A Forgotten Memory

Chapter 12: Redemption

Chapter 12: Redemption

         Bright lights flashed everywhere. I felt a sense of weightlessness. Heaven? Have I died? 

Then I remembered my current situation. Lionel was still alive, Diana was pledged to marry him, and I’m still a criminal. I failed her…

All of a sudden, the lights dim. I see the hardwood ceiling above me. I spot the several blazing torches that dot the room. I see the periwinkle banner of horse. But more importantly, I see Diana.

“D-Dia-” I start, but she places a tender hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t talk,” she says. “Until you can tell me the story. The real story…” 

I look deeply into her lavender eyes and see no anger, no fury, no hatred. Only sorrow.

I sit up, and I wince as I do so. My arms are lightly bandaged, but they feel better than they did earlier after jumping through the window.

I look up to Diana. “Ready?” I mutter.

She nods. “I’m ready...ready for the truth.”

It takes me awhile to explain things to her. She doesn't interrupt or make any rude comments...typical of her. She is always polite. After explaining everything, she looks rather downcast.

“Colin…I-” she begins, but I stop her. 

“Diana, I don’t want an apology. I want a resolution.”

A tear slides down her cheek. I grab her and embrace her.

Then a hollow sound rings through the chamber.

“It’s the door!” She whispers.

Lionel! I mouth back.

She looks like she disagrees, as if she knew someone else who would knock.

She points down and mouths Hide!

I nod and crawl under the mattress.

Diana chimes, “Come in!”

I expect to see Lionel, but instead I see someone else.

My first reaction: Diana has a twin? 

From the door walks out a girl with long, beautiful black hair, with shining lavender eyes, and same exact build as Diana. I’m confused for a second.

Diana blurts out, “Hello, cousin!”

The girl smiles curtly and says in an elegant voice, “Hello, Diana. I thought you’d need some comforting from somebody close after today.” I know what she’s talking about.

Diana asks the girl, “Cousin, any updates on Colin’s whereabouts?”

The girl replies. “None. He’s probably wandering, or hopefully, dead!” She laughs-an evil yet elegant laugh. Diana gives a fake shaky laugh.

Silence.

Diana says after awhile, “Cousin, I need some time for...er, recuperation. I need to collect my thoughts from today.”

The girl agrees. “I would expect so, after a childhood friend betrays you. Good thing there are people in this world like Lionel and me.”

Diana nods and replies, “Indeed.” 

“Farewell, cousin.” The ‘twin’ walks out the door and appears abruptly. I swear, she spots me and locks eyes with me. She quickly changes her view. “Diana, later today I’d like to help with your wedding, like finding your dress and attire. It’ll be one nobody will ever forget.” She puts emphasis on the word nobody. 

I think she looks back at me. Then she leaves.

I don’t speak until I hear nothing more. I crawl out from under the small mattress and stretch my long legs.

“Diana, I think she saw me. And later, you have some explaining to do.”

Diana turns to me and says. “From listening and talking to her, do you trust her?”

I don’t want to hurt Diana’s feelings. But I don’t want to lie, either.

“No,” I say. “I don’t know why, just her presence feels a little...I don’t know, mischievous- actually, daunting.”

Diana nods to herself, mutters under her breath, and turns away.

I sit next to her. “Diana,” I begin, “I need you to understand something.”

She turns to me. I say, “Lionel is most definitely not the man he seems. He is a power-hungry, determined...demon. Knave. Whatever you wish to call him. And he took your memory away from you to determine he get’s what he wants. And I’m going to do everything in my power to stop the wedding. And he will do everything in his power to continue it.”

She nods absently. At that moment, I’m more determined than I ever have been to stop her wedding. More determined to defeat Lionel. More determined to get her back. More determined to find the forgotten memories.