AMNESIA Read online

  A tall, strange tree.

  She shivered in the cold and quickly scanned her surroundings. It was winter; the crisp air burnt her cheeks, and the forest was dark and dank. Leaves, moss, and mud stuck to her heels as she took a step to look around.

  Nothing but trees and strange, squat bushes peppered the muddy ground.

  Wrexel brought the tent down with one yank; it slowly sailed down, folding into triangles smaller and smaller until it dropped into his hands. He shoved it into the bag he had strapped to his back.

  In the distance, she spotted small pools of ice-blue water that came from trickling crevices in small rocky formations. A slow-moving mist floated by, covering her legs until they disappeared from sight and then thinned again to reveal her shoes covered with moisture.

  Silence still reigned; not even a rustle was heard!

  Her eyes darted about, scrambling for something she could recognize, but she could not see more than ten feet ahead of her. She would have no choice but to stay with the foreboding stranger for now, even if her instinct told her something was very wrong.

  Maybe it was just the lack of memory.

  Yes, that had to be it.

  That and the insanely high trees that looked unfamiliar, rocks that were strangely colored, and leaves in shapes she was certain she hadn’t seen before.

  “I’ll leave you for a few minutes to attend to nature. Don’t make me regret the decision to give you privacy.”

  Amber frowned; what did he mean by that? But the call of nature won and she didn’t waste any time.

  Soon he returned to her side. “Let’s go.”

  “Wait, my memory… can you at least tell me what country is this?”

  “Not now, not yet.” He grabbed her hand and made her run with him through the forest until her lungs began to burn.

  “Wrexel, slow down, please!” she shouted and then froze, wrestling her fingers from his.

  “Wrexel,” she said again, trying to grasp the thoughts that rose to mind, but the recollection faded.

  As his name rolled across her tongue, she saw a small measure of apprehension dart across his face.

  “Yes.” He said it softly, waiting to see if she had more to add.

  It returned to her then, not quite a memory, but a knowing. Those who spoke his name ensured they did it clearly so as not to offend him.

  Wrexel was not a man one offended.

  She bent down and grasped her knees, catching her breath and breaking away from his curious, examining gaze. When she stood up, he held the electronic tablet – not an iPad after all – toward her almost as if taking a photograph.

  “You're fit,” he said with a second glance at the screen.

  “I’m not used to running this fast for so long,” she protested.

  “Yes you are; Staede ensured your physical fitness.” He cursed as if he regretted the admission.

  “Who?” She didn’t like the look on his face.

  “My brother, Staede,” he bit out.

  “I don’t remember him.”

  “Strange,” he scowled.

  * * *

  The silence of the forest broke as a flock of birds flew overhead; some of them swooped down low enough for her to see. They emitted loud shrieks that hurt her ears. She grasped Wrexel’s arm and, again, quickly snatched it away.

  “What was that? What are they?” She stared into the mist as the unfamiliar birds disappeared. They had leathery wings that resembled a bat’s, scaly chests of dark purple, wide-open beaks, and darting eyes.

  None of this makes sense.

  None of it.

  “We have to keep moving, Amber. We will stop in a few hours and talk more.”

  “What are we running from?” she demanded digging in her heals.

  “Wild animals,” he said immediately and somehow she did not doubt the truth of his words.

  Still, something was desperately wrong with everything. She began to demand more answers when he added, “We aren’t safe. We must reach the end of this forest before nightfall.”

  Amber nodded. If the imposing man in front of her did not want to face the night in the forest, she would not argue. She ran with him but declined to take his hand when he held it out for her. Just when Amber started to think that her legs would give in, she experienced a surge of energy and realized that he was right. She was used to running long distances. Perhaps not at this speed, but she was fit and therefore, as he promised, able to keep his steady pace.

  The trees began to thin and more light filtered down. The ground became dry and no squelch of their feet echoed in the silence. She saw the end of the forest as Wrexel slowed his run. He peered at her sideways with narrowed eyes, which unsettled her.

  “Have you remembered any more about who you are?”

  “I can remember streets, but I’m not sure if I lived there. I can remember houses and faces, but I don’t know the names of the people and…” she broke off with a sigh of regret. “I don’t remember you, except for your name.”

  “Perhaps some of your memory will return soon.” He indicated that they walk a bit farther to the strange terrain that lay in the distance. At first, she thought it was a sugar cane crop but as she got closer, she realized it was a tall yellow grassland. It stretched in both directions for as far as her eyes could see. The grass loomed high in some places, lopping over in the breeze, and yet other sections were short as if cut. She heard a squelch of moisture beneath her feet as she stepped toward the new landscape.

  They were in a grassy swamp, one that did not flow naturally from the forest. She stared to the left and right and decided it must have been planted. The line dividing the forest from the swampland was too neat.

  But who would plant a swampland next to a forest? The grass was also a strange yellow gold color. The leaves glittered in the fading sun. It wasn’t familiar in any way.

  So much of this was foreign. So much of it was...

  “Oh my God!” she cried out as her gaze lifted upward to the now-open sky.

  Her heart began to pound wildly. Her mind raced as she struggled to make sense of the sight that lay before her. Nothing came to the fore to settle her nerves and no new memory rose up to explain the sight of the four moons that lit up the night sky.

  “This isn’t Earth!”

  2

  Grasslands

  Four moons!

  Questions tumbled from her lips but he answered none. “Not now, we must move on.”

  “But...”

  “Amber, now you know this isn’t Earth and the animals I am referring to are none that you are used to… please… we have to go. I will explain everything later.”

  She did not need any more persuasion. With a terrified glance behind her, she moved quickly, plunging after him into the tall yellow grass.

  The tufts changed in size constantly. Some patches rose high above her head, while others were so low they caught her toes and caused her to stumble. Wrexel was always on hand to catch her and pull her back to her feet. She heard a splash before the slap of cold, murky water hit her and it suddenly became deeper as they pushed forward through the grasslands. She waded through water and grass, hating the rough and sometimes slimy movement against her body. It was easier to move when they were dry and short, breaking off with snaps and hisses. When they forged into the parts of the terrain that were swampy and deep, it was hard to move forward. Wrexel ran in front without breaking pace and dragged her behind him, taking the brunt of most of the foliage and clearing the way for her with his large frame.

  On and on it went.

  The blessed dryness of the landscape never lasted long and she would shudder when she heard the sound of water at her ankles, groaning when it deepened and wrapped around her legs in slimy clumps. She flinched with fear every time her leg struck something hard, wondering if the water had anything living in it. But Wrexel would tighten his hand on hers, encouraging her to continue their run.

  She was certain her legs were about to give in whe
n he abruptly stopped, causing her to slam into him. He clasped her around the waist and steadied her in the swamp beside him. Her breath left her raggedly, and he put a finger on his lips for her to be quiet.

  She nodded instinctively, moving closer to his side, her heart pounding with fear and exertion in her ears. No sound or movement arose as she struggled to control the rise and fall of her chest.

  He lifted his nose and sniffed the air, like an animal on the hunt, his body tense as his head moved slowly from side to side, searching the surrounding area with eyes that glowed demonically.

  Transfixed by the ethereal and penetrating glow, she jumped when he put his mouth on her ear and whispered, “Just let them pass.”

  She moaned in fear as he pulled her closer to him with one hand. The other now held a small dagger. The water swished behind them and something emitted a snorting spurt that was dangerously near and directly approaching. Wrexel’s grip tightened on her when distant ripples in the swamp started moving toward them.

  More bursts of air disrupted the eerie silence and bubbles broke the surface as a large, murky form slowly drifted past. It swam just below the surface, destination and identity unknown.

  Amber moved even closer. Wrexel tightened his hold on her waist as another and yet another of the unknown creatures passed. Something brushed her leg, and she yelped in fright, opening her mouth to scream but he captured her bottom lip between his teeth. It wasn’t painful, but the message was clear. His breath was warm and sweet as his mouth hovered over hers.

  Despite her trepidation, she responded to the intimate gesture and terror took second place. What played havoc with her senses now was even more disturbing. Her body felt languid, her neck strained for more contact and she longed to make a completely different utterance. Common sense seemed to be out of her reach as he toyed with her mouth. He never breached her lips, but the sensation of his tongue gently moving over her lower lip became so intoxicating, she lost the pounding fear of what swam past.

  * * *

  Moments later the tight grip of his hand relaxed on her back and he raised his head from hers. Beautiful swirling violet eyes locked on hers, mesmerizing her. She watched the way they churned, saw the brutal honesty of his desire, and then, when he had allowed her enough time to savor his gaze, he released her and plunged forward through the water again.

  Amber embraced the cold waves of water this time, disconcerted about the moment they had shared. When he held her, it seemed normal, as if he had done it before.

  She ran her tongue over her lips and remembered the way he had made her feel when they were close. Then, as she gazed at the four moons in the azure sky above, she reminded herself that this wasn’t Earth and he was definitely not human.

  His dubious humanity, however, didn’t matter at that moment because he was all she had protecting her in the hostile environment.

  The ground leveled out and he finally came to a halt. It was also no longer damp, and she sat down to catch her breath.

  Wrexel stood for a few moments, once again sniffing the air as his eyes darted around the clearing. Her stomach churned at the distinctly animalistic gesture.

  “This spot was made by others,” he said.

  “People?” she asked hopefully.

  “Yeah.” He grinned. “A group of swamp-dwelling campers.”

  Amber flinched at his sarcasm but recognized he was teasing and grinned in return.

  He looked younger when he smiled and less… terrifying.

  He removed the tent from his bag and it opened in the same miraculous way that it had closed that morning. He used his monitor to scan the surrounding grass.

  “What exactly are you looking for? What animals are out there?”

  “I don’t have a name for them. I’ve never been to this planet before, but those who do reside here have recorded logs about their wild lands.” He looked annoyed at somebody for not doing a proper job. “It’s not really detailed.”

  “You are not from this… place?” She still could not use the word “planet’. It was too bizarre.

  “I told you we crashed here, Amber, we don’t live here,” he reminded her.

  We.

  “Wrexel, when are we going to talk about my memory?”

  He studied the monitor. “There are two in close range, a female and a child, but no aggressive males.”

  Amber frowned; did he sound disappointed?

  “Are they dangerous animals?”

  He stopped looking at the device and gazed at her speculatively as if considering this idea himself. “They have some intellect. Not exactly an animal.”

  He returned his attention to the monitor. “The males are territorial and aggressive it says. Females hardly ever attack, but those words imply that at times they may. Useless log.”

  He placed the monitor on the ground at his feet and focused his gaze on her.

  His look turned sympathetic at her dumbfounded horror. He squatted at her side and gently cupped her chin to run a thumb over her cheek. “There is no need to be afraid, Amber, I will protect you.” His words were kind and gentle, but the way his thumbs stroked her cheeks made her tremble and it wasn’t from fear.

  She still could not remember his beautiful face, but she remembered his touch. His gaze immobilized her and a wicked flare of awareness took precedence over her anxiety yet again. She swam in his exotic eyes that swirled with violet and she thought he would kiss her.

  Hoped he would kiss her.

  She moved back, alarmed by her reaction. “I don’t even know if I am safe with you,” she said hurriedly, hoping he hadn’t seen her sway toward him.

  “You’re safe… Amber.” His hand threaded into her hair and gently encircled her nape.

  The inner knowing came swiftly. Not a full memory of the time or place, but it was enough.

  He knew her.

  He had done this before; he had touched her exactly like this and whispered her name. Warmth crept into her cheeks as passionate embraces filled her mind, hot and urgent. He was no stranger to her at all. Pleasure coursed through her body at the new recollections and desire rippled between them but a look of concern flashed across his face and he released her.

  “Go and rest in the tent, Amber. We will talk again later.” His voice sounded gruff and held a warning that had nothing to do with approaching creatures.

  She obeyed immediately this time.

  She lay down on the familiar yellow floor and closed her eyes, thinking of the barrage of recalls that made no sense. Embraces of wild desperation, dueling mouths insanely intoxicated. They were intimately involved, without a doubt, unless her imagination was running rife.

  But where was she?

  What was he?

  Part of her wanted to go back outside and demand answers; the other half warned her that she would give him more than questions. Fear had made her a little crazy. Danger should not take second place when a man touched you. Even if he was an alien man. She peered through the canvas opening and watched as night fell. The sky lit up with beautiful stars and of course… the four moons.

  Amber finally fell into a restless sleep.

  * * *

  Wrexel observed her through the open door of the tent until he was certain she slept and then he moved into the grasslands.

  “Whyle?” He tapped the monitor at his wrist.

  Seconds later, it buzzed in response and the hologram flared up before him.

  The cousins wasted no time.

  “Are you finally moving?” Whyle asked.

  “Yeah, heading toward Rheese City.”

  “It would be better if you weren’t picked up, Wrexel. Better if you stay missing!”

  “I’m just going to hover on the outskirts of Rheese City in case you signal for me to get back; they shouldn’t have picked up my landing.”

  Whyle shook his head. “They won’t – I made sure nobody saw you leave Throm or land there, but if they’re out on patrol, they could spot you on a normal transporter, so be c
areful.”

  Wrexel nodded. “How’s the situation at Four Wings?

  “Desperate, but were handling it, lots of ideas… none that will work.” He sighed.

  “Is the Monarch still barricaded? Have you considered…” he began but Whyle interrupted. “You fucked it up, Wrexel. Leave us to fix it.”

  Wrexel glowered at Whyle, but nodded in reluctant agreement.

  “How’s Amber? Why are you talking to me in private?” his cousin asked.

  “She’s resting.”

  “That was quite a landing… don’t shit with me, Wrexel, I want to know if she’s okay.”

  “I’m handling it,” he snapped back.

  Whyle scowled. “You never handle anything when it comes to Amber.”

  When Wrexel did not respond, he returned to their former conversation. “The grounds are infested, so keep moving until the clear zone, but don’t cross the lake; it will be picked up by Rheese City’s perimeter scanners. I can’t block those.”

  “Noted.”

  “Next time we speak, I want to see Amber.”

  “Don’t concern yourself with Amber,” Wrexel growled.

  “I will be as concerned as I please about my wife, Wrexel – my wife!”

  Wrexel flicked off the Comms.

  * * *

  Amber floated from one dream to another as she lay in the yellow tent.

  A woman dressed in a white hospital gown with long dark hair spoke to her in riddles and sang her songs she could not understand.

  The Great Pink Cloud,

  Announced the end of rest,

  Four key holders,

  Protected by the best,

  Unlocking slowly

  The gates to his respite,

  Free the Grand Wraith,

  And pray he does not fight

  She ran toward the woman in white, reaching for her, begging her to stay, but she faded away, her image slowly morphing into that of Wrexel. He took her in his arms, his mouth on hers, the kiss endless as his hands roamed over her body. She moaned with pleasure and looked up, searching for his gold eyes but stared into green ones that belonged to another.