I'm Sorry (Not Really)

Chapter Fifteen

Secrets secrets

Where you hide,

Behind your wall of lies.

Protection,

That's what it is,

Too bad you let it down for one,

And it all slid.

~A. F.

"You're at my home, I'm Maria Acromic."

          That name brought up memories I didn't know I had, memories of her shutting the door in my face and then a kid, no Mason, running out the door after me.

          She sighed and rubbed her eyes, "I imagine you just remembered when I slammed the door in your face, no?" I couldn't hide my shock, "I'll explain, but first please drink this tea?" She held out the light blue teacup to me once again with a genuine smile on her face. Slowly I took it from her, I smelled it first and it honestly smelled amazing.

          "Peppermint?" She nodded in approval.

           "Yes, it is." I took a sip and the warm liquid soothed muscles I hadn't even noticed were aching, "Now, should I start with my explanation?" I nodded as I continued to sip the tea. "Okay then... Where to start... Where to start.."

          "At the beginning?" I chimed in, still sipping at the tea. She shook her head and passed me a tray of sweets, wordlessly telling me to indulge myself as she thought.

          "There are many things in this world that you don't know, that are hidden from the common population. What I'm going to tell you cannot be spoken of outside of these walls, do you understand?" She gave me a look that seemed as if she could see into my soul.

           "I understand..."

           She nodded, satisfied, "Magic is real, and before you interrupt me, just listen. Magic exists all over the world, there are all types of different magic users. Not even I know of all of them. My family and I are magic users. Mason wiped your mind of something, except he did it wrong and without the consult of the head of family, and consul. Because he failed at it, thankfully, your memories of what he tried to keep from you will return, little by little, or immediately.

          "I am only allowed to tell you what you need to know, so I can't say much. But I will say this, you need to stop looking for Samuel. He is part of an entirely different world than you, and he can't have a mortal to worry about while dealing with his own problems."

          I laughed slightly, she really thought I was about to fall for this hoax? Wait, Samuel..?

          "It's not a hoax, it's real. The Acromic family uses what, in simple terms for your sake, is 'mind magic' and that's all you need to know."

          "Either you're insane or you think I am. There's no way magic is real and if you think I'm just going to leave my- my... Samuel..." It hit me like a tidal wave, Samuel. My best friend? Is that what I was going to say, but I can't actually like him. Then why am I going through all this trouble... Why am I saying I'm not going to leave him, this is stupid. What's wrong with me? Have I been drugged?

          "You remembered rather quickly.." Maria sighed again, "It can't be helped I guess. Samuel has gone back to Ireland, he is dealing with... family things. It is best that you either let me wipe your memories of him or stop looking for him. I don't know why you remembered him in the first place, but you weren't supposed to."

          As crazy as magic sounds... It makes sense. Why he wasn't on the school list, and why no one seemed to remember him. This means Maria must have been pretending to not remember since if what she says is true she and her family can take memories away. Take memories away... if she took my memories of Sam then I wouldn't have anything to complicate my goals in life... I could continue as planned. But when I think about it, I only truly smiled around him, he made me genuinely happy in ways I didn't think were possible. I thought I was a sociopath, I thought I couldn't feel genuine human emotion, but he showed me differently. And I think losing those memories would hurt more than losing him, even if I didn't know it.

          It's not real though, it can't be. There isn't possibly an entire side of this world that I don't know of.

          "You still don't believe me... not that it matters at the end of the day," Maria muttered to herself and looked out the window. She didn't speak anymore, just watched the yard out the window and picked at the skin of her thumb, a nasty habit that leaves the pad of the thumb red and blistered.

          I turned my attention back to the tea and sweets, both of which I'd picked at and found delicious. It was awkwardly silent but I don't think I could find it in myself to speak.

          "Mommy! Mommy!" A little girl cried, running into the room. The little girl had her thin blond hair up in two pigtails, one on each side of her head right behind her ears. I knew right away that she wasn't one of Maria's biological children because of her pale skin and light hair.

          Maria turned around and picked the girl up without missing a beat, "Sofina! Sofina!" She mimicked the girl playfully, "What is it, sweetie?"

          "Mat won't give my toy back!" The little girl, Sofina pouted.

          "Oh? He won't? Well did you ask nicely?" Maria asked, tapping Sofina lightly on the nose.

           Sofina crossed her arms, "It's mine. I shouldn't have to!"

           "Hm, well your brother is only three." Maria holds up her fingers to show three, "You have to teach him not to touch things that are yours. Which means you need to be patient. Can my little Sofina wait until I'm done with our guest?" Sofina nodded and wiggled her way down, seeming satisfied and running off.

          Maria watched her run off then turned towards me. "I should wipe your memory regardless of what you want. But for some reason, I feel I shouldn't," she stated rather bluntly.

          "Thank you for that... I think I'd like to keep my memories."

          She nodded and stared out the window again, "I will get in trouble if my people find out I let you go with the knowledge of our world. I hope you understand what I'm risking for you."

          Her implication was clear, don't screw up or not only you will pay.

          "I understand."

          Maria closed her eyes briefly, her hands fisted at her sides. "I hope you don't regret this, Thomas."

          Though then I had no idea what her words would mean, I understand now, and I wish I would have forgotten. Because maybe then, maybe then nothing would have fallen apart as it did.

End Part One