The Right Side

Chapter 40

Ash walks down the street in the heavy sun. The dirt and dust crunches under her feet. She spent the night thinking about what Jacob said. He told her to find out what happened in that blank spot.

Ash turns into the dim lit story, to be greeted by Ricky, "Ash, where is that pretty girlfriend of yours?" Ricky smiles at her and Ash keeps a serious face.

"Not here right now. Can we talk privately?" Ash asks while taking off her sun glasses and Ricky nods, leading her to the back. Ricky and Ash stand in a small office room. It looks like it is barely used. There are also boxes scattered around the room. Probably used for storage.

"What's wrong, Ash?" Ricky asks while sitting behind the desk. Ash sits in the chair in front of him.

"I need to remember something. You know everyone on this side. You know all the... memory manipulators."

"Ash... memory manipulation isn't everyday things. You have to know that going into one of those labs is dangerous." Ricky stares Ash down, "What did you do?"

"I don't know. That is why I need to know your best memory manipulator. I know this isn't going to be good from my brain, but I need this." Ash looks at the older man with pleading eyes.

Ricky sighs and starts writing on a post card, "His name is Dr. Imaim. He is the best in the business but his ways of looking at your memories can be... well they can be like torture." Ash nods and puts her hand out for the address.

"Sounds good." Ash shrugs and Ricky just looks at her.

"If this is for the girl... know that you don't have to do this." Ricky says and Ash shakes his head.

"Part of it is for her. But part of it is for me. I think I did something really bad but I can't remember." Ash gulps so she doesn't cry, "I need this and I need her."

Ricky sighs and hands her the address, "Ash. Promise me that if at anytime the manipulation gets too hard you will stop." Ash looks at the man and nods. It isn't a promise but it is something.

Ash leaves the tattoo parlor and makes her way back to the palace to get her car. Once she is in her old school car she looks at the address... That is in the middle of no where. Ash thinks to herself and then nods, This is what you have to do. This is how you get Avery back.

***

"Your majesty... there has been a quarrel in a bakery about over over priced bread. No one can afford it any more." Avery's second hand says to her while she sits on her throne. The blonde rolls her eyes and looks at the older man.

"Tell them to lower the price. Make it affordable. This shouldn't be a problem." Avery snaps at the man who bows his head and leaves the room.

Avery sits in silence. Being Queen is easy when people fear you. When every came back from the other side, she was still covered in blood when people saw her leave the plane. Some of them believe she killed her parents. She doesn't care enough to tell them who really did it.

Ash... the last time Ash was here they kissed for the first time... and then she was tortured. So much has changed since that Christmas day.

The doors open and Natasha struts into the throne room with guards trying to get her out, "What is this?" Avery raises her head a little.

"Oh, get over yourself. I haven't talked to you in four days. I have some words for you." Natasha says with an annoyed tone. Two guards grab her arms but Natasha stands her ground.

"Let go of her," The guards comply, "You two will be dealt with later. Do your job and guard the door." Avery says and Natasha rolls her eyes, "Leave us." The guards leave and Natasha walks right up to Avery's throne.