Reasoning those mind games

Chapter 3

Sitting in the bed around 8 pm at night, wide awake, those memories from her wedding, played in front of Tracy's eyes, like an old forgotten film. Dark and grainy images started to glitch. Unable to tell if the memories were her own, she had now started to question her sanity.

The church hall .. her wedding... The beautiful bride sat at the table with a look of sheer horror across her face.

Shivering with all the emotions she was going through, Tracy made her way to the table. A cold sweat set in and her hands start to tremble as she leans over the bride's shoulder and whispers coldly

"Do you think you can do this Tracy?"

The words were like a new boost to her confidence. Without breaking her gaze from the wine glass, the bride finally spoke up

" I do and so would you "...

Bride's words rang in Tracy's mind as if it was for her and not Clara. Even after all that had happened, somewhere deep inside her heart she still wasn't convinced that her fiancé could do such a thing to her. She still seemed to believe in him.

Panting heavily Tracy was still trying to compose herself when her cellphone started to ring. Without looking at the number, she picked up the call and held the cellphone to her ear. Her lips trembled but she managed to gather enough courage to speak.

" Eh... H.. Hello" Tracy stuttered, but an old lady's voice cut her.

" Your husband wasn't lying .. he didn't do it. It was THEM "; The woman on the line spoke hastily as if she was in a hurry and ended the call immediately.

Tracy snapped back to reality and looked at her mobile screen almost startled. She shook her head trying to comprehend what just happened for a second. Who was that? She thought as she dialed the number back but it was already switched off...

The realization that whoever called her kept it short and precise on purpose and that the number became unavailable right after implied only one thing... The caller knew about the no-contact order between Tracy and her fiancé. Moreover, the caller didn't want to be tracked down for contacting. Tracy had to inform her mother about this call.

Grabbing her phone, she got up and started to tread toward her mother's room. She had enough of bipolar drama. She had always tried to help her fiancé but in the end, he only tortured her one way after another. As much as she wanted to believe in him, his paranoia was getting beyond Tracy's tolerance level.

Anger rushed through her as she reached her hand for the doorknob to her mother's bedroom. She was just about to open it when she heard something that stamped her in position. Her mother was talking to someone on the phone about .. her fiancé

'Why is mama on the phone talking to someone about my fiancé?' Tracy furrowed her eyebrows in curiosity. 'Was she just going crazy or are the flashbacks real? Was her finance a maniac?' .. questions started filling up her mind

It was all messed up. They were getting married but then Clara came along and turned it all upside down. Now strange things are happening and She is beginning to question her entire life...her mate. .. with whom she had stood at that pristinely white altar and made vows. Was that all a façade?

Everything was so clean and pure and now everything feels worn out and black. Tracy had thought Clara was unhinged, but she could have sworn that her fiancé wasn't.

Visions of her fiancé being the devil incarnate flickered before her eyes. How He had drugged Tracy and tried to harm her mum. Those were only visions though... weren't they? were they all real? Was she wrong to believe his lies all this time?

She leaned in closer to the door so she could hear mum's conversation clearer.

"She's getting confused... She's going to get back to him and I will never get her back. He needs to go!...Yes,..... yes I know that but you're not listening! ..She is in danger and if we don't act fast, she will die and become his slave"

Tracy couldn't hear it anymore. She kicked open the door in anger and rushed in. Fear flashed over her mother's face and the phone slipped out of her hand, landing with a delicate thud on the plush red carpet. Tracy stormed over to get the phone. Her mother couldn't even try to stop her.

"Yes, this is Tracy and I want to know who you are and what do you have against my fiance " Tracy blurted at the person on the phone.

" Hey little princess ..." the man replied. His voice sounded familiar. She could even recognize that pattern of breathing. And the way he called her little princess...

" brother!? Is that... you?? Oh my God! I thought you were dead!" Tracy shouted in surprise, and without giving the guy time to respond, she continued.. "Sam, you're supposed to be dead! Ten years! Ten years without you and now I'm hearing your voice!" She was practically screaming into the receiver when her mother interrupted.

"He never died Tracy" Wendy, Tracy's mom whispered, now a bit relaxed. Another vision flashed in Tracy's mind. This time, it was more of a memory.

****** Tracy's Flashback

On the day that Sam supposedly died, they had gone to the beach. He was to leave for University directly from there. They were coming back from a boat ride but he got stuck in a whirlpool. Dad tried to save him but Sam just got sucked down so fast that they didn't have enough time. Police recovered his body. The last Tracy saw him was in the morgue...

End of Flashback ********

"Tracy, I only found out an year ago" Wendy breaks Tracy out of thoughts as she tried to take back the receiver.

Tracy spun around so fast that she almost lost her balance.

"You knew for a whole year! Are you kidding me, mom?!"

"Sam is still on the phone Tracy give it back. Sam! Sam!? ....Hello??" Her mother tried to talk but there was nothing but the end of the line...

Disappointed, she looked back at Tracy with questioning eyes. Tears filled up her eyes but realizing that Tracy wasn't going to give up, she sighed and gestured for Tracy to sit down. When they had both settled down, Wendy slowly narrated the reality to her daughter. The story of how Sam faked his death to protect his family from a dangerous Mafia that was after him.

" If it wasn't for your savage husband .. " Wendy continues to speak but tray cuts her

" What does that have to do Tom? " ;

" Sam didn't drown, Tracy.. he was drugged! And you know who drugged him??"

Tracy's face flushed with dread at her mother's words. She knew exactly who her mother was referring to but she couldn't believe it. She didn't want to.

" O my God" Tracy gasped covering her mouth with both hands and her eyes widened.

One after another new lies were coming to light. New secrets... Every time that she thought it was the final nail in the coffin, something even darker popped in as if they were all testing her limits. And everything seemed to be leading back to the same person. Tom...!!

What was she thinking when she decided to marry and hold up someone who tried to kill her brother!? How could she be blinded enough to trust and love a murderer over her mother?

"I'm sorry hun didn't wanna upset you" Her mother consoled her hugging her and leading her back to bed.

She couldn't sleep. Her mind still trying to understand the blunder she had made. Flashbacks of memories of her brother making jokes about things and parties they had fun at .. and mom's birthday.

Her mind wandered off to her mother's first birthday after dad and Sam both had passed away.

A young and handsome gentleman walked up to her, gently kissing her hand.

" May I princess...?" Said the charming voice. His hazel eyes glistened with confidence as if he could read Tracy's mind. Tracy had never heard anyone call her princess after dad and Sam, let alone such a perfect gentleman. So she said yes without a second thought.

As he lead her up to the dance floor, Tracy wondered how close she had gotten to that man. His single stare was enough to make Tracy drop her guards. How could she have been so naïve to be fooled by the beautiful disguise that person was wearing? A sensible woman like Tracy, who could even prove that hallucinations were real, got fooled by a mask?

She remembered now. The words her fiancé would repeat again and again...

"You do trust me, Tracy? You believe me right?" They were all to manipulate her. Now that she thought about it, Tracy couldn't help but feel disgusted. She just wanted to go back to the past and scream

" NO I DON'T YOU F*****G M***N ..I'D NEVER TRUST YOU"

Those words came out of her mouth so loud, that her mother came rushing to her room.

" It's ok love .. easy.. it will be over soon I promise," her mother said trying to calm her down.

" No, I want Sam back here mama I want my brother back" Tracy who was still sobbing, burst into tears.

" You'll soon meet him. As soon as that murderer is away for good I'll send you to Sam myself.. ok?'" Her mother reassured her and wrapped her arms around Tracy.

Tracy nodded her head and closed her eyes trying to get back to sleep.