La la la la la la la la la la la!
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"So tell me, where did you learn your moves from?"
"Why is it so fascinating to you?"
"Because it's not something you see everyday, that's why."
"I've told you; once I figure out how I got into the desert, I'll tell you everything you'll ever want to know about me. Got it?"
"Got it."
Vash and I had found a small restaurant a few blocks away. We were devouring pancakes when the two of us began talking about what had just happened outside. That was until Vash got the idea of treating me out to anything so I could probably remember some more memories.
"Why is it important? This isn't your crisis, it's mine." I said to him as he paid the bill.
"Because it's always great to lend a helping hand." Vash replied, standing up. I stood up with him and we both headed outside, "Now where do you want to go?"
"Y'know," I said, "I don't know if I feel comfortable letting you pay for me like this. I never asked for it, so why the sudden generosity? I barely know you!" I stood there on the side of the street, looking up at Vash who practically towered over me. He then raised his right hand and smacked me over the head.
"What the hell was that for?!" I yelled out at him. Vash bent over to get eye-level with me.
"Do you remember the priest?" he asked.
"Of course I do!"
"No, I mean before we gave you a ride here yesterday."
"Nope," I said, shaking my head, but then another little thought popped into my head, "Wait, I think I might remember something about him."
"Really?" Vash said with a little excitement, "What do you remember?" As he said that, the memory was running though my mind. Oddly enough, there was a familiar face.
'This can't be. It's the same man.' I thought, 'Why does he keep appearing in my thoughts?'
"Alex?"
"Yeah?" I said, turning back to reality, "Oh, that. Well, I do remember a man talking about Wolfwood. It seemed like they knew each other."
"What's the guy's name?" asked Vash.
"I don't know." I said, but turning suspicious with every question Vash asked me, "Hey, wait a minute, what's going on?"
"Huh?"
"Why did you ask me if I knew the priest?" I questioned.
"No reason." He said.
"Tell me or I'll force you to give me a pig-a-back ride back to the hotel!"
"Alright, fine!" Vash was about to begin an explanation when he stopped in mid-breath. Apparently, he saw the priest headed our way. That's when another memory hit me. This time I remember being embraced by the same man I had seen previously. It was obvious that we were in love and it was probably the last time we were actually with one another. He was the person who had written the note to me that was in my pocket. His name was Woods.
Suddenly, my feelings for Woods became more than a memory. I've remembered him and everything about the two of us. Yes, we were together and nothing could separate us. It was all very clear to me who he was, but how we managed to get split apart is still unclear to me. Nervously, I intertwined my fingers together as the priest neared. When he reached Vash and me, I needed to ask him about Woods, but before I could mention anything I realized that I needed to be alone for a bit.
"Listen, Vash," I said, "breakfast was good, but if you all will excuse me."
"Where are you going now?" Wolfwood asked.
"I'm not sure yet. There's just a few things I need to figure out." I left the two men with themselves, still without thanking them, but I would be seeing them soon.
The outskirts of town were really close by, so I decided to take off for a nice secluded area. It was shaded and also there was a nice big rock to lean on while I tried to understand things. Why was this happening and what did Vash and the priest know? I must've spent hours trying to reach a conclusion from what little information I had, but sooner or later I had to take a break. After the suns had set, I was sitting alone in the darkness when I heard footsteps coming. There was the sound of a match being struck to light a cigarette, which slightly lit up the face of a shadowed priest.
"What are you still doing out here?" he asked, stopping short of me.
"Another memory came back to me." I said, watching Wolfwood as he sat next to me, "This time, I remembered a man that I was in love with before ending up in the desert. There was so much that we had been through, but something must've happened with someone we trusted. My guess is that we were betrayed because at the end of our last night together, the one I loved came up to me and was making false accusations. I don't remember about what, that's as far as I've gotten on it."
"Sounds harsh." Wolfwood said, glancing over to me, "You look tired."
"I'm fine, thanks." I replied, "Are you going to surprise me again by paying for the room another night?"
"Well, when I first met you, I thought you were young. Not in your twenties young."
"And that's why you willingly paid for the room?"
"I guess you could put it that way."
I let out a heavy sigh. There was no way that I could possibly pay this man back for all his generosity right now, so how was I supposed to show my gratitude? I could think of nothing else. For the moment I was a bit reluctant to ask Wolfwood why he has helped me this much, especially considering what Vash had asked me. But I couldn't take it anymore. My conscience was hacking away at my mind until I said something, so the time came when I finally let go.
"Wolfwood, " I said, not being able to look at him, "why have you helped me so much? I still barely know either you or Vash yet you two are practically taking care of me." Wolfwood remained silent, but continued smoking, "Also, I'm not sure what either of you know about me, but it's really starting to bug me."
"What are you talking about?" he asked, perking up slightly.
"I'm talking about something that Vash asked me earlier."
"What did he ask?"
"He asked me if I remembered you. Before you picked me up in the desert."
"Oh," the priest suddenly looked a little worried.
"Please," I said, inching closer to him, "if you know anything, will you tell me?"
"There isn't much to say." said Wolfwood, standing up and putting out his cigarette, "Now let's get going back to the hotel."
-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-
I threw myself onto the bed I thought would never be felt again. My bag was still at my side, but tears were streaming down my face. On the way to the room, Wolfwood had told me to not go looking any farther into my past.
"Why shouldn't I?" I questioned in the middle of the quiet hallway. The priest stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face me.
"Because everything you're searching for was built on a lie. Yes, you were a bounty hunter but in case you haven't noticed, that occupation has become corrupt. Those false accusations that were directed at you are just a hint of how dishonest the job is." Wolfwood saw the inquiring look on my face, he knew of who I was thinking about, "That man that you've remembered, Woods. It is possible that he loves you. That's just a little doubtful though."
"I'm still not sure of what you mean. Can't you tell me what happened that day I was abandoned?"
Wolfwood said nothing, he just continued walking and eventually found his room and disappeared from the hall.
I cursed into the bed, trying to understand what the priest meant. How was my life built on a lie? In fact, what is it?
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
totally burned out. stupid school, stupid guys, stupid little crushes…