Centralia. Eng. Hilbert Schwarz

I hope it was the first and last time.

      ***

      The lock clicked again. A man entered the room, followed by a woman. Middle-aged, dressed in a businesslike manner, shoes made of genuine leather. White robes are draped over his shoulders. They were Megan’s parents.

      Alex stood up. He was dressed in ordinary white pajamas, however, like all the guests of this “establishment”.

      – Hello, Mrs. Angie and Mr. James, – he greeted them.

      – Hello, Alex, – she said, looking into his eyes, and, almost crying, continued, – You were everything to my daughter, and you left her in this hell…

      She raised her hand to slap him, but restrained herself and began to cry. Her husband hugged her. Alex felt so unpleasant and disgusting. His stomach tingled, and he wanted to fall through somewhere. He thought: “What if it’s my fault, I could talk them out of this trip”

      The only thing he could answer was looking at the poor parents:

      – I’m sorry, I am… I’m sorry that this happened, I miraculously left there alone. She was with me for a while, but…

      – But what? – James barked, – What happened?

      – I don’t remember… – he replied and lowered his head.

      Megan’s father repeated:

      – Don’t you remember? – There was something malicious in his words. Disappointment and sadness. His eyes glazed over, he walked away from his wife and grabbed the guy by the throat. Alex couldn’t figure out what to do from fright, his thoughts were in a bunch, he just stood there and waited for what would happen next. Angie wiped her tears and took James’s hand.:

      – James, stop it, don’t! The child probably doesn’t really remember anything, the doctor said it was all because of the gas.

      The husband loosened his grip and soon released him. He looked at his wife, sighed, and left the room.

      Meanwhile, Angie walked up to Alex and, taking him by the shoulders, spoke softly:

      – Alex, forgive my husband, we are very worried, we don’t even know what to think about whether Megan is alive or not. And really, it’s very strange that you came back alone, I know you, according to my daughter, and I can say that you are a very good guy, and I ask you to help us, – she said, hugged him and kissed him on the forehead. Angie left the room and the door connected to the wall again. Alex stood there, unable to say anything… He was shocked.