Shadowstruck

Chapter 4 Part 6

"I just gave you...well, transferred, really...my memories. Focus on the pounding in your head." Noah watched April look towards the ground, concentrating. He stood up, crossing his arms. "Alright..." Her eyes unfocused and she seemed to be staring at something behind Noah.

Sean looked back and forth between the two quizzically. "Is this normal?"

Noah glanced up. "Sort of? I mean, she hasn't done it in, what, a month and a half? Not to mention her memory's fucked up." Guilt and anger shot into his voice before he shook his head. "But no, this is what usually happens." He directed his gaze back towards April, who was blinking rapidly and seemed to be coming out of the daze. "And...three...two...one."

A split second later, April shook her head, looking around. "The fuck?"

Noah started to pace, speaking quickly. "Alright, I know its probably a little bit disorienting, and it probably got a little fuzzy near the end, but that's what happened - "

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down. Who was that?"

Noah stopped, looking down. "Carlos?"

April shook her head. "No, the other one. You know, with the grey hoodie? I gave them a key..." She trailed off as Noah's eyes widened. "...is that bad?"

A grin broke out onto Noah's face. "Wait so - so you're saying you experienced it from your perspective...and not mine?"

"...Yes?"

His smile grew and he - badly (but still) - attempted to cover it with his fist. "Okay! Okay, this is great!"

Sean raised an eyebrow. "Noah. Buddy. What just happened?"

Noah glanced over, his grin dimming a little bit before he answered. "Basically, what that should have done was, like I said, transferred my memories over to her, which is why it would have been my point of view." He looked back towards April. "But, if it was from yours, that means that you still - technically - have your memories. They were just...hidden. Blocked or something."

Koko looked confused. "Okay? That's...good?"

Noah sat down, placing his chin on his intertwined fingers. "So...it's not ideal. Duh," he gestured around them, "nothing about this is ideal. But this is good." He turned his head to April. "That means that your memories are still in there somewhere. There's a block between your memories and you. Which means there has to be some way we can take away that block."

Sean narrowed his eyes. "Okay. So, can you take away that block?"

Noah shook his head. "First of all, I don't know if it would work. It's her powers, not mine. That specific memory probably got through because we both have similar recollections. But we're not around each other 24/7, which would leave gaps. And second, even if I could, it doesn't mean we should." He motioned to April, who had shut her eyes and was frowning a bit. "It drains her energy. Transferring all of them would probably kill her."

Koko shook her head. "Nope, no, not doing that."

"Exactly. It's too risky." Noah shifted his weight. "And I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty sure we need all the certainty we can get."