The Knight's Eyes

39: REGARDS

NIGHTINGALE POV

She did not know what had overcome her. First, she hated the man serving under her roof and now all she wanted to do was to draw closer to him. Heck, he had tried to kill her yet above it all she felt no sense of danger from this man. Having that single image replay in her mind for days now of the little bronzite girl with gold eyes dancing and singing, happy to be alive, had brought her to this very moment.

You help me remember my past as much as you can...and I'll relieve you of your servitude.

The words were honest. Through the anger that filtrated her dark soul, the desire to have control over her fading memory reached far more important. She sharply inhaled feeling the tiny beat of her charred heart.

She watched him nibble on his bottom lip and study her with eyes not of disgust or mistrust, but pure curiosity.

"Alright," he said. "Once I do this, I can walk right out the door and you won't stop me?"

You can go. Return to your family.

He slid his stool closer and took a huge breath. "I only did this once. Galiathan had showed me I could do this. There's a problem though."

What's that?

"I don't know how to...uh...stop it. He didn't train me."

No problem, she said and waved her summons in the air. Within a minute Curl appeared and grunted his annoyance for being disturbed.

"Curl! Uh...after a minute or so, cover her eyes. Okay?"

The wraith glared angrily at him. "Excuse me?"

Just do it, Curl, she ordered. The wraith gave a slight nod, shooting darts at the Terran.

"Okay, uh...give me your hands. Now stare into my eyes. It's okay if you blink. Whatever you do, don't look away."

Should I think of something?

"I don't know. Clear your mind, I guess. I will search for your name and anything else important."

"What in the hell," Curl grumbled, scolding at their clasped hands.

Hush, she demanded focusing on his emerald green eyes. She took note of the white rings around his iris and couldn't help but admit...they were shiny and beautiful to look at. Within seconds of their silent stare, the rings slowly expanded until they coated his pupils. Her Alchemroom blurred around and faded pitch black. She gasped and flinched her hands to let him go, but he clung on tighter.

Don't be afraid, the man said but his lips sat parted and still.

The void slowly revolved around them. A little girl's voice broke out into a high-pitched harmony. It sent waves of joy throughout her veins and a smile across her face. The little girl in the image she possessed skipped around in a circle. The void peeled backwards, daylight broke in, and the girl's harmonic voice grew louder. She looked to be about seven or maybe younger. Her eyes were bright gold filled with innocence, her skin smooth, healthy, and brown. Her curled hair fell down her waist and blew happily in the wind as she played and sang.

That's when she realized she had looked away from the man's white-coated eyes. Reconnecting their stare something drastic happened. The void washed in like a rampaging flood. Explosions drained out the little girl's song. Screams of fear and pain clawed at her skin. Heat of hot wrathful flames devoured the present chill. Tears filled her eyes and ran down her cheeks. The void fell calm. The screaming blood ceased. Daylight poured in again.