Gah! I'm so sorry! I tried to update this week, but the stupid iPad wouldn't work! Gah!
Carter rubbed his face the next morning, exahusted. Stupid weird dreams that made you look a chicken. They really took a lot out of you.
No, seriously. They did.
How annoying.
"Wakey wakey, Carter," Ette's voice said flatly. Carter looked up and saw the white-haired girl holding a tray of food, along with water. Her finger was wrapped in a bandage.
Carter sat up and glanced at her warily.
"Eat up." Ette placed the tray on his lap and abruptly left the room, not giving him the chance to speak.
Carter started to eat, slightly wary as he swallowed it. What if it were posioned?
Gosh, was he always this paranoid? No wonder Sadie thought he was annoying.
Wait. Sadie, his sister.
Carter clung to the memory desperatly, trying to think more about it. Evil chaos snake. Senile god that turned into his girlfriend...
That one wasn't a very pleasant one, but it was still a memory.
Girlfriend?
The thought made his heart flutter. Aarya had to be lying. Everyone had to be. The only question was why. Why not take Sadie? Sure, it'd probably make him worried, but at least he wouldn't have to deal with her endless chatter.
Okay, bad thought. Really bad thought.
"Carter?" a voice asked softly. Carter jumped at the sound of Aarya's voice.
"You scared me," he mumbled.
"I seem to do that a lot, don't I?" Aarya chuckled and sat down next to him. "Come on, drink up."
Carter sighed. He would have to drink the water eventually, otherwise he would die of dehydration. But no way was he drinking it. He was too paranoid for that.
"Do you want me to do it for you?" Aarya teased.
Carter shot her an annoyed look. "I can do it myself!"
"Of course you can."
"I can!"
"Prove it, then."
"Fine!" Carter lifted the glass and gulped down the water. Once he drained the last drop, he dropped the cup and clutched his head.
"Carter!" He felt arms wrap around him as the pain built in his head.
Carter gasped as another memory filled his head. A birthday party. Peter, Aarya, Hunter, Ette, Irma, and Paige, laughing. Pie stuck in face. A snake necklace.
"Do you remember something?" Aarya asked.
"I...I think I did." Carter shook his head. The memory wasn't right. It couldn't be! It couldn't. These guys weren't trustworthy. They just weren't. The memories had to be fake.
Right?
Right.
Gosh, this was confusing, even for him.
Slowly, Carter laid back down. He mentally groaned, realizing that Aarya had tricked him.
Stupid manly ego. It always had to get in the way.
Aarya watched him sleep fitfully. She patted his shoulder softly, somewhat comforted at the sounds he made.
"What're you doing?" a voice asked gruffly. Aarya turned to see Hunter, his arms crossed, scowling.
"What does it look like?" Aarya snapped.
"Aarya..." his voice softened. "He's waiting for us."
"I know," she said bitterly. "I'm well aware of that." Aarya rubbed the necklace on her neck.
"Let's not keep him waiting."
Aarya looked at Carter's sleeping form. So calm, so peaceful.
She almost felt bad for ripping it all away.