Did you forget already?

Part 4

We walk down the darkened road. It's around 8 and twilight is beginning to set in. After we finished our game of knockout (which my team lost) Mike convinced us all that there was a homeless kid who lived in the recreational shed by the field. So we walked over and Chris yanked the door open to find nothing but a bag of weed and an assortment of sports equipment. Then we went and played a game of pass when Danny said that he felt like he was actually going to die of hunger.

So we agreed we would all go our separate ways and probably regroup at Chris's house where we would sit on his roof stare at the stars and eat several bags of chips.

And just hang out.

I've always loved space. Almost every night last summer I'd go climb up on my own roof and watch the sky until i was tired. But that all stopped when my mom found out and hid the ladder. I also used to dream about being an astronaut and exploring galaxies and living on mars. That was before I googled how long it would probably be until mars could be habitable. It would take approximately 1,000,00 years. But that's only if the government pulls its head out of its ass which won't happen for probably a longer amount of time.

Now I wave goodbye to the rest of the group as they walk in the direction they live in. It's just me and Danny now. We approach the bridge as it gets noticeably darker.

The rushing water is hardly visible in the evening light. We walk in silence for a about a minute until I notice a shadow by the railing. I slow my pace. Danny doesn't seem to notice them at first. I tug at the sleeve of his jacket until he stops walking and looks at me.

The lack of light makes his confused features stand out like a painting. I turn my head towards the figure that is now about 10 feet away from us. Danny looks in the same direction and shrugs.
"It's probably just someone enjoying the nice night." He says calmly. "Were not the only people in this town." He laughs. We begin to walk again, still unsure, I stick to Danny's side.

As we inch closer I begin to recognize the person's features.
It's the girl from earlier today.

Gemma.

She doesn't notice us at first. Her back is facing us and she is leaning over the railing, she almost seems entranced by the barely visible rushing water. Once we are about a foot away she turns around.
"Oh hey Max!" She exclaims in her usual sing songy voice.
"It's such a beautiful night isn't it? You know I was thinking about how you said the river was so calming so I came down here to relax a little." She starts a conversation with only me and seems to not notice my brother.
"Yeah it's really nice." I say, slightly confused.
"There's so much beauty hidden in this river," she continues. "But it only seems to come out at night during a full moon. Where the light dances off the water....Oh, I'm sorry, I'm probably wasting your time, you guys don't have to listen to me ramble all night." She laughs.

My brother looks unsure.
"Well I should be getting back for dinner, Max, uh are you going to stay with your friend?" He says.
"Sure" I say awkwardly. I look at Gemma, still staring into the river.

I immediately regret my decision.

Danny walks away from us and I say I'll be home in like a half hour or so. He nods and leaves. Why would he leave me with a complete stranger? Danny and my mom have been desperately trying to get me to have friends in this town since I was born. So maybe he thought this girl was my friend? Still I feel really uneasy around her. She seemed too nice and happy all the time. Not that that's a bad thing but it just sent off a bad vibe.

She doesn't say anything for about a minute. When she does her voice is small and quiet.
"Max, I need to tell you something." She says. All the cheerfulness and normality leaves her voice. She's completely serious. Alarm bells immediately go off in my head. Something isn't right.
"What?" I say emptily, not actually wanting to know what's she's about to say.
"Is Danny gone?" She suddenly asks.
"Yeah I think." I answer. My hands begin to shake and I take a step back as Gemma's eyes meet mine.
"Your going to have to trust me, th...this might get me in trouble but you need to know, they can't keep doing this it isn't right." She whispers, her voice laced with emotion.
"What...are you going on about?" I say.

She's got to be on something.

"Yo...your memories," she starts. "They aren't real." Her eyes are filled with pity as she stares at me before turning to the river.
"What Are you high?!" I laugh. A cold terror sets itself into my stomach. I can tell she's sober, her eyes are clear and serious. but I refuse to listen, there's no way she knows what's she's saying.
"I knew this would happen. Just please stay calm I can explain! If you freak out they will put you under again." She says,
"Again?" I ask, her words are like a car accident, I should really leave but I can't help but listen to her insane ramblings.

"I'm sorry, you probably think I'm insane. How about we meet here tomorrow at noon and I'll explain better." She pauses. "We've been together too long they're probably coming now to-" she's cut off by a car speeding by behind us.
"That's them." She says
"Who?!" I ask.
"The other actors- I mean people, they are just keeping an eye on you, but oh no I messed this all up I should have waited until tomorrow to tell you anything." She sighs, and nervously wipes a hand across her forehead.

My heart hammers in my chest and my head hurts. I have no idea what's happening. My legs begin to shake and I have to lean on the wall for support.

She tells me to just go home and forget everything and she'll explain tomorrow. How am I supposed to forget that?! Either she's high or something isn't right.

She said something about my... memories? People 'keeping an eye on me'? I stare at her for a few minutes before nodding and agreeing that I should probably go.

She stands in the same place as I walk away.