5. Memories

Alan didn't turn around or try and acknowledge the man, but his face betrayed him as it held a terrified expression. Fermat nervously turned his gaze back and forth between his friend and the man who was standing there with his henchmen beside him. The man was big and muscular built. He was bald and had a hooked nose that made him look even more intimidating, but the trait that scared him the most was his eyes. His eyes were dark and hollow, it was the kind of eyes that could haunt you and give you nightmares. The situation made Fermat feel uncomfortable and wanted nothing more to leave, however he was certain about one thing. Something was wrong, it didn't take a genius to know that whoever this person was Alan was spooked by him. He saw the signs other than his facial expression, there was the shaking hands as well the fact that he had been clenching and unclenching his hands like he was trying to control himself. Then he realized the man had expressed familiarity with Alan like they were old friends or acquaintances. However he was pretty sure they were neither of those two things based on how they reacted to each other.

"Well, don't you have anything to say to me, Brat?" the man said with arrogance. "Last time I checked it used to be quite a problem to keep your mouth shut, especially when you disobeyed."

Alan still didn't reply to the man's comment, but this time he took a big breath before he turned around to face his acquaintance. His face was strong and hard, not a single sign of emotion. Fermat almost frighten by the emotionless expression on his friend's face, because not once have ever seen Alan being remotely disconnected and cold towards someone. Alan was pretty much a headstrong and hot-tempered person like a burning fire, but he was also caring, loyal and warm that pulled people to him and make them care about him. So it seemed so out of character for him to be cold like ice.

"If I had anything to say to you I would have already, but I don't so will you leave my friend and I alone," Alan replied. His hands and back was leaning against the counter, keeping his hands out of sight, but Fermat noticed that Alan was doing something behind his back. However he didn't have the best view to see exactly what he was doing, but before he was about to ask he was interrupted by the man's taunting laugh.

"Come on, Brat. Don't be like that," the man replied with fake concern. "It's almost like you haven't missed your old friend, Vinnie."

Alan didn't answer, but he didn't have to because the answer was obvious that he hadn't missed Vinnie one bit. That was something Fermat found strange since based on what Alan had told him, he had no memories from his past, but it was possible that something Vinnie had done had triggered Alan's memory making him remember something. Fermat wanted to ask, but now was obviously not the best time to ask so he kept his mouth shut and continued to stay on the sideline.

"I'm going to ask again, please leave my friend and I alone," Alan said. He glared at him like he wanted to choke him or something. Then he whispered to Fermat, almost impossible for to hear exactly what he was saying, but somehow managed to get the message, "When I give you the signal, run out. I will be right behind you and make sure you wouldn't get hurt. Okay?"

Fermat nodded hesitantly, not completely sure about the plan, but he didn't get the time to argue or think about it when Alan in quick movements approached Vinnie.

"Run!" Alan exclaimed. He leaned downwards towards Vinnie's left leg and stabbed him in the leg with a fork that had been on the counter and he had hid behind his back. Fermat took the hint and ran as fast as his legs could carry him; meanwhile Alan covered him by swiftly attacking Vinnie's goons using his knees and elbows. However once he managed to subdue them long enough he too escaped and followed after Fermat out of the restaurant. He could hear someone yelling after them, but he didn't stop or turn around to see if his assumption was true. When he and Fermat turned the corner, he began frantically searching for a fast way of escaping.

"W-w-what was t-that? W-who was t-those men? A-and what d-did they w-want with y-you, Alan?" Fermat said with panic. Alan's eyes were searching around until he found a car by the sidewalk that was perfect getaway vehicle.

"I don't know what is going on," Alan said sort of strained. He kept thinking back about what had happened in the restaurant. Although he didn't know what was going on, but he was starting to gain an immense headache and it was only pure determination that stopped him from grabbing his head in attempt to smooth the pain. "But I think…it has something to do with my forgotten past, but I don't know what exactly. What I do know is that we need to get away before they catch up to us, because I don't need my memories to tell me these guys are dangerous."

They walked over to the abandoned car. Alan looked inside his pockets to see if he had something he could use to unlock the car door. However it looked like he was out of luck, mostly due to the fact that Jem and Haley had searched his pockets last time he was home in order to make he didn't have or bring something that could be considered dangerous or used for criminal activities. They were overprotective and sore of paranoid when it came to him, but then again he was known for getting in trouble so the precaution was pretty given.

He ran his hand through his hair and looked around to see if Vinnie and his goons were approaching, but they were still a quite distance away. However it wouldn't matter much if they couldn't get out of there, so what were they going to do?

Alan asked Fermat if he had something to pick the lock, but the boy shook his head and promptly said that no one carries equipment for locking picking around. Alan of course didn't tell him that he normally carried such equipment instead he picked a big rock from the ground and wrapped it around his jacket sleeve before he slammed the rock against the car window. Glass shattered and the car alarm was turned on. Fermat exclaimed in surprise over what he had just done, but Alan didn't really listen as he carefully unlocked the door and opened it from the inside before he moved his hands and disconnected the wires that was connected to the car alarm.

"Get in," Alan said as he slipped into the driver seat and unlocked the car door by the shotgun seat. Fermat stared at him with big eyes, but flustered entered the car and took the seat next to him. It was then he saw Vinnie and his goons just a few feet away and was approaching them fast. And he didn't waste time to hot-wire the car, which he managed to do on the first try, and started the engine. He stepped on the accelerator and drove as fast as he could away from the scene.

Jem looked at the empty screen of his phone in concern. Alan had told him that he was coming home along with his friend and would call him once they were home with dinner, but it has been almost an hour since he expected the call and was now worried if something had happened to his little brother.

"Is everything all right?" Scott asked with worry, interrupting his concerned thoughts for moment. He turned to look at his friend, trying to appear calm and collected, but he knew he was already failing when he tried to reassure Scott that he was fine.

"You know, I'm an older brother and I can tell the signs when someone close to me is trying to keep something from me in order to protect me," Scott said wearily. "So what is going on?"

Jem was mentally arguing with himself what he was going to tell his friend his concern or not, but he figured that since Scott had three younger brothers he would be understanding and helpful about his concern.

"I don't know if I'm being paranoid or just a huge worrywart, but Alan hasn't called me yet," Jem explained. "He promised me that he would call me once he came home with dinner, but he is one hour late. And I guess I'm worried he has gotten himself in trouble or something."

"Hmm…I can understand your worry," Scott said thoughtful. "But it also could be something innocent that he is delaying him, like the bus running late due to an accident or long line to order food. So lets just wait a few minutes and then try calling him. From what I have experienced younger brothers seek their independence and doesn't want to feel obligated to report every single thing that is going on with their lives."

Jem nodded, but he wasn't reassured the least by his words. Alan was stubborn and independent individual no doubt about that, but he wasn't one to break promises and he would have called if there was something delaying him. He could only hope that everything was all right.

"A-are you i-ins…c-crazy?" Fermat exclaimed as his hand held on tighter to the car door. The whole situation was insane and out of hand as he had no clue why these men were following after them and Alan was driving like a professional motor racer, but with crazy love for speed. In other words he was in the middle of a huge car chase and he had no idea why other than that their interest was on his blonde-haired friend, who explained to him that he didn't know them but had somehow something to do with his past.

"It depends on who you ask," Alan shrugged his shoulders. He made another sharp turn to the left that made Fermat easily lose his balance and fell to the left side. "But in my personal opinion, everyone is crazy to some degree. Those guys behind us is probably past some degree and jumped to completely insane."

Fermat stared at him, surprised to see this weird calmness Alan showed like this situation with the car chase and all wasn't strange or unusual for him. However that was stupid because no matter how much trouble Alan could get himself into, there was no way he could have been involved in something like that but then again based on what he had seen earlier when Alan broke into the car and his exceptional driving who knows?

"B-but are y-you c-certain that you d-don't know w-why they are a-after you?" Fermat asked. "B-because they w-wouldn't be a-after you for n-no r-reason."

Alan sighed deeply and said tiredly, "I'm telling you, and even if I did know them I don't remember it. My memories are completely erased and the only thing I can recall is from the time I woke up in the hospital four years ago and up till now."

Fermat frowned. It didn't make any sense, what was is about Alan that was so important for these goons that they needed to use force in order to get him?

He was about to ask when all of a sudden a great force collided into the car. The sudden impact took both him and Alan by surprise, which ultimately made Alan lose control of the wheels, so the car spun around and was facing the front of the car where Vinnie and his goons was occupying.

Now panic was overflowing both of them and the two boys screamed in fear and shock like a couple of girls, but neither of them cared at the moment since they were face-to-face with these lunatics and Vinnie was practically glowing and smirked by their reactions. However Alan snapped out of it quickly once he saw Vinnie gloating like a fool and took control of the car once more and began driving in reverse. Alan turned his head back and forth to see what was going on in front of him as well as what is going on behind him. The speed was increasing rapidly and Fermat grew more and more worried about their safety, but then his watch began to ping loudly and he looked down to see what it was about. It was call from John and it was at the worst timing too, damn this wasn't going to be fun.

"H-hello John," Fermat answered the call through the intercom button. "N-now is n-not the t-time."

The picture of the older blond on the screen showed that John frowned by his reply, but was also confused and asked, "Why? What is going on, Fermat?"

"U-um…" Fermat didn't know what to say, because honestly the situation sounded like it came straight out of an action movie, though he had to say that the movies were much better than real life. No wonder really, because in real life you get killed and die, while in the movies you are safe and sound on the couch. How he envied to be near a couch right now and definitely in a car being chased by these maniacs.

"Fermat, who are you talking to?" Alan interrupted and took a quick gaze to see him talking to John through his watch. "Cool device. Will you let me tinker with that later? I wonder how it works."

"N-now is n-not the t-time to a-admire my w-watch," Fermat exclaimed annoyed at Alan. "E-eyes on the r-road and t-try not and k-kill us."

Alan rolled his eyes, but it was purely in a joking manner and his eyes focused back on the road. Meanwhile Fermat went back to his conversation with John, who definitely looked worried now after hearing what he and Alan had just said.

"Fermat, explanation right now!" John said with authority, already lost his patience as his concern for his wellbeing was overpowering his patient and collected self. "And who were you just talking to right now?"

"Y-you see m-my friend Alan and I-I are b-being chased by these l-lunatics," Fermat started to explain, but he wasn't sure how he was going to continue seeing as he had no clue how and what was going on other than they were in danger.

"What do you mean chased by lunatics?" John asked strained like he was trying to maintain control over his temper. John might be the most calm and collected brother of the Tracys, but he had the same temper as the rest of them. It was probably even more fiery and dangerous to be around than Scott, who had the worst temper between all of them. Either way Fermat didn't want to be caught in the receiving end of that temper, so he gave him the clip notes of what had happened without giving him many details as of Alan's possible involvement with these lunatics prior to him losing his memories.

"Okay, I'm tracking you right now," John said seriously. "I will inform the authorities, so hold on tight until they get here. Understood?"

Fermat couldn't do anything except nodding before ended the conversation and turned off the intercom button. Then he turned to look at Alan was about to ask him something, but suddenly something crashed into the car from his side and suddenly everything turned black.

What a fool he was to fall for such a simple attack. Vinnie and his goons had deliberately crashed into them from the side with such a force that could have easily killed had he not managed to take some kind of cover along with Fermat. It was only pure luck that they managed to survive, but then again Vinnie had not planned on killing him since it was obvious that he needed him alive. However that didn't mean Vinnie had not been able to wound him or Fermat in his attempt either, since when Alan opened his eyes everything was at first very hazy around him. Then he felt this immense headache that was even worse than before and something was dripping from his head and down to his cheek. It was probably blood, which could mean that he had sustained a head injury and possibly even a concussion, but that didn't matter to him right now. His first concern was first and most Fermat, who was bleeding from a cut on his forehead.

"Fermat," Alan said in order to check if he was conscious or not, but he was unfortunately unconscious and wouldn't awaken no matter what he tried. His concern only grew as he took a closer look at his friend's injuries. Due to the car's impact from the crash Fermat's right leg was stuck between the smashed glove compartment and the blood had this blackish color that could lead to something serious if it wasn't dealt with quickly. But the exhaustion hit him hard, so he could barely focus long enough to concentrate on calling for help. Still he had to do it or else Fermat could maybe lose leg or worst lose his life. So he used every ounce of his will power to retrieve his cellphone and pressed the familiar 911 and waited for someone to take his call.

"911, what is your emergency?" the monotone voice of a woman said. Alan was breathing heavily as he felt his eyes dropping by the minute.

"Please, help us…my friend and I were in accident and…he is unconscious and bleeding badly from his right leg," Alan tried to focus and make the sentence seem understandable, but by now his eyes were already closed and was on the brick of losing consciousness again.

"Please, sir, will you tell us where you are?" the woman said and still managed to keep her voice monotone like a robot.

"We are…" Alan murmured the description of the location; being unable to remember the name before his surrounding disappeared and was replaced by the darkness.

The ominous feeling had not evaporated and Jem was seriously worried if something had happened with Alan, and when he received the phone call from the hospital where Haley worked at, asking him to come down to the hospital immediately, the feeling only amplified. When he asked them what had happened they only informed him that Alan and his friend Fermat had been caught in a car crash. Once he heard those words it was like the world around him had frozen still. Alan had been hurt and was now in the hospital, how cruel was fate with him? Had not the kid been through enough? Did he really deserve more pain, especially considering how much he suffered in the past?

Scott, who was walking him back to his apartment, looked at him with worry and asked him what was wrong. It was then he felt guilty because he had to deliver the bad news about Fermat as well and if he remembered correctly, which he was certain he was, there is no way Scott was going to be calm about this.

"That was the hospital," Jem said sadly. "Alan and Fermat has been involved in an accident and based on what they told me they are badly injured."

Scott's blue eyes turned into two huge spoons hearing those news, and almost immediately demanded him to take him to the hospital. Jem didn't argue about as they grabbed the first taxi that was available and asked the driver to take them to the hospital as fast as he could. And during the entire drive to the hospital Scott called his family and informed them about the news while Jem tried to call Haley, but it was in vain since she was most likely occupied by work and was unable to answer the phone. Still he was rest assured that Haley would hear about the accident soon enough and would find him as soon as she knew, so instead he prayed to the universe that everything was going to be all right and that nothing was going to happen to Alan, because if he did he wasn't sure how he and Haley were going to handle it. Alan was the only family they had apart from each other and he was sort of the glue had was holding the small family together, and if something were to happen to Alan the glue that held the family together would disappear and leaving them only with grief and loneliness.

Alan woke up by the sound of the beeping from the machines that was hooked into his left arm. His surroundings weren't as hazy as before when he first woke up and now the boring sight of his hospital room was clear enough to make him wish that he were not in this room at all. He hated to stay in the hospital due to the fact that it always reminded him of the day when he woke up without any memories before his awakening. Thinking back on how empty and lifeless puppet he used to be when he first woke up. The feeling was even more frightening to remember, it was even to the point where he didn't even remember the pain on his hands because of the reopening on his injuries back then was simply just numb. Alan looked down on his scared hands, almost expecting them to give him an answer to his question, but as expected it didn't give him anything. However his head was starting ache horribly so he grabbed his head from falling too much forward by using his right hand and covered his eye. And then out of nowhere pictures flashed through his mind, it was almost like watching a movie going fast forward.

(Flashback)

His cheek burned by the thick and hard hand, which was so powerful that he lost his balance and he fell down on the floor and with pure instinct placed his own hand on the wounded cheek. Then he turned to look up at Vinnie, who exclaimed at him in fury, "How dare you disobey me! In order for you to live you need to master these abilities and fulfill your duty as a being part of the Golden Cobra."

He glared at the bald man, hating him even more than before, while Vinnie continued his rant.

"Don't think you can escape your fate, brat. No one is going to save you, because no one cares about you."

Alan was breathing heavily and was greatly confused what was going on with him. Was that a memory? But as he thought this, another flash pierced through his mind.

(Flashback)

He had just finished yet another life-threatening trial that consisted in him dodging traps, picking locks, sneak past security systems, and break into almost any location. He knew they were testing him, seeing how far his abilities went, and even though he didn't understand why he was doing what he was told there wasn't many other choices. It was either go through with it or get killed, and he was far too stubborn to die despite all the pain and hardships he dealt with on a daily basis.

"You truly are a diamond in the rough," the cat man smirked. "Soon you will become the perfect and the greatest thief to ever exist. And then you will learn other abilities for you to even to become the greatest criminal for man to ever know, history will be written about you and the Golden Cobra. Nothing is going to stop us."

"The Golden Cobra?" He asked with a strong and yet strained voice.

"The greatest criminal organization in the 21st century," the can man grinned his infamous catlike smile, which frighten him even more than anything. "Now show me the limits in your abilities."

Then the pain and the hardships started over again. Blood and sweat was covering his entire body and the whole time all he could think about was if it was true that he could never escape the personal hell he was living every single day.

Unconsciously tears were streaming from his eyes and down his cheeks before they finally dripped and soaked the plain white bed sheets.

"I…I was a thief?" Alan said shocked. "Part of the Golden Cobra?"

He realized that those flashes must have been one of those locked memories that he was starting to remember now. However what he didn't think about when he used to wish to be able to remember was that those memories he had forgotten had been too painful for him to bear to remember, so when the head injury happened at some point he must have wished to forget because he didn't want to remember the pain and those people again. But looks like lady fate loved screwing him over whenever she got the chance, allowing him to remember his past now of all times.

The door to his room opened and one of the nurses found his current state and quickly became concerned if he was feeling pain or was suffering other injuries.

"Honey, are you all right?" Nurse Reynolds, who was a woman in her late forties with a few strains of gray in her honey colored hair. "Do you feel pain anywhere? Would you like some painkillers to ease your pain?"

Alan simply shook his head, unable to voice his wishes due to the instant shock of those few memories he finally remembered, but then he snapped out of his shock and remembered what happened to him that landed him to the hospital.

"Wait, my friend…the boy that was with me," Alan said frantically. "What happened to my friend? Is he all right?"

Nurse Reynolds nodded and smiled reassuring at him and confirmed that Fermat was still alive and was currently unconscious after he received surgery for the injured left, which if it had been left untreated could have wasted away and he could have lost his leg completely, other than the leg Fermat's injuries were simply a few cuts and bruises and should be healing quickly. Hearing that he let out a deep breath he had not been aware he had been holding, but he was simple to grateful and happy that his best and only friend was still alive and was going to be okay.

"Do you think I could see him?" Alan asked innocently, hoping that she would say yes. However when he saw her face turned dejected he already knew his answer, and it wasn't the answer he liked either.

"I'm sorry, dear, but only family can visit him," Nurse Reynolds replied. "You can visit him as soon he is feeling better and can handle more company."

She left him shortly after that, promising that she would check up on him later, but the moment she closed the door after her Alan pulled the bed sheet away and carefully took out the tube in his arm like Haley had showed him before he began taking tentative steps towards the door. It might be a stupid idea to move around after just waking up from a car crash, but his determination and willpower to see Fermat was greater than anything. Nobody was going to stop him from seeing Fermat.

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Finally released the latest chapter after two months of silence from my end. I'm sorry for the wait, but I have been busy with school, other stories and life itself. Now that vacation is here I hope I will be able to update this story a lot more often, but I wouldn't go make any promises until I'm completely sure. Anyways thank you guys for the response I have been receiving, but please show more support since it is sort of a downer to see how few people appreciate my work and effort.

Two songs has inspired this chapter. The first one is for the car chase, and the song is Hey Driver by Lucky Boys Confusion. The other song is Memories by Within Temptation. Both songs are great and makes me feel different kind of emotions every time I listen to them.

And for other news, I had earlier published the first chapter of a TB story called Whispers in the Dark, which I later deleted due to the fact that I felt it was still incomplete as well as the fact that I wouldn't have been able to update the next chapter for a long while and I didn't want you all to wait. So if you guys are still interested to read the story, then give me a word and I will re-release it.

Anyways please continue giving me reviews, favorite and/or followings. And I hope to update as soon as I can, but until then...

xXrebelgirl07Xx