DEVIANT [H.S.]

22 - Taming Caleb

Tears are falling helplessly down my face as I leave Harry in his Isolation room.

I shouldn't have went in there. I should have held back. But I cared too much for him to let him be alone.

Now, he doesn't remember me. He doesn't remember who I am. Did all of his memories of us just vanish like that? How?

I feel hurt, yes... and scared. Scared for Harry.

This is the first time I've witnessed his symptom, and here I am bawling my eyes out because of it. He doesn't know what he's talking about. He'll remember me... he'll remember. At least, I hope he will.

I pass by Aubrey and Malachi and I quickly wipe my tears away with the side of my hand. Malachi stops me with a touch on the wrist, looking from Harry to me.

"The first sight of someone in their symptom is the worst," He breathes out. "When Harry and Tara first arrived here in the Coalition, Harry would frequently lose his memory and it would take weeks for him to recover. This is the first time he has had his symptom in months."

"He doesn't remember me... he doesn't remember any of this!" I exclaim, more tears wanting to fall down my face.

Malachi places his hands on my shoulders, holding me still. "He will remember you, in time. Just give him time."

"How much time, Malachi?" I question, begging for an answer.

"Days... weeks... it's hard to tell, Serena," He answers calmly. "We have to take it day by day. But his symptom can't be solved with a blood transfusion or magic. This is one symptom you can't cure."

Malachi's words strike me right in the heart. And the gut. Every part of me, every nook, every crevice, is slowly beginning its crumbling descent. The thought of Harry living day to day with a symptom he can't anticipate is traumatizing.

Malachi's right. There isn't much I can do except wait for Harry's memory to return.

Harry has to start from square one in this waiting game. Malachi doesn't have to tell me that.

"When should I go back in there?" I ask, breathing in deep.

Malachi shakes his head. "You are going to go back to your quarters. I will run point with Harry. You can't help me with his symptom if you're going to let your emotions overwhelm you, no matter how you feel about him."

I open my mouth to speak then close it, my lips pressing into a hard line. I give Malachi a nod, and head to the upper levels without a word.

Once I reach my quarters, I plop down on my bed and squeeze my eyes shut. I want to be rid of this nightmare. A small hand moves my body side to side in an effort to rock me awake, and I open my eyes to see Tara.

"Where's Batman?" She asks, her emerald eyes wide and anticipating.

My tears rumble beneath my tear ducts, desiring to fall more than anything. However, I know I have to stay strong for Tara.

"Harry won't be back for a while... he's in Isolation, Tara," I say in the plainest way I can without breaking down uncontrollably.

Tara's eyes widen as she sits on the edge of my bed, her shoulders hanging low. I swing my legs over the side and sit next to her.

"Has Batman gone away before?" I ask, wanting to know if this is a common thing for his sister to endure.

Tara nods once. "His mind goes. Sometimes he can't stop talking and asking about our mother. It gets scary sometimes. Mother is with the angels, he should know that."