Beating Hearts
"Hey! You're awake," Hunter said when Mallory opened her eyes in bed. She tilted her head and looked at him, "Hello," She whispered back. "Mallory. It's me, Ana. How are you feeling? I think we will cut the probe now and give you small portions of food spread out over a day," Mallory nods, "Okay, I feel more rested and can think a little clearer."
Ana smiles and starts doing her work.
"That's good. Can you remember anything?" Ana replies, and Mallory shakes her head, "No, I'm sorry," Hunter frowns, "You have nothing to feel sorry for," Mallory glances at him, "I don't?" Mallory asked, confused, with a vague memory of always having to excuse herself in the past.
"No. You don't. It's the monster who did this to you that do." Hunter milled, and Mallory's heart began to race. "It's okay, Mallory. Breathe," Ana spooked calmly when she saw the monitor warning about Mallory's heart. "Shit, I'm sorry, Mallory. I didn't mean to hiss like that. I'm not mad at you." Hunter begged and grabbed Mallory's hand, "Breath, one, two," Hunter repeated slowly, and Mallory tried to steady her breathing to calm herself down.
"Better?" Hunter mumbles, feeling like a jerk. "Yes," Mallory whispered and looked at Hunter.
Their eyes met, and Hunter felt his stomach flutter when they did.
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Mallory was out of memories. Her past was a blur. The only memories she had were Hunter and Blade. Both men had taken turns sitting by her side since she had been more awake for the past few days.
Mallory could feel her stomach flutter whenever Hunter was near; it was a miracle that the monitor didn't pick that up.
"I'm gonna get you something to eat," Hunter said, and Mallory nodded, "Okay."
"He's a good guy, Hunter. He has his heart in the right place," Ana said when Hunter left the room. "He seems okay," Mallory whispers, and Ana smiles again.
"I forgot to ask you what you like to eat?" Hunter said while leaning in the door frame.
"I don't know," Mallory replies, "Oh, okay. I'll get you something, then," replied Hunter, and Mallory shrugged a bit.
Hunter hurried out to the kitchen to look for some food. After a few debates, he made a plate of fruit and sandwiches with different garnishes because he did not know what she liked. He entered the room with the plate and placed it beside Mallory's bed.
"I got you some options. Fruits and sandwiches with different toppings," Hunter says, and Mallory smiles, "Okay, that sounds good," Mallory answers by tilting her head to see the plate.
Hunter blushed and reached for a sandwich. "This is good; what is it?" Mallory said among the chewing. "It's ham and cheese with cucumber," Hunter replies, taking a bite from a sandwich himself.
"Wow, it tastes amazing," Mallory continued and soon had finished it. "Is there any more?" Mallory asks, a little shy, and Hunter smiles and hands her one more, "It's good to see your appetite, Mallory," Ana says, and Mallory smiles again.
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Mr. Wyatt was astounded when he examined the enterprises owned by the Wraith family. A lot of the numbers needed to be clarified.
Mr. Wraith had been on his ass lately and demanded answers about the investigation.
"Hello, Mr. Wraith. I was thinking about calling you," Mr. Wyatt answered the incoming call, "Wyatt. You've been quiet recently. What have you found?" Mr. Wraith spoke angrily, "I'm trying my best with what I got, Mr. Wraith. Is there any more valuable information to have a look at?" Mr. Wyatt asks, and Mr. Wraith quiets down.
"There might be. Come by the house, and we will chat,"
"Very well, Mr. Wright. At what hour?"
"Four o'clock this afternoon?" Mr. Wraith replies, "Perfect. See you then," Mr. Wyatt replies and hangs up the call.
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"I can't believe he did that, Mom," Calvin cries in his mother's arms, "I love her," Calvin continues sobbing. "Hush boy, it's all gonna be okay." Mrs. Wraith rocked Calvin back and forth, stroking his back.
Mr. Wraith had dumped Maria over text from Calvin's phone, thrown it away, and then collected all the electronics from the house.
But if Calvin tried something, he would be severely punished, and Maria would be harmed. Yet, Calvin was already hurt.
Losing Maria caused more pain than his dad's punches ever did.
"I need a moment," Calvin cried, hurried to the front garden, and sat under a tree beside the driveway.
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"Are you alright, son?" Mr. Wyatt asked when he saw a crying boy at Mr. Wraith's residence next to the driveway.
"Who are you?" Calvin asks, "I'm working for Mr. Wraith," Mr. Wyatt replies. "Oh, get lost while you can. Father's gone mad," Calvin hissed but instantly regretted it.
"What do you mean?" Mr. Wyatt asks, a little curious. "Nothing. Forget I said anything," Calvin answered and turned his head away.
"If you need something, don't hesitate to call me," Mr. Wyatt said, leaving his card with Calvin. "Anything." Mr. Wyatt added and hurried inside.
Calvin was puzzled. "Private Investigator," He read on the card.
And soon, he realized that it must have to do with Mallory's disappearance.
Calvin felt his stomach turn at the thought of Mallory. He felt so bad for mistreating her all these years.
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Maria Gestapo was anxious. Calvin just dumped her, yet the text didn't seem like him. She had a nagging feeling that maybe his parents found out about her. And she was scared. Calvin had told her how evil his dad was, and she knew about the missing girl. Maria felt her heartache of missing Calvin. They had been together for four years.
He was her first love, her first everything.
The sweetest guy she ever met.
Maria needed answers. She and Calvin had been dated way too long for their relationship to end over a text.
And she was determined; she would sneak into his house tonight for answers.
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Oh no, Maria, Maria. Be careful because this might be the last thing you do in life.