Page 5 of Shattered Heir
“It made me forget who I am? Everything?”
“Yes.”
“Why would I do that? Why would I do that—for you?” he asked, looking ahead of his stride as he walked.
“I told you before, because you are an idiot.”
“I remember unimaginable pain, and then you,” he added as we reached the brown hotel door. The hallways were brightly lit; the carpets were ornate with colorful, swirly patterns. It was all too pleasant for the pain of the situation, for the discord I was feeling.
“I tried to help you, tried to stop you,” I said, looking away from the hallway carpet to look upon my bandaged hands.
“You did?” he asked as his arms shifted, and he set me down. My legs, they were so weak, yet they still held me up.
“You wouldn’t listen to me, though, and then someone took—” I stopped talking. I wasn’t the right person for it. I couldn’t say all the right words that he needed to hear.
“A part of me?” he asked.
I looked up at him; then he folded his arms across his chest as if his heart hurt, and I imagined that it would break into a thousand pieces if he didn't hold it in place with his strong arms.
“Yes,” I whispered, looking at my feet. I wasn’t wearing any shoes, just a pair of what used to be bright, hot pink socks, but were currently caked with mud as well as with Rykers blood, mixed with my own.
“Mary said that Keil, this man named Keil, will give me more answers.”
“He knows you well. He has been with you a long time.”
“That’s good.”
“So, you really remember nothing, nothing from before the pain of the cave?”
He looked at the floor in front of me. "I know nothing. Some stuff, basic things, are just fuzzy, like I can just barely reach them."
“I am so sorry. We will do all we can to help you, to help you remember and get your memories back.”
He nodded and unfolded his arms, running fingers through his shiny, black hair. “Can you please just tell me, what exactly happened in that cave, at least? Not who I am, just that much? I need to know.”
I turned as I heard the door open behind me; it was Mary.
“Hey guys, we should get some sleep so we are rested for tomorrow.” Mary looked at Shad. “Shad, Keil will come in the morning to get some sleep. After that, he will try to explain things to you.”
Shad nodded, and I looked at him as he crossed, then uncrossed, his arms over his chest again.
“Are you both—are you my family? No, that’s not right. I had a family,” Shad mumbled.
“We are your friends,” Mary responded, walking into the hall near Shad. “I am sorry this happened to you, but I promise, we are trying to help you.”
“Thank you, I am glad I have friends, and I am glad you did not attempt to murder me.” He smirked at that last part.
“I am sure you are, as are we—there has been enough darkness during the last few days to last a lifetime. You have nothing to fear from us,” Mary said with a sad smile.
“You have a family, too, but they are far away—is all,” I blurted, receiving a hard look from Mary.
“Far away?” he asked, looking at me. “On Terra? We are in a different realm–” He looked shocked, and I looked back at Mary, who was also surprised.
“This is Earth, ” Mary breathed.
“Is my sister okay? My mother? Embra?” His eyes looked from me to Mary, quickly, clearly searching for answers.
“Shad, you haven’t been on Terra in a long time. We know nothing about what is happening there.” His chest rose and fell. He stared at his hands, and his breathing was labored.
