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

Chapter 4: Distance Beats the Shit Out Of Me

"You trust this woman?"

Whilst nodding over at Shark. I nodded, confused by his reaction, and replied,

"Well, of course I do. She pretty much saved my life. She's like my mom."

Shark stood up, prompting a wary glance from my brother, and sighed,

"I heard you. It's all right. I know you're both Aberrant, and I've got my own secrets. I wouldn't turn you in, no matter what. I also want to tell you about Distance's sudden combat ability."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Aren't those normal abilities for a Dreamwalker?"

Shark shook her head.

"No, we're both Fallen. His father was a human, and I've never told Distance about his heritage. He never asked me or questioned his existence. I honestly hoped he wouldn't develop the killer instinct of a Fallen. You know, because he'd become hunted...much like yourselves."

She explained.

I nodded slowly. I knew damn well what a Fallen was, but I didn't know I had been so close to them.

"I told him earlier. You can talk to him about it now, since he knows what he is."

Triumph responded with a shrug, evidently beginning to warm up to Shark.

"I don't want to be the kind of person to pry into my child's thoughts. If he wants to talk to me, he will. That's just the way things are with us."

She responded.

Triumph let out a gentle laugh.

"You're quite different from any adult I've known."

"I hope that's a good thing."

She replied, a sweet smile on her face as she spoke.

As she said that, the back door banged open again and Distance shouted,

"Hey, idiot! You coming or what?!"

I turned with a grin, running outside after him.

"Yeah!"

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I stood in the carpet of soft grass that coated our backyard, facing Memory. He promised not to go for a killing blow, but instead told me to try going for it if I could. You know, since a killing blow wouldn't have much effect on him.

"So?"

He called over, pulling me back into the present.

Instead of thinking too much about what to do, I just gave into the instinct I'd experienced before and rushed towards him, eyes piercing into his own.

Unlike the men who'd trapped me before, Memory could match my speed. He blocked the punch I threw at his throat, grabbing my fist and preventing that hand from moving again. My mind raced and instantly found another solution.

I used his own grip against him, grabbing his arm with my free hand and twisting it so that his wrist faced upward. Shifting my weight, I started to bring my knee up towards his elbow. Noticing what I wanted to do, he immediately yanked his hand away and jumped backwards before attacking again.

He was lowering his body, giving himself a more stable fighting stance as he continued blocking or deflecting my attacks. A dirty idea came to me, and I immediately let out a weak cry as if he'd hurt me, dropping to my knees.

He stopped, eyes wide with concern, and stood bolt upright. He was completely open to attack. For a moment, I considered asking him to restart the match, but realized I was too far gone into my plot to turn back now, so when he kneeled down in front of me, I smirked.