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For a while, I sit in my study, contemplating all that has happened in the past few hours. Then, out of nowhere, I sense that I am not alone.
It’s the smell that hits me first: an awful odour of death and decay that makes my stomach lurch.
Fearfully, I glance towards the study door. Slowly, it opens and a dark shape appears before me like some kind of recurring nightmare—a hideous figure I know all too well. Every part of my body goes cold.
My wife Veda, looming over me—a She-Devil returning from the fiery depths of hell.
She smiles a horrendous smile, showing rows of cracked teeth, and I wither a little inside. It kills me to know that I am the architect of that cruel, hate-filled face. I took something beautiful and made it evil. We are cut from the same cloth, Veda and I, united by a history of tragedy and depravity. The things we have seen, no human should ever have to see. The terrible things we have done, we can never undo.
For a silent eternity, I lock eyes with the wife I once thought beautiful. Dressed in deepest black, her face is pale and gaunt, making her look a victim of starvation. Her fingers are talons and her expression is contorted with pure black hatred.
An expression that I created.
Slowly, I get to my feet and force a half-cordial smile. “Hello, Veda.”
Veda remains silent, her eyes burning into me with deranged intensity.
“Hello,” I repeat.
“Hello,” she replies. Her lips barely move.
“What brings you here?”
“You.” She smiles that demented smile. “Always you. Aren’t you glad to see me?”
“Of course I am. You know you are always welcome here.”
I swallow and look away from her. I can’t stand the guilt, can’t stand to look at the goodness and beauty I destroyed. A minute passes. The room throbs with tension. Fighting my revulsion, I manage to continue: “Did you receive the blood Ahmet sent you?”
“Yes,” Veda nods. “You have been very generous to me. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Good, good. Glad to hear it. So… so what else brings you here?”
She tilts her head from side-to-side, then spreads her hands. “I just needed to talk to you. I needed to share something with you.”
I sigh. My patience is starting to wane. “What is it you want to share?”
“I followed a girl today. One of your patients; a flame-haired goddess with dimples.”
My eyes narrow. “Are you talking about Jessica? You followed Jessica Kemp-Barton, my patient?”
“Yes. I followed her to the park. She has the most delightful daughter. A little girl called Molly. They looked so happy together playing on the swings. It was an absolute joy to watch.”
My blood runs cold at the thought. “I want you to stay away from her. I mean it, Veda. Jessica is one of my patients. Can you imagine what would happen if somebody saw you following her? Can you imagine what harm it could do? For God’s sake, think about what you’re saying. How could you be so careless? You had no right to—”
“What’s wrong with just looking?” Veda counters. “Surely I am allowed at least a few moments of joy in this miserable existence of mine? An existence you condemned me to?”
“You know damn well what’s wrong with it!” I shout. “What if someone saw you?”
“I don’t care. Watching Jessica with her daughter… it was the most wonderful feeling. Seeing them together reminded me of how we once were. When Coppelia was alive.”
“Coppelia is gone, Veda,” I bellow. “We both know she’s never coming back. Now look, we’ve cried our tears, said our prayers, and now it’s time for both of us to move on. You know we can’t resurrect the past.”
Veda’s tone darkens. “Well, if I can’t resurrect it, then I will destroy it. ”
“Don’t you dare! If you lay one finger on Jessica or her daughter, I will kill you with my bare hands. I promise you, Veda. I’ll do it. You know I’m not bluffing,. You’ve seen what I’m capable of….”
“Oh, believe me, I know what you’re capable of. But I’m not afraid of you anymore, Nick. I am my own woman and I’ll do whatever I—”
