HIDDEN

Chapter 29

"What do you mean 'you dont remember anything'", Nathan asked confused.

Mia looked quite nervous. "I never really thought much about it before, but now that I'm trying to recall... I can't really remember much about anything."

"So– what do you remember?" Roxanne asked calmly.

"Umm— I remember that I used to live in Egypt with my mum and dad until I was nine. My mum is from Egypt while my dad is American. She said that my dad died in a car accident around that time too.... Apart from that, I don't remember anything."

"That sounds awfully suspicious", Roxanne pointed out, "Are— are you sure you're mum doesn't know anything?"

"I really don't think so. She doesn't act like she knows anything.... I mean— the first time I brought out my shield, I told my mum about it and she thought I was making everything up."

"That— this still doesn't make sense. You're mum should know.... When—"

"Hey, Roxy", Nathan interrupted.

"Hold on, Nathan", she tried to continue.

"Roxanne!"

"What?" Roxanne turned to see a grim expression on Nathan's face. She then knew that he was serious.

Dale stared at Nathan, rather carefully as he had that expression. Mia was lost.

"We need to talk", Nathan continued.

"Oh— okay?" Roxanne responded a bit surprised. She followed him and left the room.

"Am I missing something here", Mia thought, but at the same time, felt awkward because they left Dale and her in the room.

~■~
Nathan indicated that Roxanne should enter his room, in which she entered reluctantly. He then closed the door.

"What are you doing?" Nathan asked sternly.

"What do you mean?" Roxanne asked confused.

"You know you don't have to tell her everything."

"What are you talking about? She deserves to know.... She's confused and we're the only ones that understand her. We need to help her."

"We don't have to do anything. We can explain to her about herself, but anything outside that— like concerning her mum or her past, doesn't involve us. She can figure out those on her own."

"So what? Are you saying that she's lying about everything?"

"She's not lying, I can tell that much. But that doesn't mean that the people around her are to be trusted. Someone might have taken away her memory and sealed her power for a reason. Not everyone in this field is trustworthy."

"So you're implying that her mum is suspicious?"

"I DON'T KNOW, okay. It's bad enough that I don't. It'll never hurt to be careful.... I get some weird sensations everytime we drop Mia at her house."

"It could all be in your head."

"You of all people know that my intuition is never wrong. We can't just take in anyone that may be a true descendant."

"But Dale is here", Roxanne said looking quite cynical.

"That's because of you, not me. You made your decision and I followed it. That doesn't mean I agree with it."

"So what you're saying is that you don't trust him, despite his been with us for more than a year now. I know he can be difficult, but... "

"It's not about him being difficult. I don't trust anyone, you should know that. The only person that I trust here is you.... (Sigh) The boy has freaking super hearing. There's a reason why I made my room sound proof. I don't want him eavesdropping on our conversations, intentionally or unintentionally."