Chapter 4: Sweet memories
Todd came out of the bathroom with hunger for answers. He wanted to know more about those people. He wanted to know more about this kid. He have to know...
''Hey I guess it's time to go guys''Adia said when she saw Todd coming.
''Oh yeah definitely'' Michael added.
''Well... let's go'' Todd said nervously.
While they all three started to get ready, Adia noticed how nervous Todd was. There was clearly something wrong with him, but he didn't say anything. She wanted to help, but didn't know how.
''Hey Mike why don't you go start the car? Me and Todd have to discuss something''
After that Adia passed the car keys to Michael
''Well sure thing. Just lock the door when you guys leave ok?'' Michael said leaving his apartment.
She just had to do something. She couldn't stand seeing her best friend like that. She had to do something...
''Alright Todd what's wrong?''
Todd looked at Adia more nervous than ever.
''Uhhhh... What are you talking about?''
''Oh please enough with the lies... There is clearly something bothering you. You act strange all morning. I want to help you, so please just tell me what's going on!''
Todd tried his best to act normal, but he couldn't. All he was thinking about was that strange kid... He didn't want to get Adia worried, but it looked like she knew there was something going on. He wanted to tell her... He can't keep this a secret anymore...
''Alright... I'll tell you everything''
Right after he said that he told her everything. The dream, what he saw outside the cafeteria, the fact he doesn't remember anything from the last few years in Brighton. And while he was talking about that kid, that strange feeling came again. He somehow knew things about Molly, even through he never met her...
''I don't know why I keep seeing this kid, I don't know why I can't remember the past few years of my life in Brighton... All this is so strange and I don't know what to do''
Adia placed her hand on Todd's sholder and gave him a warm smile
''All of this sounds scary... But maybe I can help you somehow. We can ask Michael for more information about the McGees.''
This warmed Todd's heart. Seeing Adia desparete to help him really made him feel better.
''Thanks Adia'' Todd said smiling at her.
Then Adia's phone rang
''Oh that's Michael. Yeah we have to go... And we will ask him about the McGees if that's gonna help''
...
While Adia was driving the car, Todd and Michael started to connect more. They were telling jokes, talking about sports and politics and telling embarassing stories from their lifes.
''Alright boys, let's stop for a gas'' Adia said and parked the car near a gas station.
''I'll go to the ladies room and you two go grab some food''
They got out of the car going in the gas station. They picked up some thing like chips, drinks and few little deserts. This is when Todd desided it's time to ask...
''So Mike about your old friend Pete... For how long he and his family live in Brighton?''
''I don't know man, maybe 3 years? Yeah they moved there around 2021. Why do you ask?''
''Well this may sounds strange, but after you mentioned him I could swear I've met him before''
''Really? That's great. He is really fun guy I'm telling ya. We used to make partys every friday. Me and Pete, my wife and his wife, my kids with his kids... Sweet old memories.'' Michael said remembering the fun times he and the McGees had.
''Sounds like you guys had alot of fun together''
''Well yeah but all of that ended because of the pandemic. We couldn't see each other and when it finaly ended they forced him to move away''
This is when Todd gave Michael confused look.
''Uhhhh what pandemic?''
After he said this Michael looked at him very confused
''Man... The 2020 pandemic?''
''Aaaaaand what's that?''
Michael looked at him like he asked the dumbest question ever. He thought Todd was just messing with him and he started laughing.
''Dude you living under a rock or something? What you don't watch news in Brighton? The world pandemic? That forced a lockdown all over the world?''
Todd still had no idea what was he talking about, but decided to not say anything more. This is when Adia came.
''Yo Adia you didn't told me Todd was a dinasour. This guy doesn't had no idea about the pandemic in 2020'' Michael said laughing
Adia was confused to hear that, but she remembered Todd told her that he doesn't remember anything about the last few years of his life.
''Oh my guy... I'm just messing around... uhhh of course I know alot about whatever that was... Yeah I remember it like it was yesterday...'' Todd said this nervously. He still ad no idea what this was, or what happened the last few years, but he didn't want to look like he was in coma.
''Well that's very funny Todd... Let's go now. I saw on my phone that is gonna rain soon so we can't waste much time'' Adia said trying to help Todd to get out of this emberassing conversation.
As Michael started to walk to the car, Todd was still trying to figure out why the hell doesn't he remember anything from the last few years. Was he hit on the head or something? Was he really in coma? Does he suffer from some kind of memory lost?
''Hey Adia this may sound ridiculous... but after we go back to the hotel, can you please tell me what happened the last 3-4 years?''
Adia was really worried about Todd. She was starting to feel like he have to visit a doctor. It's just not normal for a person to forget about their life.
''Well... Sure thing''
...
When they got there, it had alot of people. Adia parked the car as they finaly made it in Grand Canyon. The view was amazing. They all got out of te car and saw the beautiful view. Todd was sure on his life this is a memory he will never forget. He and his friends together enjoying this moment. It was perfect...
''Oh... SWEET BABY CORN THIS IS AMAZING!'' Todd screamed with joy.
''Haha I know right? Man I gotta go take some pictures'' Michael said and picked up his phone.
Adia was so proud of Todd. All those years he never came anywhere with her. At one point she even started to question if he wanted to be her friend. But now he is diffirent... She has no idea what changed him so much, but she was happy he is here with her. That he finaly enjoy life.
''Todd. I'm really happy that you are here with us. I now things weren't great at Brighton, but I'm so proud how much you changed. It's good to have you buddy''
This was the moment Todd started to tear up from happines. He should have come with Adia long time ago. He was never gonna be alone, he was never gonna be just a monkey with a tie, he was sure if he was with her his life would have been diffirent. But now he is with her... And nothing is gonna take that away from him!
''Adia I'm also so happy to be here with you and Mike! I'm not just happy... I'm... ENHAPPIFIED!''
This was the moment Michael turned his off his phone and looked Todd with a smile.
''Haha did Pete told you about this?''
''About what?''
''That word 'enhappify'. That's a word Molly made up. She, Clara and Victoria used it everywhere.''
Hearing about Molly made him to yet again freeze. Todd was shocked. All this time he thought he made up this. All that year he used it on every adventure he and Adia went to. and to find out this was another strange memory... from this girl... It made him feel that strange feeling again...
''N-no... I thought... I thought I made it up''
''What? If he never told you, how do you know about it?''
This is when out of nowhere the ground started to shake. The rocks started to fall down and the ground began to crack.
''What the... What's happening?''
''THAT'S AN EARTHQUAKE!'' Michael screamed horryfied
All the people started to scream in horror as they felt it. It was starting to get more and more powerful and the ground strated to collapse. The noise was starting to get louder and all the people there got scared and started running back to safety.
''EVERYONE BACK TO THE CAR!'' Adia screamed.
They started running while the earthquake got so powerful, it made Adia loose her balance and fall right to the edge. Todd turned around to see the ground under her starting to crack. He was terryfied... In one moment everything was perfect and now he is about to lose his friend... His best friend... Forever... Well that's not gonna happened!
''ADIA GET AWAY FROM THERE!''
Just before the grouned collapsed Todd pushed Adia away saving her... But he couldn't save himsef as he fall in the canyon
Everything became slow for him. It was over... Everything was over for him... there is no way he can safe himself now... But he wasn't even mad or sad about it. He was glad Adia was safe, because if he was alive, but she isn't, he will never forgive himself... He was glad he was brave enough to save her... to save his best friend...
From slow everything got increnibly fast as he was falling to his death and when he was about to hit the ground... All of this ended and everything went dark. Everything was just darkness. He was cold, scared and had no idea what will happen now...
This is when he saw the girl again... Molly... He was with her in a attic. Why was he seeing her again? While he was watching her, she hugged him out of nowhere. That tight hug was so familiar... Like someone used to hug him like that many times before...
''I miss you Scratch... Please come back'' Molly said as she still didn't let him go.
''What are yo-
This is when all the lost memories came back... The reason he doesn't remember anything from the last few years was because he was a ghost... Everything... he remembered everything... The McGees... How he used to laugh with Molly... How she used to hug him until he couldn't breathe... How much she changed him... All the adventures he had with her... Now he understands why he was seeing her. His brain may have forgotten, but his heart never forgot Molly...
He hugged her back and started to tear up...
''Don't worry Moll... I promise... I will find you...''
