She was out later than usual. She just had a lot of work to cover so she could earn more and rest too. She never stayed out this late. As a single mum, in a new town, she made sure she was always available for her eleven year old Misheal.
It started as a light shower, then a heavy downpour. Disappointed looking at her titanium plated wristwatch which was already washing off, she checked the time at the same time recalling when she first got the watch.
It was a lovely Sunday afternoon. Elvis hurried to meet up with her from his recess. He bought her lunch, a plate of chicken and fries with a cup of cappuchino her favourite.
She was overjoyed when she saw the simple gift. Even though it was not worth much, but coming from Elvis even in the midst of the financial crisis he faced, it was everything.
" You didn't have to do this Elvis." She said half smiling, mouth agape, fingers covering her mouth hiding her expression.
"I'd do anything for you Ma Cherie."
That was a month before his transfer to the north leaving her and Misheal. Now, she had no idea if he was alive or dead for no one could reach the soldiers at the north.
She recalled the words he called her, "Ma Cherie."
She stayed under a shade, cursing the rain and half praying for her daughter. It was already 5 minutes past 9 but the downpour was not getting lighter.
She saw a figure of a man dressed in black coat, black boots and a hat. She could not decipher who he was, but he seemed to come right at her, under the rain. She tried to peek through the street lights but its illuminating effect was distorted by the rain.
She reached for her neck and felt her locket. She opened it and saw "ANNA", her name boldly crested on it. She smiled. The smile was short lived for she felt suddenly threatened by the figure approaching from the other end.
Suddenly, she felt faint. She was going to faint. Not now, not now. She needed to be awake. She held the nearest pole for support yet she was slipping away.
The figure was closer, a big broad chested man, 6ft5inches or more. What was he going to do to her?
She took a last look. He was closer to her now. He seemed to say something to her before her eyes closed in oblivion.
She woke up on a bed, covered in white sheets, she had a single cloth on which was obviously not hers. She gasped in fright.
The dark figure seemed to appear from a door, it looked like there was a smile on his face. Anna was ready to tear, curse and scream.
Just before she could launch an attack, a lady followed behind wearing a white gown then closely beside her was a little girl.
A little girl, Anna thought. Then it all made sense, the lady was a nurse and the little girl no other than Misheal her daughter. She looked around and recognised the room as a hospital ward. She sighed in relief as she hugged Misheal.
A mystery still waited to be unraveled. Who was the dark figure? He took off his hat, lo and behold, it was Elvis, her lost husband in the northern war lands.
Tears streaked down her cheeks, 6 years felt like eternity to her. She could not take the shock. She swooned.
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