Henry walked onto the church compound that afternoon. His white uniform shirt was unbuttoned exposing his almost hairless chest, and his black work shoes and dirty from the marl-covered parking lot. The perfect dishevelled mess. He didn't bother to go into the office. There was no point, he needed answers. He stood in the parking lot under the mango tree waiting for the service to end. Lively choruses blared through the speakers, echoing off the concrete buildings surrounding it. They were still in the middle of it. The congregation would be deaf by the end.

He fanned the collar of his shirt, trying to cool himself off. He spent two long hot hours answering the same questions over and over again in that oven of an office. Frustrated was an understatement for his mood. He should have at least remembered his crimes so he could lie about them effectively. That Detective Williams was relentless. He badgered Henry with questions.

"Where were you? Whose blood is it? Why did you do it?" were some of the questions that were thrown at him repeatedly.

Henry wasn't sure if he had given him what he wanted, but when he confessed at last that he didn't remember anything, he let him go. He scratched his head. Shouldn't having amnesia make him more suspicious? Especially since he took so long to confess it.

He checked his messages. Mark still hadn't replied. Sure he wouldn't hear anything over the earsplitting music. He paced under the tree, kicking white rocks back and forth as the music continued. The music had changed to some sort of ballad, someone was crying out as if they were being tortured. Probably in 'the spirit' if he remembered anything about church services.

"Ugh, when will it be over?" He questioned himself. The plan was to wait until the end and get to Mark then, but there would be too many people. He might get lost in the crowd. Maybe he should go in? No no, stupid idea. He would stick out too much, they'd probably drown him in holy water as soon as he entered. He'd wait.

When the church service finally ended, Henry was leaning against the tree, drenched in sweat. He had a clear view of the main entrance that Mark was sure to come out of. At least he hoped. People came out in clusters, with bibles and hymn books in tow. They were Smiling and laughing with each other as they shook the Pastor's hand. He greeted everyone with a warm smile. Henry moved closer so he could make out faces a little easier.

The group of women in large colourful hats made it hard to see faces but Henry could make out Mark's bald head anywhere. He walked out with his little son in his arms and his wife hanging on the other.

"Mark! Mark!" he called out impatiently, marching toward the crowd. A few looked around at him with worry in their eyes. A few women clutched their bibles but Henry didn't pay much attention to them.

"Mark!" He called again pushing through the crowd. Mark was still chatting it up with the man in a long black robe and a purple sash around his neck. Probably the pastor by the way people crowded him to shake his hand. "Mark!" Henry grabbed his shoulder and swung him around.

"Hey!" The wife called out. Mark looked like he was about to fight when his eyes landed on Henry.

His eyes widened in horror and recognition. "Henry? Henry?" His smile was asymmetrical and worryful. "You're okay?"

~~~~

"I don't know what happened, man." Mark shoved his hands in his pocket and kicked the dust slightly. "You were fine last night and then you went outside and didn't come back."

"What do you mean?" Henry crossed his hands over his damp shirt.

"I mean, we were chatting it up, having a good time then you just got up. I thought to go to the bathroom but, when you came back you were kinda quiet and sombre. You kinda looked out of it"

Henry shook his head, he didn't remember any of it. "Then what happened?"

"We were asking you what's wrong and you pushed us off. You looked really drunk though we were only two beers in."

Henry bit his lip. It took a lot more than two beers to get him anywhere near tipsy let alone drunk.

"Then you got up and left."

"I left?"

Mark nodded. "Yeah like walked out. I tried to follow you out but you pushed me off. By the time I got outside, you and your car were gone."

Henry shook his head and rubbed his temple, puzzled by his actions. "Wh- what about the girl?"

Mark furrowed his brows. "What girl?"

"The girl, Ophelia." He raised his hand to his shoulder level. "She's around this tall. Black curly hair, big dark eyes and had on black shorts I think."

Mark shook his head. "There was no girl."

Henry crouched down holding his head in his hands. "What are you talking about?"

"There was no girl. It was just Me, you and Vincent. Are you ok though? You look sick." Mark patted his friend's shoulder.

"Mark, I woke up this morning to a naked girl on my couch."

When Henry looked up, Mark's mouth was agape.

"Where did she come from?"

"That's what I want to know. I have no idea what happened to me. And my car..."

He stopped himself.

"What happened to your car? Was there an accident?"

Henry had omitted everything about the police and the blood on his car up to this point. He just wanted to hear what had happened last night. But Mark wasn't helping at all.

"What about Vince? Would he know something?"

Mark shook his head slightly "You know Vince is out after two bears. After you left, I had to carry him out."

Henry scratched his head aggressively. "Fuck!"

"Hey! Come on, we're at church."

"Ahem!" His wife was standing across the parking lot on the corridor. She held their son on her hip and tapped her feet impatiently. By now the crowd had thinned and any on-lookers at the two of them had lost interest. They both looked across at her and Mark smiled.

"Coming babe," he yelled. He squeezed Henry's shoulder. "Look I wish I could help more but that's all I have. Maybe that girl would know what happened to you. Call me if you need anything."

Before Henry could answer he was already across the way, running toward his wife. Henry shook his head resisting the urge to yell out. He'd probably frighten everyone milling around the place. He watched as Mark took the baby from her and held her hand as they walked toward the car. He found it hard to believe that it was the same Mark who complained about his wife's nagging and talked about divorce all the time.