Shadows In The Fog

Chapter Two - Alyx

Rose? Who's that? I don't even know someone of that name.
The Thief looks at me and sees my confusion. They drop their hand. "You...you're not Rose. I'm so sorry."
I was a little too stunned to do anything else but shrug. "It's alright. My name is Alyx Rhuby. Can I hear your name, Twilight Thief?"
They paused, lingering over my name. Feeling each letter in their mouth. "Alyx..." After a moment, they nodded, seeming distracted. "As long as you don't turn me in, I'll tell you. Deal?"
I sigh and nod.
"Jack Taedon."
I nodded. He seemed much less mysterious and threatening now than before.
I scratched my head, not sure what to do then. "Can you...not break into my friend's house? I'll offer you food and a place to stay for the night if you listen. You seem at least somewhat friendly."
Jack chuckled. "Thanks for that. I may just have to take you up on it."
I laughed a little. "You better be gone before the guards arrive for their daily sweep, though. You seem insistent on running free."
He nodded a little. "You noticed, huh?
"Yeah. Now come on." I started hopping across the rooftops to my house. Then, I descended the vine ladder, waiting for Jack to do the same. He did.
We stepped into the shop. As I do so, I light a lantern so we can see. A soft gasp came from Jack at the sight of the plant-covered room. I could see it in his eyes. If he wasn't sure about something before, something he saw then confirmed it. He looked at me. "How...how long have you been able to do this?"
I shrugged. "As long as I can remember, honestly. Sure, it's not exactly that long, but it's something." I sent a smile his direction. "Have you not heard of the gardening magician? I'm famous across town for what I can do." I sighed. "Unfortunately, no one here can help me much at all."
Jack tilted his head. "Help with what?"
"My...my memory. According to the other townsfolk, I just showed up here one day five years ago, knowing nothing but my own name. I was a stranger."
I realized that the room had become tight. The layers and layers of plants had grown thick as I spoke.
"S...sorry." I took a breath and the vines retracted.
Jack seemed deep in thought.
"Listen...Alyx...I know this is going to sound insane, but I think I may have known you before your memory was lost."
At that, I actually laughed. "Really? Then why hadn't you gone to see me sooner?"
As soon as I made the comment, I saw pain flash before his eyes. I regretted the words immediately.
"I...I'm sorry. I hadn't meant to-"
He puts a hand up. "It's fine. Really. I get it." He sighed. "You must have been scared. Alone. Knowing no one but yourself. And yet," he smiled at me. "You were still so kind to everyone. Despite the complete lack of knowledge, strange abilities, and overall feeling completely alone in the beginning, you kept your resolve. You made something out of your powers that most wouldn't have even thought of."
I was stunned. That's...exactly what happened. "You really did know me."
Jack smiled a little. "Yeah." His hand trailed across a vine, which in turn wrapped gently around his hand. Strange. That only happens to the few people I trust, and I've just barely met him.
I guess he's still in the back of my mind.
"Okay, go up the stairs, first room on the right. I have a guest room there."
Jack nodded and started walking towards the stairs.
I realized all my lanterns were out, so I ran to light them. But...all of them were glowing already. I knocked on Jack's door. "Hey, did you light the hall?"
The door swung open, but Jack was sitting on the other side of the room. It simply didn't seem possible. He grinned. "Yep."
I wanted to ask, but I was too tired to deal with anything. "Breakfast at dawn. Be downstairs or don't eat." With that I went to my own room to try to sleep.
Morning came around and I headed downstairs. Jack was already standing there. "Breakfast at dawn, right?"
A little surprised, I nodded and look at my ceiling. Apples, oranges, berries, and nearly all fruits dangle from branches and vines. "What would you like?"
Jack wrapped his fingers around an apple and yanked it off of its branch. "This will do fine." I shrugged and picked a ripe pomegranate for myself. There's a knife on my counter, stained reddish pink from the hundreds of pomegranates that it has cut open. I sliced the fruit and dumped its contents into a bowl.
Jack stole a few seeds and popped them into his mouth. "Mmm...I haven't had these in forever!"
I chuckled. "Careful. If you know your mythology, you know that could have damned you to my house for about three months."
He laughed, a ringing, bright sound. I can't help but feel comforted...like it's something I've heard before.
"You've always been a fan of Greek lore. I know Persephone was your favorite."
I sit in thought for a moment. "...how long did you know me?"
Jack hesitated to answer. It was like he was searching for the right words, but couldn't find anything that would work. "You....hmm...you and I have been...best friends...for..." He glanced at me and smiles. "For as long as I can remember. And I have a pretty good memory, if I do say so myself."
I nod. It's not really an answer to the question, but it gives me an idea. He seemed about twenty-three...like me. Most people tend to remember to normally five years old at the earliest. Then I subtracted the five years since my memory was lost.  So that's...thirteen years. A pretty long time.
"Wow."
He smiled a little. "It's longer than you think. I'm older than my appearance lets on.
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And how old are you?"
Jack shrugged. "I've lost count recently, but I'm somewhere around two and a half thousand."