Immortal Stranger

Diary Entry #23

Tia’s Mom P.O.V

3 HOURS EARLIER

“Don’t you think we should call Tia and make sure everything is okay with her? She has been awfully quiet lately…” I mumbled as I folded some clothes. I heard Ted grunt and I sighed, wondering how I got to this life.

“I’m sure she is fine,”

“But we let her think that she didn’t have a brother and now she won’t even talk to us!” I said, frustrated. I didn’t like to think that my little girl was mad at me and there was nothing we could do.

“I’m sure she is fine. Just leave her and let her figure it out,” Ted murmured as he watched the game. But my worries didn’t recede and I continued to talk.

“But what about if we go visit her? I mean I’m sure she would listen to her if we flew two hundred miles just to-”

“Mary!” Ted exploded, throwing the converter down and stomping over to me. “GET OVER IT! She will be fine and if she isn’t whatever. I didn’t want a son or a daughter so good riddance if she never calls ever again.” He yelled. I just stared at him, in shock. I knew he never wanted children but I didn’t think he was this passionate about his hate for Tia.

Then everything dawned on me. All those times that Tia had complained about Ted not listening to her or feeding her I didn’t believe him. All this time it had been Ted; not Tia.

“How could you not care Ted? She is your own flesh and blood.” I said in disbelief. He just shook his head and for the first time I was worried that he might actually hit me.

“I don’t care about her or about anybody. I don’t want anybody in my life anymore okay? So if you want to go; go. But don’t even think about coming back,” He growled as he threw my purse at me. It hit me in my shoulder and I winced at the pain.

I slowly got up and started collecting my things. Who was this man? Definitely not the one I had married; that is for sure. Ted was usually so loving and caring but this man was cruel and obnoxious. Was he drinking? No, he didn’t smell of alcohol. Drugs? No, Ted thought they were disgusting. So what was it?

“No!” He yelled from behind me and the next thing I knew I was flying through the air and landed on a bed with a squeal. “Get out NOW!” I shrunk away from his growing figure and scrambled out of the room. I could hear him charging behind me so I full out sprinted.

Just as I neared the door, I felt Ted grab my arm and rip me back so I was standing face to face with him.

“Don’t ever come back, you hear me? If you ever do, I will kill you.” He whispered then pushed me out the door. I fell to the ground and snapped my foot back before the door could crush it.

I just stared at the closed door with sorrow and confusion, trying to replay what I did wrong. Was it mentioning Tia that had set him off? But why?

Then as I was collecting my purse and wallet from the contents he had thrown out with me, I thought of his face. It was full of rage and anger. Was there anything out of the ordinary?

I shook my head, dismissing the thought. Then I blocked out the memory forever but not before I realized that there was something different. When he pulled me in close I saw something on his neck… A bite mark.

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“Thank you,” I said as I took my ticket and went to sit down. Two hours until my plane arrived and then I would be out of here. Thank goodness.