Remember Me

Chapter X

(A/N) URMAGURD! IT'S CHAPTER TEN! Sorry about the wait... Again. It's like whenever I'm inspired, I'm sick and lose the inspiration quickly. Or there's a storm and I have to get off the computer. Or it's in the middle of the school day at a moment where I have no paper with me. I just have terrible luck.

The simple phrase takes all of us by surprise. Our sheer luck leaves us speechless, only able to look at each other. After a full three seconds, we all surround Lisa to get a look at her findings. Of course, to have actually found Scarletstar's location would be a little too good to be true, as the files Lisa holds only narrow it down.

"There are a few clues here," Lisa says. "Several of the staff were replaced a little over a month ago. Two secretaries, four janitors, and one teacher. What do you think happened to all those people?"

Blueflight narrows her eyes at the pages. "Knowing Scarletstar, she probably kidnapped and killed the originals and replaced them with her clan members."

"And," Dawnflame adds, "since only one teacher was replaced, the replacement is our best bet. I'd say that's Scarletstar."

I smile and ruffle Lisa's hair. "You're awesome, you know that?" I get a huge grin of pride in response.

All that's left to do is find that teacher.

-----------------

I lie on the bed and glance at the clock again, which now says it's nine o'clock. Damn Saturdays. I have nothing to do since we can't search for Scarletstar.

Oh yeah. It's also my birthday.

As if on cue, the door swings open, making way for Delia, Nicholas, Blueflight, Dawnflame, and Lisa. They all run to me holding balloons and presents.

"Happy birthday!" Delia squeals immediately. The others say the same, although not in the same ecstatic fashion. I'm engulfed in hugs and balloons, leaving my hair a mess.

"Thanks guys," I say, smoothing down my hair, albeit unsuccessfully. Stupid static.

"It's a big day," Dawnflame says with a big smile. "You're fifteen."

"Yeah," Blueflight adds. "So HAPPY FUCKING BIRTHDAY!"

We all laugh at that, and I begin opening presents. I receive mostly My Little Pony or Doctor Who related gifts. Others are candy or craft supplies. I just finish the last one when the doorbell rings.

Everyone goes dead silent. We weren't expecting anyone else. Lisa has very few friends, and they never came over before. I signal for everyone to stay quiet and behind me. At the stairs, I see my mom opening the door, and the person right outside was someone I wasn't expecting to see for a long time, and hasn't been here for so long he's probably forgotten that he lived here. The expression on his face says it all. He totally forgot.

------eight years ago-----

Just yesterday Cole made me smiley face pancakes... He said it meant everything would be fine. So why are Mommy and Daddy crying?

"Mommy," I say. "Why are you so sad?"

She sniffles and answers, "Your brother isn't here... And he might not be back for a long time."

She hugs me and keeps crying. She's trying to keep the truth from me, I can feel it.

Later I'm sent to bed, but when a policeman comes in our house I listen from the stairs.

"...seems to have crashed," I hear him say. "...missing... Couldn't have survived."

More crying. Mommy tried to hide it from me. I might only be in first grade, but I can see what's happened. When I realize it, I run to my room, get under the covers, and cry, too.