The Unconventional Macy Gray

~11~ Solution

Hours felt like days, days like weeks. Weeks turned into months and then years. I empathized with anyone who has ever been tortured. Celia showed me memories I had long buried and made my peace with. She dredged them in the hopes of stirring up toxic emotions that would reveal just how powerful I really was so that she could successful combat against me. Eventually, she tired of the game and had me dumped back in the cell with Mom and Cynthia.

Cynthia flew to my side while Mom observed me with the detached air of a healer determining which part of my body she should take care of first. It was Cynthia's turn to hold me. "Poor kid," she said. "I know how you feel."

"Like you've been tossed into the sun when it's going supernova?" I closed my eyes and groaned. Cynthia rocked me to and fro. I had to admit was nice being held by her. Like a little part of my dream come true. I knew it wouldn't last but I was determined to enjoy it for as long as possible.

"Exactly like that."

"Do you know Celia had me accessing memories that were my Dad's and not mine? How did she do that?"

"Within every magician are special gifts prevalent only to them," Mom said. "It is part of their awakening. Perhaps Celia has the ability to bring up past memories of another person associated with you."

"I hear what you're saying but I can't process it." I groaned again, head spinning, stomach twisting. "I might need to use that corner."

"You should get some sleep," Mom said. "Take the other cot. I will sit on the floor."

"I'm fine. Just give me a minute." I extricated myself from Cynthia.

"No. You are not." She said it the way a Mom would, firm and unyielding with an undertone of knowing she was right.

"Fine." I got into the cot. "Happy?"

"Ecstatic."

I choked from suppressed laughter. What do you know, she made a joke. "Celia really did a number on me."

"If she did the same stuff to you, that she did to me, I get it," Cynthia said sympathetically.

"I think she went further with me. She trotted out past memories that I had to relive over again. Like the day Mom brought me back home from Alluvia. Do you remember that Mom? About the agreement you and Dad made? About leaving me forever and ncoming back? back?"

"Your Dad and I were trying to keep you safe."

"You said that before." I was getting tired of that refrain. "Come up with something better than that."

"There is nothing better than protecting your child. You will do anything to keep them safe. You have no children yet, but I knew one day you would. I had to ensure that day would come." Mom spoke with an intensity I'd never heard from her. Instant shame came upon me. I had disrespected my mother, assuming she cared little for me when she cared so much she was willing to sacrifice her time with me to let me have a normal life.

"I'm sorry, Mom. Thank you for protecting me the only way you knew how."

Mom nodded, her mouth lifting at the corners. "Apology accepted. Please do not be angry with your father. He responded in the only way he could."

"I know. Hard to stay mad at him. I didn't remember you or Alluvia so there was no point in him bringing it up. Odd how Alluvia showed up in my dreams though."

"Grendel," Mom sighed. "His special gift is dream projecting. He must have found a way to help you remember. He wanted to teach you how to use your magic properly. We had many arguments about it. He believed the key to protecting was to activate your magic."