It's a few days and a ridiculous amount of tests before he finally releases me. Physically there is nothing wrong with me, and mentally I simply can't remember a lot. However I can feel it coming back to me, I was able to remember what year I was in without help, and I also remember that I live in a house... with people... I know that's helpful. So anyway, technically he can't keep me, and I made sure I told him as such, many times... loudly. The day he came and implored me to stay I simply shook my head and gathered my stuff together. I find that I hate hospitals, they make me feel like I'm a useless lump, nobody allows you to do anything! I look down to my license, which gives me an address and I start walking. The newly charged phone offers me directions as I go, tucking my hoody up past my wrists for comfort. When I finally arrive, the house looks dark and empty, shocking my nervousness back into full effect.
*Just knock, I'm sure you wouldn't live in this huge place by yourself.* With a firm nod to the direction, I knock a few times, patiently awaiting someone that I hope can give me a clue as to what is going on. No such luck, I knock again and about twenty minutes later settle on pulling out the keys I found in my sweatshirt pocket to try each one. The second key unlocks the door, I suppose this is my home then. Pushing the door open I enter with caution, eyes darting around to take in the home. Straight from the entryway is a hall, leading past a set of stairs with an opening into what looks to be a gym to the right. At the end of the long hallway looks to be a few more doors, possibly bathroom and closets... I will check those out later. To the left of me is a double door opening with a step down into a living room. A plush solitary chair sits against the far wall, the side of it facing an electric fireplace surrounded by white marble. The grey, plush carpet contrasts the modern look really well, and I can't help but admire it before looking at the rest of the furniture. A rocking chair and sectional roll along the other walls, and against the window is the entertainment center and a large flat screen. Well... I suppose I must make a little money to be able to afford rent on this place and this nice stuff, right? Moving through to the other opening across the room I am greeted by a huge kitchen. The entire room is the epitome of modern, stainless steel everywhere. I run my fingers along the black countertop before pulling the fridge door open, gasping softly,
"Jesus... does an army live here?" The entire thing is full, food galore, everything I could ever want. Inspecting some things closer I realize a lot needs to be thrown away, "Guess that's what happens when you check out for a week..." I can take care of that later though. A little post-it note catches my eyes, grabbing the container I would laugh softly, 'Amy's, touch it, you die!' I don't know who Amy is but I had better put this back. I hastily placed it on the shelf, ridiculous anxiety taking over me like whoever Amy is she could just walk in at any moment. I pair the state of the fridge with the assumption I have roommates and shut the door to go inspect the house further. Heading through the dining room I discover it loops around to the hallway and a little office is tucked in the back corner, kind of underneath the stairs, making it less available than the other rooms. I don't dare go in and poke around, I have no idea if it's my stuff. Walking back out to the front I glance again to the other opening that leads to the mini gym, but with a shake of my head, I skip right over that and head up the stairs. As my head ascends first through the slightly hole-ish stairway I discover an open floor plan, three doors on either side then one door straight ahead. I poke my head in each room individually, finding all of them empty. However upon further inspection and judging by the rug markings and the scuffs it seems whoever was here left recently. I wonder why...
*We need to figure out what is going on, this is so frustrating that I can't remember either...* With a huff, I murmur,
"Oh now you decide to chime in, but when I am exploring the creepily quiet yet really nice house, radio silence." I press into the last door, straight ahead is a large bed, king it seems, black sheets, black comforter, black pillowcases, wow I'm good with color.
*I'm a person of few words or emotions, I am you after all. Don't worry, it will all come back in time I hope... I just know that part of our personality* I roll my eyes, my head shaking slowly along with them
"Can you hear my thoughts or something?" I lift my pointer finger to tap my forehead, shaking it again as I move to what I assume to be my desk and sit,
*Of course I can, I'm literally a piece of your soul, formed into a single magical item. Now open that filing cabinet, there's got to be some explanation as to why I can't remember what happened to us either.* I lean down and yank open the two drawer filing cabinet, rifling through the papers one by one. By the time I'm finished, my stomach gives a little rumble and I look to the window to find the sun beginning to set,
"Well other than those receipts there isn't much of interest, some stuff solidifying that I wanted to go to school, and some orders online for books and stuff..." Sitting back in the chair I pick up a stack of papers to organize and put back. A small slip falls out, but when I reach for it, it burns my hand, "Shit!" I use my foot to flip it over, the words look scrawled in hasty handwriting, 'Don't forget Beca, Don't forget who did this, he's trying to make you forget, Jo-' Instantly I feel pain shooting through my head, hands lifting to grasp my hair as I try to focus. I can't read the name, my eyes are going blurry, my head... My head hurts so bad...
*LOOK AWAY FROM IT BECA! IT'S CURSED! LOOK AWAY!* Before I can do anything the excruciating pain makes me see stars. I slump out of my chair, hitting the floor faster than I can fathom, and suddenly everything goes black.
When I finally come back to consciousness I feel gentle fingers sliding through my hair, and warmth so full it's almost unnerving. My heart beats steadily and I take in scents that are almost familiar, but they mingle so I can't place from where,
*Don't move, we need to gather as much information as we can.* I do as I'm told, not that I wanted to, but I would rather keep my eyes closed as the pain still dulls. Keeping my breathing even, I listen intently to a girl try to quiet her whimpers, another person huffing at the same time they are pacing around my room. A wet splat hits my cheek and I hear a hiss so close to me,
"Stop crying, she's going to wake up, you already know what will happen to her if we are caught. We shouldn't be here... we can't come back until we have met her again..." It's one of the voices from the other day at the hospital... I think anyway, the pounding in my head is only dulled by the sweet caress of gentle fingers,
"I can't help it... I know you can feel her pain too..." the other voice hiccups like they've been crying for a long time. A soft touch caresses my lips and I feel a different hand join the first in running through my hair, rolling stray pieces behind my ear before it pulls back immediately,
"I know... but we have to stay away... we can't lose her, I-...I can't lose her either, okay? We will figure it out, come on let's go." Her voice sounds so sad, broken even as she quietly stifles a whimper like the first girl. I try to keep still as I feel them adjust me into a more comfortable position, a pillow is carefully placed below my head and a blanket billows over me moments later. Soon I hear them shut the door as they leave my room... perhaps I should change the locks...
*No you don't, they obviously meant you no harm, and the way it felt to be around them... you can't ignore those kinds of things. It's important we try to let them come to us, clearly they want to be back in our life.* I nod, but that's it, daring a glance towards where the parchment fell. It's gone and in its place a black mark where it most likely burned itself. Moving around warily I roll to crawl myself to the side of the bed, grasping the blankets I use them to help pull my weak body up onto the side.
*Side effects of the curse I'm assuming, we are distraught and tired... rest up, we have a big week ahead of us.* I shed my clothing without really moving from the bed, burying my partially naked body in the covers and multitude of pillows,
"Ugh... school starts in three days... it really is going to be a long week." The date on the application flashes through my mind, I remember how I felt compelled to send it in, but I don't know why. Breathing deeply I curl over on my side, letting sleep take me easily into the night, and the rest of my thoughts thankfully stew on the back burner.