Nyctophilia

The End of Everything

Recap: ...You might have guessed by now what we are about to do. John is dead- and this gives us a perfect opportunity to work on the operation. I'm sure it is going to work, with all the hard work we have put in. By the time you finish reading this letter, the deed will already be done. Again, I'm really sorry to have given you any trouble, dear, but you see, we had to do this. And don't you worry; John is going to be back with us and we will live happily ever after again. I'll get your son back, darling, as soon as possible.

Your Husband,
Hubert.

Mary had almost stopped breathing as she was reading the letter. How could Hubert do this? John was his son. But he was also the kind of man who would do anything to achieve his goal. She sighed as she set down the paper on the table. Standing up, she dusted her gown, and walked out of the living room up the stairs. She paused outside John's room, resisting the longing of opening the door. A hint of fear entered her, wondering what she might find there. Ignoring these emotions, she walked on, entered her room and shut the door. She was halfway through undressing herself, when she heard the doorbell ringing. Clarice had attended to it, followed by a loud gasp and the sound of the door closing. Putting on her night-gown as fast as possible, she hurried down the stairs, curious at what had made the maid so surprised. She walked into the living room, and found her son, her beloved son, John, standing with his father by the table. Out of instinct, because she had not seen him for so long, she ran towards him and hugged him. Suddenly remembering the contents of the letter, she let go.

In a small voice, she said, "John, my dear, are you alright?"

John looked back at her, his cold blue eyes boring into hers.

Mary turned towards Hubert, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and panic. "W-what-," she stammered. "What is wrong with him? Why isn't he saying anything?"

Hubert was silent for a minute, as if he was wondering how to start.

"Well?"

"You see, my dear, the operation was a success, but there was a minor setback. The electricity - uh -affected his speech and hearing. I hope, you won't mind, darling, the operation was a success, wasn't it? And you've got your son back too. As the saying goes, all's well that ends well, don't you agree?