Deeper Blue

II

As the holiday season was underway, there were quite a few visiting tourists at Deeper Blue Lake, in the town of Ilawa. It was already late evening, the sun had disappeared from the sky leaving behind only pale red stains on the dark clouds. In the shrill blackness of the lake's waves, the cheerful lights of bonfires, lanterns and other sources of light were reflected. While Edgar, Rupert and Gerard had just eaten dinner on the terrace overlooking the water, a significant number of tourists were laughing and dancing to upbeat music on the beaches shrouded in twilight.

Would Edgar like to join other young people and together with them get drunk and dance as if the sun would never rise again? Perhaps. The problem was that those were far too close to the water, and the restaurant's terrace, seemed too convenient an alternative to spend a leisurely evening. It was safe and, above all, dry. Although the water continued to strike terror in the boy's heart, it posed no danger to him. On the beach, it would have been something else entirely.

It was quite awkward because of what happened. Since the tragic accident five years ago, lost memories had never returned to Edgar. Despite his strenuous attempts, wrinkling his forehead and staring at all sorts of objects that might evoke some sort of association, nothing of the sort happened. Edgar was resigned to the fact that he would be learning about a large part of his life from other people. And suddenly, at the least expected moment, he remembered something. It only took that one stumble, one fall for his mind to break through that indestructible shell of ignorance and illuminate at least one ray of insight into the boy's past.

His initial trepidation and fear quickly turned into an uncontrollable burst of euphoria. While they were still at the lake house, Edgar, with tears in his eyes, hugged his brother while shouting at full throat, "I remember Aunt Lidia! I remember her! I know what she looked like!" After that, the hopeful boy tried hard to remember something else, but in vain. It was clear, however, that something had happened that the neurologists studying Lynx had never predicted. His memory, his memories, are not lost forever.

- Again. - Mumbled Rupert under his breath, picking at the fried pikeperch on his plate with his fork. - You want to stay at home. And what's next? What's your plan? This is crazy, the house is in the middle of nowhere. Who will take care of you if something happens to you?

- Rupert, don't you understand? - Edgar was annoyed to hear his brother's skepticism. - Nowhere else, on no occasion, nothing came to my mind. Do you understand? Nothing. If there is hope...

- Edgar, it's dangerous. - Protested his brother once again. - We should take you to a doctor. Do you remember Dr. Neuman? He was pretty good. He will examine you and...

- And what? - The younger lynx interrupted. - He'll think I've gotten some kind of delusion, or that it's a one-time situation that proves the rule.

Rupert cursed under his breath and threw his fork like a harpoon at the corpse of a gander lying on the plate in front of him. He then pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and fired one up.

The whole situation was timidly watched by the real estate agent, who certainly did not like this turn of events. He remained silent throughout, not wanting to interfere with the Wagner brothers' private affairs. He gave no sign of it, as if he was carefully analyzing the situation waiting for the right moment. He had already put a lot of work into selling the house and, naturally, hoped to make a profit. If Edgar stays in the house, nothing will come of his profit-making plans.

- I'm staying. - Threw an offended Edgar.

- Understand, I want the best for you. - Strained through his teeth Rupert, trying to control his anger. - I don't know if you remember, but the house is located ... on a lake. A lake with a graceful name, given for a reason.