Find me

Chapter 62

Alice

I'm trying to decide whether I should stay or head back from where we came. I don't understand that village with hundreds of people invisibly exists in our world. It's like, I'm on another planet and those are the aliens who are watching me with the same curiosity as mine.
"This is Alice. Daughter of our queen, Andriana" she announced and beam at me, "I knew that you will find us soon" she told me.
I stay silent. And everyone starts whispering. I don't know what. Luke and I walk inside the village with her. Their houses seem vintage and damaged. They don't even wear fancy clothes. It's like they don't have many resources to survive. Their eyes seem broken. Nobody is smiling. It's like they are hurt. I don't why but I can feel that nothing is perfect here.
And I notice that they bow their head to me as I'm passing them, giving me respect which I don't think, I deserved.
"What happened to them?" I ask her.
She followed my gaze and then exhale heavily before replying "After our queen, your mother went missing. We left with no choice but to hide ourselves from our enemies".
Before she'll say, I add "Malign".
She amused, "Yes, Malign. Because we know they come after us and without our Queen, we are weak. We can't even stand them. So, I used my every bit of power to make everything disappear from the world. Nobody can see us until I want".
I snap "And you never looked for her".
She pivoted her eyes to me, as she replied "We did. But not for long, because I need to save them. And I can't do everything alone. So we stopped searching and decided to wait".
I shake my head in frustration, "And you don't even think that maybe she needed you. She needed you all. You just left her like everyone".
Biting her lip, she hurried away her gaze from me "It's not what you think, Alice. I know your mother better than anyone. And I know she couldn't risk everyone's life over her".
A big knot formed in my stomach, maybe she is right. Maybe, that's what my mother wants. I didn't reply, just walking along with her. Luke is behind us.
Then he lean closer, and while walking he whispered in my ear, "You're quite the celebrity here, little princesses".
"That respect is for my mother. I don't deserve this. She's the one who earned it" I replied in low voice. And something hit my mind. I stop in midway, "Wait". I look up at him.
He narrowed his eyebrows, "What happened?" He asks.
My eyes widened, mouth fall open as I was processing everything, "You didn't ask".
He walks back to me, "Ask what?".
"About my mother" I pause. His smile washed off. I continue, "You met Angela on my birthday still you didn't ask how could Andriana become my mother". I look away, balling my fist, I sigh "You didn't seem surprised by any of these. It means" I stop, taking deep breaths, trying to control my anger, "It means you already knew that Andriana is my real mother. How? I never told anyone about my stepmom or my real mother".
I glance up and Alessandra watching us in concern. She looks worried. But I don't care. I don't know this woman. So, I look away.
"Answer me, Tylor Luke" I shout.
He leans closer, trying to hold my hand but I jerked them off, "Don't" I shoot back.
He swallows and then after taking a deep breath, he says "I will, but" he looks at her then at me, "But not here". I don't reply just glaring at him. "Please" he adds.
I walk away from him to Alessandra who is still waiting for me.

~~~~~~~

We walk inside a house which is a little bigger than the others but not as decorative as it has to be. There is one small table where only two or three can eat. At the corner, there is a small area that is used as a kitchen.
"You both must be wondering how could this be the queen's home, must be expecting some royal palace or something. And trust me, we have, or we had- past tense" she frowned.

"It's nice. Sweet and comfy" I assure her.
She gives me her apologetic smile, "Please make yourself comfortable" she says while pouring water into a glass, she continues "This is our secret place. Sometimes your mother and I came here when we need a break. We stay here for a few days with the people, trying to connect with them, to know their problems, their need".

I walked around, looking at everything. It reminds me of my mother. She used to live here. I can feel Luke's eyes on me as I pace around the room. But I ignore him. He has a lot to answer.
She brings us some sweet cookies, "Sorry I don't have much to eat".
"It's fine, please don't bother yourself," I say. I clear my throat, "Actually, we are here for your help".
And without any second, she replied, " Anything dear".
I took a deep breath and told her everything from start to end. And told her that one of my professors had given your address and told me that only you could help me. And found out that Miss Verona is her friend. She helped them a lot in every possible way. She couldn't visit here because anyone can follow her and this isn't safe for anyone. If Malign finds out their location. They'll definitely come for everyone here. They hide for years. And I can't imagine how hard is to live without resources.
She has no idea what is wrong with me. But she assures me that she'll find out soon. She said they never experienced anything as I felt for weeks. And now I'm scared as hell. Am I going to die? Nobody knows what is happening to me. She is my last hope but unfortunately, no luck.
She left us alone here and told us she'll be back soon when she gets the answer until then we have to wait. I have to wait.
We sit here in awkward silence. For the first time, he seems in no mood to talk. And I'm too furious to start the conversation even though I need answers from him. But alright, he can take his time before spitting the truth.
Moments has been passed and I think it's been an hour since she's gone. And it's going to be dark soon. And I'm feeling cold now.
Finally, he decided to speak, I guess. He clear his throat as he tried to pull my attention. And it works. I glanced at him, waiting for him to say something.
Scratching his eyebrow, he says "I know you have lots of questions right now. And you are angry with me. I get that". He paused for my response but get none. So he continues "We are brothers".
I raise my eyebrow, giving him a, 'I don't understand' look.
"Dorian and I. We are brothers. That jerk is my elder brother" he states and looks away, clenching his jaw.
I jerked in surprise and choked my own saliva. My breath hitched in my throat when I looked at Luke. No way could this be real. "What?".
He let out a heavy sigh, "Yeah, yeah I know. We don't seem like brothers. Because I'm way too handsome than him" he says and sit straight on a chair, resting one arm on top of it and the other on the table.
"I can't believe this".
"Unfortunately, it's true. I know who is your real mom, Alice. I never met her. But I know she was a kind lady so like you".
I stay silent for a moment and Luke is watching me in concern, wondering what am I thinking right now. Did I use to know him from the past? Are we close? How much does he know about me? I didn't imagine this, not even in my dreams.
I blinked, "It means, I know you from the past?".
I noticed his eyes held a touch of sadness, he stared at me for a moment before replying "We used to play all day at the beach". He pause "We were best friends", clenching his jaw as he looked away, I glimpsed the tears welling in his eyes.
My heart clenches at his words, and tears sting my eyes, "Why don't you tell me before?" A surge of pain wells up inside me.
"Because it was no use" he sound so sad.
A tight fist constricts around my heart, as I replied "Because I don't remember anything".
I bit my lips, trying to control myself from sobbing. I don't know but I'm feeling his pain now. All I want is to hug him and say that we are still friends, doesn't matter if I have my memories from the past or not.
Suddenly, his grief washes off and a sudden rush of anger surfaces on his face "He took your memory. He erased me from your mind. He's a bastard".
I exhale, trying to calm my nerve, "That's why you hate him".
He balls his fist, with his eyes flashing, his mouth twisted in anger. He stood up, pushing the chair so hard that it hit the ground, "He's a bastard and I never forgive him". I never saw him this way. Angry Luke? Out of imagination.
I rush to him, grab his hand, and pull him into a hug. Maybe this will calm him down. And it worked. He became quiet. The only thing I'm feeling is his heavy breathing around my neck. He must be trying to control his anger.
We stay there for a moment and then I pull back, and that rage is gone. I guess. He seems himself. "I am sorry," he tells me, refusing to look in my eyes, "It's just, everything was so much for me to digest. But I swear, I'm trying hard".
I cut him off, "You and I, we haven't changed. We are still friends. And together we will make new memories. Better than the previous one and this time I'm going to write down everything. So, I'll never forget anything again".
He chuckles, looks down at me, he says "I missed you a lot, love".
As his words left his mouth, something happens. Shit. My heart is racing. My cheeks flushed pink. I look away, trying to calm myself. I curl my hair behind my ears, and tucked my hands under my back pocket, feeling embarrassed "Isn't she taking too long" I changed the subject before he notice anything.

"Uh, yeah" he replied, rubbing the back of his neck, "Maybe she is on the way or she isn't find anything yet".
I nodded and walk away from him. I don't want him to see my flushed cheeks. 
The door cracks open and we both glance up.
She's here. And so as my answers.