Chapter twenty-seven: a long time ago

Kal, One and AJ made a pact that she they would practice walling themselves. The art of making themselves impossible to read. That, thought the three, would come in handy.

"Hello One. I'm thinking of a number between 1 and 3. Go ahead. I dare you." Kal smiled. "I don't think you are going to be able to do it."

"Well done Kal. I've got nothing over here. How about you AJ?"

"Well One, Kal is actually thinking about the number 7 which the last time I checked was not between 1 and 3."

"Practice. I must keep practicing," said Kal.

A hooded figure walked into their area, quiet as a mouse, and undetected by all three.

"Hello all."

The three had a shock of another person in their presence.

"Hello. Are you always going to be hidden? This whole mystery thing is going to get old fast."

The figure slowly dropped her hood and stood in front of the three in full view.

"How is this? Do I look familiar to any of you?"

"Yes," said Kal. "You were my grade five teacher. Mrs. Lord."

"Yes," said One. "You lived next door to me the year before I was taken. I remember."

"No," said AJ. "I don't remember you. Were you in the shadows?"

"I didn't have to watch you AJ. That job I gave to someone I trust. In fact I trusted her so much I gave you to her to raise. Yes AJ. Your mother was my sister Agnes. She kept in contact with me and she told me when she thought you were ready. She was sad to see you go. She was very attached to you. She even broke the rules and left you that card. But I understand. I didn't have them punish her for it. I think she did a very good job raising you."

"What a tangled web! Every day is full of surprises eh AJ?"

"Yes Kal. You are right. Surprises. Like this one. She is lying. And how do I know? Because I have stronger will powers. I am stronger than her. I can defeat her walls. She is lying. She is an imposter. My mother would have put up a better fight. You are not Mary. You may have watched these two but you are not my mother. Next time you come here bring her along. Or don't come again."

---