DEX'S POV

Good news. We arrived at the Forbidden Cities for 5 days, now, and the council hasn't been looking for us. Yet.

Bad news. They're mad at me. And I know I deserve their blame and anger. I blame myself as well.

More good news. There are actually a lot of elves who came out. 807 elves.

More bad news. We haven't seen Tam at all.

Even more bad news. We all live at the Shores of Solace, drinking elixirs, afraid that if we go outside we might get caught. Since... the council might be anywhere. Keefe's mood isn't improving, since the place reminds him of his dad.

Terrible news. The council stationed guards at the rainbow towers (yes, that's what everyone is calling them) and started arresting people who try to put their handprint on it.

I think that today, we're losing it.

"We can't stay like this forever," Biana huffs. "I mean, look at us! Don't we want to find Tam?"

"Biana, then drink an elixir," Sophie hands one out that makes her hair turn red.

"No, that's not what I meant. What are we going to do for the rest of our lives? Sit here, living some fake identity, hoping that we don't get caught? Because I refuse to live like this!" She rakes her hand through her hair.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Fitz glares.

"We find Tam. We find Tam, get all the gay elves, and get the laws to change, and live happily ever after!"

"This is not some kind of game! Don't you see what we're dealing with?" Fitz spreads out his arms as if to say, are you hearing what you're even saying?.

"I know we can lose our memories. But I don't care. Maybe that's better than... THIS!"

"Biana, calm down," Linh says in monotone, not even looking at her. She's been in zombie mode ever since...yeah.

"No, you should be fired up. WE should be fired up! I mean, aren't you guys mad? We started with two elves loving each other, that turned out to be illegal, and now the council is putting elves in jail, probably making them live a lie of a life, and you're telling me that you aren't mad?!"

"OF COURSE WE'RE MAD!" Keefe screams, and we all jump. "OF COURSE WE'RE MAD, BIANA! BUT WHAT CAN WE DO, HUH?" He kicks a chair. "WHAT THE HELL CAN WE DO?!"

Everyone stays silent. The only thing we can hear is Keefe's ragged breath.

He doesn't even take the elixirs when he heads outside, probably to clear his head. We don't tell him about the vials he needs to take, because despite how sweet they taste, we know how bitter it feels.

And this is all my fault.

KEEFE'S POV

I'm still mad when I figure out that I didn't take my elixirs.

"Screw them," I shake my head and mutter to myself. I don't care if I get seen. Because even though I yelled at Biana, something inside me clicked. More like, something inside me is burning. Maybe it's my love for Tam. Maybe it's my fury. I don't know what it is, and I don't care. Because today, I'm not leaving without him.

I need to see him.

It's miles of walking without lightleaping, but I arrive at Alluveterre.

He better be in there. I didn't walk all this way for nothing.

I knock three times. I'm actually really surprised when hear shuffling feet. My heart leaps to my throat in hope and joy, but I shove it back down. I don't want to get disappointed.

Tam opens the door.

"Tam!" My jaw drops into a smile and I hug him. He immediately pulls away, and a jolt of hurt sears through my heart.

"Do I know you?" He frowns.

I just hang my mouth open, too shocked, too hurt to say anything.

He doesn't remember me.

"Wait... how do you know my name?" He asks suspiciously.

"I... I'm your boyfriend,"

He laughs. I notice that his silver-tipped bangs are gone, and he has an exposed forehead. He looks different already. No more Bangs Boy.

"Um, that's illegal. I think you're drunk, whoever you are. I have a girlfriend," He shakes his head with a smile that says, oh this guy is pathetic.

"...Who?"

"Have you heard of Marella Redek?"

I don't answer.

"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. So... um... you can go now," He tries to shut the door, when I stop it with my fist. It hurts, and I think I broke my pointer, but I don't care.

"You just need your memories back," And I take a deep breath and stoop in to kiss him. Maybe that's the trigger.

He punches me when I'm inches from his face. I stumble back from the impact, grabbing my chin and lip.

"What the hell?!" He trips back, catches himself, and curls shadowflux in his hands. "I will report to the council! Stay the hell away from me!"

The disgust in his eyes.

I run out of there with a bloody lip, fractured finger, and a broken heart.

So... the next chapter is where I make my big announcement. It's not even a chapter, and it really even doesn't relate to this story. Oh well. *shrug*

Please read it anyway. It only works if you do.