Aimless Town

The Dark Past

Jill took off her VR headset. The first thing she saw was Jack lying on the ground, unconscious.

"Jack!" she quickly went beside him, checking his pulse and breathing.

"He was showing suicidal tendencies, so we chose to knock him out instead. Our AI is not ideal for everyone apparently." The human-resembling leader-cyborg remarked, standing behind them.

"You. You did this!" Jill yelled, her eyes full of wrath and hatred.

"I assure you, it wasn't intentional. Unfortunately, the AI's mind scan brought back his repressed memories, which he wanted to keep a secret from both you and himself. However, only the revealing and acceptance of the said secret will bring him peace of mind and put him on the path of recovery." 

"What secret do you speak of?" Jill asked. Jack had told her all about his past life, she knew of everything that was important.

"It's a secret that even he wasn't aware of. His brain had repressed it to cope with the traumatic memory that it signifies."

"Tell me." Jill said firmly.

"You may find it very disturbing." The cyborg cautioned, before continuing.

It was Saturday night, and Jack was coming back home in a good mood. His new game design had been finally approved, and he had brought a pizza to celebrate.

"Mom, I'm home!" Jack called out, ringing the doorbell. She opened the door, dressed in a casual night gown. She was a short woman, slightly chubby but not quite, and still had a clear face with very few wrinkles. Her frizzy black hair was tied back in a ponytail. 

"Jack, you are back!" She exclaimed, relieving Jack of his load. Jack cringed at her intentional rhyme.

"Yes mom." he replied, watching her set the pizza box on the dining table. He realized he had gotten a bit late, and felt guilty. He always told his mother to not to wait for him for dinner, but she still did it, out of habit.

"Finally, some good food. How was work?" His mom asked, biting into a slice of pizza. Jack washed his hands and joined her.

"It was good mom, I got a new game design approved." Jack replied, zealously sprinkling chili flakes and oregano on his slice.

"Don't put so much of it, and I'm glad you finally made something out of the gaming. What's the game about, not a shooter right? Pass me the ketchup bottle. Did you ask Rita out? You should really have a girlfriend, how long will you stick with your old boring mom?" She had an old habit of bombarding him with multiple questions, and not knowing which to answer first, Jack passed the sauce.

"I don't want a girlfriend, mom. I don't need one." Jack answered.

"Everyone your age has one. Don't be silly." She replied.

"Everyone's in debt and stress too." he retorted sarcastically.

"I know, that's why you didn't move out, and I'm really glad for that. But really, you must start dating. Everyone isn't unhappy in a relationship. Just because your father was a bad man and we didn't get along doesn't mean that-"

"Can we not talk about this right now, please." He huffed. His mom frowned, but recognized his request. The rest of dinner passed in silence. Her nagging had ruined his celebratory mood.

Jack didn't want to remember his toxic dad. The abuse, the violence, the fear and anger and stress, it was all in the past now. It had took them years, but his mom had finally found the inner strength and financial independence to get him out of their lives. And what was all that struggle worth, if he had to lose even a second thinking about him again?