Maya (Book #3)

Chapter 37

I sat back up immediately, afraid to lie down for even a second. My head was dizzy again, but this time swirling with information as opposed to injury.

"Can't we check by my uncle's name? I told you his name, right?" I asked, nearly hyperventilating. Damon rushed to my side and wrapped an arm around me, trying to encourage me to breathe deeply. I ignored him, taking short shallow breaths and questioning Charlotte like an interrogator.

"Yes, sweetheart. There is a man under that name with legal documents and proof of identification, but he looks nothing like the man you've described. It seems that your uncle somehow forged your identities and got away with it for quite some time." She said grievously.

"So, what the fuck is his name?" I demanded, slamming my hands down on the bed.

"Sorry," I said indifferently, shooting a quick look at Dominic. He nodded, allowing it.

"What's my name?" I gasped as my heart beat out of my chest and new questions bubbled to the surface of my mind.

 "We're not sure yet," Charlotte replied gently. "But we're going to find out!"

"How?" Dominic asked, finally speaking up. His voice was grave, and he was glaring at the ground like he planned to murder it.

"I don't know," Charlotte said weakly. "The police have searched every inch of your old house, but they've given us permission to go search it again by ourselves... if you want to, of course. You might have some insight on where your uncle could've hidden legal documents, or someplace he might've kept the truth about whatever he's done."

"Okay, can we go now?" I asked impulsively, eyes on Dominic. I knew he would take me even if Charlotte didn't. The image of us speeding down the road on the motorcycle vanished when he looked at Charlotte as if asking for permission. She shook her head.

"It's too late tonight. We still don't know where your uncle is, and I don't want you put in an unsafe situation. We can go early in the morning." She decided, looking away from my face so she wouldn't see the devastation on it.

"Okay," I whispered, looking down. My forehead was wrinkled as I wracked my brain for any hint of the truth in my memories. Unfortunately, my memories were as fallible and inconsistent as they come. I grabbed my forehead and slammed my eyes shut, willing the memories into existence. I couldn't remember when my parents had died, I only remembered him driving us to our new home from my old one. Why did he change our names? What was he trying to conceal?

 Interactions and conversations I had with my uncle swam through my brain as the boys wished me goodnight and Charlotte turned off my light.

"Alright if I stay here tonight?" Dominic asked five minutes later, blanket and pillow in hand. I nodded and he set up camp on the floor before falling asleep.

The room was dark, and I watched shadows dance on the wall as I imagined movement that wasn't there. I pictured the dark shapes as demons sliding from the windows to the ceilings before hovering over my bed, ready to grab me. I whimpered at the thought and whispered prayers I wasn't sure anyone could hear.

"Please save me. Please keep me safe. Please let this be a terrible dream," I chanted to myself. When the darkness didn't recede, I took it upon myself to grab my blanket and tug it down onto the floor. I curled up next to Dominic and waited until I, too, drifted off to sleep.