Chapter 4

Triangle

Kana ties his rucksack together after checking his belongings. Everything he could possibly need was tucked away safely for the night. The horses were in for the night and the house was locked. Kana heads back up the road but a familiar face stops him.

"Kana, I heard what happened to Lillian. How is she?" Dirk, the traveling mailman, stands in the middle of the branching road.

"She's fine," Kana said. He was a bit jealous of how close Dirk was with Lillian. He always greeted her on his way to deliver the day's mail. She'd come by every morning just when Dirk was leaving his tiny home.

"Thank goodness. I was busy with deliveries so I was unable to visit her in the hospital. Is she home yet?"

Kana wanted to lie to the mailman, but he knew it was wrong. Lillian wanted him to stay the night with her, not Dirk. "Yeah," he finally says. Dirk's face lights up. "Are you heading there right now? Mind if I follow you?"

"It's a bit late." Kana moves past the mailman but Dirk's eagerness kicks in. "I'll only say hi. Just want to check on her. That's all."

Kana sighs and carries on down the path, followed by an unwanted guest. The two reach Lillian's house and Dirk is the first one to the door. He opens the door a bit more enthusiastically than Kana expected and Kana races after him.

Lillian is fast asleep on the bed, her pink dress ruffled and her porcelain legs stretched across the bed. Her hair surrounds her like a halo against the pillow and her chest rises and falls with each steady breath. Dirk stops in the middle of the entry and Kana steps inside and quietly shuts the door.

"She's asleep," Dirk says, trying his best to whisper. "Duh," Kana says a bit rudely. Dirk frowns at him. "Do you have a problem with me?"

Kana rolls his eyes and places his rucksack on a chair. "What makes you think that?" Kana says with a hint of sarcasm rolling off his tongue.

"Gee, maybe the fact you're so sarcastic or tried to keep me from seeing Lillian." The whispering grows louder and Lillian stirs in the bed. "Quiet, you'll wake her up, idiot." Kana hisses through his teeth.

"Did I do something to make you angry?" Dirk steps closer to Kana. "Or maybe you don't like Lillian spending time with me."

"Shut up," Kana grunts in irritation. This kid is really getting on my nerves.

"She's not your girlfriend, you know. She's free to talk to whoever she wants," Dirk presses his hands to his waist.

"Kana?" A sleepy voice silences the two boys. Lillian sits in her bed, her violet eyes staring at the two of them with confusion.

"Lily!" Dirk chirps. "I'm so glad you're okay!" He rushes over to her but the girl stares at the stranger. "What's wrong?" Dirk grabs her hand but she pulls it away quickly and gets to her feet.

"Leave her alone," Kana walks over to Lillian and she stands behind him.

"What's going on?" Dirk looks between the two, his eyes squinting in confusion.

"She's lost her memories." Kana says bluntly. He didn't want many to know but it seems there's no use in hiding it.

"She remembers you?"

Kana rubs his arm with his opposite hand. "Not exactly."

"So then what? Are you taking advantage of her in this state? Did you lie to her and tell her you're her boyfriend and to trust you?" Dirk steps closer to the two and reaches out for Lillian's arm and she cries out.

"Of course not!" Kana forces Dirk to let go but he refuses. "Let her go and I'll explain everything."

"I don't trust you!" Dirk pulls Lillian from behind Kana and her eyes widen in terror. She was truly terrified. Her eyes look towards Kana who stands there frustrated by the mailman's actions.

"I don't know you!" She cries and Dirk freezes. He looks at her and see's the terror in her eyes, knowing she's telling the truth. He releases his hold on her wrist and she stands there, frozen in shock.

"Kana was the first person I met when I woke up. I don't remember him, but I feel I can trust him. I've asked if he'd stay with me tonight." She rubs the raw area around her wrist as she speaks in a gentle tone.

"Why him though? If you don't remember him, how can you trust him?" His expression shows that he's hurt by her choice. "Do you really not remember me?" Dirk steps closer to her, hoping a glimmer of a memory of him will change her mind.

She stares at him, her hands held close to her chest. Her mind remains blank as she searches the boy's eyes. "No," she says after a moment of silence. Dirk steps back, his expression upset. "I've always greeted you, every single day. You're one of my best friends. My only best friend if I want to be honest. You were so friendly towards me when I moved here. I don't understand how you can forget something like that."

Kana steps in between the two. "I think that's enough for tonight. I understand it's hard for you to accept that she's forgotten who you are and your friendship, but I suggest you give yourself and Lily a break. She can't handle all of this. Not right now."

Dirk pulls his hat down to cover his face. "I just don't see how it's fair that you're the one who gets to be around her."

"I believe she already told you why," Kana scoffs. Although now isn't the time to be cocky, he couldn't help but feel happy Lillian wanted to be near him in her time of need.

"I'll have her remember me soon enough! Then I'll be the one to take care of her!" Dirk's eyes stare through Kana like daggers. He turns quickly and exits the house, slamming the door on his way out.

Kana turns to face Lily, whose face is covered with tears. Unsure of what to say, Kana just stands there awkwardly. Lillian wipes away the tears from her face. "I'm sorry," she mutters.

"Why should you be sorry? He's the one who threw a fit." Kana jabs a thumb in the direction of the door.

Lily looks at him, her eyes dark and sad. "Was he telling the truth?"

"Truth about what?" Kana's heart starts to race. Was she really going to listen to what that punk said?

"Are you going to take advantage of me?"

Kana stares at her with wide eyes. "That idiot," he mumbles. "I could never do that."

She stares at him cautiously. "I take back what I said today."

"What?"

"I don't want you here tonight."

His heart began to race, his chest tightening. Was she really scared of him because of what Dirk said? "Do you really believe a word that punk said?" Frustrated Kana's voice began to rise.

"Stop it!" Lillian forces her hands against Kana's chest and pushes him back. Shocked by her strength, Kana stands still. Unable to move or think of the right things to say, he reaches out his arm but the girl turns away from him. "Get out!" She yells.

"But I-" Kana steps towards the girl but she continues to tell him to leave. Upset and heartbroken, Kana grabs his rucksack and walks towards the door. His hand turns the knob and he opens the door. Standing there, he gives one more glance at the girl before stepping out into the darkness. A glimpse of her sobbing into her hands is the last thing he sees before closing the door.