The lost secrets

Chapter 13: Meg's new co-worker

"Hey guys, I'm home!" yelled Meg with more enthusiasm than usual for a boring day at work. "Hey Meg," vocalized Mary with a grin. She saw Meg and gave her a bright smile, 'I hope Meg can't see that I've been crying.' Meg hadn't noticed yet, but Mary noticed a sparkle in Meg's eye and a hop in her step. 'What's gotten into her?' wondered Mary. Jake plodded down the stairs and immediately noticed Meg's mood. "Hey Meg, what's up with you today?" he asked curiously. "Guess what? I got a raise at work today and I won't have to work the shop alone anymore. A guy named Daniel Spark is going to be working with me." said Meg excitedly. "Oh is that so, is he cute?" asked Liam jokingly and bumped Meg. All he got out of Meg from that comment was a punch on the arm. "Ow," he protested, even though it didn't hurt him. 

Then Meg's attention shifted to Mary, "Hey are you ok, Cookie?" "Yeah I'm ok," Mary answered. She hated keeping stuff from Meg. "Yeah why you been in your room?" asked Jake, "You've been there since we got back."  Mary flinched, now they were asking direct questions. She knew that anything that came out her mouth would be a lie and she hated lying to them. But The Boss had given her strict orders not to tell anyone for some reason. "Were you ok here at home?" asked Liam, concern plastered on his usually cheerful face. "Yes it was fine thank you," 'not necessarily a lie' thought Mary. She had been fine and she wasn't hurt in any way. 

"So what's this Daniel guy like?" asked Jake, the attention now focused on Meg. Mary was glad of the shift in attention as it meant she didn't have to say anything for now. Mary also was interested in this Daniel guy. "He's nice and super friendly. He moved here last week and was looking for a job in the area," declared Meg with a hint of dreaminess in her voice. 'So he's cute in other words,' thought Mary with a small smile. "Hey why are you guys looking at me like that? Okay fine, and yes he is kinda cute," admitted Meg sheepishly. At that exact moment The Boss entered the room. "That's good Meg, just don't trust anyone for now ok," responded The Boss while looking at Meg.  "Of course sir," replied Meg. 

The discussion then shifted to Jake's job at the Gaming store and when Liam was going to bother working. Mary dismissed herself from the conversation and plodded up the stairs to her bed. She didn't feel like being with people at the moment. She missed her mom like crazy and talking about her today had awakened many memories of her mom. As she flopped down on the soft bed, a thought struck her. 'My mom told me about a hidden drawer in the house, she told me to grab it in emergencies and keep it safe. But in the scare of her death I forgot! Is it still there?'  I must go back there tonight while everyone is asleep. 

The moon shone through Mary's bedroom window and brushed her cheek gently reminding her of her planned night voyage. 

Mary shifted on her bed and found that someone had tucked her in and pull the covers over her. She didn't want to get out of her comfy bed. She sighed, she knew this was the only opportunity to go to her old home. She hopped out her bed and silently tiptoed down the stairs. She grabbed a torch from the counter. She eased open the door and stepped into the cold outdoors.

She stared after the comfort of the cottage and then the darkness of the woods consumed her as she fled to her mother's home.