Emma & Malcom Peabody
Chapter 30: Broken memories
Malcom opened one eye and sat on the ground as he rubbed his head.-Agh... I hit my head really hard-he commented as he tried to remember why he ended up in that way.-What am I doing here?-the boy suddenly asked, realizing that he didn't remember anything
The last thing he remembered was that he was trying to escape of that shed... but his memories weren't exactly completed. He only remembered his chat with his father and his idea of how to escape, but that was it. Also, he didn't remember getting to the shed... a little fear got inside of him when he remembered all the Napoleon stuff.
-Oh, I hit my head really badly, that's all-he said trying to reassure himself.-Nothing to worry about-the kid stood up and saw the curtain tied up from the window.-Oh, so that's how I escaped. Quite smart, my family would have been proud of me... just like when... When I... Mmm...-he tried to remember so hard, but there were some memories missing inside of his mind. He didn't know what was missing, but he knew that there was something there before... something replaced with nothing.
The ginger child looked up and noticed the giant black hole over New York. In that moment, he realized that he had to do something and soon because if he didn't, not only he'd stop existing, he'd also lose his memory.-Oh, boy...-he mumbled almost without breathe, he still couldn't believe in the big mess in which he was!
But he didn't have time for a break-down. The kid needed to go to Peabody's Industries before the WABAC could disappear.-Hey, I do remember some stuff-he said to himself trying to be positive.-Well, at least yet-Malcom finished feeling down again
Looking up at the hole finally, in a really decided way he started to run to the city, to get there as fast as possible. It didn't matter what his father told him, he knew he had to help his family. Maybe he wasn't the smartest in the family, or the kindest... or the bravest... but even with all his fears, all his lack of knowledge and rude way to talk... even with all his defects, he was the only one in the whole family with an actual working plan. So, who's the worst now?
-Hey, are you alright?-asked a strange voice
-What time is it?-asked Emma as woke up.-Oh, my... my head is spinning around. What happened?-she sat up and looked at her left, to see a little puppy that looked just like her grandfather.-Grandpa?-she asked a bit sleepy.-W-what happened? In which year are we?-she questioned looking around
Peabody stared completely shocked at her in the moment in which the blonde girl called him "grandpa". Grandpa? What game was she playing? How could he ever have any human grandchildren? Or better said: how could he ever have a family? Nobody wanted him! He remembered Napoleon's words "I don't wanna sound mean... but you're a freak, no one will ever want you". Then, the beagle decided that she only lay to confuse him, yeah, that could be... she only wanted him to be confused so he would help her, but no! There was no way he was ever going to free her... but she sounded so true...
-Humans are despicable sometimes-Hector found himself saying
Emma heard that and stood a bit shocked, until she remembered everything... or almost everything. There were some things she couldn't remember no matter how many times she tried.
-Am I going to lose my memory before stop existing?-the girl asked in fear
-What? I-I don't know... That's why you dismayed? Wow... that's quite interesting... But if it affected you, I think it'll affect everyone else in this present...-the beagle suddenly realized thinking it out loud
-What do you mean?-
-I mean that... before you stop existing, everyone will forget about you-the pup explained, trying to sound as polite as he could, so the little human won't cry again... but it didn't work as well as he expected
The blonde girl sat on the cage again, completely scared.-This can't be happening, no...-she mumbled closing her eyes and trying to remember
There were some missing memories, but the ones that she considered more important were still there, which was a great relief... because the next time, and now she knew there was going to be a next time, she didn't know if she would be able to remember them anymore. The first time she saw the WABAC was there, but then there was some kind of empty space in her mind and after that she could only remember herself painting beside Monet and her brother. Yeah, indeed there was a big part of her memory gone, but not the feelings she had for those missing thoughts. The child knew when a sad event happened even if she couldn't remember exactly what.
Peabody stared at her.-I'm sorry... but bad persons are bond to get a punishment-
-And how do you know who the bad and the good person are here?-she asked still not looking at him.-Just think about it... you have no idea what we've done to Napoleon... but you do know what he's doing to us, think, what could have we done to deserve this, grandpa?-
"She said it again" the young beagle thought stunned. But that was impossible, wasn't it?
Acting as if he didn't listen to that, he continued.-Well, good persons always get out of an unfair situation... if you were telling the truth, and if you're the good person, then you shouldn't be worried, you'll find a way out-
-But how?-the girl asked looking at him with tears in her eyes
Peabody didn't care about her origins now, but he couldn't answer her because of one reason: he wasn't as smart or as old to have enough experience to help her. He only knew what he'd been told and what he'd had read, and that was a bit useless in that moment.
-What should I do now?-she asked to him begging for any kind of answer or inspiring word
-Well... you certainly have only two options-
-Which ones?-
-You can wait to be rescued by someone... or you can do something by yourself-
-What can I do? I'm not anyone especial-
-Well, I've read the smartest people can do the best with the less-he said before walking away, leaving her alone
-Where are you going?-
-I can't be here chatting with you all day long-the dog explained walking out, deep inside, he knew she needed time to think of a way out of that situation, and he felt like she was going to do it with no doubt
Emma stared at the door while her grandfather left. She wished to have a little more talking with him. It was nice to be beside someone she knew in that frightening context... but it didn't last much... even if it lasted just enough.
"The smartest people can do the best with the less" the young girl though. "Best with less" those words started to go around her head as she was able to remember many times in which she did that... she had used really simple things as her glasses or make up as weapons, she had been hold up from ropes and threatened with swords, but she would always come up with a great plan to help herself out.
The blondie stood up and looked around her. The cage was completely empty, without mentioning that it was extremely small that she was surprised she could fit into it stood up.-C'mon, Emma... think!-she muttered as she started to look around the room.
And then she found something that may have some kind of use. Moreover all the computers, in the room there was a fallen permanent marker that was closer to the cage, as if it had fallen and someone forgot to pick it up. The girl couldn't remember if that marker had been there all that time, but as she had just lost half of her memory, she didn't care.
The cage still had that little hole in one side. If she could only pass her hand through it, she'd be able to pick that marker up... but as it was impossible... she started to look for another option.
How was she going to pick it up? The girl started to touch her clothes and inspect every part of it, to try to find something unexpected, some kind of miracle; she was waiting a little help just like her grandpa told her because good people are helped. Luckily and surprisingly, she found her little miracle: in her hair she had thousands of invisible hair buckles.
-That's it!-She exclaimed happily as she took one buckle from her hair.-I've never expected to feel so happy to wear something mom recommended to me before!-
-Ok... the flat is only a few streets away from here-Malcom muttered trying to calm himself
He had been running since he went out of that shed, and he was tired... and so scared and confused at the same time. He felt horrible. He was lost, alone and he knew he was probably the only one in the whole world who had a plan to defeat Napoleon. So, yeah, indeed he felt under a lot of pressure.
The red-haired kid had been trying to hide himself on the way too, of course. Every single soldier was looking for him. Apparently, the French ruler wasn't really into Hitler's plan, which was almost predictable. It was obvious that the dictator wanted the best and cruelest people working for him... but he forgot how dangerous could be that. You'll see you can't have on a lower position someone who can be in your position because, let's say the truth, once they realize it, will they still want to stay in that lower place?
The boy walked crossed another street.-Right, just one street more-he said this time with a trembling voice
What would happen if Napoleon found out what Malcom wanted to do? Would he be there, sat in their WABAC, waiting for him? Would he send an army to lock him out just like he did to Emma? Oh, boy, those thoughts were starting to kill him.
Despite all his fears and his shaking legs, the young boy kept on walking until he got to the place where the flat was supposed to be.
His shock was so big that he needed to sit up. The entire flat was completely destroyed, and he remembered a little of what had happened, but he couldn't see the complete scene. His memory was starting to worry him. He had seen how the flat had been broken, he could feel it, but he couldn't remember it. That strange instinct was starting to freak him out because of how crazy it was.
But in the moment, he stopped thinking about his amnesia and tried to find a way out of that. Well, the flat had fallen down... every single floor... or hadn't it? He suddenly remembered one little fact that made him have a little hope: the WABAC was hidden in the subsoil of the apartment. It was technically under the ground, so it just couldn't have fallen down with the rest of the floors!
Malcom didn't even have time to celebrate, he just went running to the place were the wreckage from Peabody's Industries were.
When he got there, he found that the subsoil was on sight. He was able to see it, but the blue strange lights had disappeared (they'd been destroyed by the fall, of course) and his fear of failing the plan came back. But he still jumped into the big hole that had been formed and ran through the hall that he had once crossed it with his sister and his grandfather.
To his own surprise, the red door that guided to the WABAC was completely untouched. Slowly (and shaking) he wrote the password and the door slightly opened up.
The child closed his eyes, not really ready to face the future if he had failed. Taking a deep breathe, he opened one eye, then the other and with a wide smile, he exclaimed.-YES! I did it!-
Malcom celebrated as he ran to the WABAC. Now, he only needed to get into it, come back to that day in which he and Emma forgot the WABAC's manual, recover the manual and come back to his safe-beautiful present that he was never going to take for granted again.
But as usually in his life, something had to stop his happiness.
-Great job, kid-commented someone behind him making the red-haired turn around.-Now, we'll have two time machines-said Alexander the Great to his army before smirking.-And we also have our prisoner back-
-Cold day, isn't it?-asked Ally to a soldier that was standing in the streets
The man stared at her confused, because that night was pretty hot actually, he was even starting to hate wearing that suit.-Oh, yeah, I suppose-he said only to continue the conversation.-By the way, have you seen a red-haired kid with a white t-shirt and blue trousers or a red-haired man who wears glasses around here?-
The girl looked at the sides.-Mmm... No, I don't remember anyone with that description-
The soldier sighed disappointed and started to walk away. After noticing this, Ally came up with another plan.-But...-she said grabbing his Arm.-I'm kind of... lost, would you be so nice to tell me where I am?-the brunette asked flashing her eyes faster than ever and wishing her influence on men won't fail her
As every guy she knew, luckily, he got the hint.-Well, of course, madam-he said with a smirk
-Oh, that's very nice from you, more when you're working-she said getting closer to him
-Oh, you mean this? Never mind, after all there are many more soldiers doing the same thing I'm doing-
Ally's eyes widened.-You mean, searching for those two persons?-
-Yeah, apparently they're really important-
-Important for what?-
This time, the soldier laughed.-You won't believe this, but Napoleon believes that those two persons can defeat him!-he continued laughing.-With all our weapons and armies... two little fellows would be able to beat us?! HA! I don't think so-
-Y-yeah, you're right-she continued a bit unsure at the beginning, but then finding her hands on his muscles.-You seem so strong, do you work out much?-
He stopped paying attention to her and focused on his muscles.-Oh, not so much, but it really works, don't you think so?-
But when he looked up, instead of an answer, he could only find a punch. A punch directly in the face that made him stay unconscious and lying on the floor.
Sherman walked out of some shadows, staring at her.-Do you work out much? Really?-he asked still annoyed by her presence
-What? It worked, didn't it?-
-I would have preferred a more direct way than all that little game of yours anyway-the red-haired man commented coldly before carrying the dismayed man's body to the closed shop where they were both hiding
-Little game of mine?-the girl asked.-What do you even mean by that? Are you jealous or what?-
Ally got in too and locked the door out. She knew Sherman wasn't 100% agree with her staying there and helping him, but moreover the fact that she wanted him to find his children and his wife again, she also felt like that was going to be her last opportunity to being close to him. And although he was acting like a real jerk, she knew it was because he wanted her to stay out of that situation, which was true. He had lost too many persons in one day and getting Ally in the middle was the last thing he actually needed. She wasn't from his family, of course, but he still didn't want anyone else to get hurt because of his fault.
The scientist tied the punched man up to a chair.-I meant that playing with someone's feelings isn't nice, ok?-
-Oh, so, you do care about what's nice and not... let's tell Napoleon about this to see what he opines, what do you say?-
The man rolled his eyes.-its impossible-he muttered
-What is impossible?-
-Dealing with you it's impossible!-
-Huh?-the brunette pointed him with her finger.-You're the most impossible and complicated guy I've ever met! I'm helping you, I'm risking my life for you and you just... act as if you hated me! You're impossible, Sherman!-
For the second time in that night, Ally lost that malicious and smart-mouthed smirk that she had been showing. The first time he saw it, after they kissed, Sherman started to find that smirk pretty uncomfortable, but now, he was starting to miss it, because every time she lost that smirk full of self-confidence, she seemed so weak that he felt guilty. He couldn't help himself but feeling guilty! She was doing a lot for him... and there was no logical explanation. The only way someone would do such a thing for someone else... would be... love.
The situation suddenly turned so awkward that none of them said anything. They just turned around and continued with the plan without even looking at each other. There was something so wrong about what was happening, so wrong that it was almost right. Their minds just wouldn't let them in peace. There was obviously another problem that none of them were able to solve: their relationship. They both felt something for each other, yes, they both knew it, yes... but they just couldn't keep on with it, no.
Sherman stared at Ally for one moment, decided to break the wall that was built between the two of them. But before he could say anything, he started feeling dizzy. It was as if everything in the room was spinning around and his mind was the first thing that took the ride.
The dark-haired girl noticed this and ran to him.-Sherman? Are you alright?-
No, he wasn't alright at all. He couldn't even distinguish Ally from the tied up soldier.-Yeah, I'm fine-he lay before he just closed his eyes and dismayed.
Hello back, so, now we know that almost everyone will forget about Emma and Malcom and their past life unless they do something against it... but exactly what? Malcom had a great plan... but it didn't work out as he expected. Also, Emma is locked out... but she seems to have a plan, will it be enough to free herself? And what's with Peabody, who doesn't remember anything about them? As you can see... things don't seem ideal, but, there are still a few chapters to go!
Keep on reading, please!
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