in the old days, but he thought his ex partner may still appreciate the sentiment.

'Now let's see what game you were playing, Mari,' he said as he lifted the letter from the envelope.

I'm sorry for what has happened and how it ended between us.

I remember the good days, us, Rosa, Charlie, before all the madness happened.

I have thought about them and you many times over the years.

I wished that I had figured out the key to happiness was doing something I was proud of with the people I loved.

But that's hindsight for you, and I can no more change the past than fight against the death I know awaits me.

You once accused me of not being true to myself, and I think you were right.

But now I trust you to do what is right.

Xavier read the letter repeatedly, but the seven simple lines didn't change.

Half of the whiskey bottle was empty, and he pressed his glass against his temple as he thought.

'Come on Mari. What were you hoping to achieve with this letter? You weren't sentimental and some of this doesn't even make sense,' he slurred.

He blew hard, and the letter lifted into the air and passed by the fire. For just a moment, he thought he saw something in the lower corner before the letter landed on the floor.