The lost secrets

Chapter 15: The secret in the note

Mary did a double take on the letter. What is it saying? 'I don't know this language,' she thought in frustration. 

The letter was in an ancient language that was unknown to Mary. The words on the paper mocked her. She knew Latin, Greek and so many other languages. She loved languages and how they were different yet the same. Her brunette hair flopped in her face as she lent down and studied the letter in her hand. She brushed the lock of hair behind her ear with her hand. 'All this hard work for what? A dumb note that I can't even read and some mysterious package?'  She looked over at the parcel in frustration. Should she open it if she didn't understand the note first? She held the parcel in her hands and gently took the string off it. Footsteps approached her door, followed by a knock. "Mary? Mary are you up yet?" called Meg quietly.

'Eek!'  Mary jumped in fright and scrambled around to hide the items. Mary sprinted to the door and opened it, trying to look sleepy. It worked indeed, as she had been up all night and was in fact extremely tired. "Yeah I'm up," said Mary. "Gosh you look awful. Did you sleep ok?" observed Meg, concern plastered on her pretty face. Meg's auburn hair was in a ponytail today, it looked good. "I'm actually kinda tired," said Mary avoiding the sleeping part of the question so she didn't lie. Lying was a strong no-no in her values. "Oh dear, my poor Cookie. Let me make you some tea and a biscuit. Go lie down, you poor thing." 

Meg set off to the kitchen and boiled the kettle. Mary stumbled around to her bedside table and took out the note and parcel, 'I have to hide this well.'  She glanced around her room and saw the perfect spot. She hid it there and went to lie down. Her arm was tingling and her head was pounding. Before she knew it she was out cold. "Mary, come on Cookie wake up," Meg's soothing voice shook her into consciousness. "Huh?" asked Mary, half asleep. "Your tea and biscuits," Meg said softly and placed them on her bedside table. "Oh yeah, thanks." Mary managed to utter and took a small sip of the tea. The warm drink slid down her throat and warmed her from within. She took a soft crunchy bite from the ginger biscuit. It was chewy in the inside with a slight crunch on the outside. The ginger flavour was spicy and good. 'Perfectly delicious'   Meg gave her a little smile and a gentle kiss on her head. "Rest well," Meg added. 

Around noon Mary woke from her slumber. Again she had been tucked in by Meg. Meg was way too caring for her own good, but it made Mary feel cared for and loved. 'Oh no, did she see my bandage?' Mary thought suddenly and resisted the overwhelming urge to touch her wound. She took a sip of her ice-cold tea and nibbled at a biscuit. 

"Oh good you're up," said Meg as she entered Mary's room. Meg crossed her room in a few steps and sat on the bed besides Mary. "So explain that," Meg pointed to Mary's bandage. 'Shoot she saw it! Now what?'  "Well I decided to have a night walk last night because I couldn't sleep. I scratched myself on a branch." Mary said and her gut protested and twisted at that lie. 'I had to, I had no other choice,' she convinced herself. "Why did you go out by yourself after that stalker last time. Please go with someone else next time. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you!" remarked Meg and pulled her into a hug. 'Meg sounds just like my mother would.'  Mary gave Meg a squeeze and promised that she wouldn't go alone next time. 

"Anyway I brought you some lunch if you want," Meg gestured to Jake who came in with the tray of food. Tuna smells wafted around the room. Mary's mouth watered. 'Yes it's tuna pie, my fav!' Jake plopped down on the other side of Mary and passed her the tray of tuna pie. The melted cheese on top tempted her but she knew it was still hot. "Hey, are you feeling any better?" Jake's concern for her made her melt like the cheese on the tuna pie. "Yeah a little bit," Mary responded. Liam tapped on her door and also walked inside. "I'm glad you're up, we were worried," Liam added. Mary felt so cared for and loved. She couldn't have asked for better. She savoured the moment like chocolate melting in your mouth. 

'Well we'd better leave you to eat in peace, we'll check on you later," said Jake giving her his famous goofy smile. She nodded and smiled back. They left her to her food and closed the door. She was definitely feeling a lot better now. She tucked into her tuna hungrily. 

That night Mary lay awake and thought about those words and letters that she had trouble understanding. They were familiar even though she had never seen them before. She racked her brain, searching for answers. 'Is this what you were hiding mom? What is it? Why do I feel like I know these words?' Tomorrow she would find answers and open that package.