Bloodstream

-chapter 3-

She lets out a deep breath, "I think Oleas somehow repressed your memories. You were old enough to know us, and to know right from wrong. Yet, that's all gone. We have a friend, someone who could unlock those memories. Is that something you would consider doing?"

I hesitate, a strong feeling of anxiety flooding my chest. The thought of gaining something I never knew I had, something that will change everything I've ever known, It's terrifying. But I find myself wanting that, wanting my life changed, wanting something given back to me that was stolen.

"Yes. I'll do it."

She looks shocked for a moment, "Alright. I'll send for them." She stands up and walks toward the door, but turns back to me before she leaves.

"My name is Zalina. You can call me that if you'd like."

I find myself smiling, "Alright. Thank you, Zalina."

♢♢

It's been a few hours since Zalina sent for their "friend" and I find my patience wearing thin. That is, until Elson enters the room. Somehow I find comfort in his face. He was nice to me even when he thought I was a criminal.

"Avila! I heard about everything. It's kinda crazy" He sits on the edge of my bed like we're old friends catching up.

It's kinda weird in an endearing sort of way.

"Yeah, you're telling me." I scoff.

He opens his mouth to say something else but is interrupted by the door opening.

Zalina walks in, along with the person who I'm assuming is going to give me my memories back. They have a dark green cloak on and I almost think I'm not going to be able to see their face, until they take it off.

"Avila this is Fausta. They're going to give you your memories back."

I take notice of their face that's so clear it almost sparkles, their white braided hair and eyebrows and dark brown eyes. The firm look on their face has me almost cowering back, until they give me one of the kindest smiles I've ever seen.

"Pleased to meet you, Avila." Their voice and the way they speak is shockingly smooth and crystal clear.

"Pleased to meet you as well, Fausta." I shake their hand.

"Alright. We should get started." They sit a bag down on the end of the bed and start rummaging through it, pulling out a few glass bottles filled with plants or liquids that look foreign to me. They motion for me to sit up, and then they climb behind me on the bed.

"Zalina could you please hand me the bottle of blue liquid?" Zalina complies and hands it to them, only for them to hand it to me.

"What the hell am I supposed to do with this?"

They laugh, "Drink it. It's hard to explain but it helps me do what I need to do. I can't do this without it."

I sigh, opening the lid and downing the liquid. Despite the pretty color, it's horrid. It's bitter and it burns my throat.

"Sorry for the taste." They smile apologetically, then rest their hands in their lap. 

"Before we begin," They say, "You must know that your memories won't come back all at once. They'll come back as you're ready. I'm here to remove the block on your mind, to help you get your memories back. I'm afraid I can't simply give them back to you at once, that part is up to you and your mind. The spell is unexpected and different with each person. But the one constant thing are the types of memories you experience. You will experience memories that have been blocked, and memories that haven't. Recent ones, ones that you created at Oleas. Ones that were created here." 

They give me one more warm smile, "Now we can begin."

Their hands touch my head, and moments pass. I begin to think it isn't working, that this is different or worse than they expected. Then the memories hit. Images in my head, varying degrees of vague or vivid.

There's vague ones at first. Oleas, my father, my room. Then the vivid ones start. The ones with Ren.

Ren. Vivid memories of sleepovers, and training, and causing trouble and managing to not get caught. Me spraining my ankle during my first day of training and her carrying me to the infirmary with no trouble. Her getting mad at me when i accidentally tore her favorite shirt on accident while we were play fighting.

I expect the images of Ren to continue to overwhelm me, but it all changes. It changes to memories I don't remember. 

Me in a dress running through the halls of the castle, and a man's voice yelling after me. "Avila! If you stop hiding we can go play in the garden!"

Then me in the throne room. taking a small handful of flowers to her in her throne. Her smile as she takes them from my hand.

Then me on a man's shoulders. My arms are around his neck as he runs through a field of flowers, "We're on a secret mission. We have to be extra quiet if we want to win, flower."

Flower.

The nickname triggers more memories and my head hurts horribly. I've never felt pain like this before, but I force myself to push it away. To focus on the memories.

Things flash all at once. More memories of the mysterious man who I can only assume is my father. Zalina. Playing, laughter, nicknames, sunshine, fields of flowers, and safety, and love.

I hit the brink, my head feels like it's on fire. I let out an uncontrollable yell and open my eyes. My hands fly to my head and I'm breathing so hard, so hard it probably isn't safe.

Fausta lays a calming hand on my shoulder, willing me to lay my head against the pillow on the bed. They sit beside me on the bed and run one of their hands over my hair. It takes awhile but eventually the pain fades and my breathing slows. My mind focuses back on my surroundings, and the first thing I see is Zalina's concerned face.

I look at her, expecting to feel nothing, but instead I feel everything. The memories hitting me once again, but not strongly. They're just simple memories.

"You—" I stand up and move towards her, "You're my mother. You're my mom." I find myself crying again. I should be embarrassed. I've cried more in the past few hours than I have my entire life, but I don't feel that way. I don't feel embarrassed.

She places a hand on my face, "Oh, Avila." She wraps her arms around me, and I find myself doing the same. It feels comfortable. She feels comfortable, and safe. Somehow, even if it still feels new and strange, it still feels like home.