A Faltering self (Distorted Reality book 2)

Chapter 40- Reflections

(Maddy's POV)

Outside again, it's a relief to be able to get away . To just have it be the two of us, or five, away from the rest of the crowd. I was almost worried it wouldn't be at first as Braden teased that he would steal Jackosn away. I almost gave into the frustration, but Liam was the one to defuse it before anything was done too rashly. He really does seem to be the one to keep my head on straight when all it wants to do is spin out.

Right now we're in my quiet spot again. It's a relief to have the voices back to quiet, especially on a day when there are so many around. Most people have an attachment or more. Jackson and them don't have one that follows them around, but he and Connor have told me about one that stays in their closet. The idea of it reminds me of the one that I've seen in my dreams as Iris. Not a closet, but a wardrobe. That seems to be the case with some attachments. I wonder if it's common. You hear all the time about monsters living in closets and under beds from kids, so maybe the monsters aren't so much just a fearful kid's tale.

I don't have any in my closets, but between Grandma's and home, I have plenty already to worry about. They mostly stay at the places where they seem to be attached instead of any of us, so it's only two consistent I have to worry about. I'm not sure how long they've been around me, as long as I can remember at least, so since the start of the trials, if not longer. I seem to be a magnet to them. Many times if I'm around someone or a place with any, they tend to cling to me. That's how Peter attached to me. Iris died and her mom found me, so he needed someone to cling to, and I happened to be there. At least that's what I'm told. I can't remember it myself or anything before the day of my adoption. They're the memories that stay lost, even when I'm awake.

I can't ever get a clear reasoning from Mom about what happened to me prior, only that an old friend showed up one day with me and asked if she could take me in. She said she fell in love instantly with me and knew I was supposed to be hers. That even though I'm not her blood, I'm as much her child as the rest.

The clinic has told me some. When Kathrin was driving, she saw me walking on the side of the road and stopped. I couldn't remember anything, was wet, and had a bad cut on my head. They couldn't find out anything before that, and assumed I fell into the lake nearby. The same one Ms. Kathrin lost Iris a week before. It's another reason they say Peter attached to me. The similarity, he assumed I was her. Ms. Kathrin was convinced of the same at first too. I don't blame her. I kind of wish she was my mom.

They said that she brought me to one of the doctors she was close to, and between them both, they tried to help me remember what happened and find my family, but couldn't. I'm how the project started. They noticed my ability to see Peter and remember Iris's memories, so they got curious to see what else I could do and other kids like me. Apparently, tragedy with the right kind of environment causes some to be special is what they say. I'm not sure if I believe them, but it sure does seem to be the case. Why else would they put us through what they do? Science can be cruel, but not usually at the reason of cruelty itself. That's what I tell myself. At least a purpose behind all the-

Yeah, let's change the topic. I think I've had enough about that for now.

"Hey, Mads, do you think that maybe we can hang out again soon? I enjoyed today."

I turn my head to Liam as he stares above us. The light on his face flickers with shadows as the wind blows spotlighting different features on his face. He's beautiful. It's like I'm staring at a painting. One of those that makes you feel peace to the point you wish you could step into it yourself and be a part of it. It's a sight I want to remember forever.