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

Chapter 4: Distance Beats the Shit Out Of Me

My skin prickled at those words, and I didn't open my mouth again.

Triumph took off his shirt and pants so that he just stood there in his boxers before asking,

"Do you miss swimming?"

I was silent for such a long time that he just dropped the subject and stepped into the water. Once he sat down, his legs merged together, glittering red scales covered the skin below his waist, and his tail extended from the bathtub, almost twice as long as my six-foot long tail.

His skin turned a silvery, almost transparent colour, his ears became small, red fins, and he closed his eyes. Contentedly sinking down into the water, I noticed small gills opening and closing on either side of his neck.

Finally, I murmured,

"Yeah."

"Hm?"

He said, opening his eyes to look at me with interest.

I glanced longingly out the second-floor bathroom's window at the expanse of buildings stretching across the landscape.

"I miss swimming so much it hurts."

I admitted with a sigh.

He rose out of the water a bit, his crossed arms resting on the edges of the tub as a small smile played about his lips.

"Oh, so you do like being a Siren."

"...yes."

"I can tell that Distance really wants to see you as a Siren. He really likes them."

I met his eyes with surprise, asking,

"How can you tell?"

He grinned at me, replying,

"I've honed my skills as an Aberrant, so I can use the Dreamwalkers abilities I have to sense one's intent and interests. I can tell if someone likes dogs more than cats and whether they have the intent to harm me from several blocks away. Like a radar of sorts."

"Oh."

I remained quiet then as Triumph started washing his hair. Closing my eyes, I tried to imagine the comforting blanket of water around me whenever I laid at the bottom of a river. I sighed wistfully.

"So when are you gonna tell Distance how you feel about him?"

Triumph said unexpectedly.

I shot out of my peaceful position, unintentionally slamming my feet down on the floor and squeaked,

"What the hell are you saying?!"

His eye glittered just above the surface of the water, a sly smile on his face.

"Like I said, I can sense someone's interests...and you're VERY interested in Distance. It also doesn't take much talent to see a blush on your face when you pinned him down in a rather sexy position during that fight."

He teased.

"What the hell is wrong with you? I tackled him normally, and how do you figure I was blushing?!"

I snapped, wondering just what kind of drugs Triumph had been doing on the streets.

"Let me guess...you're gonna say 'lol no homo' in a few seconds."

"I'M PANSEXUAL YOU STALE END PIECE OF WHITE BREAD!!"

I snapped.

Dead silence.

Then there was a laugh from the other side of the bathroom door. Both our heads snapped towards it as a voice snickered,

"You just roasted his entire bloodline with that one."

"Distance?!"

I exclaimed, mortified that Distance might've heard me denying the feelings I harboured for him, but Triumph called,

"You can open the door if you want. I'm not really naked, since I've got a tail..."

He couldn't even finish because Distance threw open the door and rushed over to gaze in awe at the red tail. He honestly looked like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Holy shit...that's so pretty!!"

He laughed, a genuine smile on his face for once.

I found myself reconsidering my viewpoint on Sirens before pushing that out of my head and remaining disdainful of them.

I was about to make a snide comment on Sirens, but Distance suddenly turned to look at me, freezing me in my open-mouthed position.

"You look like that too? Why don't you wanna show me?"

He asked me in confusion.

I stood up silently, then headed directly for the door. Before leaving, I rested my left hand on the doorframe and coldly muttered,

"My tail is black like oil and I look like an overgrown leech because of it."

I left the room, closing the door behind me and proceeded to stalk through the dark hallways to the stairs. I headed downstairs, needing to bury my mind in other thoughts before bed. Entering the living room, I faced the tv and flicked it on while simultaneously turning on the PlayStation 4 sitting under the Blu-Ray player.

I slumped down on the couch, continuing my Far Cry 4 game form the last time I played. I immersed myself in the game like always, yet I couldn't get the self-hatred I felt out of my mind.

The clock ticked monotonously as the lowered volume of the game rumbled through the room. I wasn't anyone special, just an idiotic mixed breed with PTSD and a huge pair of boots to fill if the prophecy was indeed about me.

The huge amounts of information I'd been forced to acquire today continued to weigh upon my mind until I let out a defeated sigh and fell sideways on the couch. I dropped the controller and let my character be mauled to death by a pack of honey badgers as I stared at the screen.

'YOU ARE DEAD', the screen read to me.

I closed my eyes, muttering,

"Sure feels like it."

"Rough day?"

A gentle voice asked, shocking me into an upright position.

Shark stood in the entrance to the living room, holding the blankets from my bed in her arms and smiling. I didn't say anything, I just glanced defeatedly at the ground.

She walked closer, then sat next to me on the couch. We both stared at the screen, and eventually I murmured,

"I'm not special. I can't even remember my real name or use any of my powers. How can I possibly save anyone?"

Shark was quiet for a moment as she watched me, then she threw the blanket around me and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. Pulling me close to her, she rested her head against the top of mine and said,

"I worry for the two of you all the time. I used to be so worried for Distance because I didn't know when those bullies would go too far and kill my son. Then we found you and..."

I was dead silent as she sighed and brushed her fingers through my hair.

"I didn't need to worry so much anymore. The teachers and authorities wouldn't care if he died because of his identity, but you're so amazing. You've saved him countless times, and even if the task before you now seems daunting, you can do it."

She finished.

I was perfectly silent as I took this all in. I was amazing?

"I understand your wish to not show your Siren side to anyone, but you should know that you can't hide things from Distance forever."

She murmured.

I nodded and replied,

"I know. I just want to hold onto that secret awhile longer."

Shark let me rest in her arms, eyes closed, until she whispered,

"I know you'll be able to excel at whatever that omen expects you to do, as long as you work hard like you always have."

As I drifted off, I tiredly mumbled,

"Thanks....mom...."