Chapter 9

"I wish you'd stay." Duke sighed.

"It's orders." Scarlett shrugged.

"You don't have to make excuses. I overheard a bit of your talk with Hawk and Lady Jaye." Duke sadly told her.

"And you didn't have the decency to hang up?" Scarlett cried out with anger and embarrassment.

"Shana, I'm desperate. Desperate to try to make some sense out of this sham I'm calling a life nowadays. I lay awake at night wondering who I used to be and wondering what my future will be." Duke tried to explain his shady action.

"I know…" Scarlett trailed off still embarrassed about being caught in a lie.

"I'm sorry, but the chance for some information…any information on my past…I just couldn't help myself." Duke apologized.

"I wish I could help, but I've said too much." Scarlett sighed sadly.

"I understand your thinking. I just wish you'd stay and help me." Duke tried to get her to change her mind.

"Maybe it would be better if I left now. I could get a hotel room. I don't know." Scarlett bit her lip.

"No…please. I don't want you to spend your last night here in a hotel. If space is what you need…I'll just stay up here." Duke pleaded. Duke thought he saw tears form in Scarlett's eyes.

"Ok…that sounds good." Scarlett nodded her head even though she didn't feel that staying away from Duke was the answer. She turned to head downstairs.

"Can you just tell me one thing... please?" Duke called after her.

"If I can." Scarlett turned on the stairwell.

"Were we happy together?" Duke asked.

"Yes, Conrad, very." Scarlett answered and continued to walk down the stairs. Duke leaned against the wall for support. He felt like his life was leaving along with her. He had been drawn to her the first time he laid eyes on her in his kitchen. She would be gone by the next morning. He couldn't let that happen, but she was determined to leave. Feeling defeated, Duke retreated into his room as he promised Scarlett he would. He went into his closet and knelt down feeling around for a certain package. He found it and pulled it out and placed it on his bed.

"Here you are…" Duke breathed and opened the lid. Inside was his uniform that he wore on the joe team. He held up the tan shirt still with a hole on the left side. "I've been afraid to put you back on. I want to know what happened to me that made me lose my memories." He slowly changed into his uniform and then looked in the mirror. He stared at himself while is mind began to whirl and turn providing him with many flashbacks. His mind was filled with visions of people he heard so much about, but now was able to see how they connected to his life. He sat down on the bed as a picture came in hazy. A man dressed as a yellow serpent entered his mind. He saw his brother in trouble. Duke saw the spear flying through the air and grabbed his left side as he felt it being thrust into him. Sweat poured from his forehead. "Serpentor…"he hissed. "You did this to me. You robbed me of my memory." He closed his eyes as the flashback materialized.

*************************Flashback***************************

He was laying on the ground barely able to move or breathe. He tried to get up but he was pushed down.

"Conrad don't move." whispered a female's voice. Duke stayed still. He heard lots of voices around him. He couldn't make out what they were saying. He felt very tired. He closed his eyes.

"Conrad, don't you dare!" the female yelled causing him to open his eyes. His brother stood before him and knelt down. They exchanged words. Duke couldn't remember what was said, but it was enough to tear up his brother. Duke felt himself slipping away. He felt tiny drops of water on his face. He repositioned his head and looked up to see if it was raining.

"Shana…" Duke sighed weakly seeing her face looking down at him. His head must have been in her lap. Her red hair was framing her face and she looked like an angel.

"Shhhh…" she answered and pressed a finger to his lips. The rain he felt had been tears Shana was crying for him. He sighed and leaned his head against her thigh. He felt her stroke his head with her hand. He rolled his head again to see her face. An incredible tiredness was washing over him. He knew he wouldn't be able to fight it for much longer.

"Yo Joe" Duke whispered and tumbled into darkness.