The Angel's Silence: Part Six

Dana went back into the hospital to check on Maya. She was awake, and had been asking for her.

Dana decided not to tell Maya or Rayna what was going on, only that their father was doing something important.

Dana had only been in the room with Maya for a few moments, when two Doctor's came in to check on her. She left them with her while she searched for Rayna.

She found her in the Maternity ward, staring in at the newborn babies.

"How did you know I would be here?"
Asked an expressionless Rayna

"Because when my sister was sick years ago, I used to like coming up here. Especially when she got really sick, and we knew she was dying. Somehow seeing the faces of those who had just been born helped me to cope with death better. Of coarse, it did nothing to ease the pain my mother was feeling. What I do not understand is, Maya is going to be fine. Why are you up here?"
Said Dana

"Dad blames me for what happened."
Stated Rayna

"I think that's because of something that happened to him when he was 17."
She said

Rayna finally turned around to face her mother.
She asked,
"And what was that?"

Dana looked to the floor in uncertainty.
"I'll tell you the story, but stays between us, Okay?
When your father was 17 years old, his parents decided to go on a vacation to Paris, France for their 20th wedding anniversary. They were leaving him in charge for the first time. He was a rebellious teenager, so they did not really trust him with responsibility. He not only had to watch over the house, but his 9-year-old sister, Emiliya. The first day, he did everything he was told to do. However, he was bored, and decided to throw a big party. Everyone at school was invited, even people he did not know. Everything was fine, until some older men showed up with alcohol. Everyone, including your father, was drinking. The music was so loud that it awoke Emiliya. Your father was out back talking to this girl he liked. Somehow, someone inside the house caught the curtains of fire, and soon the whole place was in flames. But at this point, your father was down the street at this girl's house, and did not even realize what was going on. Everyone got out as fast as they could, but did not think to get Emiliya. Within minutes, the whole house was engulfed. By the time he found out about it, it was too late. She was dead. Cell phones were not around at that time, and they did not leave a number for the hotel they were staying at, so they had no idea what had happened until 7 days later when they got back. They never forgave your father, and he never forgave himself. They disowned him. He graduated soon after, and went to live with his Grandparents until he was able to support himself. They were never able to identify for sure who started the fire, and no charges were ever filed. I think when he found about what had happened to Maya, it brought all of those memories back to him."

There was a brief moment of silence, before Rayna asked,
"Why am I just now hearing about this?"

"Because your father was afraid that if anyone found out about it, that they would not look at him the same way. We had already been married 7 years before I finally found out about it from his Grandmother."
Said Dana

***

Antanas was still driving to Rame Settori, when he stopped off at a local cafe for some coffee. He felt himself getting very tired, and it was making it hard for him to focus on the road. The place was very old fashioned. The sign said that it had been in business since 1908.

While he was inside, he noticed a familiar woman sitting in a corner booth.
She was blond, wearing a long black coat, and was reading a book.
Antanas stared at her for several minutes, trying hard to remember where it was that he had seen her before.

Finally, after 11 minutes of staring at her, he decided to go up to her, and ask if they had met before.
Before he had a chance to say anything, she put the book down and gave him the most unusual look.

"I can't believe it! Antanas, is that really you?"
Said the woman

"Yes, have we met?"
He asked

Yes, of coarse we have met. I am Elena Giùgovaz. Don't you remember me?"
She said

"Elena Giùgovaz, of coarse I remember you. I just didn't recognize you as a blond."
Said Antanas

It was the first time he had smiled in two days

"So... how have you been?"
Asked Antanas

"You mean since the last time we saw each other, 18 years ago?"
Asked Elena

"Oh, I see you're still angry with me."
Stated Antanas

"I'm not angry with you. I stopped being angry a long time ago. I am just confused. One minute I am planning our future together, the next, I am searching everywhere for you. You just disappeared. Not a 'goodbye' or anything. I'll never understand what I did or said that made you take off the way you did."
Said Elena

"I guess I do owe you an explanation, don't I?"
Said Antanas

"When we were together, there was something that I never told you. The truth is, I was married at the same time that I was with you. Things were not working out between my wife and I, and I was planning to leave her for you. Then, I found out that she was pregnant. And I asked myself, 'what kind of man would I be if I just abandoned her now?' Therefore, I had no choice but to leave you. I'm sorry."

"Why didn't you tell me?"
Asked Elena

"Because I didn't think you would understand. We had such good times together, that I didn't want you to think of me as the horrible, lying, cheating person that I was, that I still am."
Answered Antanas

"So... What brings you to Rame Settori?"
Asked Elena

Antanas answered,
"I have some business to do here."

"Your eyes are bloodshot. What is really going on, Antanas?"
Asked Elena

He replied,
"You sure do like to ask questions, don't you? Yesterday, my daughter Maya was almost killed when someone poisoned her with Cyanide. I went to the police, but they are all too busy working on all the murder cases that have been piling up there lately. So, I have to take matters into my own hands."

"Oh, that's terrible! I am sorry. You said there have been many murders where you live lately. Are you talking about the murders in Valle Pacifica? That's where you live now?"
Asked Elena

"Yes. My wife has many relatives there, and wanted somewhere safe to raise our daughters. Little did we know that 17 years later, it would turn into 'Nightmare in Valle Pacifica.'"
Said Antanas, with a sarcastic grin on his face

"Daughters?"
Asked Elena

"Yes. Rayna and Maya. They're identical twins."
Answered Antanas

"Have you thought about moving somewhere safer?"
Asked Elena

At this point, Antanas got up off the table, and shouted,
"Enough with the questions already! I don't have time for this."

He was about to walk out the door, when Elena went up behind him and said,
"You should at least say 'goodbye' this time."

He stood still for a moment, contemplating his next move. He then got back into his car and drove away.
Elena took one last look at him.
She knew that this very well could be the last time she ever saw him.

***

Dana had left the hospital shortly, to update her mother on what was happening with Maya.

Rayna had run into a classmate at the hospital, and got a ride home with her.

She took a shower, and tried to study, but obviously, it was hopeless. She had other things on her mind. She wanted to go back to the hospital, but had no way of getting there. She and Maya had always walked to school or borrowed their parents' vehicle, but it was with Antanas.

She was so bored. She knew she had to turn in her exam by Monday, but the girl who always lived for school, suddenly was not interested in it anymore.

She stepped into Maya's bedroom. The walls were lined with pictures and posters of celebrities, bands and her friends. Everything was bright, sunny and happy. Then, she stepped into her own room. The walls were bare. There was only a bed and small wooden dresser in the corner. There was, however, a shelf on the wall filled with awards and trophies that she had won for her various extracurricular activities. It was then that she realized, school really was her whole life. And not much of a life it was. They may have been identical twins, but she and her sister could not be more different.
She was lying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, when she heard her phone ring. The problem was, she did not remember where she left it. It continued to ring while she continued to look for it. She finally found it on the living room table and answered it.
It was Dana saying,
"Maya has just slipped into a coma."

(To Be Continued)