A Love Lost

Part III: An Unwanted Ghost

Gabriel

Ana just dropped an atomic bomb of information. I could understand why she was so freaked out. Anyone would be if they suddenly remembered everything about them that they had forgotten. I knew it wasn't the best reaction to pick up my phone and leave her, but it was my gut reaction.

"Hello?" Antonio answered.

I was speechless. How was I supposed to tell him that Ana got her memories back.

"Gabriel, what is wrong? Is Ana okay?" he continued down the line of practical questions.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know. What is wrong with my daughter?" I heard Mary ask.

"She's fine. She is just freaking out." The understatement of the century. Ana was losing her mind.

"Gabriel. What is going on?" Francisco asked.

"Ana...may...or may not...have gotten her memory back." I hesitated at first, but it ended up sounding jumbled together.

"She WHAT?!" Mary shouted into the phone.

"When?" my uncle asked.

"Just a couple of minutes ago. You all should probably come over."

Then, all of a sudden, there was a pounding at the door. I saw Ana leave my room and make her way downstairs. She looked the same, still wearing the clothes I had given her, yet different. As she closed and began descending the stairs she gave me a look that was hard to understand. She looked scared and apologetic.

I followed her downstairs, maintaining my distance and remaining on the phone. I waited at the top of the last flight of stairs.

I heard her open the door.

"Dad?" she asked, scared and startled.

"Dad?" I repeated quietly.

I wasn't so quiet that they couldn't hear me on the other line.

"Dad? Gabriel, what is going on?" Antonio asked.

"You and Mary should get here as fast as you can." I hung up the phone and peered over the banister.

"Is that all you have to say, Anastasia? After all this time, that is how you greet me? I taught you better than that." The man's voice grew more and more harsh.

Ana remained silent. She didn't move. Nothing. She just stood there.

"This may not be my house, but the rules still apply. When you and I meet, you must comply. Kneel." What the hell was he talking about? No way was Ana going to kneel.

"On your knees. Now!" he commanded her.

Ana turned around, dropped to her knees, and ducked her head.

"Good girl." he placed his hand on her head.

I saw her body tense up. Ana was scared. She wasn't just scared, she was terrified of this man.

"Now. Stand up and face me," he ordered her.

She complied.

When she turned around, he slapped her hard. So hard that Ana fell. I couldn't just stand there and watch her get hurt again.

"Ana. Who was at the door?" I descended the stairs.

The man turned from Ana to look at me. A grin appeared on his face. It reminded me of the devil. It was creepy.