The Fairy Lights Under Phoenix City

Chapter 5

"I still don't understand why I'm here." Aphmau said, following Aaron through racks of clothes.

"We should get to know each other better." Aaron said lightly. "Taking you out is the best way to do that. After all, I already know everything about you. You should know something about me."

Aphmau sighed. He was right. But still, being here felt wrong. The last time she had visited this shopping mall was with her mother after her high school graduation. "So, do you have a plan?"

Aaron shook his head. "I was planning on following you. You can ask questions. I'll observe whatever catches your eye and what stores you go into. I'll tell you whatever you want."

Aphmau's face twitched. This was a great opportunity to get information out of him.

"Okay." She agreed.

Aaron kept his word. He followed her from Bed Bath and Beyond to her favorite underwear stores without flinching. Everyone stared at him. He looked very out of place against the pink walls of the girly stores. He paid no mind to the girls staring at him and pointing. "So what do you want to know?" Aaron asked her.

Aphmau thought about it for a moment. She had a million questions she wanted the answer for. Which one felt the most important.

"Why can't I remember you?" She asked finally.

Aaron seemed to hesitate. Then he sighed. "You can." He said. "Your mind is purposely blocking me out."

"What?"

"It's something people who have undergone great trauma do sometimes." Aaron explained. "There's something about the memories of me that hurt you. So you forced yourself to forget."

"What happened?" Aphmau asked anxiously. "What did you do to me?!"

"I don't know." Aaron admitted. "I never hurt you. Not on purpose. As far as I know, nothing happened."

Aphmau shook her head. She was scared and confused. "But.... You were there for so much of my life. How could I have just forgotten you?"

"Well." Aaron said. "I have a question. And it may answer both of our questions. At least, some of them."

Aphmau paused, waiting for his question

"Do you remember your father?"

Aphmau was stumped. Her face was full of emotion and a little melancholy. "No." She answered sadly. "I don't."

"So I'm not the only one you forgot." Aaron said. "You've done this before."

"If I forget memories that hurt me, why don't I forget my mother?" Aphmau cried. "She's gone. And the memories of her that used to bring me comfort now haunt me."

"You can't forget her." Aaron said. "I don't know why. But there's something that's preventing you from forgetting Sylvanna. Maybe it's the fact that she was such a huge part of your life. Forgetting her would be like forgetting your entire life. Your father died when you were young. So forgetting him was easy. I was only at your house a portion of your life. So forgetting me was.... Somewhat easy. But your mother is a huge portion of your life. If I'm right, she was there almost ALL of your life. So blocking out the memories of her is impossible."

Aphmau sighed. "So how do I remember?"

"You have to unlock the memories." Aaron said. "If I'm right, you created a barrier. Like a wall. And locked all your memories of me and your father behind it. You just have to find the key to the door. Or maybe just.... Chip it down piece by piece."

"Then I'll remember you?"

"You should."

"Were... Were you my friend?" Aphmau asked. "I mean, did I love you?"