MAD MARY

💀 CHAPTER TEN | THE MAN IN THE MIRROR

Mary's glitches occurred often and in silence. The nightmares of Dr Richard played frequently in her brain as well. Scenes of the past though in faint traces tried to show Mary her story in timelines called 'memory'.

Mary did not deny the fact that her memory had begun to return. However she feared the truth she would discover if she did regain her tales of old.

She had gotten quite attached to the life of normality with the Beckhams and the solemn chemistry that existed between her and Todd was thrilling as well.

"The past is the past." She told herself.
Still her green eyes hungered for more explanation to the uncertainties that surrounded her present.

On a beautiful morning as expected of any forest bathed in the warm sunny glows of summer, the Beckham boys decided to go on a short trip by foot.

Richard had decided to take the family camping. Completely thoughtless of others' opinion, he made perfect preparations to set out in search of the perfect camp site in the midst of fog and green.

"We're in the forest. This is summer so everything is perfect. The sun isn't too hot out here due to the endless shades from leafy branches and when the rain pours it does so in gentle patters. Like in a musical. The birds...the animals...it'll be perfect." Richard tried to convince his wife that morning while he struggled with a huge backpack.

"Since when did you become a lover of nature Richie? You always loved the city! Besides you couldn't stand NAT GEO or any channel that showed anything 'Nature'. You called people who went for holiday in places like Bali, advanced savages. You said they were trying to live their life backwards while denying the future. Those were your words Richard, your words." Alice said.

Anger swayed with every bend and curve of her veins and arteries. She despised Richard's sudden gesture.

Alice had no problem with living in the forest as she already did for over a month. However she wished her husband would enquire of her before he took such bold steps, just like he did not before they moved into the wooden mansion.

She stood there with many words and one thought 'Slap him'. Alice blinked twice to get the thought off her mind but her hand twitched and pressed against the ladle she held.

Richard noticed the void in his wife's eyes get larger. He knew what that look meant and he thought it too early to tread crazy lane that morning.

He walked to his wife and swept her hair backwards. He wrapped loose strands around her undone bun and held her thin waist.

His palms caressed her apron and gave her skin warmth. Alice knew what her husband was trying to do. Still she fell for it and smiled sheepishly.

She had her charms and so did Richard.

"Babe I honestly think it's a good thing to do. I've begun to appreciate new things. Isn't that what life's about?" Richard asked his wife in a bold whisper while he nibbled her left ear lobe.

"Life's about surviving Richard. What are you really up to?" Alice asked her husband, with a raised brow.

"Do you suspect me of something?"

"No Richie. Of course not. I don't just understand why you'll wake up one morn and decide to take everyone camping. You did the same thing the week before we moved here. You should really run these things by me. It makes no sense to wake up one morn and decide to turn your family into ape people." Alice told her husband.

"Alice I'm sorry if this seems quite unconventional but it's something I've wanted to do for a while."

At that moment, Richard spotted George walking down the stairs with heavy camp bags and his brain immediately cooked up the perfect excuse.