Protect Me Not

Chapter 27

His flight left on time and according to plan. Victor sat patiently in his seat awaiting his arrival to Toronto. He envisioned teleportation and only wished it was something that existed in real time. Allowing his brain to concentrate on other topics proved useful in helping pass the time on his short flight. Victor couldn't stand the thought of Camden remotely standing close to Mary after witnessing the disgusting text messages he received earlier. Every time Victor looked at the images on his cell phone, he held back small bursts of bile. The foul aftertaste wasn't punishment enough for allowing Mary into the dangerous hands of Camden. Victor couldn't shake the deep resentment he was experiencing; after all it was he who pushed Mary into the contemptible arms of Camden to begin with. Had he just left matters alone, Mary would not have encountered Camden. Victor wouldn't be losing his wife to an ex friend clearly suffering from some sort of breakdown. Victor's unsuccessful attempts to reach Mary by phone proved useless for she changed her cell number just as she threatened. His attempt to get the new number from Mary's secretary was futile even though Victor explained the emergency situation. His failed attempts at guessing the safe word Mary had previously set up made it nearly impossible to get her new cell number released from her overly responsive secretary. Mary was sure to set up every obstacle possible knowing how ruthless Victor could be when it came to protecting her.

Victor reviewed his past text conversations with Camden hoping to discover an anomaly of any kind but he kept coming up empty handed. Suffering in the hands of the unknown was the most lonesome place to be. Victor began to understand the torment Mary endured for all those years. He understood all the uncertainties of the 'what if's' and 'how come' simulation now affecting his current life. What if he had forbid Mary to go to Toronto and how come she was so adamant on doing this on her own? Was it possible that Camden orchestrated the entire situation from its inception? Would Mary even go along with such an elaborate plan? Was that the reason for not wanting contact while she settled her inner demons so far away from home? Victor closed his eyes, rested his head on the helicopter backrest and took in a deep breath. The answers to all of his nonsensical questions would be exposed soon and Victor was looking forward to it.

Victor felt the sky's instability, creating jolting turbulence forcing the helicopter to sway. He reminisced about his last flight with Mary only a short while ago. He could almost feel her hand gripping onto his as the aircraft gave way to the sudden and unpredictable air movements. If Mary was with him right now, she would certainly throw up. His own stomach was twisting with every rigid and jolting dip the helicopter took. The revolting feeling could have solely been brought on by his inner guilt of placing Mary into the hands of Camden himself but he was sure the wrestling flight was adding to his nausea.

The turbulent ride reminded him of his past year of unpredictable change. Work pressure compiled with his strong apprehension of Mary traveling alone gave room for another panic attack but somehow Victor managed to keep his anxiety in check. More now than ever, he needed to be able to think with a clear mind, allowing his thoughts to filter through every situation in hopes to being equipped with a proper resolution. His plan to seek out Camden in person would be the most optimal situation. A face to face meeting would allow Victor the opportunity to confront Camden. He hoped that he could keep his emotions internalized but knew the mere sight of Camden could drive him into a frenzied fit. Victor envisioned hitting him square in the nose knocking him down with one punch but not before shaking an explanation out of him first. Who in their right mind sends their supposed friend a text of themselves being intimate with that person's wife? Victor took out his phone and pulled up the picture of Camden and Mary lying in bed together. The image sent Victor's blood pressure up to abnormal levels almost instantly. He couldn't help but analyze the image. Taking in every detail of the picture was hard for him to do but he had to try and make sense of it. As much as Victor's heart was pounding, he couldn't help but notice how relaxed Mary appeared and how tight and clenched Camden seemed. If they were both sleeping soundly then why would Camden wake to take a picture of them both? If they were having a whirlwind romance, wouldn't Mary be awake and smiling in the picture basking in the love bed of happiness together with him? Why did it seem like Camden staged the picture, almost as if he knew he wanted to use the image for a later date? Something just seemed to be off, or maybe Victor was just grasping at straws that just weren't there.