Knowledge is power. It can be used.
Knowledge is dangerous. Knowing something can have severe consequences.
Knowledge is understanding, knowing what the heck was going on with Henry.
Knowledge is what they weren't sure they wanted, but definitely needed.
But they didn't get it.
"Nothing's coming up," said Schwoz. It was nearly one in the morning, and Schwoz hadn't been able to find any real information- after a lot of testing. "It doesn't look like you hit your head, but I can't be sure."
"Great," said Ray. "Freaking great. It's 12:58 in the morning and we have no explanation."
"This isn't good," added Charlotte. She had only been able to stick around so late because both her parents were on business trips and would think she was asleep.
"No kidding." Ray started pacing around the room. "Henry, are you sure you don't remember anything. Absolutely positive?"
"As sure as I can be," said Henry nervously. Cleo jumped up onto the table Schwoz made him sit on, and Henry unconsciously started petting her. She would make a good emotional support animal.
"I can't seem to find anything," said Schwoz, basically repeating his last statement. "No major head injuries, nothing that could cause immediate memory loss- or delayed memory loss, for that matter- and no foreign pathogens in or around his head."
"So we're at a loss, then?"
"Yeah," said Schwoz in response to Ray's questions. "I can't think of anything else we can do, besides make sure he remembers other things."
"I do. I mean, I think I do," said Henry. "I can't remember anything since earlier today- or yesterday, at this point, I guess- but I can remember other stuff, like how Charlotte won the last spelling bee."
"Yeah, but that's obvious," said Charlotte. "Let's see- what's your dad's name?"
"Are you seriously quizzing me?"
"Yes, I am. What is your dad's name?"
"You know what his name is."
"I'm trying to make sure you remember stuff, Henry!" Charlotte kind of yelled. "What is his name?!"
"Okay, okay, it's Jake Hart."
"What were people dumping on their heads when they thought Kid Danger was going to die?"
"Rocks. Charlotte-"
"What's my last name?"
"Page. Charlotte-"
"Where are your-"
"Charlotte, I'm fine! Seriously. Schwoz can't find anything, and I can remember anything before tonight. I mean, obviously I would forget some stuff over time, if I heard that science lecture from last week right."
"Okay, okay, sorry."
"It's alright."
Charlotte finally sat down, rubbing her forehead with her fingers. Truth be told, she was just really concerned for her friend- or, rather, friends, since whatever happened to Henry impacted everyone else. "Is there anything else we should do here?"
"No, I suppose not," said Schwoz. "Go home and sleep. Maybe it will help."
"Maybe," said Henry. He remembered something about how sleep helps with memory, somehow, and figured he should really hit the sack. Wait. "Oh, wait, Charlotte, you said my parents thought I fell asleep here."
"Yeah, tell them you woke up and decided to come home."
"Oh. Yeah. Good idea."
Henry and Charlotte grabbed their stuff, and, after calling goodnight to Ray, Schwoz and Cleo (who had fallen asleep on the couch at this point), went up the elevator to Junk N' Stuff.
It seemed to take longer than usual, but Henry and Charlotte finally reached his house. Normally, Charlotte would keep walking until she got to her own house, which was nearby, but she couldn't help being creeped out. Henry noticed this, and offered to walk her home.
But first, they decided, they should run inside and grab a snack- because everything that had happened in the past few house had made them hungry.
But both of their stomachs dropped when Henry turned on the light downstairs and saw someone sitting on the couch.
"Piper?!" Charlotte barely managed to swallow a scream before spitting out the name. "What are you doing here?!"
Piper gave Charlotte a weird look from her spot on the couch. "Um, I live here. Did you forget?"
At the word forget, Henry and Charlotte both had to swallow. She has no idea how much I hate that word now.
Henry took a step forward and tossed his backpack onto the couch. "What she means is why are you up so late?"
"I have a better question." Piper set down her phone and stood up, crossing her arms. "If Charlotte saw you fall asleep at Junk N' Stuff and didn't want to wake you, what is she doing here? Because I would've thought she'd be home already. Plus, I see you two looking at each other like you both know something everyone else doesn't," she added, raising an eyebrow.
Henry and Charlotte automatically looked at each other, giving each other confused and concerned looks. They were both thinking the same thing: Does she know?
"Admit it, guys. I think know what's going on here." She took another step forward.
Oh, my God, Piper knows, and Ray is going to wipe her brain.
Piper lowered her eyebrow. "You two are dating, aren't you?"
Henry and Charlotte weren't sure which to feel first, embarrassed or relieved. Charlotte recovered first. "Uh… y-yeah, you caught us," she stuttered.
"Uh… yeah." Henry took Charlotte's hand to be more convincing. "You got us."
"But please don't tell anyone," said Charlotte quickly. "We, uh, we're not ready for people to know just yet."
"Yeah. Sure. Come here." Piper grabbed Charlotte's free hand and dragged her over to the couch, causing Henry to let go in surprise. "Charlotte, first of all, I have to advise that you dump him."
"Hey!" (That was Henry.)
"No offense- to you, I mean- but Henry is disgusting. That said, I cannot remember you ever going on a date, and I feel that it is my duty to educate you on the proper ways to handle a man."
"Ummm, Piper, that's nice of you, and all- whoa, never thought I'd say that- but it's late, and I should get home."
"Of course. You will learn better from me if you're well rested. Go home, get some sleep." Piper more or less tossed Charlotte's stuff at her and then more or less out pushed her out the door, locking it behind her.
"Uh…" Charlotte knew she was going to hate this. "Okay, then. Night, you guys." She started to leave the porch when she remembered everything that had happened earlier and began to feel creeped out again.
"Really, Piper?" Henry gave his sister a look before starting for the door. Before he could get there, though, Piper grabbed his arm, squeezed it hard- very hard- and said, "You break her heart, I break your face. Capisce?"
"Yeah, yeah, just let go." Henry yanked his arm away and went outside, grabbing Charlotte's hand and leading her away.
"Great," said Charlotte once they were off the porch. "Now we have to keep this up for who knows how long. And you can let go now."
"Sorry." Henry dropped her hand. "But I guess it could be worse."
Charlotte was tempted to ask what could make their situation worse, but decided against it. "Yeah, I guess so."
Henry looked at her. "Are you uncomfortable with Piper thinking we're dating? Because I can go home and say you decided to take her advice."
Charlotte smiled a little. "No. I mean, I'm not exactly thrilled with it, not anymore than when we lied to Jasper. But this may be what it takes for her to not suspect us next time we're out so late."
"That's true." They finally arrived at her house. "Night, Charlotte."
"Night, Hen."
Henry watched Charlotte until she was actually inside her house. Once she was gone, he realized that he was alone and could see why she didn't want to walk alone.
He jogged home, relieved as he shut the front door behind him and locked it. He was relieved partially because he was home, with other people (even if they were asleep), and partially because Piper wasn't around to threaten him about Charlotte. It figures we have to go through all this again. Even if she is cute.
Whoa. Where did that come from? Henry shook his head as if trying to shake his thoughts away, and headed for the stairs. As he climbed, a wave of tiredness hit and he almost laced down right there. Even so, he made it to his bed before collapsing and falling asleep.
I think this last part comes from me missing writing about Chenry. Seriously, can they happen already? Pretty please?
Ciao, and Happy Reading!