Destination Unknown

All the Time in the World

"Wait one second, back up. You're saying that I did this to myself?  Wouldn't I at least remember something? Also, how in the world am I more powerful than the Elder, who is not actually the Elder?" Mom laughs. Well, who I thought was my mother. 

"One question at a time Cassie." She moves around in the chair until she finds a comfortable position. Sam moves a little bit closer to me, and pretends not to notice when I stiffen at the feeling of our legs touching. What is this guy's deal? Who does he think he is? "So to start with your first question, yes you did this to yourself, but it is completely reversible. Don't worry about that too much. Your second question, you are the true Elder, but do not reveal it as your title as a way of keeping you safe. They only gave me the mantle of Elder in protection of your identity. You are the true Elder. But I have a different name for you. I just call you my Cassie." A wide smile spreads across my face. "Cassie, you might not be my biological daughter, but I still love you all the same." Tears well up in my eyes, whether they're from my fear of from something else, I can't tell. I know that I love my Mother, that much is certain, but it doesn't change the fact that I have been lied to all my life. She's not my mother? Sam senses my discomfort and places a hand on top of mine. I raise a hostile eyebrow and push his hand off. Who does he think he is? He takes way too many liberties. I squirm away from him slightly and consider some of the information I had just been told. 

"So this is all true? It's really amazing. I never could have dreamed of such a fantastic life for me." Sam moves closer to me, despite my warning look, and puts his hand back on my knee. I ignore it this time, seeing that he didn't get the message the first time.  "Is there a way that I can figure out how to erase the block on my memory?"  Sam stiffens and moves away from me. I turn to him. "Do you know something?" He looks down at his lap and won't meet my eyes. This is a complete 180 from the self-assured act he had been presenting. 

"I don't know if it would help if I told you what I know." I look at him in confusion.

"Mom I thought that you were telling both of us the story? Why do I get the feeling that I was the only one who was actually learning something? Sam, what are you not telling me?" My mom sighs. 

"You're not wrong that I was just telling only one of you the story, but Sam didn't have his full memories until he touched your soul stone. Only part of his memory was blocked. He now remembers everything that happened. You locked yourself out of his memory, so he would recognize you as an elder, but he wouldn't remember the full story until he found your soul. You and Sam were very close before." I look down at my hands and hold them together to try and calm down the shaking. Me? Close to Sam? Why would I block my own memory, I just don't get it.

"Cass, I'm sorry that I hid that from you, but I didn't know what good it would do when you have no idea who I am. But I can help you remember if you let me." Sam puts his hand on my shoulder and turns me towards him.

"Sam." My mother scolds him gently. "Do you really think that would be the best idea right now? She barely even knows who you are." Sam turns to her, keeping his hands on my shoulders.

"Think about Vasilissa. It might be one of the fastest ways to help her remember. Please, just let me do this to help her. It's the least I can do. I want to help." Mom shakes her head and a small smile appears on her face.

"I don't agree with your method, but you're not wrong that it would be one of the best ways. I'll come back when the two of you are done." She gets out of her chair and goes back upstairs. Sam turns back to me and his grip tightens on my shoulders.

"What exactly are you planning to do?" I raise my eyebrow. He gives me a small smirk, which makes me instantly skeptical on what he's about to do.