Belle Stone

Part 16

Mark was deep in his thoughts. They knew nothing more than he already knew. That woman was still left as an enigma. At least now he has the address of her place. Maybe it will help him solve that mystery.

It was a warm spring afternoon. Sun was shining brightly. Blue sky served as a background. Crystal clear beauty of it protected by the powerful sun. Rays tingled the bare skin that peaked under the flowing clothes. Birds were chirping in an intense cheer. It was so amicable but left so unnoticed.

Mark reached the building that matched the description that the couple gave him. Straight away he rushed to find the apartment of Belle's biological mother but on his way there he bumped into a elder woman so he might as well just ask.
"Oh, I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention. Are you okay?"
He separates from the woman shortly after the crash still gently holding onto her fragile frame.
"Next time watch where you are going young man."
Her shaky voice cuts through the silence as she budges from his loose hold.
"I will. Please forgive me."
His mind was too clouded to register the kindness shaking through. Her voice was seemingly sterner than it was intended to be. So Mark replied sincerely. Apologetic tones laced within his words.
"I do. What are you doing here anyway? I never saw you before."

The woman gets a better look at this young man. She tries her best to recognize the young man. Her memory still served her right. This facial structure wasn't familiar. As much as her eyes had the ability to see, she made up a confused and wondering look in his eyes. He searched for some kind of answer here. That was for sure. His whole body was tense. Nervous. Impatient. Rapid. His intention was clear.
"Well... Maybe, you could help me. You see, I am looking for someone."
Hopeful. His luck may have picked up again. It was finally catching up with him. At least that is what it felt like.
"I am listening."
The woman looked engaged waiting for his answer. Mark turned fidgety of excitement. His eyes scanned the place, jumping from door to door. As a result, his head followed the movements. Legs couldn't keep still. The urge to move was too strong.
"Who lives in apartment 43?"
That sounded very weird. Forced calmness tainted the words twisting the harmless meaning. The woman didn't mind. She could tell that this was something really important to the boy.
"No one."

Plain and simple. Such usually insignificant words held so much power. He was glad that it was free for him to investigate but broken by the fact that the person he was looking for wasn't there. For some reason, he knew she wouldn't be. He just felt like that.
"Someone did, didn't they?"
His excitement didn't disappear. The itch to move was still present but his heart was calmer and so was his voice.
"Yes. Where are you going with this, son?"
"I just want to know who they are and where they went."
"Why? No, never mind. Don't tell me. It was a woman in her early 20's, I don't know the name. She left about 15 years ago, no one knows where. Some say to her sister, some say to another country but none can definitely affirm anything."
She lost her interest. The giddy behavior starting to prick on her nerves. She wasn't as patient and as understanding as she used to be.
"Thank you for everything."
His voice fell. Nothing new. Still. It looks like his luck hasn't arrived yet.
"You are welcome. Now, stop daydreaming and watch where you are going."
"I will."
For the first time he catches her warmth and the good intention behind her words. That drags a little bit of smile out of him.

The woman goes off. Mark continues on his path and finds the apartment. The front was very clean and neat, it almost didn't look like no one lived there. Maybe someone did, but no one knew. Maybe the woman was still here but she laid low and she only came out at night.

Mark grabbed the doorknob and slowly opened the door. He was surprised it wasn't locked. People probably thought she would come back. The front is clean, the door unlocked, they either loved her or feared her.