“What work do you do?”
“I can’t keep up with you,” she laughed, enjoying his company. “But I’m a security guard.”
He cocked his head to the right, looked half up at her. “You’re kidding, right.”
“I’m seriously not kidding.”
“Interesting.”
“Okay, that’s the second time, out with it.”
“Well, you’re a security…”
“Yes.”
“That ran two kilometres through the bush, from a Bobbejaan you never saw.”
“When you say it like that, it sounds stupid.”
“So, it’s not?”
“No,” she playfully slapped his leg. “I was sleeping and someone screamed Bobbejaan!” She screamed it out like she heard it. “And I’m terrified of all kinds of Apes.”
“And along the two kilometres of bush that you’ve been running through, it didn’t occur to you that it might have been a prank?”
Billy stared at the dark night. Grabbed her hand. “Come!” He hissed. “They’re almost here.”
“Who is?” She half ran after him.
“Scattered around.”
“You don’t make sense, Billy.”
“You should sort yourself out Mary.”
“What’s wrong with me?”
“They’re almost here!”
“Ouch.” Another branch scratched across her face.
“Like my ma used to say.”
Head lights flooded her in the main road. Mary felt shock and exhaustion set in. “Did your ma…” Her mind slipped into darkness when the vehicle came to stop next to her.
“Like items in a box of lost,” she heard Billy say.
“Billy?” Mary woke up with her hands falling in front of her. Nothing, her eyes adjusted to the bright light. A man sat in a chair next to the bed, watching her.
“Where’s Billy?” she asked him.
“Evening Miss, I’m Detective Brown.”
“Yes.” She looked around the room, couldn’t see Billy in the room. She was still on a drip.
“You had a very bad fever.”
“Must be cold then the fire.”
“Fire?” He looked at her, a shadow shifted in his eyes.
“You kept asking for Billy. Talked about his sparkling blue eyes”
“Yes.” She smiled. “Is he with his parents, will you give me their number?”
He took a paper from his pocket, folded it half open and gave it to her.
Mary smiled when she saw his little face.
“Turn it around.” His voice was stern.
“I don’t understand this?” She shook her head. “Missing 1992?”
“But you’re sure it’s him?”
“Positive! I’m here because of him.”
“Two weeks after that was posted, we found his body not far from where you were found.”
“How did he…?” She swallowed hard.
“Poisoned berries.” He sat down again.
“I’m his father.”
***
Tell us: Do you believe in ghosts?