I'm Fine

(10): Memory and Reality

A red and white form took shape as his vision cleared, showing the source of the voice to be a teenager with dark hair that was styled into a mullet. For some reason, that particular fact stood out to Lance, as did the boy's distressed expression as he waved his hand in front of Lance's face.

"Thank god, Lance," the armored teen said, relief lighting up his features, "you really scared me." His purple eyes took in the blue paladin's appearance, saddening at what they saw. "We really need to get you into a pod."

He bent down to release the bonds on Lance's wrists and ankles, but his ocean-blue eyes widened in fear and he shied away, ending up against the wall.

"S - stay away from me," Lance warned, shivering and shaking his head. "W - who are you and what do you want?"

"What do you mean?" The boy asked, confused. "It's me, Keith. The paladin of the Red Lion and your 'rival'? How do you not remember?" After a brief pause, he inquired, "What about Hunk? What about Pidge? What about Shiro, Allura or Coran? You remember them, right?"

Lance shook his head again.

He couldn't remember anything. Not even how he had gotten into his current position, trapped in a metal cell and with his legs and arms bound.

Keith looked at him once again, his face laced with concern. "What did they do to you?"

A large Galran man abruptly grabbed Lance by his feet and dragged him out of the cell - He smiled at Haggar as his own words replayed in his head: I'll take responsibility of what happens to them - The pain that ripped through his mind took over every thought, leaving him no place to hide - He had to do something - I just wish. . . . it would. . . . stop. . . . I wish that. . . . she would. . . . just leave me. . . . alone - !

How long have I been here?! Lance thought frantically. Days? Weeks? Years?! I can remember everything except that! I can't remember! Why can't remember?!

He was already afraid, tired, and weak, but the sudden onslaught of memories was what sent him over the edge. He completely lost it.

He wrapped his hands around his head, screaming and sobbing. A rush of panic flooded his senses, blocking everything else out. Nothing and no one could reach him.

. . . .

Keith was genuinely afraid of Lance. His blue eyes were mad with panic, and when his screams eventually tapered off, they were replaced instead by one sentence that he repeated over and over: "Estoy bien, estoy bien, Estoy bien".

(A/N): Just in case you don't know Spanish, he's saying "I'm fine", cause he's totally sane right now (haha not really).

Even though Keith had no idea what he was saying, he did know one thing: I need to get him out of here. But. . . . how?

"Lance, I know you're scared and I have no idea what you've been through, but please, help me," the red paladin pleaded. "Our friends are fighting out there to give me time to help you escape, but I can't do it with you acting like this."

Lance lifted his arms from off his head slowly, still shaking like a leaf. Despite this, his eyes met Keith's, and when they did, Keith didn't move. He didn't want to startle him even more. Then, out of nowhere, Lance's eyes rolled back in his head as he blacked out.