Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 21

Pastor Steve, Pastor Adam, and Pastor Joe Smith all looked eagerly at Mark as they waited for him to speak. Mrs. Waterfield sat in the corner, making mild noises and sobbing.

"I do not understand, Mark. What do you mean you can't find her?" Pastor Steve finally asked, his voice breaking the graveyard silence that hung in the air.

"I'm sorry," Mark murmured, his gaze dropping to the floor,he was unable to meet their probing stares.

"It's been eight months, son," Pastor Joe interjected softly. "Eight long months."

"What's your excuse? How did your wife suddenly go missing from a vacation?" The questions disturbed Mark so much that he hit his palm on his forehead and looked back at them.

"As I said, I do not know," Mark said. "I have been searching for her day and night. I don't know how it happened..." he paused and wiped his eyes, his voice coarse as if he was holding back his tears. "I don't know...I've never been this confused in my entire life"

Pastor Joe leaned back and relaxed in the chair, looking up at the ceiling. His eyes moved to Mrs. Waterfield, who was still sobbing in the corner.

"My poor daughter, my world. I wonder where she is now... I hope she's fine..." he heard her mutter. Mark turned his head to look at her as she cried and spoke to herself.

"I have never seen anything like this before," Pastor Steve said, resting his chin on his fist in deep thought.

"Look at the woman, she's crying. She lost her only daughter that she kept in your care!" Pastor Joe said, stretching his hands toward Mrs. Waterfield.

"She was carrying my child," Mark responded immediately. "I am very worried and scared, Dad! I also cry myself to sleep. Please, Dad, I tried my best."

The other pastors watched father and son as they exchanged words with each other. Pastor Adam let out a loud sigh and shook his head.

"So, what do we do now?" he asked. "Mark, you are a very prominent man in this church and outside here. What do we tell the public? Rumors are already everywhere in the congregation."

The room was once again quiet.

"Please, we have to do something," Pastor Adam finally said.

"I'll handle it," Pastor Steve said to them. "Mark, please find your wife. You're running out of excuses."

#%%^**##

"Easy," Mark said, guiding Mrs. Waterfield into her room with gentle care. "We're here," he announced, his voice carrying a soothing tone.

"Thank you, Mark," Mrs. Waterfield whispered gratefully as she slowly made her way to her bed, her steps consumed by exhaustion.

"I will... be seeing you... soon," he said softly, preparing to leave the room, but Mrs. Waterfield's voice stopped him.

"Mark," she called out, her voice trembling with fear and pain.

Turning back, he faced her, his expression a mixture of concern and guilt. Mrs. Waterfield appeared pale and her eyes were filled with unspoken sorrow.

"Mrs. Waterfield?" he responded in a tone gentle yet curious.

"Emily," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why did you used to do what you did to her?"

Mark's brows furrowed in confusion."I don't understand, Mrs. Waterfield," he finally managed to say, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Emily... always said that you used to hit her and do mean things to her," she continued.