| RED'S POV |
Uncle J's reaction was a tumultuous mix of shock and confusion, clearly displayed on his face. The revelation I had just shared seemed to catch him completely off guard, leaving him disturbed and taken aback. Perhaps he had anticipated a different response from me, which only intensified his bewildered state.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Uncle J interrupted the tense atmosphere by requesting a private conversation with Aunt May. Rising from his seat, he made his way to the kitchen, and Aunt May glanced briefly at me before following him, leaving me with a difficult choice.
Although eavesdropping is generally frowned upon, I felt compelled to listen in. The alternative, sitting and waiting for their return, seemed unbearable. My conscience nudged me towards the more respectable option, but ultimately, I disregarded it with a resigned "fuck it."
Silently, I approached the wooden door, my curiosity reaching its peak. Pressing my ear against the rough surface, I strained to decipher the hushed conversation taking place on the other side. Suddenly, Uncle J's voice rose, filled with frustration and longing, as he exclaimed his disbelief at Aunt May's failure to disclose this information for so many years.
Aunt May, attempting to explain herself, responded with a hint of resignation in her voice. There was a heavy sigh, weighted with the struggles she had endured while raising me. Memories of the challenges she faced as a single guardian flooded my mind.
Their voices reached my ears:
"Why are you taking care of this child all alone? Where's your husband?" An elderly woman inquired.
"She's just my niece," Aunt May replied, attempting to deflect the conversation.
"And what about her parents?" another lady pressed further.
"They died," Aunt May responded, her words quick and firm.
I could sense the pity in their voices as an 11-year-old me hid under the dining table, realizing that more than one person was questioning my aunt's situation.
"It must be hard for you to suddenly take care of her," another woman interjected.
"She's just a child. All children are hard to take care of," Aunt May tried to evade the probing questions, but these women were relentless.
"May, you should know what I'm talking about. You're too young to be taking care of this child," one of the women remarked, pointing out Aunt May's age—only 26 and on the verge of completing her bachelor's degree.
"When was the last time you were with a man since you started taking care of her?" another woman's voice cut through, making me feel sick to my stomach.
"I don't know, and I don't care. I don't need a man in my life right now. Having Red is enough for me," Aunt May defended herself, and a faint smile tugged at my lips.
Aunt May's voice snapped me back from the memories as she began to speak again, pulling me back into the present.
"I must," Uncle J interrupted, his voice filled with desperation.
"Red, she can't remember things from when she was young, especially during the incident," Aunt May stated matter-of-factly.
"Do you mean..." Uncle J trailed off, his voice heavy with realization.
"Yes, J. The night her parents were murdered," Aunt May confirmed, and a heavy silence engulfed the room. The sound of a chair being dragged indicated that one of them had taken a seat.
Even though Aunt May had explained it to me before, hearing those words still stung like hell.
"Maybe it's shock or fear that's blocking her state of mind," Uncle J offered, trying to reason through my situation.
"You don't seem to understand, J," Aunt May responded, her voice tinged with frustration.
"Remember the night of the incident? You refused to go there because you were afraid to face the sight of your brother's body, so you asked me to go instead," she recounted.
"I can never forget that day, May, but how does that have to do with her losing her memory?" Uncle J sounded confused, and I could imagine the questions swirling in his mind.
"When I got there, I found her crying on the floor, refusing to let anyone touch her. I thought it was due to the shock of her parents' death," Aunt May continued, her voice filled with the weight of the past.
"But..." Uncle J interjected, pausing in anticipation.
"But that wasn't the case. She told me she didn't know where she was that night, longing to go home without realizing that her parents lay lifeless next to her," Aunt May proceeded, revealing a painful truth.
"Are you saying that she doesn't know about her parents' death to this day?" Uncle J insinuated, his tone conveying a mix of disbelief and sorrow.
"Of course I told her, J. What kind of person would I be if I didn't? The burden of the truth weighed heavily on me, and I couldn't bear the thought of her not knowing about her parents' death until she was atleast older," Aunt May replied, her voice laced with a hint of defensiveness.
"But she doesn't remember," Uncle J insisted, his voice filled with anguish.
"No, she doesn't. It's as if her mind has blocked it out completely, shielding her from the trauma she experienced that night," Aunt May explained, her voice tinged with sadness." You can't imagine what she's through, J."
" I can't," He said with regret.
"From that moment on, her curiosity about herself grew insatiable. She bombarded me with questions, probing for information that even I didn't possess. It was a peculiar situation, considering that I had only encountered her parents through you."
Uncle J paused, his voice filled with pain, as if memories flooded his mind. "May," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Aunt May's bitter tone cut through the air. "This isn't about us, remember? You left, and it ended everything," she spat out, her words laced with resentment.
"You won't understand, no matter how much I try to explain," Uncle J replied, frustration evident in his voice.
"It's too late for explanations anyway," Aunt May's voice wavered, revealing a touch of sorrow. It became clear that Aunt May and Uncle J had shared a significant relationship, and his sudden disappearance had caused her immense pain and confusion.
"Let's set this aside for now and focus on your niece," Aunt May sighed, her voice heavy with resignation.
"You know there won't be one, but I agree. You mentioned that she couldn't remember anything, right?" Uncle J's voice was filled with concern.
"Yes, we took her to different hospitals, but they all said the same thing. They couldn't explain her condition and were even considering conducting experiments," Aunt May chuckled briefly, the irony not lost on her.
"Hmm... Based on what you've described, seeking a medical solution might not be the answer," Uncle J concluded, leaving me even more bewildered.
"What do you mean?" I interjected, stunned by his revelation. I could see that Aunt May shared the same surprise.
Uncle J continued, his voice taking on a grave tone. "You see, in my world, there's a concept where one can delve into someone's mind, extracting information or even erasing memories as a form of punishment."
I couldn't help but find it brutal. "That's harsh," I remarked silently, shocked by the cruelty of such a power.
"It's a dangerous and rare gift, only bestowed upon the Elders, who entrust it to individuals deemed worthy. They are known as the Memorists," Uncle J explained.
"Wow, that's a lot to process... But you said they only use it on criminals. Your brother was a hunter," Aunt May pointed out, her voice tinged with confusion.
"I know, unless..." Uncle J's voice trailed off, the weight of his unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.
"Unless what, J?" Aunt May pressed, eager to uncover the truth.
"Unless it wasn't about them, but about Red. They wanted Red, and killing them was just an excuse," Uncle J revealed, his voice filled with a mixture of realization and apprehension.
Aunt May made a valid point, challenging the theory. "That still doesn't explain why they would erase her memory. If she was the only one at the house, why not kill her or take her?"
Silence fell upon the room as everyone wracked their brains, searching for answers that seemed to elude them. Questions swirled in my mind, demanding to be addressed.
Suddenly, Uncle J called out to me, catching me off guard. "A penny for your thoughts, Red," he said, his words penetrating the silence.
I was taken aback. How did he know?
"Remember, I can read your thoughts," Uncle J reminded me, his voice tinged with a hint of familiarity.
Aunt May's disapproval was evident in her tone. "You still do that," she muttered, hinting at a troubled history with Uncle J's ability.
As I reached for the door handle, the scene before me spoke volumes. Aunt May and Uncle J stood apart, their physical distance mirroring the emotional chasm between them. Yet, their longing for closeness was palpable, an unspoken desire that hung in the air.
"You heard everything," I said, turning to face Aunt May. Her eyes reflected sadness and worry. I nodded, confirming that I had indeed overheard their conversation.
"Like I said what do you think about the situation at hand,Red," Uncle asked about my thoughts on everything.
"Well, Aunt May is right," I murmured, my voice tinged with frustration. "Why bother removing my memories when I was just a young kid? I mean, it could have been an easy kill."
My uncle, sensing the tension in the room, spoke up in an attempt to bring clarity to the confusion that enveloped us all. "It's alright, Red. There's no need to be more tense than you already are. If only you could remember even the tiniest detail," he said, his voice filled with a glimmer of hope.
"She can't remember, stupid," my aunt snapped at him, her tone sharp with annoyance. It was in that moment that he realized his mistake and fell silent.
Lost in deep thought, my uncle furrowed his brow and appeared almost annoyed by the thoughts racing through his mind. He seemed to be struggling to piece together the puzzle before us. Finally, he broke the silence. "I think I understand what's happening, but I still can't figure it out," he confessed, his gaze fixed in the distance.
Curiosity burned within me, and I couldn't help but ask, "What is it? What do you think is going on?"
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, my uncle replied, "This incident, your memory loss, your parents' murder case, and the fact that your powers are starting to emerge. They're all connected, Red."
Powers? The word hung in the air, carrying a weight of both mystery and potential.
"If my senses are right, which they are," my uncle continued with confidence, "this is all connected to Mystic High."
My curiosity piqued further, and I couldn't resist asking, "What's this Mystic Academy exactly?"
"It's the place I'm taking you, Red," he explained. "It's where you'll learn how to be stronger and, most likely, defend yourself."
Aunt May, ever the protective figure in my life, interjected with concern. "You can't take her there. What if the murderer recognizes her?"
My uncle's voice remained calm and persuasive as he countered, "Just listen to me. The person who tried to kill you earlier will try again, and I mean with full force. But if you go to Mystic Academy, it would take a tremendous amount of effort for them to even touch you."
Aunt May's worry was palpable, but my uncle's argument resonated with me. "You might think it's dangerous, but what choice do I have? The commotion that happened at your college is evidence enough that they will come back," he reasoned, his words echoing my own fears.
Aunt May turned her gaze to me, her impatience evident. "What commotion? Red, what is he talking about?" she demanded, her eyes searching mine for answers.
Realizing I had neglected to inform her of the incident, I hesitated before sharing the details. With each explanation, Aunt May's face contorted in shock, struggling to comprehend the extraordinary circumstances that had unfolded.
"So you're trying to tell me that you got angry, your eyes were glowing, and you broke the windows in your room?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief as she attempted to process it all.
I nodded, confirming her suspicions.
"Your emotions are affecting your powers, and I have no clue how to help you. But taking you with me to Mystic Academy might just provide the answers we need," my uncle pointed out, his voice tinged with a mixture of concern and determination.
Overwhelmed by the weight of the decision before me, I tried to defend my reluctance to leave. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the implications. "I can't just leave my aunt here. What if they come for her?" I pleaded, my voice trembling.
"Dear, he's right," Aunt May said, her voice gentle as she took hold of my hand, leading me closer to the kitchen sink.
"Don't support him!" I protested, my tears now streaming down my cheeks. The thought of leaving Aunt May behind tore at my heart. She was the one person I had always turned to in times of trouble.
"You need to go, Red. Staying here won't solve anything, and both of us know it's true," she reassured me, her voice filled with love and strength. "I promise I'll be fine. It's not like I haven't been attacked by unknown creatures before."
The weight of her words settled upon me, and I nodded in reluctant agreement. I turned to face my uncle, who had patiently awaited my response, his eyes filled with a mixture of satisfaction and concern.
"When do we leave?" I asked, summoning every ounce of strength I had left. His smirk, victorious in winning me over, sent a shiver down my spine, leaving me unsettled.
"We leave tomorrow morning," he replied, his tone filled with a sense of finality.
~~~~~~~
| Hope you enjoyed this Chapter |