Truth Be Told

Henry's day started like any other, he went for a morning jog, had a cup of coffee, took a shower and got ready for work. The weather was nice out and he was in a particularly good mood, even as he opened his front door to find a small black box sitting on his doorstep. There were no delivery trucks and he hadn't heard anyone knock on his door. Curious and with plenty of time to spare he brought the box inside. It had no markings along the outside and it wasn't very heavy, but as he picked it up to examine the bottom he found an envelope taped to it. Must be an early birthday present he thought as he flipped the top of the envelope open and slid the card from inside, but it was as he scanned the contents of the card that his mood suddenly changed. It read, Happy Anniversary Henry, I hope you haven't forgotten me. -With Love Anna

Henry threw the letter down, his brow furrowing in anger. He turned and ran back to his front door, flinging it open and looking up and down the street for anyone who could have delivered the package. It was then he heard the faint buzzing noise coming from above the porch. Glancing up he spotted a small drone, it made a clicking noise, as if it were taking a picture of his angry and confused face, before turning and flying off. Henry stormed back in the house and to the table where he'd left the box.

Tearing open the lid and removing some of the decorative paper that had been stuffed inside, Henry found himself looking at another box. This one was smaller and wooden, it was in the shape of a heart. He knew what was inside before having to open it. Running to his room, he yanked open the the drawer on his nightstand, sitting there was an identical heart shaped box. He opened both of them. The contents were also identical, they were engagement rings set with a single ruby with a row of three little diamonds on either side. The only thing that set the two boxes apart was a small picture Henry kept in his, it was of a woman with long raven hair, smiling at the camera as she tried to keep her hat from flying away, her blue eyes filled with happiness and love. Here name was Anna.

Anna had been gone for a year now, she and Henry had been out on a date, it was the night he planned to propose to her, when they had been attacked. When Henry woke up in the hospital the following morning they told him Anna had been taken, the only thing left behind was a note from her abductor. It read, She belongs to me, always has and always will. If she can't learn to love me then I'll lay her to rest somewhere as beautiful as she is. No hard feelings Henry, nice ring by the way, she would have loved it. They never found who it was and they never found Anna.

Henrys knees seemed to give out beneath him as he sank to the floor. His eyes filled with tears as he realized two things, one Anna really was dead, two the person who'd done it didn't want to let him forget, but why? Why go to all the trouble when he hadn't wanted Henry to be with Anna in the first place?

As he sat contemplating there was a knock at his door. He rushed to open it, for some reason he was sure it had to be the sender of the package, but standing there was a man dressed in ordinary mail carrier clothes, a bag stuffed to the brim with letters slung over his shoulder. He handed Henry a bundle of mail, smiled and left. It wasn't until the man was already down the street did a thought occur to him, why hadn't the man left the mail in his post box like they normally did? He turned the letters over in his hand, most of it was his usual, bills, credit card companies trying to get him to sign up, but it was the last envelope that caught his attention. It was blank and it was the same caramel color as the one he'd received from the box. He opened it. Inside was a letter and a photo of him from earlier, looking up at the drone.

Did you like my disguise Henry? Where you surprised? What about the present I sent you? I really hope I got the details right, it was such a lovely ring. It was nice to see you again, that expression you had when you thought you'd be able to find me was beautiful. Anna was right, you really did love her. To bad really. Now that she's gone I've gotten a little bored so it's your turn to play with me. I hope you don't plan on running away anytime soon. Not that it matters, I'll find you no matter what. Maybe if you're good I'll even tell you where I laid her to rest. I'm so excited! Be seeing you soon!

-Your new best friend

Oh by the why here is a copy of the photo I took. Isn't it such a beautiful expression?