I Don't Remember You

1

Pearl is leaning on Marina's shoulder shouting into the walkie talkie about how captain cuttlefish could never beat her rapping skills when the train car door opens. Agent 8 enters, along with captain cuttlefish. Pearl continues screeching about her rapping when she begins to hear feedback on the talkie. She slowly turns her head, and sees them.

Marina: Oh my gosh! 

She squeals.

Marina: it's really you! 

Pearl: I bet you feel pretty honored to be here with me right now, I'm pretty famous.

Agent eight stares in wonder at Pearl.

Marina snorts and nudges Pearl with her elbow playfully.

Marina: shut up!

She says with small laughs escaping her mouth.

Pearl: eh, it's not my fault that I'm awesome.

Marina ignores her second comment, and starts talking to Agent eight and captain cuttlefish.

Agent 8 smiles and starts to walk towards them when she notices marina's eyes, her tentacles, and her undercover brella by her side.

Agent 8 yelps and hides behind two seats, whimpering, memories flooding into her head of the octolings.

Marina: Oh jeez.... Listen it's okay! I'm not like them, I'm nice I promise! I've been helping you all this way, haven't I?

Agent 8 seems to ponder for a moment, and looks at captain cuttlefish who gives her a reassuring glance. She slowly and shakily makes her way to Marina.

Marina:  See! That wasn't so bad was it?

Agent 8 feels some nostalgia and closes her eyes, trying not to let the small fragment of memory escape. A scene comes into view. It's a little girl. Was that her? She was leaning on another octoling who looked similar. Then everything went black. The memory was gone. 

She opened her eyes. Glancing at Marina once more, who had a concerned look on her face, and then she decided to sit next to Marina and lean on her shoulder, like the little girl in the memory. 

Marina seemed startled for a moment, but then smiled, grateful that 8 didn't seem to be as fearful.

8 began to doze off, and Marina turned to talk to captain cuttlefish, but he was also asleep.

Marina chuckled.

Marina: They must be exhausted from their far journey, especially... Hmm.. What's her name?

She gestured to the sleeping octoling next to her.

Pearl shrugged.

Pearl: I don't think it was ever mentioned. He just calls her 8.

Marina: Hey.. Are you okay? You seem a little off.

Pearl turned away from Marina and mumbled something.

Marina: what was that?

Pearl grumbled.

Pearl: I'M SCARED OKAY! I'M SCARED THAT WE'RE GONNA BE STUCK HERE FOREVER AND IT'S ALL MY FAULT!  I'M SCARED YOU'RE GONNA BE MAD AT ME WHEN WE DON'T FIND A WAY OUT! I-I...

Pearl began to sniffle

Marina: Pearlie... Don't cry!

Marina lifted Agent 8's head and rested it on her bag, like a pillow. Then she leaned closer to Pearl.

Marina allowed Pearl to rest her head on her lap, and stroked her tentacles soothingly, while Pearl continued to cry.

Then Pearl felt a large droplet fall on her face. She looked up, wiping away her tears, and saw that Marina was crying too.

Pearl: Oh no. Nonononono. Reena! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry! 

Pearl reached up and gently dried Marina's face of tears.

Pearl: w-why were you crying Reena?

Marina: w-well you w-were so s-sad and I-I-I felt so terrible, and w-whenever you cry it ma-makes me feel like c-crying...

Marinas lip trembled.

Pearl: Well you don't need to be sad anymore, because I feel better now.

Marina nodded.

Marina: Pearlie, you really need sleep, I don't even remember the last time you went to bed.

Pearl yawned just at the thought of it.

Pearl: You need it more than me.

Marina's eyelids drooped.

Marina: how about th- yawn-this. We both sleep.

Pearl: that's a good idea Reena...

Marina drowsily looked downward. Pearl had passed out.

She smiled to herself as she drifted off to sleep.

A few hours later...

Marina scrunched up her eyelids, then they shot open. Staring her right in the eye was none other than, C.Q. Cumber. 

Marina: AUHUAGH!

Marina's sudden burst woke up everyone on the car. 8's expression towards C.Q. Cumber was a mix of fear and joy. 

8 jumped for joy, for she had thought he had been lost on the last mission.

C.Q.: Marina ida do you remember me?

A look of recognition crossed Marina's face.

Marina: YES! It was many years ago but I still remember! You took my mother to her mission to the promised lands! Did she succeed? 

C.Q. Didn't answer her question.

C.Q.:  8 here is trying to reach the promise lands herself.

Marina: does she have a name?

She turned towards 8.

8 nodded.

Marina: what is it?

8 lifted up her top slightly to show a scar carved into her skin, which read, 

Hydra