"If that's what you call truth in this wicked world, no wonder why you're so desperate to defend it." (Toba Beta)
The pain in his chest still throbbed despite the stoppage of blood. He grunted and frowned at the bandages covering his eyes. He had no sight. He could never see. At first, Jace felt numb. Deathly numb. From that moment, he had to rely on his other senses. Touch and smell. The man that he assumed was behind him said, "Jace, you can't let this bring you down. You just can't."
He brought up his favorite dagger and twirled it between his fingers. Even though his sight was gone he still had his combat skills. "I don't know who you are. I don't know who any of you are." He admitted, smiling a little despite the situation.
The man left after that, his footsteps scrunching under twigs. Jace released a soft sigh. He didn't know anything. He knew his name was Jace and he knew that he fought demons. Other than that, he was a clueless mad man. "Jace?" A tender voice called. He recognized the voice but couldn't feel a trigger in his head.
He simply nodded. What was he supposed to do? He didn't know who the girl was. "Don't try to hurt yourself figuring things out. I know how difficult it is." She replied, understanding laced in her quiet tone. In that second, he yearned desperately to have his sight and study her features.
He felt her sit across from him and his breath hitched in his throat. She sighed. "Jace, you don't know how hard it is to see you. It's hard to see you when you can't see me." She paused and he listened as she sniffled. "I'm sorry. I should've saved you. It's- It's all my fault."
Jace remained silent, unaware of what to say. She was crying out to him and he had no way to comfort her. She must have noticed for she apologized too quickly. He shook his head. "It's fine. It's just...what were we?"
Silence caressed his skin and he thought that she had left in a fit of anger. "You loved me." She whispered, her tone so broken he flinched. "I love you." He realized the declaration was in present tense and his lips parted in surprise. All he knew was that he was abruptly attacked and lost his sight and memories. Was she one of them?
"I-I have to go. You should rest." The girl stood and her footsteps slowly distanced away from him. His back went rigid and his eyes widened.
"Wait!" He called. She must have stopped for Jace stumbled upwards, letting out a groan at the sting erupting from his torso. He fell against something small and noticed it was the girl. She straightened him up with her arm around his waist. She was breathing heavily, her hair falling upon his hand. He tried to back away but this only caused him to fall further back. Her touch was gentle but sturdy and Jace found his cheeks slightly coloring.
"Don't do that. If you need something just ask." She insisted, dragging him forward. He assumed they were outside since his bare feet caught dry soil. A strong breeze blew past them and Jace secretly appreciated the heat the girl provided. "Where are we going?" He questioned, pursing his lips.
"Fresh air."
"No, I mean- what am I supposed to do? About all this." He managed to point at his eyes and head at the same time.
The stillness lingered in the air like a heavy blanket upon them. It was almost terrifying. He didn't know himself and to top it all off he was blind. He could feel shadows of darkness surrounding them. "I don't know. I really don't." Her grip on him loosened.
After a moment of thought, Jace began slowly, "On a normal day," He sighed. "What would I be doing?"
She never missed a beat and he could tell by her tone that she was grinning. "You'd be hunting. Hunting greater demons most likely." She added.
He interrupted her thoughtful words and asked, "Your name, what is it?"
"Clarissa, but you always called me Clary." There was a tenseness in her voice like she was struggling to continue speaking with him. His brain began to muster why and the lightbulb finally lit up. She loves him. How could she talk to a stranger who was once her lover?
"Uh, do you guys have any food, I'm sort of hungry." He said, almost hearing his monster of a stomach growling. Clarissa laughed and her shoulders shook against him. H e wanted to smack himself in embarrassment.
"I was wondering when you'd ask. Come on. We'll head back to the tents. I think I can cook something up." He relaxed but sensed he appeared weak taking refuge in such a fragile girl. Abruptly, Jace pulled away from her and stood on his own, arms outstretched to feel his surroundings. He slowly trudged by semi steps and the smelled the distinct scent of earth after heavy rain.
"I'm-I'm just going to get you some food. Stay here." She stuttered through her words and he knew for certain it wasn't from a nervous vibe. Her steps fell away from his ears and then Clarissa was gone. Thoughts trundled through his mind about what he would do from now. Could he just live like a complete stranger to all the people who cared about him so much?
"I don't know if I can trust them all..." Jace mumbled just as he sensed the presence of someone coming towards him.