Forgotten Memories

Chapter 19: No Return

-Luke-

Hope easily retrieved the letter, so right after that, we drove over to my house.

"Help yourself with anything," I shouted into the kitchen as I walked by. "I'm gonna take a while."

Once I heard her muffled response, I set to work. I jog upstairs and sigh. I grab my clothes and stuff them in my suitcase, then look around. I'm pretty sure we're not gonna be returning in a while. I look around, and frown. I don't know what to take with me.

I sit on the bed, pick the frame off my bedside and smile. It's the picture Rue took when I had first kissed Aria at school. Her eyes were wide and everyone else around was staring. If heard that even the teachers had stopped and stared, because no one had ever seen Aria kiss someone, although I'd been the one to make the move.

I remember that day perfectly. She'd been on her way to band and had been getting her flute out, when I cornered her. We had been dating for a week, and she hadn't really told anyone except our immediate friend circle.

After that, we dated for a month before she moved to New York and lost contact. But now, with the memory loss thing, she doesn't remember. We never talked about it before anyway. Whenever it came up, we'd just argue about what we used to do, but although we were a mess, I loved her.

My eyes widen.

Loved.

I didn't mean that.

A little shaky, I walk downstairs to Hope and smile nervously. "I think it's time to review the letter."

••••••••••

I hold the frame in my hands as she uses the blacklight to read it.

"Luke, I'm being held at gunpoint. I wrote this letter because I'm supposed to make it sound like I wanted to leave. I didn't. We're going to Mark's house, but I don't know which one. He has two apparently. Please help. Aria."

Hope glances up, looking worried. "I'm so sorry Luke."

Startled, I drop the frame and it falls. . .and cracks. My hands start shaking.

Next thing I know, Hope is beside me, shaking me to get my attention, but I can't hear her. I can't hear anything.

I look straight ahead and see myself reflected in the mirror. I see my eyes darken and water. Oh no. I am not gonna break down right now.

••••••••••

We drive in silence for a while, until Hope speaks up. "Do you know where Mark lives now? Aria said he had two houses."

I shake my head. "I plan to find out."

She nods. "Ah."

After thirty minutes or so, she sighs, and drops her hand. It lands softly on mine and she gasps. "Oh! Sorry. I didn't mean to."

I laugh a bit stiffly. "It's okay."

She frowns. "What's wrong?"

"Uh," I say, then pause. "Nothing."

"Luke? Please tell me."

I sigh. "Everything is wrong. My life is a mess right now." I pull over at the nearest motel and drop my gaze. "I can barely handle it all without Aria."

She's quiet. Too quiet.

I peek at her and see her lost in thought. "Uh, Hope?"

She blinks, but I see a flash of. . . Something. "Huh?" she responds.