Free Persona - A Disturbing Psychological Thriller by Marc Horn

garden, stopping every few feet. When she reached the top, where the grass ended and mini-woodland began, she cried out. She did this again and again. Ryan saw the mother sparrow appear on a tree branch ten feet in front of her. The mother tweeted loudly and the baby moved toward her, until she was underneath. The mother chirped at her, but the baby couldn’t fly. The mother flew to the ground and hopped further away, stopping every ten feet to wait. The baby followed her in spurts. This continued until the mother had guided her baby out of Ryan’s sight. Ryan rested his hands in his lap and smiled. He told Dave it was the warmest smile he’d felt for years. He choked with emotion and stayed in the same spot for hours, contemplating the moment.

 
     
    14
     
    Ben parked his MG outside her house. She’d asked him to beep his horn when he arrived, but instead, he turned the engine off, shook the creases out of his trousers and shirt sleeves, and walked to her door. He pressed the bell and waited with his hands clasped. Her father opened the door and inspected him briefly, his eyes impassive behind his glasses.
    Ben smiled. ‘Hello, Mr Edmunds, I’m Ben.’ He proffered his hand.
    Mr Edmunds shook it firmly, his stare steely and cold. ‘Yeah, I heard about you. Where did you meet Jennifer?’
    ‘In The Cube. It’s a night club.’
    ‘I know what it is, son. Why were you in there?’ Mr Edmund’s thick, greying eyebrows arched expectantly.
    ‘It’s where you meet people,’ he said.
    ‘You not got many friends, huh?’
    ‘Not any as special as your daughter.’ He didn’t flinch from the glare.
    Mr Edmunds rolled his lips together. ‘What do you do, Ben?’
    ‘I’m a personal trainer.’
    ‘And where are you taking Jennifer?’
    ‘Ice skating.’ It amused Ben to play along to the interview-style conversation.
    ‘And what time will she be home?’
    ‘Whatever time you set, sir.’
    Mr Edmunds moved his hand to his mouth as if he was holding a microphone. ‘She’s got to get up early for work. She won’t want to be late or drunk,’ he warned. ‘Eleven’s reasonable.’
    Ben nodded. ‘Okay.’
    Mr Edmunds called Jenny, who was there in seconds. She smiled at Ben, kissed her father goodbye, told him she wouldn’t be late, and then walked down the path.
    ‘Nice to meet you,’ Ben said to her father, who nodded.
    Ben followed Jenny to his car and opened her door. She looked stunning in her white, halterneck top and black leggings. When they were both in their seats, she looked over.
    ‘That’s why I told you to beep the horn!’
    He smiled, fired up the engine and slowly pulled away. ‘He’s only being a good father. I understand.’
    Jenny felt tension release. She worried that her father would scare away a potential boyfriend with his dismissive attitude. When Ben knocked, her father insisted that he should greet her date – he had a right to meet the boy looking after her tonight, right? She listened intently and smiled at Ben’s responses. He was so cool, so undaunted by her father’s interrogation. It was one of those occasions when you fear the worst, then afterwards wonder why you’d made such a fuss. Ben had made it look easy.
     
    After skating, then went to the bar overlooking the rink. She watched the skaters while Ben ordered drinks. They’d had such a laugh. Neither of them could skate well, and they’d spent most of their time on the floor. At times, they’d skated hand in hand.
    ‘So who were you out with at The Cube?’ Jenny asked as he placed two glasses of orange juice on the table. ‘I didn’t see your mates.’
    ‘No one. I knew you’d be there. I didn’t want distractions.’
    Jenny was about to smile until she saw his serious expression. ‘That’s a bit-’ She trailed off. ‘It’s like I had no choice.’
    Ben leaned in, and rested his hand on hers. The warmth was comforting to her. ‘You could’ve turned me away, but I hadn’t considered that.’
    She