The only sound was our breathing and the engine for a while, until we heard a sob escape the lips of my mother, who looked like she had just seen a ghost. Then I realised she had, technically seen one.
"Matt"
The next few minutes was filled with moms sobbing, and Joe driving towards the school. I was leaning against Zach, with his arms around me. I felt safe there in his arms, I knew he'd do anything for me, and if do the same thing for him. I wanted to comfort my mom, but she is the best spy ever, and she scares me and I don't know what she'll do. Not that she'd no anything bad, I just don't want to upset her more, you know?
"What is that?" Mom snapped.
"What is what mom?"
"That's not the ring I gave him. Ours matched." She held out her hand to me. Her ring was silver with a single gem built into it. The one dad was wearing was gold and plain. She'd noticed then. I was kind of hoping she wouldn't, so we wouldn't have this conversation, since I don't think joe had, and she wasn't on comms. But, she was a spy, of course she's notice.
"Um, yeah.." I laughed nervously "funny story.." Zach pinched me and when I looked up to him, he was shaking his head furiously. I looked to Joe who was looking at me through the rear view mirror with panic filled eyes. But mom was glaring at me with a look that said 'you'd better tell me if you want to see daylight ever again'. I gulped and continued, in spite of Joe and Zach's physical instruction, as I kind of did want to see daylight again.
"You see, dad seems to have... Married Catherine and forgo-" I stopped my self realising that it wasn't wise to say he had forgotten her. But the glare was back. She was visibly angry about his marriage and was shaking with fury.
"Forgot what, Cameron?" She demanded, sternly.
"Um..." My voice was nearly a whisper, "you." Mom, of course, heard.
"He what?" She whispered, disbelievingly. She broke back down into fierce sobs, that was when I came and hugged her with all my might.
...
That was alarmingly easy, I mean you don't just walk out of a cell after being detained by a terrorist group. Surely there is like a big fight and things blow up and it's all dramatic. How come we just... Left? I guess it meant it wasn't the end, that maybe that was the easy part and more to come? I don't know. Tuns out I was gone 2 days so I was unconscious for a lot of my kidnapping-I was told that was a good thing.
It's the day before New Year's Eve. It's been 4 days since we broke out with my dad. 4 days my dad has been unconscious and living in the infirmary for. 4 days of waiting by his bed for him to wake up. I don't really know why he's been asleep for so long. I don't really know much about anything in this new life, I guess I have to get used to it and catch on quickly. Zach told me he thinks it's because dad had some anti-napotine serum injected into him, and it hadn't fully immunised him, so it had reverse effects. That's why Catherine hadn't flinched. But we're not 100% sure if that's correct because mom and Joe won't tell us anything. But Zach grew up as a spy, so I trust his thoughts.
Mom had been eating, living and sleeping in the chair next to dad. She refuses to leave - 'I've had 4 years without him, and I don't know how sane he'll be when he wakes, so I'll make the most of an unconscious him.' Sure, she was still angry, but she was more glad to have him back, than angry that he wasn't technically hers anymore, I guess.
I've been spending a lot of time there with mom too. When I'm down there, it feels like we might be a slightly functional family - excluding the whole unconscious and insane father that is. Joe comes down sometimes, but doesn't stay long. I think he feels awkward being there with both me and mom. But also when he looks at dad, he looks almost guilty. I don't see why, they were.. No, are... Best friends, what is there to feel guilty about? Zach only comes down to see if we want anything to eat and make sure I'm still there. That's what mom does. She looks at me every few minutes to ensure I haven't vanished into thin air. It's annoying but I get it. A week ago I ran out of our Christmas dinner towards the circle. I think Zach feels weird being there too, my dad being his step dad and all'
It was 12:37 pm, Zach and Joe were sat in the infirmary with us, eating the sandwiches they'd just made us. We were just making small talk, when we heard a groan from behind us.
Everyone's heads snapped to the man on the bed behind us, stirring from his sleep. Mom immediately jumped up and ran to his bedside to grip his hand.
Soon the rest of us were there too.
"Matt? Matt sweetheart, are you awake?"
At the sound of my mothers voice, dads eyes shot open. They somehow seemed lighter. They were exactly the same shade, but they were different somehow.
"What are you doing?" He asked. His voice also sounded different. Softer.
Mom pulled him into a bone crushing hug, and he (to mine, and everyone's surprise) hugged my mom back at the same strength. He smoothed her hair as she sobbed into his shoulder.
"What's wrong baby?" He asked. Mom pulled back, and started laughing hysterically. Joe, Zach and I looked awkwardly at one another.
"Joe, what's wrong with her?" Dad turned to ask Joe.
"You mean you don't know?"
Dad just shook his head. "And who are these two?" He asked pointing at Zach and I.
"Um, that's Zach, dad... And I'm Cammie..." I said in a 'duh' tone. Has he just forgotten everything?
"Dad? Cammie? As in my daughter Cammie?"
I nodded
"But you're supposed to be 11, why do you look 16 if you're 11? And why are you here?" He asked with shock clear on his face.
I'm confused (again. That emotion is becoming all too common for me.) why does he think I'm meant to be 11 years old?
"I thought this might happen" Joe stated.
'What might happen?' My mind screamed, but I knew that, Joe wouldn't answer me, and I soon realised it was probably memory loss. How it happened, I don't know, but it clearly has. And also, that's what dad asked next.
Joe shook his head and just said: "I'll call Fibs." Before walking out the door, leaving dad looking expectantly at us. Here we go.