More than a memory

Chapter 16

Memories

Roxanne

Rico took Jerry inside and laid him on my couch. He was as white as the walls and Clarissa was hanging on the phone explaining the situation to someone. When she hang up a green mist appeared in the living room and the figure of a gorgeous woman morphed. She smiled at me and I immediately recognized her. It was the same red-head who I saw in my dream when I kissed Jerry... She stepped to me and caressed my hair.

- Nice to see you again, Roxanne. - Clarissa pulled her to Jerry and she kneeled on the floor next to him. Clarissa walked to my side and escorted me to my bedroom. When she closed the door I snapped at her.

- WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? Who is she? I knew I wasn't dreaming! But that means...- I remembered of the picture I saw in Jerry's house. I sat down on my bed while my mind took turns making me dizzy. It was like I have been looking at a puzzle but without the original picture so I couldn't figure out if I was putting the pieces together well. Clarissa sat next to me and held my hand.

- I know this is a lot to handle now. Ask me anything and if I can, I'll answer. - I looked at my best friend and felt like I was staring at a stranger. What should I start with?

- What happened to Jerry?

- That I don't know.

- Who is that woman?

- Her name is Ahana, she is a friend of ours and she has some... Powers.

- Explain it to me why were we all on a picture at Jerry's house? You said you didn't know him, yet he has a picture of the four of us! How is that even possible?! - Clarissa sighed.

- That is something that you should ask Jerry about. - I groaned.

- You said you'll answer but you are avoiding to tell me anything! Fine. How did you met Rico? - Clarissa swallowed hardly and smiled right after, trying to look composed.

- He came with a friend of his to the Burlesque club one night. We have been dating after that for a couple of months and moved together. We are actually married according to his beliefs.

- What?! Did I missed your wedding? When? How? - I felt tears burning my eyes and that horrible feeling in my throat when one wants to cry but just can't loose their s**t.

- You were recovering from your accident, and after that you didn't remember anything at all. We didn't want to shock you and you were excited about moving here.

- But... I missed something so important.

- We didn't have a proper wedding yet, don't worry so much! We needed the papers so I can help Rico with the companies but the best part didn't happen yet. - I took a deep breath trying to swallow the bad feeling in my throat.

- At least that is clear now. Why don't we check on Jerry? - I stood up and Clarissa tried to stop me but I slipped put of the door before she could hold me back. In my living room there was a swirling green light, in the middle Jerry was laying and a wolf was standing next to him. The woman they called Ahana noticed my presence and she glanced behind. Her golden eyes seemed to be on fire and she smirked at me. I literally fall back on my butt in surprise. What is this witchery in my home? The lights died out and Ahana walked to me. She offered her hand and I held it. A wave of energy ran through my arm and all my body. My eyes burned and she looked pensive.

-Fascinating. - she mumbled and put her hand on my forehead.

- Let's fix things here. - she said but I took a step back.

- No! You can't wipe my memories again! - her eyes opened wide and pulled me back to her.

- When did I do that? - she asked with curiosity in her voice and a power that made my knees weak. I felt like I've died and I had to confess my sins to God itself.

- The day I saw that picture and Jerry kissed me! - I said gathering all my bravery. Ahana giggled and tilted her head just like Jerry did whenever he was surprised.

- This is really interesting. - she was about to say something else but a groan interrupted our conversation. I looked behind her and the huge wolf started to transform into something... In two minutes Rico was standing naked in the middle of my living room. Clarissa hurried to him and handed an underwear, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt to him. I must have been blinking like a cartoon character. They didn't say a word. Ahana put a hand on my shoulder and asked.

- Are you sure you want to remember? - Clarissa and Rico stared at her in horror and Jerry opened his eyes. He looked at me and Ahana. He mumbled.

- Don't.

- It is not up to you anymore my dear cousin. - Jerry looked at me still avoiding my glance and he waited. Ahana called him his cousin... Does this mean he is some kind of magical creature? And did Rico just turned into a wolf and back? Clarissa obviously knew about it, is she like Rico as well? And what was that strange feeling when Ahana touched me? I had so many questions in my mind... I looked at my friend and asked.

- There wasn't a car accident, am I right? - Clarissa gasped and hung her head in shame.

- That's right. It was and accident but not a car accident. - Jerry stood up and waited. I could feel the tension in the room. My friends who lied to me for years were looking at me like it was apt to me if they live or die. Ahana turned me to face her and she caressed my face. Now her touch was calming and so nice. She smiled at me and said.

- You have all the answers in your mind, I couldn't delete everything from it. I know you are confused now, and maybe disappointed. But they are your friends, your family, before you decide, think it over this: Would they hide something from you if it wasn't for your own good? - I looked at the three most important people in my life and sighed.

- No. Let me ask a question.

- I'm all ears.

- Will my memories ever come back alone?

- There is a slight chance.

- If I choose to remember now, will you give me back all of them? - Ahana nodded and said.

- Exactly, but the weight of your memories isn't light at all. Before you decide think it over if you can handle them. Everything you knew about the life and world you live in will change. Are you ready for that? - I looked at my friends as they were waiting for me to answer. This was a life changing moment. On one hand answer for all my questions without sorting them, on the other hand, the trust in my friends. Jerry was looking at me with a devastated glance. I've never seen so much pain in just one look. He was so different from the Jerry on the picture...