Amnesia

Chapter 8

I thought the guard was taking me back to my room, but it turns out he's taking me to Anthony's office.

"You'd better hope Dr Anthony is in a forgiving mood today." The guard says.

"But what did I actually do wrong?" I ask.

"Level 8's are not allowed to fraternize. And in return you should not talk to them."

"What kinda rule is that?" I mumble to myself.

The guard stops outside Anthony's office.

"You clearly have no idea of the way things work here, girl."

And with that he opened the office door and pulled me in with him.

Anthony sat at his desk doing some paper work. It took him a minute to realize people had entered the room.

"What's going on?" He queried.

"This one was in the level 8 patient's room." The guard gestured to me.

"He has a name you know! It's Ahren." I have decided I dislike this guard very much.

"You should be on your knees begging for forgiveness!" He throws me on the ground in front of the desk.

Anthony quickly rises from his chair and comes to help me up.

"That's quite enough! I don't like you handling the patients this way Jasper." Anthony tries his best to stay calm but I can tell he's upset.

"Sorry sir. I'll be going." He gave one last glare at me before exiting the room.

Anthony sighed  and muttered a few things under his breath.

"Ignore him. Now, what's all this about then?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I just wanted to talk to Ahren, I did nothing wrong." I shrug.

"well, as Jasper may have mentioned, Ahren is a level 8 patient. So we don't like him talking to low levels."

"But what does that mean? The levels."

"The level determines the insanity, or difficulty. The highest is 10. But you haven't caused much trouble so you're only a 3."

Only a 3. They must not trust me.

"But why is Ahren so high?"

"There is a side you haven't seen of that boy. As I've said before he tries to reel you in with lies, then you see the insane side of him when he doesn't get his way. He has been very difficult ever since he got here." 

Maybe you are just talking about him resisting your efforts to brainwash him.

"But no need to worry. I have a feeling you will be a good little patient of mine." He smiles and taps me on the nose. Something about this man makes me uncomfortable at times.

I smile in return. "Shall I be going now?" 

"Actually, I was going to be talking to you about something," 

He hangs the statement in the air.

"Yes?"

"Likely you will be concerned about your past. Would you like me to assist you in regaining your memories?"

A spark lights up inside me.

"Oh would you, please?" I asked excitedly.

"Of course! I want to see your memories back just as much as you do!"

I highly doubt that. I don't 100% trust Anthony but if it means getting my memories back it's worth the chance.

He gestures for me to sit down on the little couch in the corner.

"Now, I'm not going to do anything with you today since you will be tired. But I just want to ask you one thing first. To get us started on our little journey together." He smiles. 

I nod for him to continue.

"Have you remembered anything at all? Even small things; little feelings or things reminding you of something."

Have I?

 I do recall the memory of my mum. Although, that happened on that day Anthony said was a dream. But he doesn't know that.

"I remembered a little something from the past," I could see the anticipation on his face, "I was 5, and I had just returned from...doing something, and I got upset but my mother was there comforting me."

I saw a flash of suspicion in his eyes but it was quickly replaced by his usual warm smile.

"That's amazing, Thalia! One memory leads to another, this is a good sign. Has there been anything else? I know that people with amnesia often see things that, don't so much bring back a memory, but they feel a connection with it that they cannot explain."

I know exactly what he means. I wish I could say I've had that, even with Ahren. But I've had nothing.

"Not really," I sigh, "apart from that time I told you I remember having a dog." I remind him, to distract from the disappointing subject.

"Ah yes, the dog," He laughs, "but don't worry, all of this indicates progress."

"It does. And I hope to regain more memories as I recover."

"Speaking of recovering," He gets up out of his seat and strides over to a medicine cabinet across the room, "while I have you with me, I might as well give you your daily dose." He brings the blue filled syringe out of the cabinet. 

Does the man just keep this with him wherever he goes?

He doesn't wait for a response from me. He quickly comes over and sticks me with it. 

Its just like any other dose I've had. But this time it feels different. It makes me feel strange. Almost dizzy.

He finishes and puts the syringe back. Apparently not noticing my queasiness. Or ignoring it.

"I'll let you away now. As I've always said, rest is the best medicine. So be sure to get some." 

I nod and head out. Trying to ignore the thumping in my head.