Serene

20

Everyone looks at me confused. Well, except for Cassy. She knows exactly what he means.

"Cassy? Who does he mean?" Odeo asks softly.

She looks down on the floor, playing with her fingers.

"Your parents, Miss Serene, are the Belles. I'm sure you understood that." Cassy says, looking at me unsurely.

I take in a deep breath, not making eye contact with anyone but Cassy.

"So, they hold the key to unlocking my memories. But they won't give it to me." I say simply.

Doctor Fernand smiles. "Unless you agree to cooperate fully."

Well, it's obvious that I won't.

"Get him out." I say lowly. Cal's fast and blindfolds Doctor Fernand again. He pulls him out and they head back to the guest house, I presume.

Odeo looks at me, confused. Valerie has an understanding expression and so does Gabby. Miguel nods slowly, connecting all the dots. And I'm pretty sure Carlos is calmly understanding all this as well from his room of screens on the upper floor.

"So, you're a Belle." Odeo says softly.

I look at him with a straight face, but I feel my emotions pouring in. "Do you still accept me? Do you still want me as a friend?"

He smiles and walks towards me, helping me off the chair and pulling me into a hug.

"Of course I want you. As a friend. Never doubt it." He whispers.

I melt into his embrace and nearly let the dam of tears break. But I don't. I'm not done yet.

He steps away and Gabby and Miguel each give me a hug.

"You sure handle this well." Gabby says, a proud smile on her face.

I shrug. "I learn from you all."

Miguel nods approvingly. "What do you want to do next?"

I look at Valerie who gives me an encouraging look.

"I'm going back to my parents. I want to know who I am. Who I was. Even if it means I won't get my memory back."

Doctor Herce agrees. "I will help in whatever way I can."

We walk upstairs to the living room where Carlos waits.

"Well, hello Serene Belle." He says.

I smile and sit down.

"I don't think that's her name, Carlos." Valerie says slowly, catching everyone's attention.

She and Cassy look at me as I tense up.

"What is it then?" Gabby asks, carefully studying us. "What do you all know that we don't?"

I look at each of them in the eye. "We don't know for sure, but we have a hunch. And we don't want to talk about it and give false information."

"Okay."

We all relax and breath, letting the comfortable silence envelope us.