Somnium Online

Recollection

Eric opened his eyes. He sat up on the couch and winced as early the morning sunlight streamed through the curtains of the cottage.

He rose quietly and began preparing breakfast. Bacon sizzled as he flipped a pancake absently.

"So, what's the deal with Elizabeth?" N asked suddenly. Eric startled and nearly dropped a pancake.

"What do you mean?" He replied.

"Well... how do I put this... you don't exactly seem very... sociable. It's hard to imagine you with a childhood friend, much less a female one, and definitely not one with her looks."

Eric's eyes narrowed. "You were checking her out, weren't you." Eric accused.

"How could I not?!" N exclaimed, "She's drop dead gorgeous."

"You think so?" Eric asked casually.

"How did I end up with such a hopeless host?" N wondered aloud.

"How did I end up with such a girl-crazy AI?" Eric shot back.

"I'll choose to take that as a compliment." N sniffed. His tone grew serious. "But seriously, what happenned between you two?"

Eric stacked the freshly made pancakes neatly, then took the bacon off the heat.

He poured another batch of pancakes and watched them intently.

"Well... It's not the most exciting story ever, but if you really must know, it's probably easier to show you, can you do that thing with memories again? Scan for stuff from when I was eight.

Eric finished breakfast and took a seat. In the background he heard water running from the bathroom, and the bangs, clatters, and occasional cursing that accompanied Anne's wake-up routine.

Elizabetheth turned off her phone. The room was dark, too dark. Eric had passed out immediately after muttering something, and hadn't woken up even after she practically tripped over him when she got up to get a drink.

As stressed out and jet-lagged as she was, Elizabeth couldn't sleep. She wondered what Eric was dreaming about. Knowing him it was probably something dumb and totally unadventurous like helping old ladies across the street.

She thought about when she had first met him... how long had it been? 5, 6 years since they had parted ways...

She still remembered it though, the stupid party with the frilly dress and stuffed rabbits. It had been Easter weekend, but that hadn't seemed very important. She closed her eyes... and finally drifted off to sleep.

She was laying on the grass, a warm breeze, one of the first of the year blew past. In the distance, there was soft classical music, and the drone of voices in conversation.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Elizabeth turned her head, her bored gaze drifting slowly in the warm spring breeze.

A boy, her age was standing next to her, looking at her inquisitively. He waved a hand in front of her face.

"Did you fall asleep standing up?" He asked. I do that sometimes when father talks about business."

"I-I'm awake." She mumbled.

"Oh, mind if I join you then? My name's Eric." He crouched, and held out his hand to shake."

Elizabeth propped herself up on one elbow and shook it.

"My name's Eric, and I'm eight! How about you?"

"I'm Elizabeth, and... I'm eight too."

Elizabeth was about to lay back down but before she could Eric hoisted her to her feet.