The Gates of Aurega Series #1: BOUND FOR LIFE

II. 3:04

CHAPTER 2:

This has been the weirdest day ever since the day I was given a name, a home, and a new identity when even I myself don't have an idea of who I really am. Starting upon the first time I laid my eyes on that man and how vague Aislene has been acting around me back there in the orphanage.

And then one thing comes another when I witnessed my brother yelling at someone.

That's very strange since my brother never yelled at anyone. You can say he's a man of patience and virtue.

"Gwendolyn?! How come you are home early?!" I flinched at his booming voice.

Aside from Nicholas' confusing behavior, I noticed a splatter of blood in his doctor's coat. It made me look at the looming figure hiding behind him. "Who's that, Nick?" I asked, still cautious of what my brother can do.

But then, he growled. "None of your business, Gwen."

He never used that tone on me and he never looked at me that way, as if his eyes are glowing in rage. I think I saw his brown orbs changed into a shade of periwinkle... But in a flash, it was gone. Maybe I'm just imagining things.

"Uhm. Guys. I'm bleeding here?" I finally saw a glimpse of the man's face and to my horror, there is an arrow buried in his arm. There was blood gushing out. I feel nauseated with the sight of it... I feel ill... I can't... And then there was black.

I heard whispers around me, yet I couldn't see anything. There was something weighing me down, but I tried to fight whatever it is. Slowly, I can feel my eyelashes as it welcomes the blinding light. Soon enough, I was able to catch sight of two figures animatedly talking to each other. They were pointing each other as if they are blaming one another for something... Something... Something? I couldn't remember anything aside from coming home.

"Shh! She's awake now, Aelius," I heard a familiar voice say. One of the figures approaches me frantically as if it's the first thing he's ever known. "Do you remember anything?"

I've been racking my brains trying to search for an answer, but just like a puzzle, there were missing pieces, like what I did before I was home and what happened after. It isn't a strange occurrence anymore. I just learned to accept that there are certain memories I could forget, like when you wake up from a dream. For a few minutes, it is all hazy. But then Nicholas would ask me the same thing, again and again. Do I remember anything? And the answer will always be the same. Nothing except Nicholas and the stories he would remind me... Like how I met him. Who I am...

"I'm Nicholas Anderson. You're Gwendolyn Anderson, my adopted sister. I saw you outside the church when you were young... You are twenty-two years old—"

"Wait! Stop! My head is hurting from all of these!" I yelled at him. He is like spoonfeeding me with stories I'm uncertain of. I knew his name. I knew mine. I felt at home. But what else do I know besides what he's telling me? "Nicholas, please. What happened?"