TRAPPED MEMORIES

CHAPTER 1: The Scarlet Letter

A/N: Alrighty! Welcome to Trapped Memories, TTTBAF's sequel! Note: to avoid confusion, read the first story, because it builds up to this one. Hm, come to think of it, I find that reading the sequel before the first story is like building a house and starting with the third floor, instead of the first. It's called the scientific method, people! Why am I still rambling? I have NO IDEA. So . . . uh, let's get going, shall we?

Enjoy! XD

I was curled up in the fetal position beside Peater, clutching him like a lifeline as I cried till it hurt. I didn't even dare to glance at the letter for fear of the memories and sadness it would bring.

"What's wrong, Elyssia? Is it the letter?" he asked, gesturing towards letter that I was trying so hard not to look at. I nodded, and handed the letter to him, which he promptly read aloud.

"Dear Elyssia,

By the time you read this, I'm gonna guess that it's past May 13, 2014. So I should just make it clear that I didn't die ― I just teleported outta there and over to where I'm living right now. Anyways, I'm writing this to tell you some news you'll find . . . interesting. First of all, Adria and Alana are alive and well. Turns out that when the bomb was dropped, they were just knocked out. By the time they had regained consciousness, you had run home. The reason why they didn't follow you was because they "wanted a bit of a break." From what, I don't know. So, they found a couple of dummies, disguised them as their corpses, and spent the next few months wandering around looking for a place to stay, surviving by stealing food, and sneaking into the basements of stores to sleep. They eventually came by our place, and they've been living here for around a month now. The next piece of news: I have this brother. His name's Alduin. Apparently, you knew each other from school? Anyways, he told me you stabbed him with a knife because you wanted revenge. As soon as he was dead, he looked around for a way to give his soul a body. He eventually did so with some needle he found on the side of the road, so he's officially . . . alive.

We're all living together now, and . . . we're dying to see you. Adria and Alana are going on and on about how you were the best sister they ever had. Alduin and I just want to see you again. Come and visit when you get a chance, okay?

Missing you a lot,

Ash Lethus."

"They left . . . they practically abandoned me . . ." I sobbed.

"I . . . I don't wanna talk about it." I whispered.

"Aw, come on! Give over! Your sisters are alive! Why aren't you happy?" Peater protested as more tears fell from my eyes.

"Whether or not they're alive . . . it doesn't matter. I'm just so shocked that they would cause me so much grief . . . just because they needed to escape . . ." I cried, my sadness slowly turning into anger.

"WHAT IS IT THAT THEY WERE SO DESPERATE TO GET AWAY FROM THAT THEY DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING AS SELFISH AS . . . AS . . ." I couldn't continue my rant. I collapsed once more into a fit of crying as I remembered that these were my sisters. Well, we might not have been real sisters, but we're definitely that close. Why was I so angry at them?

"Elyssia . . . calm down. They probably had their reasons. Remember all that stuff I did to you? And all that stuff you did to me? We were able to give each other another chance. Therefore . . . they deserve a second chance too." Peater whispered as he hugged me tightly.

"Now . . . who is this Alduin boy-plant, this cousin I never knew I had?"

Once again, I felt that sharp pain at the back of my head. I yelped and put a leaf to the sore area. It burned, the exact same way it burned that night . . .

"Elyssia? What's wrong? Are you all right?" Peater asked.

"Does this have anything to do with Alduin ―"

"NO! SHUT UP!" I screeched as I bolted into a standing position. Peater recoiled at my anger, which snapped me back to my senses.

"S-sorry . . . I just need a bit of time to myself." I mumbled as I squeezed his leaf.

He nodded and walked out of the room, meekly closing the door behind him with a small click. I lay down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling ponderingly.

Why am I mad at my sisters?

Why was I stupid enough to open that letter?

Why am I yelling at Peater for something that isn't even his fault?

Why am I letting these trapped memories . . . these trapped feelings . . . control me like a puppet?

Hours later, I heard a faint knock on the door.

"Come in." I said flatly.

"Hey. Just wanted to check in with ya." Peater murmured as he sat beside me on the bed.

"About what happened earlier . . . is there anything wrong?" he asked.

"Uh . . . no . . ." I mumbled.

"Look ― I'm sorry . . . I was taking my anger out on you when you didn't do anything to me. I guess I was being a bit of a ―" Peater cut me off and gave me a tight hug I wasn't prepared for.

"You're . . . gonna . . . squeeze the life outta me, Peater!" I groaned. Despite having difficulty breathing, I returned the hug anyways.

"Aw, Elyssia . . . it's okay. I guess I shouldn't have tried to be nosy, huh?" he whispered.

"You weren't being nosy . . . you were just worried about me, that's all." I replied with a smile.

"I understand if you're not ready to tell me, Elyssia. When you wanna talk, just let me know, all right?" he said.

"Okay . . . I most definitely will!" I laughed.

"We should get dinner going, shouldn't we?" Peater suggested.

"Yeah . . . we should . . ." I mumbled.

After hastily cooking up two plates of pasta, and wolfing it down like we hadn't eaten in a year, he and I headed upstairs to go to bed.

"Elyssia . . . I can tell that you've been through so much more that I know." Peater whispered as he turned off the lights. I was about to deny those words, but they were so true. I simply nodded in response and looked into his eyes. In return, he stared into mine.

As I felt his gaze penetrating the innermost depths of my soul, I could tell that he could sense the suffering and the painful memories that I was trying so hard to hide inside. I snuggled up closer to him and closed my eyes, ready to drift into my dreams.

A/N: Well, now you know what the letter holds, folks! I know, it's been WAY longer than my promised 32 days, but I've been so worn out and stuff. Hey, at least this thing's out in the open! As usual, reviews are very greatly appreciated, and until next time, PEACE OUT THE PUPPET!

~A domani! (hopefully . . . :P)