Rising Smoke

Chapter Six

Arlen was here. He was right outside my door. Why? Is he going to explain his cryptic statement? Or is he going to tell me more about the life I don't rememeber? I dread and anticapte it. Cy looks at me, eyebrows raised, meaning, should I let him in or no? I nod my head yes, stand up, and slowly walk over to the opening door. Cy curstsies to Arlen, steps around him, and mumbles, "I will come back later with your dinner, miss." My stomach growls. Oh right, food. What kind of food do they have here, I think as Cy leaves my room. Arlen clears his throat, drawing my attention to him. Arlen stands tall and proud, regal-like. He's back to the man I first met in the hallway, who escorted me to the the king. With a smirk on his face, he steps inside, and closes the door.

I gulp. I still remember his touch, the way he made me feel. Like on fire. Like electricity sparking underneath my skin, through my nerve endings, maybe even frying them. Who knows? This whole time, Arlen has been looking around, inspecting my room, as if he has never seen it. Probably hasn't.

"Leila, I'm sorry for the abrupt way I handled things back there. It was very uncalled for and I apoligize," he says, staring at me with solemn eyes, all laughter gone. I know the smirk never reaches his eyes. It used to, though. Wait, what as that? I search for a memory or anything else to link it to that thought. There is nothing.

"I am fine, Arlen. I deserve to know." I sound strong. I sound convicing. I need to sound strong. I need to sound convicing. I need him to tell me his secrets. Every single one of them. I need to know.

He's walking closer to me, still speaking, "I am so, so sorry for everything that has happened to you. You have no idea how selfish and ... ugly I feel inside." As he talks, he's steadily getting sadder. Looking into his eyes, I see the truth behind his words. He actually does feel sorry. His eyes are pleading with me to forgive him, for whatever he has done. I want to. But what did he do to me? I'm starting to assume the worst, backing up, fear in my eyes, when he realizes what I must think of him.

"No!" He exclaims, shaking his head, looking like I kicked his puppy, "I would never! This is something different. You and I were the best of friends when we were little. We did everything together. We were attached at the hip."

I am currently gaping at him... What? How? Why? Who am I? How was I friends with a duke, someone who is associated with royalty?

"But I am nobody. How were you and I friends?" I ask, using my finger to emphasize you and I.

"Leila, you are definitely not a nobody." I like it when he says my name. His deep voice flows over my name, making it beautiful, making me feel beautiful. I want to run my hands through his curly hair. It looks silky. I want to touch his body. He makes me melt. Arg! What is this? I have never felt this strongly about boys! Or anyone from the male species. Yes, species because that is what they are, from another species. I think back through my memories, my Earth memories, and I can't come up with anything odd. I had a pretty normal life...with two loving parents, who are probably freaking out by now. I was their only child. But if I am from here, like Arlen and Conran keep insisting I am, then "my parents" weren't really my parents. Right? And if I am from here, wouldn't my real parents be here as well. So where are they? That's when I realize that I can't remember my early childhood... Like before ten. Didn't they say something happened to me when I was ten? This is hurting my brain. So many missing pieces. Nothing is coming together.

Wait, what did he say? That I wasn't a nobody? Um, I think I know who I am. But I am guessing not, since I am in a strange new world with people claiming I am important enough to kidnap. Also important enough to know the rulers of this strange world, personally.

"Then who am I?" I'm getting mad. I have been asking this question, sounding like a crazy person, and they don't even have the deceny to give me a straight answer. Or any answer really.