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Автор: Anastasia

"Waking up in the middle of the night, tears flowing down your cheeks because you again dreamt of them but the reality if different," I added quietly.

Roy’s expression softened: "You suffered much as well, didn’t you?"

I nodded: "Yes. They were so happy together and so loving. Everything seemed to be in the best form and then that damned letter."

"You know what?" he suddenly asked. I shook my head and tried to joke: "Sorry, I can’t read your thoughts."

"From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were different from the others. You made me feel alive AJ, the feeling that I thought was lost to me forever. You might be sad sometimes and of course you’ve seen through a lot of misery but you’re too lively, too full of fire to be suppressed by the grief. You’re the only person I know who can cope with problems so well. Believe me, AJ, there’s no one like you."

As I listened I thought again about my mother. Peter used to call her Sunray. Was I really taking after her? My biggest wish was to be exactly the way she was and after Roy’s confession I felt better than I have for years.

"Now listen to me, Roy," I said, "you’re the first person who told me this and I’m grateful for it – more than I can ever express. I’m happy you feel better because of me, I’ll do my best to stay this cheerful, ok?" "Promised?" amused he raised his brows.

I nodded, laughing: "Scout’s word."

It wasn’t hard to write to Peter and tell him I was going to stay over at my friend’s. I didn’t tell the whole truth but I was sure Pete would understand. After all, he was an investigator himself.

So within five weeks we were boarding a plane to Miami. From there we decided to take a speed – boat to the Bermudas. Roy seemed to be as content with his life as he always was but even so I could feel there was something different about him as if this trip gave him more strength. Standing at the deck and looking down into the bottle green water I thought about his words and after a while I could understand his quite well. If only he could free himself!

We were on the boat for already 10 hours as Roy suddenly called: "AJ, come over here!"

I left the book lying on my berth and hurried to the deck. Roy didn’t have to tell me anything, I was already staring ahead of the boat where fog was hiding water.

"No cyclones forecasted?" I asked.

Roy nodded: "We’re there."

So I remained where I was, trying my best to see something in the thickening mist. Soon I couldn’t see Roy, then the fog covered everything. I wasn’t sure now where I was and as I tried to look at my outstretched hand, I saw nothing. All the noises were suddenly gone as well.

"Roy," I cried and heard how every word I told was swallowed by the thick blue darkness. No, it wasn’t quite darkness, I could see what was happening but if darkness meant hiding everything around me then it was obviously dark. And then I saw the light. It was getting brighter and brighter but surprisingly didn’t hurt my eyes. And then I saw my parents. "Finally here," my mother smiled and stretched out her hand, "we’ve been waiting for you."

"I told you she’ll make it," Connor said. I didn’t move, afraid to destroy the illusion.

"Is it really you?" I finally spoke.

"Of course it’s us," Lindsay answered. "Look, darling, we’re here because you need us but also because we can’t go anywhere till you let us go. Your misery holds us here."

I quickly said: "I’m sorry, I didn’t think…"

"It’s all right, AJ, it really is," Connor interrupted, "it’s your decision whether you need us or not. But please mind this: no matter whether we’re here or not, we’ll be watching over you."

"We don’t have much time now," Lindsay added and looked at me: "You’ve changed a lot, little one, you grew up a beautiful woman."

"I don’t want to be that beautiful, I want to be exactly like you," I forced a smile.

"Is it a complement?" Lindsay’s lips twisted into a smile I knew only too well.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"You’re like Lindsay in many ways, darling," Connor said thoughtfully, "but you’ve got a lot of me in you as well. And that is good I think. You couldn’t be better even if we were around all the time."

"You think so?" I could hardly believe my ears. Was I really the kind of girl they wanted me to be? I had to, Connor wouldn’t lie.

"Of course you are, AJ, how could you hesitate even a second we wouldn’t love you?" Lindsay said.

"I guess I was too busy weeping over my lost chances," I admitted," I should have known better."

"It’s never too late to start all over again," Connor proclaimed.

"And this time you’ll cope even better you did before," Lindsay added. "Thanks," I whispered, "that’s exactly what I wanted to hear."

"We’re your parents," Lindsay shrugged.

"And we will always be," Connor completed.

I made a step forward and hugged them. And saw their figures dissolving in the bright light.

"Where am I?" that was the first thought in my head as I woke up and saw a white ceiling. Something must have happened. And then memories came flooding back: I was in Bermuda Triangle with my parents! They were not here, I didn’t expect them to be but where was Roy? What has happened to him? I sat bolt upright and immediately felt someone touch my shoulder.

It was a nurse: "Miss Doyle, you shouldn’t make any quick movements, you’re not that strong now."

"Where’s Roy? Mr. Gladstone?" I asked, trying to hide fear in my voice. "I’m here all right, AJ," at first I heard his voice and then saw him enter the room.

A smile lit up his face: "I’m glad you made it."

I thought he looked somehow different, as if shining from within.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"Question after question, typically AJ," Roy laughed and a wave of relief swept over me: we were both alive and feeling well.

The nurse let hold of my shoulder: "I’ll be around when you need me." "Thanks," I smiled, grateful she understood.

"I saw them, AJ, my family," Roy said thoughtfully, sitting down on the bed and taking my hand, "and now I know they’re all right."

"Same with me. And do you know what?" I asked.

He shook his head: "No idea, darling."

"I understood what you wanted to stay, telling that love shouldn’t destroy. It was a happy end in Bermuda Triangle."

"No, AJ, more a happy beginning," Roy replied, taking something out of his bag, "and I’ve got a surprise for you right now."

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