They Found Me (Watty Awards 2012)

Chapter 13, Reality of this

Chapter 13, Reality of this

No one said anything. Silence stilled the room of thoughts unshared. The arms around me had stilled during the memory, having been as shocked as I. I remembered. In that second of time, my world crashed and started again. My memory was engulfed with different visions but none as strong as that. I could remember. I could remember my Mothers sweetbread every Sunday morning. I could remember my Dads words of wisdom and gentle love. And I could remember my best friend, my partner in crime, the boy who saved my life, my brother Matty. All I could do was cry.

I cried for what was lost, and at the same time found. I cried for the families I saw in the memory. I cried for the good times I now remember, and the bad things I saw. I cried for what has happened to me recently. I cried for the things I would never know, my Mother, my Father, my Brother. I cried for all of them. And I cried for me.

It felt like years they all sat there listening to me cry, but I paid no mind. My mind was turning and twisting with the things I learned and the things I forgot. In a way I was glad I hadn’t remembered that until now, with everything I have just gone through, I realized that I knew I could handle this. My sobs dissolved, and my tears began to dry.

I felt relief in a way, a freeing of sorts to be able to remember. I couldn’t, for the life of me since I was four, remember any of that. In a way this was a gift, but at the same time a curse. I now knew what I had lost, I now knew, what could have been and what will not. I now knew. And yet, for some reason I felt that all of this was for a reason.

Had I not galloped away on the chestnut, I would have died. Had I not stumbled upon, or they upon me, my wolves, I wouldn’t have had a family again. I wouldn’t have met Cay, my soul mate or half of. I wouldn’t have known the things I do now. I wouldn’t have been a seasoned fighter and strong as an ox if my family hadn’t taken me in.

As it stands right now, I only have one regret, I wish I could have stayed with my brother until his last moments, giving him my support and love for him to keep with him for always.

That was my only regret.

I opened my eyes, and removed my head from the persons chest it was laid upon. Looking out at my family that saved my life, saved the girl in the woods, saved my hope and love. Saved me. Each and everyone of them had a look of sorrow on their beautiful faces, but I couldn’t feel it. I know I can't change the past, it happened for a reason, and my reasons were now staring back at me. My family.

No words were said as they walked one by one and took a seat on my bed. All extending one of their hands to touch some part of me, my knee, my foot, my arm. Somewhere on my body everyone was touching, offering their support. I smiled as I looked at each and everyone of them.

Daddy looked so pained as he sat in front of me. Pen tried to keep her face blank, trying to be strong for all of us, but you could still see. Gar held onto my foot, rubbing small circles as his eyes followed his movements. It was then that I notices I had two sets of arms on me, Cay and Ash. They sat on either side of me, both having one hand in one of theirs, with Cays arm around my shoulders and Ash's around my waist, connecting the three of us. It was then and there that I realized that this was how it all was supposed to work out. Everything led me to them, led me to my fate, to my future. To my family.

“Thanks guys, I love you all so much” My voice was horse and croaked on the last words but I meant it, every bit of it. The boys tightened their grips around me, Cay kissed my temple and Ash kissed my shoulder. I felt so loved. “I'm okay I promise.”

I could tell that Daddy and Cay were talking in their bond for their eyes stared at each other. I didn’t know what it was about but I figured I would let them talk as I turned my attention to Ash, sitting quietly beside me. I squeezed his hand and his eyes slowly looked up to mine. I offered him my award winning genuine smile and leaned over to kiss the corner of his lips. Soft, gentle, but brief, we still had everyone else in the room.