In the Willows

Chapter Thirty-Two: O Willow Waly

One Week Later:

You lay in bed looking up at the ceiling. You found out that you're in California in a town called Cottonwood ran by a group called Misery. Anderson, the town you were told you were from, was burned down by a rival faction of Misery. You were the only survivor.

To the left of you is a mirror. Every time you look at yourself you burn in anger. A helpless freak is all that you see staring back at you. A large scar on the side of your head and the cloudy white left eye cemented on you forever.

Charles walks in and opens the blinds to welcome in the sun, "Rise and shine kid. Daylight's burning."

You turn your head away from the bright light shining into your once dim room, "Not now Charles."

"Any luck about remembering your name?"

You lay in silence.

"I'll take that as a no."

"What's the point, I don't remember anything. You said my family was killed but I don't feel sad."

He nods, "Its something that comes with memory loss. One day it might come back in an instant, or never at all."

"What could help me bring back my memory?"

"You could go back and see something from your past maybe. It could trigger everything bad from what happened to you in Anderson though."

That name, Anderson, it rings a bell to you. Maybe you knew someone that had that name?

"It's a risk I'll have to take." you say trying to get up.

Charles helps you sit up, "Ready to try walking some more?"

You nod, "Need to get my coordination back."

You swing your legs over the side of the bed and get up slowly holding your arms out.

"Help me out doc." you say slowly taking a step forward.

"You got this kid." he says right beside you.

You take another shaky step, "I don't feel confident."

"You're doing good."

You feel his hand hovering behind you.

You misjudge your next step and Charles grabs you and sets you back on the bed.

You huff in anger, "I CAN'T do this."

"You can kid. You just- "

"Have to keep trying? We've been trying for a week doc. I'm helpless."

"You're not."

"I'm a fucking freak."

"Stop it, you're not a freak."

"Look at my face doc! I'm just gonna get stared at and laughed at."

"Why don't we try again?"

"No."

"Nobody is going to laugh at you. I'm not."

"Then they'll feel sad for some shit I don't even remember happening."

"I think a little vitamin C will help out doc." says the man standing in the doorway.

"Alec, what brings you here?"

Alec was one of the Misery soldiers that rescued you from the attack. He's been dropping by occasionally to check on you. His hair is blonde and has cool blue eyes.

"The King requests an audience from the lone survivor of Anderson."

"The King can wait a second." you respond holding your head.