Mark Hallows

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Eighteen


   'Mathematician from Calcutta?' Hazer asked, his face blank

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   'Mathematician from Calcutta?' Hazer asked, his face blank. He clearly showed no response of remembrance, but his expression did show that his mind had started to think, like an old rusted machine brought back to life.

   'Yes, a mathematician from the Indian Statistical Institute, in Calcutta.' 'An Institute? How can I be in an Institute? How can I be a mathematician?' He pondered, scratching his bald head.

   'Think! Try to remember, you were a mathematician. In fact, you still are, you had presented a theo-' Syna jumped on him when she was interrupted by Akash.

   'One by one, don't push it.' He whispered.

Suddenly, Abort Hazer stood up and began pacing in the cell, thinking hard, murmuring something under his breath. Syna glanced back at the door, the stout guard was peeking in. They weren't able to hear their conversations, but well, they had sharp eyes, seeking opportunities.

   'Please sit down, Mr. Hazer.' She requested.

   'Shut up!' He roared. 'That's not my name! I don't have a name. They keep telling me it is a fake name, that my real name is a secret only known to me and my family. And now you tell me I'm a mathematician?'

   'You want to know what your real name is?' Syna asked, catching Hazer's attention instantly. 

   'We'll tell you your real name. We even have evidence to prove it. But don't you think you should try to remember it yourself?'

   'That's what I've been trying to do for days! Or is it months? Or years!' He was exasperated.

   'Try to recall, you as a mathematician working in this institute, in this huge acre of land.' Akash said and took out a few pictures that displayed some structures and rooms from the Indian Statistical Institute.

Hazer looked at them intently for a few minutes. Suddenly, he threw away all the photos and shouted again, telling them how he didn't remember anything. Akash and Syna kept pressuring him with the same points and keywords, "Mathematician", "Calcutta", "Statistical Institute". In response, Hazer just kept circling the cell and murmured. Finally, after a few attempts, they broke it to him.

   'Fine. We'll tell you.' Syna said meekly. 'Your real name is Mark Hallows.' He stopped in the cell, his face pale, looking in the opposite direction. He didn't move for a few seconds and then turned around instantly, gaping at Syna.

   'Mark? Mark Hallows? That's my real name?' He asked, in a menacing tone.

   'Yes.' Akash said and took out some more pictures. 'That's not all. Look at this pattern and words, do you remember it?' Mark gazed at the weird image Akash presented, it was a tattoo.

   'It's the same tattoo you had on the place which now has some bruises.' Mark looked at his right arm and kept murmuring again.

   'Ring any bells?' Syna asked, there was no response from him.

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