Followed to death

Chapter 4 : An astonishing revelation

     Penelope’s voice has been heard again. But, instead of trying to ignore this eerie voice, Megan pressed her ear to the wall of her room. She then made a surprising dialogue between the young Zach who was the main suspect according to the young woman and Roger’s wife that everybody thought dead… Megan understood a little bit of things about this eerie death:
“You won't be able to stay here indefinitely...” whispered Zach.
“Yes, you are truth, this is why I have to get rid of these two persons who get on well together. My husband betrayed our wedding with this Megan. They must be punished for that.”
Megan fell down on the floor. She didn’t believe her ears. Penelope didn’t die. She thought that the student would marry a farmer who was at least twice her age just because she got along with him.  And Zach helped her in her insane plot! Moreover, the young woman was alone in the farm with a psychopath and a traitor. She really didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t trust Zach now and she couldn’t leave the farm because of the rain. Waiting for a bright idea, she continued to listen the conversation.
“What will you do to “punished” her?” Zach asked a bit anxiously.
“I won’t tell you.”
“Why? You don’t want me to help you anymore?
“No. It’s just because she is listening us even now.” Penelope said calmly.
This declaration chilled Megan. Panicked and horrified, she knew she had one thing to do now: to run away from them.
“Catch her!” Penelope yelled to Zach while Megan was running down the stairs.
The young man scurried outside, following Megan. The latter ran, ran and ran. She didn’t want to think about anything else than running, but all the events of this week piled up in her head. First, Zach knew that Penelope didn’t die, and he helped her to make Roger and her believe that the woman did. The jar of blood she found in the bush was used for the blood stains on Penelope’s clothes. And she deduced that Zach lied to her: Roger has never dug Penelope’s grave, Zach has, otherwise the farmer would have realized that his wife wasn’t dead. It was the young man since the beginning. “No, he has just obeyed to the horrible woman’s order. But why?” Megan thought. She suddenly heard sound of steps behind her. Zach was catching up her. She entered in a little forest. The ground was very slippery because of the rain and the wet leaves. Trying to escape Zach, she took a sudden turn and slipped, bumping her head against a tree. She felt the young man stop next to her before losing consciousness.

     For the nth time in the week, Megan woke up of her fainting. She was in a white chamber, with white walls, white cupboards, white bed and white bed sheets. A nurse then entered in her room. Undoubtedly the young student was in a hospital.
“How are you?” The woman asked sweetly.
“I’ve a painful headache and my right arm hurts…” Megan replied faintly.
“Yes, that’s understandable you have a sprain. When it’s raining like it was yesterday, the ground is really dangerous.”
“How did I get here?”
“A young man brought you yesterday in the evening. You were unconscious, and he said that you had bumped your head, sliding because of the rain. He has left you a note on this bedside table.” The nurse explained, showing the little table. “I have to go to see other patients. Don’t hesitate to call to me if you need something.”
“Okay thank you very much!” The young woman said gratefully
Megan took the paper feverishly, unfolded it and read:

            Dear Megan,
I’m sorry.
I don’t want you to forgive me, just understand, because I think you have guessed all the truth.
I was jealous. But not because of Penelope you know...
Hope you’ll recover quickly and realized your dreams (maybe I’ll see you in Australia with your platypus?)
See you

                                  Zach

The young woman was moved. She really appreciated his kind care. While she was proofreading the note, someone entered in the room. Megan looked up from the paper.
“Hello!”
No answer.
“Um… hello?
No more answer.
“You don’t disturb me at all, but I don’t think I’ve asked for a nurse…”
The nurse did still quiet, so Megan started to be annoyed.
“Miss, could you answer please?”
The woman tuned towards the student, but the latter was still unable to recognize her face. She could however see that the nurse was filling a needle with a strange fluid. Then she walked up to Megan. The young woman took a long time to recognize the nurse’s face. When she understood, she stared at her, horrified. The woman smiled at her victoriously, brandishing the syringe.

It was Penelope.