Dead Weight

She woke up in a fog from a hospital bed, the sunlight shining from the window causing her to squint. Her breath came in short bursts, the cool sheets giving her chills. A wrinkly old man wearing a cap in a well-pressed suit watched her.

“Anne, you’re awake.”

This man didn’t look familiar “Why am I here?”

He stood near her bed. “You were in an accident and have been in a coma for two years.”

Anne flinched. “What? I don’t remember anything about an accident. Who are you and where is my family?”

He cracked his knuckles that unnerved her. “All dead, and I’m your uncle, the only living relative left. My name’s Luis.” He squeezed the bottom of his jaw. “You were seventeen when you and your parents were in a car accident. They didn’t survive. Do you remember anything?”

What? A shed tear must have meant something about the parents she didn’t know. “Nothing. I feel lost. Confused. Alone. Do I have friends or anyone else in my life?”

His large hands threaded through his thinning grey hair. “No-one else. I grieved for your father when he died. He was my only brother, you see.”

Something didn’t feel right. Was he telling her the truth? “When do I leave?”

He smirked. “I’ve arranged for you to live with friends of your parents.” He clenched his hands. “But we need to medically clear you from the hospital first.”

A short, stocky nurse with missing teeth came into the ward. She checked her chart. “Welcome back, Anne. We’re going to start your rehabilitation before you’re released from the hospital. The doctor will check on you later. How are you feeling, love?”

Anne swallowed. “Thirsty.”

The nurse poured her a glass of water. “Here you go.”

She drank it down fast. “I’ve never seen a nurse whose breasts are about to burst out of that dress. And those missing teeth. Shouldn’t you see a dentist?”

The nurse angled her head but didn’t respond.

Uncle Luis leaned forward and touched the nurse on her shoulder. “Sorry about that. She grew up in an isolated part of town and hasn’t interacted much with people.”

The nurse grunted and walked out.

Luis approached her bedside. “It was rather rude but you should follow society’s rules about politeness. You can’t be too open and honest, Anne.”

Anne felt an itch in her nose so prodded a finger inside it then flicked whatever was inside it in the air. Green, slimy stuff.

“Oh, dear,” Luis said.

***

Several weeks later, Anne sat on the sofa with her new family, Winnie and Arthur who watched her with curiosity.

Winnie lay a hand over her shoulder. She was petite with sky-blue eyes. “We’re happy you’re here. Do you remember anything?”

“Nothing.”

Arthur, a bulky man with a black crew cut sat beside his wife. “We have rules that Winnie will explain later. It’s for your own safety.” He cleared his throat. “We recently found out that your parents were involved with dangerous people.”

She blinked twice, unable to believe this. Her hands trembled as she scratched her temple. “What? I don’t remember that.”

“We believe a crime family might have caused the accident. Do not talk to anyone about yourself if you do remember. They don’t want you to.”

Christ. Why were they putting themselves in danger? “I’d like to know everything about my parents.”

Her eyes darted around the messy living area as she propped her feet up on the table then scratched an itch on the inside of her thigh. She ignored Winnie’s scoff and Arthur’s disapproving looks, not ever caring about etiquette when she was the type who wanted to be comfortable. But where did that memory of herself come from?

As she listened to the story of her parents who lived in the country and worked on a farm, Winnie continued to glare at her.

Anne later followed Winnie over to the kitchen. “What’s happening now?”

“I am going to talk to you about our rules to keep you safe. If you don’t follow them, you’ll be putting us and yourself in danger.”

“Okay,” said Anne who sat by her side, a sudden chill running down her spine. Why did she get a bad feeling about this? They refused to tell her how her parents had become enemies of a crime family.

Winnie scribbled. “Rule number one is – never tell anyone what you are thinking. You cannot trust anyone. Rule number two is – never volunteer information if not requested. Rule number three is – when someone tells you a secret, share it with us. Rule number four is – if you have dreams, tell us. Rule number five is – always be loyal to us or bad things can happen. Rule number six is – when you remember your past, tell us immediately so we can keep you safe.”

Anne’s stomach tightened. What was with all these rules? “I don’t follow rules.”

Winnie’s eyes darkened. “How do you know that?”

“It’s a feeling I get. But don’t worry, as soon as I remember anything, I’ll tell you.”

The TV in the kitchen displayed an advertisement. The jingle sounded familiar as she watched the advertisement about Evie’s Place. Had she been there before? But didn’t she live in the country?

Winnie squeezed Anne’s shoulder, but the touch chilled her to the bone. Was her uneasy feeling telling her something?

***

That evening, Anne tossed and turned in bed, pondering why the rules felt odd despite it being about safety?

When finally her eyes drooped, she slowly sank into darkness. Images followed. A car. Two people slumped over in the front seat. Her legs splayed out an awkward angle when the crashing sound of the windscreen led to shards flying, her cheeks scraped. Cuts, bruises, and a big thump across her forehead made her see black. But what was the thump?

Anne gasped when she woke up, It must’ve been the car accident she’d been in with her parents. She started to remember. Her heart raced, sweat dripping over her face as her body quivered. What was missing?

The house felt stifling. Anne had to leave the house. She was tired of the four walls. Something inside her screamed, Evie’s Place. Why did she get a sense of familiarity about it?

Opening the front door, Anne breathed in the cool, night air and walked for twenty minutes until she saw the brick building: Evie’s place. With heavy footsteps, she headed towards the queue and pushed herself through to gain entry.

“Hey,” said a lanky man. “Don’t push in. That’s rude.” She made her way to a table that featured a lit candle over a chequered tablecloth. A four-piece band played on the stage as waiters bustled about, taking orders. Smells of herbs, spices and coffee filled her nose when a handsome man with a beard and dark eyes approached.

As he drew closer, his body shook. He fell to the ground. A waiter pulled him up. “Hey mate. Are you okay?”

“Evie? Is that you? It can’t be. Impossible.”

She leaned in. “I’m not Evie. Who are you?” She remembered the rule: never volunteer information if not requested. Something about his energy drew her to him.

Anne leaned in and smashed her lips across his. He reciprocated and a tingle between her legs surprised her. She never expected the man to kiss her back.

He pulled away. “But you’re dead. It’s been two years and they said you were dead. I didn’t see you when they took your body away.”

Bile rose in her throat. “I don’t know who you are.”

“I’m Mark, your boyfriend.” He squeezed his hands. “I’m a detective with more questions than answers.” He shook his head. “But you died.”

“Died? No, I’ve been in a coma for two years. You must be mistaken.”

Mark’s eyes darted as others watched. “No, it’s you. Why did you kiss me?”

She shrugged. “I don’t follow society’s rules.”

He grabbed her hand. “You feel something, don’t you?”

“You seem familiar.” The band played a slow ballad. Was he telling the truth? “Tell me everything.”

“You were seventeen and we were in a relationship. You broke up with me without warning and disappeared. I didn’t know what happened until I found out you died in a tragic accident with your parents. They adopted you from a young age. But after we heard you’d died, your best friend, Jeanie opened this place in your honour. She’s not here tonight.”

Anne sighed. Why did that name sound familiar? Again, she remembered the rule about not saying what you were thinking. It was about trust. What if Mark was tricking her?

She would have to tell her new family Mark’s secrets to test them out. See if they were telling the truth. “I don’t’ remember what happened but I have no other family except an uncle. Luis. I’m living with my parents’ friends, Arthur and Winnie.”

Mark flinched. “Are you serious? I know you’re Evie and you never had an uncle but other family; a sister who lives overseas and aunts and uncles who live nearby.” He curled a brow. “I’ve never heard of your parents’ friends either.”

She drew back. “I met my uncle at the hospital. He told me I survived but my parents died. That’s all I know.”

“Do me a favour?”

“What?”

“Don’t go home tonight until I’ve checked this out. Something doesn’t add up. Please.”

Anne didn’t know this man and a part of her didn’t want to compromise her safety if he was lying to her. She got up and ran out the door before Mark could stop her.

***

The next morning, Anne faced Winnie and Arthur and explained her dream and about Mark.

“Right,” said Winnie whose shoulders stiffened. “I am happy that you’ve opened up. Have you remembered anything?”

“Nothing.”

Arthur intervened. “This detective was tricking you. He’s part of a crime family and left you for dead. Did you tell him where you lived?”

“No, I wasn’t sure I could trust him.”

“Good, good,” said Arthur. “We must keep you safe. Mark purposely killed your parents. Don’t go back to the bar or they’ll kill you. Stay home until we’ve sorted this out.”

“Of course,” said Anne. Was Mark who they said he was? He seemed sincere.

Arthur fixated on her. Something about his eyes triggered a flashback. His fist connecting with her nose. They hadn’t met before, had they?

“It was devastating for your uncle when your parents died. He and his sister were close. Very close,” said Winnie.

Anne angled her head. “But Luis said that my father was his brother.”

Winnie hesitated. “No, you must have misunderstood. He was your mother’s brother.”

She averted her eyes. “This crime family will be after you if you remember anything about the accident. They were shocked to hear you were alive. But they figured you were in a coma and weren’t a threat. But now you are if you get your memory back,” said Winnie.

“I see,” said Anne. She didn’t know how she’d manage in life with a crime family as a threat.

“Not to worry,” said Winnie. “We’ll sort this out, Anne.”

***

Over the coming weeks, Anne saw more in her memory bank. The blasting sound of a gunshot, the pounding of a baseball bat over her cheeks, the deadly eyes of a man hovering over her before she closed her eyes, and the dreams of her running.

Anne headed to the kitchen where it was empty.

She swung open the fridge and pulled out two eggs then cracked them into a bowl. The eggshells remained on the bench and the dirty dishes remained in the sink after she’d eaten.

She peered through the bedroom window but saw nothing. Time for a shower, but when stepping out, the sound of a car door closed. She ambled out of the bathroom without tightening the nozzle. Who cared if it dripped?

Drawing her curtain from her room again, she winced. Someone was in the driveway. A black car with tinted windows stopped out front and it wasn’t the family car.

Anne’s temple throbbed when she saw it was Mark at the front door. He was here to either kill her or save her, as she hadn’t made up her mind yet.

She wrapped a robe around her body to fight the coldness surrounding her. Scanning her room, she picked up a nail file as a weapon. Her heart palpitated and the room spun around her.

She ignored the doorbell until a thrashing sound grated on her nerves. He wouldn’t stop banging on the door.

She gripped the nail file and headed to the front door slowly, her legs wobbling beneath her and her throat parched. Squeezing her hands tight, she shivered as she debated leaving out the back while losing her breath.

“Evie? Let me inside. I need to speak to you?”

Tension pressed deep into her skull. “How did you find me?”

“You’re in danger and need to come with me now. Do you remember anything more about your past?”

I’m in danger? Of course he would lie to her when he was part of a crime family. Getting her to let her guard down. Lying to her about her death.

“I don’t remember anything, and the doctors said I’ll never remember anything. My memories are gone for good.” She made her way out the back door and knocked into a baseball bat near the washing machine.

Mark made it to the back and ran to her. She ran opposite but he caught up, wrapped his arms around her while she flailed her arms. “Let me go. Please.”

“I am not going to hurt you. I love you, Evie. Listen to me. It will make sense.”

She shook her head, wrestling against his solid arms. “You’re a criminal and want to kill me. You killed my parents.”

Mark let her go. He looked over his shoulder, feet shuffling as he stood close. Why didn’t she run? “I recently found out who you’re staying with. I’ve been watching the house and getting intel. My sources tell me the people you’re with are part of a crime family. They gave you rules, didn’t they? Rules to maintain their victims. Police have been investigating for the past year. Luis is not your uncle. He’s the leader. They lied to you. About everything.”

“You’re lying. They said you’re part of the crime family. But I don’t remember anything. Please don’t hurt me.”

Mark’s eyes softened as he lay a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I know they’ll be home any minute. They do this to other victims. Kill the parents, keep the child alive, train to kill and be part of the crime family. Do not trust them.” He took a breath. “The police are on their way.”

The sound of a car door alerted them. “Hide in the garage until the police get here. I’m going inside.” He pulled out a gun from the inside of his jacket. “Don’t move.”

She entered the garage with its cobwebs, garden tools and lawnmower. Deep down, she believed Mark. But he was on his own and she had to help, but how? Why listen to what he said when she followed her own rules?

Anne scurried out of the garage, entered the back of the house and snuck inside. She heard voices.

“I’m taking you in. Both of you. Back up is on the way,” said Mark.

She lingered around the laundry and stared at the baseball bat. Picking it up, she walked to the living room where Mark pointed the gun as Winnie and Arthur stood opposite with their backs to her.

Arthur laughed. “Funny, but they’ll be coming for you, Mark.”

Winnie huffed. “Where is Evie?” She reached for her back pocket for her gun. Anne knocked the gun out of her hand with the bat. It fired into the ceiling. Arthur aimed his gun towards Mark but missed.

She made her way to Mark who pushed her behind the couch as he fired his own gun but missed. “Put your guns down. This doesn’t have to be bloody,” said Mark. “We’ll take you in peacefully.”

“Fat chance of that,” said Arthur who fired two more shots that hit the lamp.

Sirens in the background alerted Anne as she manoeuvred away from the couch and flung the baseball bat at Winnie who dropped the gun. Quickly she picked it up, but Arthur aimed the gun towards her. She saw death and heard a gunshot. Was she dead?

The tangy smell of blood hit her nose as she turned to see Arthur lying in a pool of blood. Mark pulled Winnie up and handcuffed her.

.

***

Two months later, Evie sat inside Evie’s Place with Mark and her best friend, Jeanie who had blonde hair and kind emerald-green eyes. Having lost her parents to Arthur made her sick to the stomach. At least he was dead, and Winnie imprisoned.

Mark stroked her arm. “I’m glad you’re back.”

Jeanie beamed. “Me too. We’ve got our dear friend here with us.”

Anne rested back against the hard seat. “I am sorry about leaving you for the witness protection program, but I couldn’t say anything. To both of you.”

Mark’s eyes darkened. “I wish I’d known you were a part of the program out in the country. I thought you’d stopped loving me.”

“You weren’t part of the investigation back then.”

She got up. “By the way, is there anything else I need to know?”

Mark and Jeanie looked at one another.

“You don’t remember?” said Mark. She shook her head. “Winnie and Arthur were your real parents but the ones they killed were your adoptive parents. They took you in after finding out about Winnie’s and Arthur’s crimes. The case against them years ago got dismissed on a technicality.”

Evie sat down, speechless.