Chapter 25: Memories

As Charley drove down a couple of back roads, she began to think about what her father had just told her. She was still confused as to how she met a prince and why her mind still felt like a pan full of scrabbled eggs. The only thing she knew for certain was that the ring that she wore on her finger gave her a very good feeling that she couldn't explain.

Looking around at all the buildings that appeared to be in pretty bad shape, she began to wonder why everything looked so dilapidated and when it happened. Even the roads seemed to be in the same state as the buildings. There were holes and cracks all over the place. Even the air seemed to hang heavily around everything.

Refocusing her thoughts back on the present, she thought about her visions and the voices that popped up in her mind. She had spent the last couple of weeks trying to figure it all out and came up blank. Last night, she even dreamed about some science fiction looking anthropomorphic mouse who was, in her mind, pretty sexy looking.

"Good grief, girl, get a hold of yourself" Charley grumbled to herself as she regained control of her thoughts and focused on getting over to the disabled bike.

She finally made it to one of the main roads and saw, right there on the ramp in front of her, the gorgeous bike that was broken down. Pulling up just past the back, she backed the truck up onto the side of the ride, getting as close as she could to the ramp with damaging anything. Stepping out of the truck, she sighed and then made her way over to the bike.

"Excuse me, did you call for a tow?" she hollered at the formidable looking biker as he turned around and she could feel him staring at her through his odd shaped helmet.

"Yes. I did" he said as he approached her and extended his hand in friendship.

"Charley. Charley Davidson" she said as she shook his hand and felt some static run from his hand through her. She felt as though there was something about his touch that felt very familiar and was unable to shake the feeling that she knew him.

"Throttle" he said as he removed his helmet, finally revealing himself to her.

FLASHBACK: 30 minutes ago

"Dammit. Not again" Throttle grumbled as he heard the horrid sound of his other gyro breaking as he made it to the top of the ramp.

He had been in Gaia only a few days and he had been trying to locate where Charley was at. Nobody could give him any answers or they refused to talk to him because he was from Mars. Gritting his teeth, he dismounted his bike and took a look at the latest injury his bike had endured just trying to get to Gaia.

"I'm sorry Lady" he rubbed the seat and shook his head, wondering how he was going to get her repaired and locate the love of his life. Turning around, he saw another bike pulling up beside him.

"Hey dude. How's it going?" he said as he removed his helmet, allowing his long blonde hair to fall to his shoulders.

"Could be better. Busted gyro. Do you know where a repair shop is?" Throttle asked the human biker.

"As a matter of fact, you can use my cell phone. The Last Chance garage is the closet one and they are the best in the area. Here you go" he said, handing the phone over to the biker.

"Thanks" Throttle said as he pressed the talk button. He was glad it didn't take long for an older sounding gentleman to answer the phone and said someone would be on their way.

"How long before someone gets here?" he asked, putting his phone back into his jacket pocket.

"Fifteen minutes" Throttle responded as he sat down on the guard rail.

"By the way, my name's Jack McCyber" he said, extending his hand.

"Throttle" he said, accepting Jack's hand.

"It's good to meet you. Well, I gotta run before my girl starts calling me and wondering where I'm at. Hope to see you around, dude" Jack said as he put his helmet back on, mounted his bike, and took off down the highway.

"You too!" Throttle said as he waved goodbye to Jack.

P.O.V.

As Charley felt the warmth of his hand flow through her own, she recalled her father mentioning his name before she left the garage. It was at this moment that she felt a headache coming on and placed a hand to the side of her head. One of her eyes began to bat very rapidly as she tried to gain control over what was happening to her.

"Charley?" Throttle questioned the moment that he watched all the color drain from her face while her hand was on the side of her forehead. He noticed one of her eyes twitching very rapidly as she grimaced in pain and her breathing became ragged.

"Just a headache" Charley stated as she released his hand and fell to her knees, with both of her hands on the side of her head.

"Charley, I know what's going on" Throttle stated as he lifted her up into his arms and carried her back to the truck. Placing her into the passenger seat, he watched as she collapsed onto her side, tears beginning to fall down her cheeks as she started to shake.

Throttle loaded Lady onto the back of the truck and made sure she was tied down and secure. Hoping into the driver's side of the truck, he found that the keys were still in the ignition and started the truck right up. Looking over at Charley, he saw that her face was starting to sweat and knew he needed to get her somewhere safe so she could recollect herself.

"Charley, where's the garage?" he asked, concerned as to how her mind was going to react to the flood of memories that were coming back. She painfully gave him directions and finally passed out from the pain.

It didn't take him long before he found the garage and got the truck parked out front. He noticed an older man standing out front, apparently enjoying a cup of coffee even though the sun was beginning to set. Getting out of the truck he made his way over to the passenger side to retrieve Charley.

"Took you longer enough" Hunter said as he made his way over to the truck but, stopped short when he noticed that it wasn't his daughter going over the passenger side.

"I'll explain here in a minute. Charley's down" he heard the man say.

"What did you do to my daughter!" Hunter tossed his half full cup to the ground and got ready to take the younger man down.

"Her memories are resurfacing. If you just give me the opportunity to get her inside, I'll explain everything" Throttle stated as he quickly got Charley into his arms before her father had a chance to kill him. He watched as her father nodded his head and quickly opened the front door.

"Where do you want me to place her?" Throttle asked.

"On the couch" Hunter stated as he tossed the throw pillows off onto the floor and watched as the large man laid his daughter down onto the dilapidated couch.

"Freedom fighter?" Hunter questioned once he saw the mouse head tattoo on the man's muscular bicep.

"Yeah. How did you know?" Throttle asked as he removed his helmet, revealing his face to the older man.

"Because he used to be one" came the sound of a female voice as she entered into the room.

"A human freedom fighter? No way" Throttle was in disbelief as he looked at Charley's father.

"Yeah. Long time ago" Hunter said as he lifted the sleeve of his tee shirt, revealing his own tattoo that he had other ones surrounding so no one would question the freedom fight one.

"You must Throttle" Hunter stated, matter of factually.

"Yes. In regards to what's wrong with her. Her memories were wiped and now they're coming back" Throttle stated.

"I've read about memory erasing and that would explain all of her symptoms. The voices and the shadows and the total loss of memory for the last several years" Hunter finally pieced it all together and couldn't be happier knowing that Charley would be alright in time. Right now, she just needed to rest off the migraine.

"Yup. That it does" Throttle agreed.

"Now...as her father, you need to tell me how you to met" Hunter stated, placing a hand on Throttle's shoulder and giving it a hard squeeze, letting him know that he wanted to know everything.

I'm sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up. Been canning and tackling more remodeling projects. Many CYBER HUGS to all readers and reviewers.