Fading Pasts

Chapter 7

(Above is a picture of Maggie)

I didn't have to even try to remember the number, it was instinct typing her number into my phone. I hoped that when I dialed the number and after a few rings that she would answer.

"John?"

"Ann?"

"We had to get in contact with you somehow, and the only way we knew how was when we found your wife's phone."

"How did you get her phone?"

"We were able to track the phone and where it was hidden. We found that she was taken at a gas station, and it was across the road. We are reviewing the video now. From what we can tell he grabbed her and threw her phone to the other side of the road."

"That means you have him on video, right?"

"This guy is smart; he knew where the cameras were and was able to keep his face out of sight."

"What was he driving? Did you see that at least?"

"He was driving a black Ford truck and from what we can tell it's around 2006 or 7."

"Well, he couldn't have kept the plates hidden from the camera, right?"

"We ran the plates, and they came back as a woman from a neighboring town. We got in contact with her, and I assure you she has nothing to do with this. She even reported her plates stolen weeks prior. We went back through and there are plates being stolen from towns all around us, including our own. This guy is paranoid and keeps changing his plates to avoid being found."

"I'm not supposed to be talking to you. What if he knows and somehow, he finds out?"

"He won't. I promise you that you are safe calling this number. Just make sure your surroundings are secure before you call."

"Thank you, Ann.,"

It was sometime later that I was able to drift asleep. I was woken up not by my phone, but by the alarm I set to go home.

...

Every time I entered my house knowing she wasn't there hurt me. Our once loving and warm home had turned dark and cold. Drax lifted his head and came to greet me. I knew that he sensed the tension and felt the same grief I did.

"I know bud, I miss her too."

I hadn't heard anything all day, and I was beginning to worry that talking to Ann was a mistake. Just as my greatest fears started to build up, my phone buzzed.

"Hello John. I'm quite impressed. Your past is almost completely healed, and you are so, so very close to me returning your wife."

"Then what else do you want from me?"

"You played your past back and relieved the horrors. However, your wife has yet to tell you of hers."

"What are you saying?"

"Your amazing wife is the same as us all. Her past was nothing like she makes it seem."

"I know about her past."

"No, John you don't. You know of the past she's told you, but not the one she's hiding from you."

"I don't understand."

"Well, I choose those who I do because I see something in them and how they are blackened from their past. I see these people and how they are like me. I'm trying to save these souls, but I haven't even saved a husband yet. Well until you that is."