Lost Souls

Chapter Sixteen

"It's just minor amnesia. He'll remember in a day or two." Alfred explained to Kiku the next morning as he sat next to a sleeping Matthew on the couch.
"Does he know yet? Did you terr him?"
"He knows about the amnesia, yeah."
"No. About...his brozher..."
"I dunno if I should..."
"Has he asked about him yet?"
"A few times..."
"And what have you tord him?"
"That he was staying at a girlfriend's place..."
"Does he berieve you?"
"Not really...but he hasn't argued."
"You shourd terr him."
"I really don't wanna."
"Tell me what?" Matthew lifted his head, blinking sleepily.
"Uh...nothing..."
"Where's Francis?"
"I told you..."
"Francis doesn't have a girlfriend."
"He got one..."
"He's gay."
"Gee man, why you gotta assume people's sexuality?"
"He told me he was gay." Matthew rolled his eyes and stood up. "I'm going to bed."
"Mattie..."
Matthew stormed out of the room and up the stairs, Arthur following out of worry. The Brit hadn't seen Francis since they got home but he knew he was sulking in his room. Arthur felt indebted, in a way. He felt like he needed to keep an eye on Matthew for Francis's sake. Which was why he sat down next to the boy while he picked up his phone and pressed the home button to pull it out of its slumber. He stared blankly at the lock screen which was a picture of a hockey player before swiping the screen and pressing 1867 to unlock it. He opened the photos app and started scrolling through, staring at selfies he took with Gilbert and a few photos of the German sleeping, a few memes, some in French and some in English, and images of his favourite teddy bear wearing hats. None of them looked familiar to him, Arthur could tell. He continued to flip backward in time, faster and faster until he reached the night before the accident. It was the only photo of Francis that had appeared so far. He was sitting on the living room floor, hair tied into a ponytail, mouth curved into a smile.
He looked beautiful.
A little black bar appeared on the top of the screen, signalling a message from Gilbert. Matthew quickly tapped it and messenger opened up.
How are you feeling?
Matthew stared at the message for a few seconds before typing his own.
I don't know...I'm confused.
Gilbert's reply was instant.
Do you need me to come over?
Matthew's bottom lip quivered as he typed.
Yes.
I'll be right there, birdie.
Matthew set the phone down and curled up on his side, letting his arm dangle over the edge. He sighed, tears dripping silently from his eyes. Arthur slid out of the bed and walked through the wall to Francis's room. He found the man he had fallen for lying on the floor in the darkness, staring silently into space.
"Francis?" Arthur curled up next to Francis, letting his hands linger around his hip. But the blond didn't react. It was as if Arthur had become a ghost even to other ghosts.
"Francis, talk to me."
"Non."
"Francis, what's come over you?"
"Leave."
Arthur rolled over so that his legs were on either side of the Frenchman. "I'm not giving up on you."
"I'm sorry, Arzhur. I can't love you like zhis. Your skin isn't warm and I can't feel your kiss." Francis turned his head away but Arthur pulled it back.
"That's why. We find away to get out of this. Kiku said it was possible!"
"I don't know anymore." Francis whimpered.
"Look, your little brother is lying in his room all alone. He needs you. If you won't fight for him, do it for me." Arthur shouted.
Francis took a deep breath, his eyes drifting toward the wall.
"Fine."