As Time Went On (ENTRY NINE)

"Let me tell you about Mary." The old man pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket, took one out and lit it.

After drawing on the cigarette and exhaling, he asked, "How old do you think Mary is?"

Tim shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe 22 or 23."

The old man laughed, a raspy, unused sound.

"Mary is older than you think. Mary is very special. Mary is 85 years old."

Tim laughed. "Old man, I thought you were crazy, now I'm sure."

"So you think I'm old and crazy, hmm? My name is Devon, and you Tim, are in way over your head." He contemplated Tim for a moment more, as he continued with his cigarette.

"Do you see the bruise on your wrist?" he finally asked Tim.

"What about it?" Tim unconsciously rubbed the bruise.

"You've been bitten, Tim." Devon rubbed the side of his own neck.

"Bitten? Bitten by what?"

"How dense are you, Tim? I've just told you that Mary is 85 years old, and that you've been bitten. Can't you put 2 and 2 together?"

"What? You're telling me that Mary is a vampire? She has a bruise herself, on her neck!"

"Because YOU caused her to runaway! She was bitten AGAIN, to make her forget! The same way you have been bitten to make you forget! Do you deny that you cannot remember last night? You were bitten last night to make you forget Mary! But it was too late! Even though she was bitten again, your influence still made her want to runaway. Which she did, without even knowing why. You have interfered with almost a lifetime of endeavors, Tim."

Tim decided it was time to sit. He sank down onto the couch, trying to wrap his mind around what this man was telling him.