Author's Note-Well apparently I'm crazy for discontinuing the story :D. Or at least that's what I said I was gonna do before...but now hrm, I'm wondering if I gave up too easily? Whatcha think? Should I honestly continue this chirade, or give up like I intended? Hey, guess what though, I finished up this chapter, if it sucks sowwy! I said it was halfway complete before and it was, until I decided that only posting up half of the story was wude of me D:. So you get the full chappy!
7- Memory Crash, Directions Please?
After rushing back to the hideout explaining the situation Zak gathered the rest of the crew and rushed back to where the family had taken Geoff. Isabella was doing slightly better and was able to walk without the aid of Jena, at least something good was happening.
Upon hearing that Geoff had actually been shot the three other members were curious and horrified, but something kept Zak's mouth shut. He chewed his lip as Jena suddenly became very ticked, especially when he wouldn't answer her questions on how he got shot.
When they'd arrived at the Air Ship, as the couple had called it Zak finally broke down. Being leader was tough, and when it finally came crashing down on him he sobbed. Head in hands hiding his shame as he sobbed like a child, but you couldn't expect less, he was still a child, at least in today's society. Not little, but still under the laws that protected him as a child.
Mentally he was a child, that took on burdens at the mere age of thirteen, or was he fourteen when he'd taken leadership? He'd kept it together for so long, years, but this, this was different. He was still a child, but one that was in an adult world, the cruel uncaring adult world. The world that had attempted to take the life of his best friend.
A comforting hand stroked his back and he looked up to see Isabella, her tired jade eyes looking at him with compassion. Latching on he held her close to him, not in a crushing embrace but one that allowed him to soak in all the comfort she could give.
Chocking on a sob he stated, "It's my fault." There was a hushing noise from her, she stroked his back in a rhythmic calming motion. She was holding him, calming him, she was truthfully his rock.
They all where actually, in their own way, they were the ones that kept him afloat, that gave him a purpose. They were the ones that held him up…but when did they begin to matter? They'd all been normal people at one time save for Temoria, Celestic, and Isabella who'd been there before his locked away memories.
The makeshift family had opened up upon the arrival of Jena and Geoff, eventually even Lukas…before it'd been the four of them, tightly knitted and unbending.
Sobbing for at least five minutes everyone watched as Zak finally pulled away from Iz, he looked ruefully down and scrubbed at his tear filled eyes in shame, he was suppose to be the strong one. Looking up at Isabella he was surprised to find that there were tears in her own eyes. "You know, I think you were over due for a few tears." She smiled weakly at him and he couldn't help but smile back.
After calming down and getting emotions in check Zak finally decided to spill about what had happened. He physically winced when he mentioned the fact that he'd gotten careless and that Geoff had used himself as a human shield to protect Zak's life.
The group looked up when they heard the swish of the automatic doors. There was the white haired woman, blue eyes resting gently on the group. Zak's throat dried up as he stood his legs almost falling out from under him.
"Geoff…" he muttered hoarsely his throat dry. "is he okay?"
"We're not sure yet," she replied gently. "but we've done all we can. It's up to him now."
Zak hadn't expected what happened next and apparently neither did anyone else, especially the white haired woman, who's blue eyes widened. Lukas had him pinned against the wall, the boy's eyes were narrowed with lethal intent.
The black and white haired boy couldn't blame this sudden outburst as a knife was flashed in front of his face. Geoff had been the one who'd convinced Zak to let Lukas stay. Teeth ground together as the boy looked at Zak through tear pricked eyes, one of the first emotions the boy had ever shown period.
"Y-You make me s-so mad," his voice, the voice he rarely used around them stated with a shaky tone. "H-How could you let Geoff take the hit. The hit might I add meant for you! Coward!"
It stabbed at his heart, the way he was looking at him, the way Lukas explained the clear feelings Zak felt. He was coward. Would he have been able to do what Geoff had done? He couldn't say, he supposed he'd have to wait for the spur of the moment. The final odd that finally determine who you are and what you are worth. He was worth nothing, or at least that was his estimate of himself.
"Arm…or throat?" He replied simply holding out his arm. "Go through with it, I cannot deny what you are saying…" The knife wobbled in the boy's hand as he shoved Zak harder against the wall.
"Only those choices?" Lukas hissed cloaking his face with his sleeve. "I'd much rather cut out that useless heart of yours!" His resolve crumbled around him and the cloaked boy walked swiftly away, though he'd said that, everyone knew he wouldn't have killed Zak in the end in the first place. Stoic and mysterious as Lukas was he seemed to be a very sensitive boy at some points.
Well Geoff had been the first to be so kind to him, perhaps he latched onto that kindness and formed a brotherly bond with the blond headed teen.
"You can," the woman seemed to recover from the outburst, though why she'd looked so horrified Zak did not know. Well he guessed anyone would be horrified by that outburst…"you can stay here for as long as you need." Zak nodded grateful for the kindness.
"Temoria, Celestic, can I count on you to get some sleeping bags?" The two saluted, brows furrowed in seriousness before bolting out of the airship dawning their wings and taking off into the still night air. The woman was about to call after them but Zak was quick to speak. "We've caused you enough trouble."
"Its…its no trouble," the woman said her voice forlorn and distant, as if she'd remembered something. "May I speak with you?" Zak was a little shocked when she addressed him, but nodded just the same. She turned and motioned for him to follow, wary Zak took a tentative step forward but decided that if they'd meant them harm then they wouldn't have helped Geoff.
As he turned the corner he was suddenly surprised to be wrapped up in an embrace. "Er…" his voice died in his throat as he heard what sounded like a sob tear through the woman's body, causing her to shake.
His arms rose halfway up unsure if he should return the awkward embrace or not, she just held on tighter to him causing him to decide that he should return it. His arms wrapped loosely around her, unsure and uncomfortable.
"Your alive," she muttered giving him a gentle squeeze, and causing the bi-colored haired boy to look at her in confusion. "You don't remember…but I'm your mother…"
Cobalt eyes stretched wide and Zak was quick to back up out of the embrace, the woman's arms falling to the side in shock. He looked up to her face and was surprised to find understanding there. "I understand, I'd be shocked too."
"But I don't understand, I mean, I understand now how you knew my name now," he paused for a moment trying to wrap his head around it, but there was another block there, another barrier. His hands instinctively went up to his skull as if to remove the barrier physically. "I just don't get, argh! I'm not sure what I don't get! It's all confusing, none of it seems to make sense!"
"Why don't you tell me what you do understand?" Her voice was soft gentle and motherly. Warning signs where coming up now, however Zak ignored them, this might be the only chance to get his answers.
"Ok, I know my name is Zak, I just don't know my last name…I'm seventeen," he took in a shuttering breath. "The only people I ever remember being with is Temoria, Celestic, and Iz. I have strange powers, though I don't use them much."
"Well, your name is Zak Saturday." His eyes stretched wide then and before she could say anything else he clutched his head hard. Like a dam that had been broken all of the young man's memories began flooding back rapidly. Too rapidly. They surged, burying everything, every conscious part of his mind in memories. A literal system overload for a human being. It chocked him, and he became dizzy, his body jerking slightly.
"Zak!" Everyone he'd ever known shouted his name at once and he found himself reeling backwards at all the new voices and faces that now had names. The last thing he was able to see clearly, that wasn't a memory was the woman, Drew, his mother. Then, then there was nothing but pitch blackness.
D'aw the reunion has him passing out and before he can meet the rest of the family! Geeeeeeeeeee! Awen't I wude to Zakky! Hyper, the only reason I finished this chappy is cause I'm like uber hyber ya'll! Usually I'm a real let down on these author notes :DDDDDD. I dunno why I'm so uber happy and hyper! It'll all go away eventually leaving me tired, but until then, happy fun tiem party for everybody!