The Pact - Season 1: Episode 13

The next day I woke up as confused as can be. Now things had gotten more complicated than ever. It was not only Tyrone who was holding some secret from both Steve and David; it was also my brother’s girlfriend Mandy, who also happened to be Tyrone’s best friend. And to complicate things further, it seemed like I too was involved in whatever it was they were hiding – or whatever game they were playing.

I did not really feel like getting out of bed, but I knew that I could not hide away forever. I decided to try to go through the usual routine as much as was possible, and try not to think much about things. But it was easier said than done. I went to my first class that morning, but I couldn’t concentrate much on what the lecturer was saying. My mind was constantly on Mandy and Tyrone, and whatever connection there could be between us and them, except for the obvious ones that we already knew about. I was so lost in my thoughts that I did not even notice that class was over and everyone had gotten up. I checked my timetable, and saw that I had History of the Theatre next. I knew that it was going to be useless going to that class. All that the lecturer did was talk and talk, and we had to listen. I knew I was not going to be able to understand one single word that morning. So I decided to skip class, and make up for it by reading the text books later. I went to the cafeteria, and sat down at a table. As I was sitting there lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice that someone had come up to my table, and had sat down in front of me. So I was quite startled to hear Tyrone’s voice saying,

“Good morning, Michelle. How are you feeling?” I looked at him angrily.

“How do you expect me to feel Tyrone?” Tyrone sighed.

“I know it’s really an awkward situation, but believe me, it’s not as difficult for you as it is for me. I never wanted any of this to happen. In fact I came here to this island, because I wanted to run away from it, and forget it ever happened. But it seems like the gods have had other plans for all of us.” I looked at him questioningly.

“Tyrone, can’t you just talk straight for once? Please tell me what is going on.” But Tyrone shook his head.

“I can’t Michelle. Believe me, I can’t. It’s been so difficult for me all these years. Your brother and your boyfriend have dealt with it in a much different way than I have – they forgot. Somehow their minds have erased that terrible memory. But I have had to live in that same place – and I could not forget. This is the only way I can try to deal with the guilt, Michelle. By not talking about it. I’m never going to forget what happened, but I can at least pretend it never happened. Talking about it will make it so real.”

“I still can’t understand what you are talking about.” He gave me a half-hearted smile and said,

“You will very soon. Mandy is coming to speak to you at the end of this period, and she is going to explain things to you. She wants to talk to you and David and Steve about it. She has wanted to do it for a long time. It was me who has stopped her all this time. But now I can’t fight things anymore – this day had to come. But please try to understand, and tell the others too that I won’t be there – not because I have something against them – but simply because I can’t relive it again.”

“Be where?”

“Mandy is going to tell you guys to meet up someplace to talk about things. I can’t come there…” At that moment, Mandy walked up to our table. She looked at Tyrone and said,

“Tyrone, I need to speak to Michelle. It’s your choice if you want to stay or not.” Tyrone shook his head.

“I can’t.” He took my hand in his, and as he smiled to me, he said, “Tonight, when all you guys will be discussing our past, I will be somewhere else on my own. It’s a place I often go to when I need to be alone. If you would still want to talk to me afterwards, you can come and find me there. Mandy will tell you where it is.” I smiled back at him, and as I squeezed his hand, I said,

“I will, I promise. I’m sure everything will turn out just fine.” He didn’t smile then, as he said,

“I hope so Michelle, for all of you. Tonight you are about to go back to Sherwood, and I hope the experience won’t be as hell for you as it was for me.” And with those words, he let go of my hand, and walked out of the cafeteria. Mandy sat in his place. I looked at her and asked,

“So what’s going on?”