Artificial Memory (DISCONT'D BUT WILL UPLOAD UNEDITED CHAPTERS)

Chapter 2: I Have Vampiric Tendencies and Lucid Dreams Are Hella Creepy

He blocked as if he expected that I was going to punch him, but I instead shifted my weight to the back and brought my right knee up into his jaw. Some teeth broke and fell on the ground. I stood back upright, narrowing my eyes and watching as he collapse to his knees, clutching his mouth.

"You want another try?"

I asked with a slight condescending tone.

He spat out blood from his missing and broken teeth, clenching his fists.

"Fucking animal!!"

He shouted as the group ran off.

I stared after them a moment, then I glanced at the two girls.

"Are either of you hurt?"

I asked without moving, so as not to startle them.

They jumped at my voice, then the young blue-haired girl nodded.

"No, we'll be fine. Th-thanks."

I shrugged, turning to grab my groceries. As I picked them up, the one with dark brown hair smiled at me.

"Thanks so much!"

I returned the smile as they turned and hurried off. After that, I headed for home. A vague headache plagued me as I thought more about my fight.

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The door creaked open and then shut as Memory returned. I heard him kick off his boots, then heard his sock-feet scuffing on the hardwood floor.

I saw him enter the kitchen from where I was seated in the living room, watching as he laid the grocery bags on the kitchen table. As he began to put the groceries away, I sighed. From his slightly altered nerve impulse frequency, I could deduct that he was in pain. Another ability of mine as a Dreamwalker. Detecting nerve impulses.

"You're headachy."

I called.

He didn't even hesitate as he laughed,

"Yeah. I've got a bit of one since I broke up that same group."

I gritted my teeth. Every time he fought, it pissed me off.

Not because he was stronger than me, but because I didn't want him to get possessed again.

"You know how I feel about you fighting...mom and I both hate it when you do."

I muttered, angry tones in my voice.

Memory glanced back at me, his face still cheerful.

"I know. I can't use my powers anyways!"

He laughed.

I stood bolt upright, glaring as I stalked towards him. I jabbed my index finger into his chest and snapped,

"I don't give a shit whether or not you can use your fancy little powers. I'm worried about--"

I broke off before giving away the fact that he had been possessed by Shale. I backed off and narrowed my eyes with an angry sigh.

"Just...be more careful. I don't want you racking up a bloody huge hospital bill."

I finished.

He looked at me like he was going to pry further, but then shrugged and smiled at me.

"Ok. Anyways, it's kinda hard to forget that I have to be careful. This is a constant reminder that my existence is a crime, remember?"

He murmured, pulling his white bangs away from his right eye and revealing his Aberrant eye.