In the depths of his embrace, Mary could feel the intense rhythm of his heartbeats. Occasionally, he would glance down at the petite lady nestled against his chest, feigning indifference. But his gaze and movements betrayed the turmoil within his heart.
“Ah!”
Mary’s surprise let out a startled yell when a mouse ran too close to her foot. The trio of rogues turned their attention to the source of the sound, their scrutiny intensifying as they drew closer to the concealed duo. Andrew swiftly placed his hand over Mary’s mouth, pressing himself and her to the wall on high alert.
The breeze mischievously caught her long dress, revealing a trailing hem. Spotting this, the thugs advanced menacingly. Andrew, without hesitation, urged Mary to run ahead, vowing to hold them off.
Though torn, Mary realized that staying would be little help and squander any chance of summoning aid. As she escaped, the chilling sounds of violent confrontation echoed behind her. Tears streamed down her face as she ran, resisting the urge to look back at the harrowing scene.
Far from being a mere scholar, Andrew had weathered many trials and tribulations, molding him into a man of mettle. As the gang leader lunged, Andrew adeptly grabbed and twisted his arm behind him, causing him to wince in pain. His eyes ablaze with anger. Witnessing this, the leader’s accomplices rushed to his aid.
With nimble agility, Aandrew sidestepped, simultaneously hurling the leader into the path of the two oncoming foes, leaving them momentarily staggered. Yet, they were a tenacious lot. As they rallied, Andrew took a blow to the stomach. Thankfully, it wasn’t debilitating, and he retaliated swiftly. He landed a kick with lightning speed, followed by a solid punch in one of them.
The remaining duo, albeit somewhat unnerved but driven by hostility, refused to relent. One of them brandished a knife and advanced menacingly.
“Slash! Slash!”
Andrew’s arm bore the marks of the assault, blood trickling down. He tightly clasped the wounded arm with his remaining hand, attempting to stanch the relentless flow of blood, painting a poignant picture of desperation and determination.
The thugs, sensing an upper hand, sneered triumphantly.
“Did you think we wouldn’t recognize you? Claiming your life will earn us accolades from the boss. Haha.”
Recognizing to whom they referred, Andrew retorted icily, “Protect yourself threat first, then brag. It’s still unclear whose life will be claimed.”
The three men blanched at the challenge, brandishing their knives with fierce bravado.
“Swoosh!”
Andrew deftly dodged, grabbing the wrist of one and twisting it with such force that the pain forced him to drop the knife. Seizing the moment of vulnerability, Andrew delivered a swift blow to the back of his head, causing him to crumple to the ground. Seeing this, the gang leader’s courage fled, and he retreated.
Once the adversaries were dealt with, pain surged throughout Andrew’s body. Staggering a few steps, he collapsed on the ground, motionless.
As Mary managed to summon aid, she found Andrew collapsed upon the path. With a heart heavy with concern, she rushed him to the hospital.
…
Awakening in a hospital bed, Andrew was puzzled about why he was there. He could barely recall the events of the previous night. While his body ached profoundly, he maintained a stoic facade, appearing deceptively robust.
Mary tenderly poured him a glass of water. She propped him up with pillows, encouraging him to take a sip. His gaze upon her was softer than ever, but she purposefully looked away, avoiding his eyes.
“Drink up,” she whispered, “The doctor said you need to stay hydrated for your wounds to heal.”
He gripped her wrist as she handed him the water, pulling her closer.
“Why do you care about my well-being? Didn’t you wish for me to disappear? Weren’t you filled with resentment?”
Startled, Mary pulled away, the water spilling in the process. “My concern isn’t borne out of affection. At the very least, you did save me this time. The past and the present are distinct to me,” she replied.
Disappointment clouded his eyes. Perhaps he had hoped for words of comfort, but what he heard only deepened the pain in his heart. Yet, he had to accept it; his past blinding rage and vendettas brought him to this juncture.
As Mary turned to leave, he gripped her hand once more, a warmth emanating from his grasp. She remained silent until he finally murmured, “What must I do now to earn your forgiveness?”
Her heart wavered momentarily, but the past haunted her too much to forget. With an icy tone, she stated, “Our relationship was a mistake from the start. I don’t wish to perpetuate that mistake.”
Her words felt like a cold splash on his face, reminding him of his impulsive and selfish past. He clenched his eyes shut as she walked away, the anguish gnawing at his heart, bleeding it dry every second. Once, he had ignored his heart’s counsel, letting reason dominate. When he wished to follow his heart, it seemed too late.
When Mary departed in anguish, he realized his life had become a bland tale. Yet, he was trapped by thoughts dripping with resentment. The shadows of his parents’ passing and a scarred childhood were deeply etched in his psyche. When he discovered that he had sought revenge upon the wrong soul and yearned to rewrite his actions, time had already cruelly outpaced him.
Physical wounds could never torment him as fiercely as the lacerations in his heart. With an aching chest, he watched the delicate silhouette of his beloved recede into the distance. He grappled with the choice between continued vengeance and surrender, time and again, but he faltered, lacking a decisive resolution.
Today, seeing Mary’s concerned gaze for him, he nurtured the hope of reclaiming the profound love he once had.
Andrew had known many sorrows but had never felt so lonely and disappointed in himself. Though he was not impoverished in money, he was bankrupt in character. He realized he wasn’t someone deserving of trust or love.