Deranged Writer's Afterword

" I met Miss Domino while I was out shopping and invited her to join us for the evening..", Eustace completed his explanation while taking his place at the center of the long table.

The others had arrived before I could question Dina about her arrival and Eustace had finally explained the reason behind her presence...but I call that his reason is poppycock, Dina probably tricked him somehow....it\'s not important how she got in, the more important factor was the \'why ?\'

What does she want from me ?

" The f-food smells a-amazing, Mr.Colleen", Lecia said, most probably trying to break the awkward atmosphere but she failed to properly mask her fear.

On the other hand, Eric was looking at me for answers....he looked afraid as well.

They knew Dina\'s true identity so it was only reasonable for them to feel afraid...but I can\'t deal with them now.

I stare unwaveringly at Dina and she does the same until the food was brought to the table. I know that the others might find my behavior strange but I\'m at point where I couldn\'t care less.....they probably think I\'m still embarrassed which I still am, we\'ll circle back to that at some point.

" Are you okay...Miss Lecia ?", Eustace asked with concern sensing that something was amiss.

Lecia nods her head and starts devouring her food, Eric does the same.

" Uh....so, how was the beach ?", Eustace asked scratching his head.

" It was good....thank you for the opportunity, sir.", Emilia says with a kind smile on her face.

Max says something along the same line and then we\'re right back to awkward silence.

Eustace is probably realizing that bringing a teacher to the house wasn\'t exactly an icebreaker.

We suffer through an extremely awkward meal after which Eustace says,

" I\'ve arranged a bonfire and some games to play...so after taking a break we\'ll go do that."

That sounds stupid, but all of us nod and agree to do just that.

We all go back to our own rooms for a short break.

~~~~

" What do we do !?", Lecia asked agitated.

" Don\'t worry.....I\'ll take care of it."

" DON\'T WORRY !....THERE\'S A LITERAL ANGEL A FEW ROOMS AWAY FROM US AND ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY IS....DON\'T WORRY !!!", Eric who had remained silent till now jumps and starts shouting.

It\'s probably because he\'s afraid....I sometimes forget that they\'re just fifteen year old kids....

\'Sigh\'

A sigh involuntarily escapes me which seemed to infuriate Eric further and he begins to shout something else but Lecia stops him and asks looking concerned,

" Are you okay ?....Is there something you\'re hiding from us...Adam ?"

I look into Lecia\'s eyes which were concerned for me and think to myself,

\' Am I okay ?\'

I don\'t really know....ever since I saw that drawing of the \'old\' me...a disturbing thought has been playing around in my mind.....A thought that I had hoped would never come true...but.....

" I\'m sorry Lecia.....but Dina isn\'t here to hurt us...she\'s here to talk."

" Talk about what ?", Eric asked finally calm again,

" I don\'t know...it might have to do something with Joe."

Nobody speaks for a whole minute until Lecia asks,

" So, when are we talking to her ?"

" \'We\' aren\'t...it\'s too dangerous...I\'ll talk with her...alone."

Lecia frowns as she says,

" I can\'t allow that...yo-"

" Dina isn\'t aware that you two know.....so I won\'t really be alone either way...you\'ll be my back up in case something goes wrong..", I say cutting her off midway.

An uncomfortable silence reigns over the room as each of us thought about the plan that I had just laid out,

" Isn\'t now a good time to tell the others the truth ?", Eric asked pacing around my room.

" No...not now..."

Max can\'t handle the truth now.....I need a little more time.

I stand up and slap myself,

" It\'s settled then....let\'s head out for the games."

I open the door and see Dina waiting for me on the other side, the two behind me gasps in surprise but me....not so much, she probably heard our entire conversation so there\'s not plan whatsoever.

" Could I borrow Adam for a bit ?", she enquired looking at the duo behind me.

Seeing that they were still rooted to their spot, I turn around and say,

" I\'ll meet you two outside in a bit."

Seeing the expression on my face, the two of them hesitantly leave the room.

After making sure that the two of them had left, I act as if I\'m closing the door but leave it ajar in case I needed to make a run for it.

I turn to face Dina, who had entered the room,

" So...what do you wan-"

I stop speaking surprised to find Dina putting me in her embrace...she even smelled like her...

" I\'ve missed you...John."

My eyes narrow as I hear Dina,

\'So...it\'s just like I thought.\'

Somehow.....it seems that my mother is back..

~~~~

" You\'ve grown up so much...", Dina said caressing my face.

We had taken seats and were facing each other.

" How are you so sure that I\'m J-"

" Well...you haven\'t denied that you aren\'t him right ?", Dina interjected.

I sigh and nod my head,

" How much do you remember ?", I ask closing my eyes.

" Well...not much, it\'s all slowly coming back to me but I\'m sure that I\'ll get back all my memories soon...", she says scratching her head while presenting a goofy smile.

" Who are you now...Dina or Claire ?"

" I feel like both.....I remember all that I\'ve done as \'Dina\' and \'Claire\', they both feel the same to me."

" I see...."

I open my eyes and ask her the final question that I had,

" What are your intentions ?"

Dina chuckles a little bit and says,

" Isn\'t that obvious ?, I want to be your \'mom\' again."

I don\'t say anything and Dina continues on, taking my hand in hers, she has a kind smile on her face as she says,

" Unlike last time....I have the resources I need to help with your condition...I can make it all go away....I can finally take care of you...", I can see her eyes tearing up.

........

From the way she talked...it doesn\'t seem like she remembers abandoning me or what happened after....

" I don\'t need anything from you Dina....",

Dina appeared hurt at my words but I pay her no mind as I continue on,

" You\'re not my mother.....you\'re just a ghost that\'s been cursed to haunt me till the end of my worthless life.....your whole existence is meaningless..."

" W-what d-", she begins, tears falling down her face.

" Run away and never turn back, if I see you again....I will kill you.", I say hoping to never see this woman again.

~~~~

" You\'re not my mother.....you\'re just a ghost that\'s been cursed to haunt me till the end of my worthless life.....your whole existence is meaningless..."

" W-what d-"

Max covered his mouth to hide a gasp, he was passing by and had stopped when he heard Adam\'s voice....

The second voice in Adam\'s room clearly belonged to Miss Domino.

" Run away and never turn back, if I see you again....I will kill you."

\'What the fuck ?\', Max thought panic seizing his heart.

~~~~