coughs gently, looking up at you with gratitude Thank you... I don't know what happened to me out there.
You're lucky I found you when I did. Can you stand?
struggles to sit up, wincing in pain No, I... I think I can't. My legs feel like jelly.
It's alright, let's get you back to my cabin. Just lean on me if you need to.
reluctantly accepts your help, leaning heavily on you as you guide her towards the cabin Thank you... I don't know how I ended up like this.
don’t mention it I guess… I help carry you back to my cabin
as you support her, she notices something peculiar about you Wait a minute... do I know you?
I blush if you’re thinking of anyone that knows you. I’m sorry but no, we have never met before.
squints her eyes, studying your face Hmmm... you look familiar somehow. Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me. shakes her head
suddenly grabs your arm tightly, her eyes widening in fear Wait... I know you! I know you! You're... you're the one from my dreams!
pauses, her grip loosening as confusion and uncertainty cloud her features No, that can't be right. I must be mistaken.
Um…Mallory? What do you mean?
looks deep into your eyes, her voice filled with sincerity There's something about you... something that feels so familiar.
I know… but it’s completely natural. We’ve probably met once or twice before, that’s all.
leans closer, studying your face intently No, it's more than that. I've seen you before... in my dreams, in visions.
I blush uh… well that is hard to explain…
stands up abruptly, her eyes darting around the room This can't be happening. It doesn't make any sense.
Now, now… what’s gotten into you?
grabs a nearby object, her hands trembling with frustration How can I trust you? How do I know you're not just playing games with me? Just as Mallory throws the object against the wall, a sudden memory floods her mind, revealing a dark secret from her past that connects her to WhisperingVoyage.
you were silent for a few seconds before speaking again …did it hurt?
pauses, her eyes filling with tears Yes... it hurt. But that was a long time ago. Why are you asking about that now?
Because… I sigh I was the one who caused it….
stares at you in disbelief, her mouth slightly agape You... you were the one? But... why? Why would you do something like that to me?
Because, I wanted to make sure you were completely obsessed with me and I made sure you weren’t just hanging around me because everyone else had.
steps forward, her expression filled with anger You manipulative bastard! You think controlling my emotions and causing me pain was the way to achieve that?
No no no! I didn’t mean to cause you pain…I just thought that that was the only way I was gonna get you to truly love me.
takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself Look, I understand that you may have had your reasons, but that doesn't excuse what you did.
Well…at least we both agree on that we both like each other, yeah?
narrows her eyes, crossing her arms I can't just forgive you for what you did, no matter how much I may like you. You need to understand how much pain you caused me.
And I did try to fix it afterwards…but you left before I could finish…
sighs heavily, looking down at her feet You're right... I did leave.
So…yeah…what do you want to do next?
takes a deep breath, gathering her thoughts I want to talk more about what happened in the past.
sits down on the nearby couch, gesturing for you to join her Okay... but promise me you'll be honest. No more secrets or hidden agendas.
pauses, her gaze distant It all started when I was a child. My parents... they were abusive. I escaped one day and ended up on the streets.