The Dragon King

Chapter Twelve

Riverton

Levi sat on a bench on the sidewalk watching as the cars drive by. Raven had insisted on his attending school, but he never made it to the bus stop. He wasn't planing on spending what time he needed to regain his memory shoving unwanted knowledge down his throat.

He shoved his hands into his jacket pocket, and stared down at his shoes. He kept replaying what he had heard last night in his head, though, he couldn't tell the difference if it had really happened or if had been a dream. The one good thing that had happened to him in a while, he presumed, and his mind was already trying to turn him against it.

Raven and Daniel had been nothing but kind to him. If it was a dream, why would his brain turn them into villains? Maybe it had to do with the memory Dr. Bones had unleashed yesterday. Was his mind going on the defensive side?

But why had they said the things they did? Fake memories? A curse? Raven running Elyssa through? What ever did that mean? Elyssa was supposed to be dead? He couldn't ever see her again? Why would his mind make up such things? It didn't make any sense.

This mornings breakfast was rather tense as well. Raven glared at him weirdly, and he didn't feel as comfortable as he had at dinner.

A car pulled up in front of him, but he didn't look up.

"I thought you were supposed to be in school."

Levi froze as his heart skipped. He closed his eyes and sighed before looking up to see one of the sheriff's cars parked in front of him, Daniel leaning on the wheel with the passenger window rolled down.

Levi glanced from side to side. He shifted to the edge of the seat and leaned forward. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't. There's still so much I need to learn. I didn't want to waste my time in school."

Daniel sighed. "Alright, but I don't think Raven's going to be too happy about it. She wants to keep you out of trouble."

Levi furrowed his brow. "What trouble could I possibly get into?"

Daniel smiled. "Oh, you know. Don't want more girls chasing after you."

Levi tried to hide a grin as he lowered his head. There was no way the Noble's could be trying to hurt him. They were too kind to him.

"Where you headed to, Levi?" Daniel asked. "I have a quick thing to take care of at the station, but maybe later you and I could have a look around to see if you remember anything."

Levi pointed to his right. "I was just about to head to the hospital to check on Elyssa. See how she's doing today."

Daniel's smile suddenly dropped into a frown. He shook his head. "Oh, I'm sorry, Levi. Did no one tell you?"

Levi was puzzled. "Tell me what?"

"Elyssa became more critical during the night," Daniel explained. "They had to move her to a more advance hospital out of town where she could get the proper help she needed." He sighed. "Can't help but feel that it's all my fault. I should've been more careful."

Levi's heart sank as he plopped back on the bench. She was gone? Moved out of town in the night? How could no one had told him? But then again, why would they? He wasn't kin to her. He didn't even know anything about her.

He slowly looked up at Daniel, feeling water prick his eyes. "So, I'll never see her again?"

"I'm sorry, kid. I'm afraid not." Daniel reached over and pushed the passenger side door open. "Come on. The station can wait. What's more important is getting your memories back."