The Uncle's Reckoning

sed. His eyes are bandaged but he heard movement in the room, the faint

yle answered patiently, placing her hand on his shoulder tenderly. But h

n of his fingertips brushing against nothingness caused panic to rise in his chest.

chilly and heavy, the silence s

ctor." He heard her heels clicking on th

e sound reverberating off the sterile walls. But all he heard

lucky child that Smith boy is, lost both of his parents in the acciden

. The voices were remarkably real as if they were whispered right i

indeed heartbreaking," another voice remarked, losing his sight in addition to the injuries he sustained

th came out sharply, and the bed trembled like a stormy ship. "Doctor

, but a wave of anguish so intense that it seemed like drowning devoured h

s mother's plea to the hooded figure for several minutes-or perhaps hours? Then, a

ring to his Uncle Danny Gayle, her sister, Catherine's h

nting and torturing him until he lost the ability to re

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to the abyss, when he woke up again. The room was n

e stated softly, "Geoffrey," in a pleasant yet strange voice. He didn't re

and I will provide you with all the care and

d to inflict more pain. It was the voice of Danny Gayle, husband to Mrs Smith's sister, Catherine Gay

And dad?" His voice was flat

ety and shook a little. "Honey, Geoffrey... I'm so sorry. Th

en by her words. Every other emotion was swallowed by a pit tha

is head. "You're telling lies! They'

tightly. "I wish I was lying, Geoffrey. However, I'm

his hand away. "Go away from me! Every

ance didn't make him feel any better. He had been hoping that his memory was just foggy

ded man who murdered his parents? He should investigate but how far could he go in his condition and withou

****************

word that was spoken down the hall to the entrance of the hospital. Every cough, every shuffle, and even the fluorescent lights hum. Annoying gossip and backbiting amo

gling lawyer. But the Smiths are wealthy. They have a huge estate. It seems the boy's misfortune

s were like daggers to his young pride

Danny Gayle. Catherine responded cheerfully, "Welcom

eps and his cane's ceaseless tapping against furniture revealed the size of their modest home. It

for a while to monitor your progress closely before you return to your home. A

y comfortable in the home of people who most likely were the murderers of h

vely happy attempts to talk to him. In contrast, Danny was aloof

nto resentment. There was a part of him th

e some tea?" One afterno

d him as she retreated with a quiet sigh. Bu

m for even the smallest infractions, their stumbling

"Don't mop here wh

ren't-" the

t! You'

mproved hearing picking up the smallest sounds-the far

conversation with someone. She said, "-we have to sort out the in

er voice low and desperate. After a moment, a softer voice, muffled, answered. It di

had heard, his heart raced. His aunt is interested in his family's wealth. Did she know about Danny murd

d as his thoughts raced.