The Curse of Mary

Chapter 3

Ellie

Ellie begins to disappear, returning late at night, often in a state that isn't normal. One night Ellie returns earlier than usual. Gray is still awake, so when his mother comes in he leaps toward her, knocking her over.

"Mama?" Gray murmurs.

"Gray?" Ellie slurs out, "What are you doing?"

Gray releases his grip on his mother and runs to get Thomas. Thomas appears with Gray beside him. "Ellie?" he whispers, "Jesus christ! Come on, let's get you to bed." He helps her stand up. She leans heavily onto him.

He manages to get her into her bedroom. "Thomas?" she mumbles, "I don't feel..." She launches forward, releasing vomit all over the floor.

"Ellie!" He pulls her into the bathroom and puts her head over the toilet.

After she finishes puking her guts out she looks at Thomas and sadly whispers, "Sorry."

"If you were sorry you wouldn't continue to do this to yourself," Thomas exclaims angrily.

"You think I want to be like this!" she yells, "Because I don't! I don't!" She pushes him away and stumbles back into her bedroom. She plops herself onto her bed.

Thomas quietly follows behind. "Ellie?" he whispers softly, "please stop blaming yourself. You're eating yourself alive because of it."

"I'm trying," she says into the bed's sheets, "I am."

"Try harder." He leaves the room, letting Ellie's mind wander to a dark place. (thinking) "I've become a burden to him. I can't be a good mother because of this. Maybe I should leave. Yes, I'll leave. They'd be better off without me anyways." She gets and starts to shove clothing into a bag. Once she's finished, she shoves the bag under her bed and sits on her bed, furiously writing in her journal, trying to fend of the feeling of uselessness.

September 13th 1994

I'm a complete mess. I disappear everyday and often come back in a state of unwellness. Gray was still awake when I returned today. Thomas helped me to bed, where I proceeded to puke my guts out. I've decided to leave tonight. It's for the best. I'm a burden to Thomas and I'm in no condition to care for Gray or Violet. I hope Thomas understands.

Thomas

Thomas paces around the living for several minutes before calling Marie to ask for advice on how to help Ellie. "Hey, Marie," he says, "it's Thomas. No, Ellie's...well she's not in the hospital, but she's far from fine. There was an incident a few nights ago, and it ended with one of our friends dying and she blames herself. Our friend's death has completely destroyed her again and I don't know what to do anymore! I don't know how to help her! No it's okay, it's late out. You can come tomorrow. Okay thanks I appreciate it. Bye now." He hangs up his phone and sighs.

Later on Thomas knocks on her door to tell her he has food for her. She doesn't answer. He sighs and tells her he'll leave it outside her door.

She waits until everyone is asleep to make her escape. Before leaving she writes Thomas a note and leaves it on the kitchen table.

Thomas,

I'm leaving tonight. Please take care of Gray and Violet for me. Don't try to find me. It's better this way, trust me. I can't take care of Gray or Violet, I can barely take care of myself. I know you'll take good care of them for me. I don't want to burden you with my problems any longer. I'm sorry, for everything. I love you.

Ellie

After leaving the note on the kitchen table, she tiptoes out the door. Upon leaving the building she looks up at it one last time before running off.