Shadowstruck

Chapter 2 Part 1

It had been a few days. Whitney and Koko had hung around for a few hours every day, just sitting and chatting with April and Noah when they weren't out exploring the trees, but Sean and Cooper disappeared into the woods every day and didn't come back until the sun was about to set. April had been concerned the first day until Noah assured her it was normal and they'd been fine every day.

Despite what Noah had said, her memory wasn't getting better, and it was driving him insane. He sat quietly as the others talked and laughed, deep in thought. The sun had touched the tops of the trees, and Cooper and Sean had come back early. April glanced over as he stood up and turned away from the group, a small frown working its way onto his face. He walked to the edge of the trees, seemingly searching for something. April furrowed her brow, confused, before standing up. "I'm gonna check on Noah."

Cooper looked up at her. "Are you sure?"

"Something's off. Just give me a second."

"Alright." He turned back to the animated conversation he was having with Sean and Koko, Whitney just smiling along with the points made.

April stood up and carefully made her way to where Noah was standing, a concerned look growing on her face. "Noah? You okay?"

"I need to show you something." He turned to her, determined. "Are you okay if we leave for a few minutes?"

She looked back towards the group, too far away to hear their voices clearly. "I guess so - "

"Come on." He grabbed her hand and pulled her between the trees, stepping over roots and ducking under branches. "Remember the battle?"

"I mean, yeah, it's literally the only thing I remember - Noah, where are we going?"

"Exactly, that's the thing. That's all you remember, but why? Why those moments specifically - look out for that rock. What's different about those memories?"

April hopped over a rock that she hadn't even noticed and thought about his questions. "I don't know."

"I think I do."

"Okay?"

"Promise me to not freak out too badly at what I'm about to tell you."

"I'll try, but no promises."

"Good enough. Did you see Sean's book?"

April was surprised at the quick subject change. "The red leather-bound one?" 

"Ding-ding-ding. That's the one."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I'm getting there. Cooper's sword?" He looked back at her and she nodded, remembering how it had almost killed him.

"And I have these." He held up his other arm, showing April the arm guard on it.

She nodded again. "What does this have to do with anything?" She saw the trees starting to end and raised an eyebrow at Noah.

"The point I'm getting at is that they can all do stuff. Like how mine can summon the energy-shield things." He glanced back at her, gauging her reaction. "You've got one, too." April blinked. "Yours is less of an object and more of a weapon."

"Like...Cooper's? Do I have a sword?"

"Not exactly. It's hard to describe and it's not like a sword or gun or something like that."

"I still don't understand why that merited a walk to...wherever we're going because you still haven't told me."

"I would have preferred that entire discussion to not happen and you just come do this on your own, but it's been too long and nothing's happening with your memory. You haven't remembered anything by yourself." April nodded as they reached the edge of the trees. "Plus, I know for a fact that everything that you do remember was after you lost your object-weapon-thing. So maybe, if you reconnect with it, you'll get your memories back."