Mari's bizarre story ended on a bittersweet note; on one hand, she managed to return home, having to first go to the most expensive private hospital that his mother's pocket could afford, given that she, supposedly, was not able to do anything due to her amnesia, which only her peers had thanks to the tablets she gave them. Both in the General Hospital and the private hospital, the police, who were called as soon as they were all admitted to the emergency rooms, interrogated everyone, and those affected by amnesia showed that they didn't remember anything from before meeting for the recording of the first scene, only aware the last thing they did was read the script. Soon, in just a few hours, the news became viral, spreading internationally like widfire, of how Mr. Bae, Kang Ma-ri, Young-ho and three other reappeared months after a filming they were involved in was truncated by an unclear terror attack in China.
It became, by all accounts, little less than a Christmas miracle for the media to latch onto like fleas.
After having to pretend not to remember anything at all for several weeks in the hospital, the actress was finally able to return home, although she had to present a statement at the police station beforehand; fortunately, no doping could be detected in the samples they took from her or her colleagues ("Thanks for that, Raon" she supposed). Everyone had to give testimony; good thing was that each of the affected had a different last day they could remember, such as Bae, who remembered going to sleep in the early morning after reading the script, or Hee-hong, who talked about going to a restaurant, not to mention Young-ho, who recalled being at home watching TV. For her part, she maintained that her last memory was the first day of recording, because that was what she told her parents, and due to them finding her, both also had to testify, creating a perfect cover since they were absolutely ignorant of everything her daughter really experienced.
One of those days when she left the police station, after giving brief statements to the press, eager for more details, it was not her parents who went to pick her up, nor even her driver, but a red van where two people she knew very well went. It was Yi Moo Won and Maek Seo Rin; the former opened a hind door for her to climb on, and the actress, not wanting more questions harassing her, accepted their invitation. They left there at speed, and went along the highway towards the city's southwest; they drove down the road in silence, for about 20 minutes, and while she already had the habit of having occasional outings with colleagues, not only did she prefer to disconnect from work alone, but so much silence in company wasn't normal.
Mari was strating to get too nervous:
- Don't be scared, Ma-ri, your mother told us to give you the ride.
- My mother?
- Your house on the outskirts, the one you like to be in...she's waiting there.
- I appreciate it... Mr. Yi...
- Ow, don't thank me; your parents are pretty good people. They care more than mine did, to tell the truth...
- By the way... - Seo Rin intervened - I congratulate you for your great bravery, you are a survivor...
- It's nothing...seriously, you also managed to survive...they said that...on the news...
Both actors looked at each other, and the woman spoke again:
- It's okay, girl. You can leave the performance aside.
- I do not…
- We know you don't have amnesia - said Moo Won - We fare well in this industry, not only because we're the best, you know? Also know to distinguish quite well when someone's acting on our faces.
The actress, faced with the prospect of being discovered, suffered tremendous panic, and all the possibilities about what she should do at this moment, and about what the other two might want from her, based on her current knowledge, flew at crazy speed inside her mind:
- I guess now you must be thinking about what the hell to do to get out of this, right? I get you, it also happened to me with some bad companies when I was younger.
That was it. None other option there was beyond direct verbal confrontation of the foe:
- What do you really want from me? I'm telling you nothing until you speak clearly.
- Don't worry, we don't want to harm you, if that's what you think - Seo Rin said - Think about it, we wouldn't get anything...
- Except if... - Moo Won added - somehow...you had something to do with the incident that night.
- So, you think I could be an accomplice, and you infer that based on the belief that, since the others have amnesia and I don't, the ones attacking the set surely never touched me...
- You said it yourself – Seo Rin replied.
- Not true; look...
Mari lifted her shirt, and showed the cured wounds on her torso, ones that Woobin inflicted:
- Only the police know that I have this injury. And there's also…
She then brought her moist lips to the back of her hand, and taking out a cloth tissue she cleaned that part with it, removing the layers of makeup on top of a huge scar going across:
- Not only was I attacked - she answered - not only was I almost killed. They beat me...
Mari's voice began to break:
– I was taken away... kept like a... pig in a pen, pushed around...
The actress recovered some composure recalling those in the Division who, despite impeding her freedom, tried to help her out as best they could, knowing full well the wrongness of her captivity:
- It was the good will of two people that allowed me and my friends to return safely...
- It sounds like you have something more interesting to tell - said Moo Won
- But I don't understand one thing, why didn't you tell the police about those who kidnapped you?
- How could you...know if...
- Trust me, we have some ears out there. - Moo Won replied.
That "we" did not sound to the actress as if the actor was including just himself in there. She kept that in mind just in case.
- I admit it - she answered - It's because my story is much more complicated than that.
- Sounds interesting, go ahead... - Seo Rin insisted.
- And you wouldn't believe me if I told you. No one could...
- We still have…10 minutes to get to your house; and if your mother is not there, you can invite us in. We made space in the agenda…
- Very good. I'll do it...
And so, Mari began to tell them; at first, they recognized the entire context, that day when they were about to film new scenes in Shanghai, but when it came to the van part, everything began to become strange for the two, who at that moment were arguing over the use of a hairdryer. It was true both were surprised by the unknown attackers just like the rest, claiming to have survived because their assistants acted as a voluntary barrier for them; then they didn't know anything until waking up in hospital beds being monitored by doctors. They weren't able to see those people well, much less as Mari described them, and when she spoke about her capture and beating, as well as the reason why, they laughed their lungs off, for it was stupid to mistake a real person for a fictional character.
She told them of the mirage, which they also noticed, but didn't see the blue and red waves; they asked her if maybe she wasn't hallucinating at that moment, but she told them no. Mari then talked about how she was dragged, saw the bodies but was miraculously rescued by people with superpowers before fainting, one of them being a character portrayed by Hee-hong in the movie. The actress, she told, woke up in an unknown place, and saw Kim Ra-on herself as well as others who worked for her, because she was the director of a secret organization; Moo Won and Seo Rin went silent hearing such ravings, since they didn't know what the hell to ask out of such nonsense
She recounted the maltreatment suffered at Raon's hands as well as the way in which she was interrogated by the use of psychic powers, but also spoke about the people there who did treat her well or not bad at all, like S-1, Ah Ra, Soo Young and many other she encountered during her stay. Mari would admit that, despite having had to work for her rescuers menially alongside the others, and be trained by them to keep her in form, even getting sick once, she would have three foods a day and minimal privileges, including their phones back and walk around with an escort behind. The actress also talked about how she and Raon began to have an understanding with each other, despite her not forgiving her "evil twin's" prior and current actions in life; her "interviewers" were sure none of that made any sense, being Stockhom Syndrome at best, a blatant invention at worst.
For the final adventures in this story, she talked about how she intervened more than once saving the life of Raon or her sister, and about a machine that opened portals to other universes, thanks to which the people who rescued her were able to exact revenge on the real authors of the attack. Of course, the actress omitted three important things; being given a superpower, that she used meds to erase her colleagues' memories, and the attack by monsters from a portal, as it would've further complicated her narrative.
By this point, they had arrived at Mari's house where, on the balcony, her mother could be seen sipping tea, sip by sip, from a fine porcelain cup. The two actors got out, and the man opened the door for his passenger, who nodded out of mere habit and also got out.
- And then you woke up - Moo Won joked... - aishhhh, if you weren't going to tell us the truth, you would've said it from the beginning.
- You say it now that I told you everything - Mari replied - but I'm sure that, if I didn't talk, you two were going to do something stupid.
- Make up a whole fairytale to please us was quite cringe, you must admit. - Seo Rin said mockingly - it's clear you have some kind of trauma with what happened.
- Aye, poor Kang Ma-ri's going a little crazy – Moo Won replied.
He'd just made a sign with his index finger, pointing and spinning it over his temple.
- But seriously, you should have your head checked, it could be serious - Seo Rin replied.
Mari remained silent, relieved as neither of them believed her story, much less take it seriously.
The three got to the entrance; after reaching the door, where her mother headed at that moment, the actress turned around and said goodbye, bowing unenthusiastically:
- I appreciate it...for bringing me here...thank you so much. I hope you have a good night...
Her mother opened the door and looked at the two actors, greeting:
- Mr. Yi, Mrs. Maek, you arrived. I really appreciate you could bring my girl home, thanks. Please come in, I was making coffee with some delicious stuffed croissants…
- Thank you very much - Moo Won responded - but I'm afraid we can't stay.
- That's right - Seo Rin added - truth is, my friend is full of work with his agency, and I got a bit of a cold - she said, feigning a cough - but we'll be happy to come another day...
- Oh I see. Sure, thanks for helping me anyway, I owe it to you...and Miss Maek, it would be better if you go back home soon and take some rest, wish you a good recovery.
- Thank you…for understanding… – Seo Rin responded, making up more coughing.
- Don't worry, it was a pleasure. Mari's a very interesting person to talk to – Moo Won said, hiding an uncomfortable tone.
- Thanks for saying it. My daughter's very good, yes...have a good night, see you soon...
- Same - Moo Won replied
- Have a good night too - Se Rin added
The actors went back to the vehicle, and as soon as they got in, the actor turned the engine back on, while saying to his companion:
- That was strange, no one ever told me such a strange type of lie...
- Yeah, it looks like she will need help. – Seo Rin responded, mocking.
- I guess, then, you don't want to have her removed from the shoot to put yourself in her place.
- It's what I would like the most, but it's not certain that there will be any movie by that Bae guy.
- And what if we say...that she's crazy, and we get rid of her?
- Nah...the family could sue us, and it wouldn't be good for my image to get involved in something like that. Also, do you have proof? We cannot claim anything without evidence; and like you say, she probably invented it all, but holy shit, she seemed so sincere.
- It seems that, in the end, she's quite good for this job.
- Hah, in your dreams - she replied.
They started the car and went back the way they had come as Mari already went in with her mother to eat something. While she was finishing her cup of tea, head down, the woman broke the silence:
- Daughter…
The actress did not respond, she didn't want to, since having recounted her story had left her clouded with the most bombastic and shocking memories of her life:
- I heard…I heard Mr. Yi say…
- Leave it like that. It's no big deal.
- But how can you say that? It's not okay for anyone to say those things. Being very famous doesn't give him the right to disrespect you.
- Mom, please stop.
- Listen, I don't know what you talked about with them while you were coming, but you can't let yourself be trampled. Keep in mind that you're not less than them, it is your responsibility...
- My personal life doesn't matter to you! I told you before, I'm not a girl anymore!
- Then behave like an adult and take care of your reputation! – she shouted.
Mari again didn't say anything despite feeling like she was about to explode; she clenched her hands under the granite table while she looked away from her mother, biting her lip:
- If you don't plan to do anything about it, I will. This isn't going to stay like this, you will see...
- No.
- Huh?
- No - Mari said - we won't do anything. I won't let you get into stupid fights because of me.
- But…
- Seriously, mom. I'll deal with them myself. But please – the actress continued, standing up – I would like you to schedule an appointment with the police station investigating my case. I want it a month from now.
-And why you suddenly...
- You just do it. I'll tell you everything in the morning - she finished, hugging her - I'm going to sleep, I'm tired...
So she did.
She went up the stairs, entered her room and closed the blinds to lie down in bed, soon getting fast asleep on a soft mattress, which her slouched arms and back had not been able to feel in months, snoring with the heavy blankets wrapped around her like a burrito. Hours passed while her mind flew into disjointed dream experiences, incoherent stories of black dogs dancing in the light of a red moon, a bonfire amidst the Arabian desert, and a book coming into her hands she tried to read but was unable to understand, finally flying on wings that never stopped swooping through dark tunnels. There was only an interruption to her long rest; she got awake but didn't move, and didn't really want to either, the light turned on, glass was heard breaking above her head, and when the shadows returned, a silhouette got besides her, moving to the nightstand before she closed her eyes again.
When the actress woke up the next morning, she got up heavily and looked at the clock on the wall after stretching, it marked 9 in the morning so she tried to become alert by tapping her cheeks with both palms while her vision adjusted to the surroundings, her mind gradually coming out of drowsiness. Mari slowly looked at what was in front of her, and stood up to let in the sunlight, which blinded her sight for a moment. Turning around, she saw it on the nightstand, something that wasn't there yesterday, right in front of the lamp; there laid a small cyan gift box with a navy blue lid and a red silk bow, with what looked like yellow note paper on the side.
- Hmhmmm...what... - she muttered, getting closer - Where did you come from...? –
She took the box with one hand, looking at its sides, and immediately, delicately, removed the bow and placed it on the nightstand, where once again paid attention to the paper and also took it in her other hand to read what was written:
"What this package contains you must always keep with you, protect it with your life, and never tell anyone that you have it. I'm deeply sorry for what you've had to go through, but I'm afraid I cannot guarantee your safety directly, and so I left my first and last gift for you. Talk to it, will guide you."