Maybe

Chapter 32

"Guard 126, what do you think you're doing?" A tall muscular man asked as he approached us in the hallway

Ethan immediately let go of me and shook his head slightly. He stood up straight and grasped his hands behind his back to face the officer.

"Escorting patient 54 to lab sir!" Ethan said

"Well get a move on then, the lieutenant is waiting." He said

"Yes, sir!" Ethan said as he started walking down the hallway that we came from

I followed behind him and waited until the guard was out of earshot.

"Ethan?" I asked as I ran to catch up with him

Ethan stopped walking and turned his head slowly to look at me.

"How do you know my name?" He asked

I looked up at him in surprise.

"Ethan? I... I just told you how. Don't you remember? It was only a minute ago." I said

"I am Guard 126. How do you know my name?" He asked

"Wait... if you are Guard 126, how do you know your name?" I asked

Ethan thought about my question before answering.

"I... I don't know." He said as he looked down at his shoes

"Ethan, that guard that we just talked to, what was his name?" I asked

"Guard 24." Ethan said

"No, Ethan, his name... what is his real name?" I asked

"I don't know. The lieutenant told me that Guard 126 was my name now and I should never say anything else." He said

"Then how did you know your name was Ethan? Did the lieutenant tell you your old name?" I asked

"No! I don't know!" Ethan yelled at me

I looked down at the floor before looking back up at him again.

"What's my name?" I asked softly

"I don't know." He said as he looked down at the floor

"Think harder, Ethan." I said

"I'm sorry, I don't know." He said

I fought to hold back tears as I straightened up and looked Ethan in the eyes.

"Take me to Grayson's room." I said

"But, the lieutenant is expecting you." Ethan said

"Well, he can wait another 10 minutes." I said

"I can't take you." He said

"Then I'll go myself." I said as I started walking away from Ethan

"You can see him after your treatment." He said as he grabbed my arm and led me towards the lab

Once we reached the door, I placed my hand on the handle. Before I was able to pull it open though, Ethan grabbed my shoulder and spun me around.

"Please... just tell me your name." Ethan said pleading with me

"Try harder, Ethan." I said

"Why can't you just tell me who you are?" He asked

"I don't want to have to explain our love story to you again. Please... just try harder to remember." I said as I turned away from him and entered the lab

Many needle pokes later, I exited the lab, much weaker than when I walked in. I didn't wait for Ethan before I started walking back to my room. By now, I had every hallway memorized that led to my room.