Rays of November

Chapter 13: Nova

I blankly stare at the blurred lines of trees that pass us by. There's a pit in my stomach; I'm anxious for what is yet to come. I haven't communicated with my parents since Aaron stole my life. I wonder how they are, do the remember me? How bad is the memory loss? Are they just hollow shells of their former selves?

I look to Ray, seated beside me, for comfort. He plays with his hands, fidgeting with nerves. I look around the dark SUV Yves hired for the visit to England. Saul is driving, while Victor sits besides him. Summer came along, also, in case the use of her mind shadowing is needed. Victor begins to explain what he discovered.

"We've found out their location and the rough extent of their memory damage. It isn't too severe, but me and Summer may need to try to heal the internal damage. Do you know what their gifts are?"                     
"My mum has a near photographic memory and my dad can understand things instantly." I say, trying to think of how useful those gifts must have been for them when studying for school. Reading emotions is not very useful in school. Reina could observe people to predict possible future events, which is a lot cooler than my gift.
"Alright. How you feeling?"
"A little apprehensive." 
"Don't worry, my dad doesn't sense any danger. Everything will be fine."
"Hopefully."

We pull up in front of a block of flats, 40 minutes later. The flats are small and cramped. Clusters of dirt surround the area with the pavement needing serious adjustments. We walk up two flights of stairs to stand in front of a chipped wooden door. Victor raises his hand and knocks on the beaten up door. Silence greets us. Victor knocks again, harder. Nothing.

I concentrate my gift and find a pair of fearful emotions. "There are people are in there." I announce. "They're scared."
Victor knocks again, saying "We're here to help you. Please open up."
Still, no response. I twiddle the hem of my borrowed jumper, getting increasingly nervous.
"Mum? Dad?" I ask, desperate for a response. The fear switches to confusion, instantaneously. A moment passes and the rusty brass doorknob slowly turns, clicks, and the door opens.

A man stares back at us. His dark hair is messy and greying, while the raggedy shirt he wears looks as if it's ten years old. But his eyes are the worst past. The skin beneath them has bags and is paper thin; his blue eyes empty and hollow.
"Who are you?" His voice croaks.
"Are you Darren Morse?" Victor asks.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Who is it?" A female voice asks. The woman then approached the door, hidden by the man. Her chestnut hair is tangled, tumbling down to her stained sweater.
"I'm Victor Benedict, from the FBI and I need to know your identity. I believe your daughter has found you." He flashes his badge at them. Ray holds my hand for solace.
"We're not supposed to talk to anyone like you."
"Who told you that?"
"Aaron." Victor or Summer must be doing something to them, which would explain the look on their face, shocked as to why they said it.

"Do you remember me? Please say you remember me." My voice shakes.
"Reina?" My mum asks. It feels as if my heart has just shattered.
"No. I'm Nova. Mum, please. You remember me, don't you?"
"Hold on, Nova. I think we can get their walls down. Aaron's done a lot more to them, but the walls aren't anywhere near as strong as the ones you had. Victor and I can get them back to normal soon. Or we can try at least." Summer explains.
Or they can try at least. How bad do you think the damage is? I vent to Ray.
He tries to comfort me. They know what they're doing, Vick and Summer are very talented with their gifts.

Moments pass by before Summer and Victor stop and turn to the rest of us.
"This is turning out to be more difficult than we thought it'd be and -"
"And what we're trying to say is, Nova, in case this doesn't work you should try to talk to them, use your emotions to bring them back. A little bit like what happened with you in McDonalds." Interrupts Victor.
"Oh. Sure, okay." I say, not knowing where to begin.
Start with what you know and with what you feel comfortable with. Ray coaxes me forward, encouraging me. You can do this and we're all behind you with it.
I gently squeeze his hand in mine before gingerly taking a step forward.
"Mum? Dad?"
"Reina. Reina, oh how we've missed you!" They rush forward before engulfing me in their arms.