Forgotten Life

Chapter 5

Returning home to my families isolated farm house always calms my nerves, with the exception of today. I shuffle around my property in the same routine. Check up on the chickens, the cows, baby calves, dogs, cats, and last but not least, my beloved horse.

“Finley, come here boy!” I shout into the vast field. He looks my way and trots over to me once he sees that it’s me. I lean over the fence on my tippy toes and let him nestle his head around my neck. He scoots away so he’s facing me and licks half of my face. He may just be a horse, but I swear I can see him smirk in amusement.

This right here is my clarity. I don’t know what I would’ve done without this place, or my dear Finley. I sometimes feel bad that he is also stuck in this endless time loop, but I’m so thankful for him. It isn’t quite the same as having someone you can actually commute with, but this is darn close.

The smell of hay added to the warm colors swirly around the evening sky that can only be seen through the one small window in here, and the cracks of the barn walls makes for a lovely end to the stressful day. I lay my head down on my arms crossed behind my head and feel the weight of my eyelids setting in.

Nearly blinding light fills the room leaving me stuck in confusion. I don’t remember falling asleep last night. I hardly remember being tired at all. Caroline must’ve gotten home from work and decided to be all motherly by wrapping me up in a blanket and resting my head on a pillow. Sweet, but not necessary.

I sit up and rub my sore shoulder. I stretch out my muscles with a groan and head down the ladder and make my way to the house kitchen.

“Good morning Mom”, I say to Caroline.

“Good morning honey! You fell asleep in that dang barn again. You feel okay?”

She crosses the kitchen and puts a hand to my forehead.

“Yes I’m fine. Just had a rough day.”

She puts on her pouty, sympathetic, mom face. “I’m sorry, would you like to talk about it?”

I just shrug and make my hot chocolate. She eyes me for a few minutes but realizes it will do no good and she leaves to get ready for work.

As soon as I hear the microwave beep I feel a tap on my shoulder, which nearly induces a heart attack.

“Sorry! Bad timing I suppose. Your mom said that you had a bad day, what’s up?” Aden says.

“Just met up with a girl who moved away when I was younger and we caught up with one another. I guess I don’t know why, it just made me feel crappy… Does that make any sense?” It was mainly a lie, but I still like to talk to him about my life. I usually don’t bond with the parents I’m given, but Aden was always a great guy and I felt like I could really trust him. I’m sure he senses something is odd since I never talk to anyone and no one talks to me, but I do lie about conversations occasionally so I don’t seem like that much of a freak.

He nods. “I can see why it might’ve thrown you for a loop. You never did get too attached to anyone so with them coming around all of a sudden would’ve caught anyone off guard. “I am happy that you reunited with someone. Who knows, she might become the best friend you always wanted!”

I laugh at how ridiculous he sounds and he laughs with me. He knows I feel about getting too attached to anyone. Or at least he thinks he knows how I feel about getting too attached to anyone. God, if only things could be more simple. He pours a glass of coffee for himself and informs me there are leftovers in the fridge and that they’ll both try to be home as soon as they can.

As much as I'm going to hate myself for this, I grab my phone and pull up Behna in my contact list.

Why can't anyone see me?

Nearly right away I see that she’s already seen my message and is typing.

I can't say much over the phone. But it depends on the extent in which you were changed. Meet up @ the Lamia Trails –30 min.

I spend a minute pondering if it is a wise decision to go, as I don’t know why I can’t remember our meet from the trails yesterday.

…I’ll be there.

I put on some boots and walk out to the barn to get ready for my journey. I set down my mug of hot cocoa and walk over to the barns living room. I move the coffee table and the rug aside I start picking up the floorboards. Once the boards are out of the way, I grab the keys out of my pocket and unlock the hatch. I feel around for the box that holds a protecting knife that I received many years ago. Just in case someone has deemed it necessary to erase and replace pieces of my memory.