by Rey, Solomon
He stood up, wiped the tears that trailed down her cheeks. “I love you too,” he said sweeping her into his arms. He eased away, to look into her eyes, “I need to ask you a question.”
“Yeah,” she asked curiously.
“When did you get so smart?” He grinned at her.
“It runs in the family,” she laughed through tears.
“Hey, what if she grew a second head? Wouldn’t that be cool?” Derek joked.
“Derek Roman!” Donna shouted, wiping away her own eyes.
“Sorry,” he said.
Olivia and Richard grinned.
CHAPTER XXVI
The Osborn house slept as Richard worked diligently in his lab trying to complete his plan. He disliked keeping secrets from the rest, but it was safer for them if they were oblivious.
While Richard labored below, Olivia dreamt above. She tossed, turned and moaned as the same scene played out over and over. She watched her mother murdered before her eyes; stabbed multiple times. Finally, her mother lay in a pool of blood gasping for air, as she held her hand out to her two year old baby girl, who stared bewildered as to what was happening; crying tears, screaming and holding her little arms out to her mommy, who would never hold her again.
Olivia tossed violently, as her anger escalated and her moans evolved from inaudible mutterings, to screams that shook the house.
Donna and Derek reached her bedroom at the same time. She was about to approach Olivia when Derek tugged on her arm gently. “I wouldn’t do that,” he said cautiously. She looked at him and nodded. “You’re right,” she said, “Run down to the lab and get Richard.”
He took off running, while Donna waited and watched over her, careful not to get too close. He made it to the lab, finding it empty. He turned, scaling the stairs two at a time, as he reached the top, he eyed Richard coming in through the back door, wiping his hands on a rag. Before Derek could ask what he was doing outside, Olivia let out a blood-curdling scream.
Richard and Derek dashed to her bedroom. “How long has she been screaming?” Richard asked.
“Only a few minutes,” Donna replied. Concern was painted across her face, “Poor thing!”
“You didn’t try to wake her?”
“No, we’re not crazy,” Derek said.
“We’re going to have to let her ride it out,” Richard said.
“What if she hurts herself?” She queried.
“I really doubt we have to worry about that. I don’t think a bazooka could hurt her…much!” Derek said.
“I wasn’t thinking,” she replied.
“She needs to work through her dream. If I’m right, her memory, short and long term, is being affected by Chromosome ‘S’.” Richard said.
“You mean, her memory is improving?” Derek asked.
“Yes…most of what a child sees, is not comprehended by the child, therefore it’s memories are fragmented, pushed back and compartmentalized as trash, because the memories are incomplete or broken—“
“You mean kind of like the trash bin on a computer?”
“Yes…something like that. Her brain or computer is defragmenting as we speak. All her past scattered and partial memories are being restored or repaired. Chromosome ‘S’ is removing the weaknesses in her ability to recall, and eventually, she will have a photographic memory. Of course, this is all theory and conjecture.”
“Well, how sure are you, that’s what’s happening,” Donna asked.
“Virtually positive,” he said confidently.
Olivia screamed again, startling the trio.
Richard paused for a second, then continued, “Before Chromosome ‘S’, she never dreamt of her mother. Every night since, she’s revisited the same dream and each time it’s intensified. The recurring nightmares have become worse, due to the fact that her memory is being, in a sense, overhauled and improved which in turn is bringing forward the most traumatic experience of her life. Soon, it will be as fresh in her mind as though
it occurred today, but with an understanding of the events, that she didn’t have before.
“You mean…she’s going to have to retain the memory of her mother’s murder? As vivid as though it just happened?” Donna asked.
“Unfortunately, so,” he said somberly.
“When you say photographic memory, does that mean she will remember every single detail of everything she sees?” Derek asked.
“Pretty much,” he replied.
“That’s so cool! She’s going to be a genius!” Derek said.
“Not quite,” Richard corrected, “It may increase her I.Q. a few points, but to a genius level…no. The part of the brain which governs the analytical, problem solving and decision making, will be practically untouched. Now, I’m not saying Chromosome ‘S’ won’t, in time, start to affect that specific part; but I suspect it will take time. How much time—I don’t know.”
Olivia screamed, “Leave her alone!” She sat bolt upright, immediately brushing her tears away. Donna sat next to her, putting her arms around her shoulders. Richard went to his knees and held her hand, each trying to comfort her in her own way.
Derek stood behind them, nervously.
“I saw his face,” Olivia said, shaking from her nightmare.
“Whose face, Honey?” Donna asked, “A face from your dream?”
“The man who killed my mom!” She said fighting back her emotions, “I saw him stab her five or six times!”
“Olivia, I need you to take a deep breath and give yourself a chance to calm down and gather your thoughts,” Richard said as soothingly as possible. Olivia trembled uncontrollably.
She did as she was told, closing her eyes, taking several controlled breaths, until she felt more in control of her emotions. She wiped a runaway tear.
“Are you ready?” Richard asked. She nodded. “Take your time and start from the beginning.”
“Okay…I was in my stroller and we just came into our house…I heard my mom close the door. She walked past me, leaving the room for a moment then came back…a man came out of the shadows from behind my Mother. I couldn’t see his face because she was in the way…he covered her mouth to keep her from screaming, then he—“She paused to regain control of her emotions. “Then he brought out a knife and plunged it into her chest, then her stomach. I saw her eyes bulge as he did it. She fell to the ground in front of me and I saw more and more blood. She held one arm out to me. I could almost touch her fingertips, as I screamed and cried for her. I held my hands out for her to pick me up, but she couldn’t.” She stopped again composing herself, “She was gasping for air, trying to breath, blood was coming out of her mouth every time she coughed, then she just stopped. She froze, with her eyes locked on mine…all I could do was cry.”
“You said you saw his face…the killer’s,” Derek asked. Donna glanced at him.
“I did,” Olivia said, “He dropped the knife and I saw him when he picked it up. My mom’s blood was dripping off the blade.”
Richard walked away. This was difficult for him to hear. He’d never known what specifically had happened to her. All he knew is he came home to find his wife dead—her body cold. Olivia was strapped into her stroller; she’d fallen asleep with tracks of dried tears on her face.
“Richard, are you okay?” Donna asked. It was evident he was having difficulties with all of this and it was easy for her to see why.
“Just give me a minute,” he said, his back to the three.
Olivia pulled her legs to the side of the bed, she went to her father, putting her head on his shoulder.
“Dad, I’m sorry. I wish I hadn’t remembered any of this,” She said gently, turning him toward her. She hugged him, his arms enveloped her.
“Honey, you have nothing to be sorry for, you hear me?”
“Yeah”, she said weakly, she felt guilty for making him sad.
He pulled away, looking in her eyes, “I mean it, you have nothing to be sorry for.” He smiled at her. She smiled back.
&nb
sp; “You guys are killing me! Are you purposely trying to make me cry!” Derek shouted, throwing his arms in the air, as he stomped out of the room.
Donna got up and hugged them. “Do you recognize the man?” Donna asked.
“No…I don’t’ think so,” she replied.
“What do we do about it,” Donna asked, as Derek returned.
“Not much we can do,” Richard said, “We can’t go to the police.”
“What! Why not?” Derek asked.
“Because the memory of a two year old will not carry any weight,” Donna interjected.
“In addition to that, how do we explain her sudden flash memory of eleven years ago?” Richard said.
“We can’t just sit and do nothing,” Olivia pressed.
“No one would like to catch this bastard more than me, but at this point there’s nothing we can…wait a minute,” he said.
“What?” Donna asked.
“Well, I have an old friend…actually he’s a really good friend. We grew up together and now he’s a private investigator down in Los Angeles. He should have all the connections we need to help us.”
“What’s his name?” Olivia asked.
“Max Preston…he attended your mom’s funeral.”
“When was the last time you spoke with him,” Donna asked.
“Well, I lost contact with him soon after Brenda’s funeral,” he said.
“Why didn’t you keep in contact with him?” Derek asked.
“I wasn’t handling her death well and I just wanted to forget about everything. I’d thought about contacting him over the years, but never seemed to find the time. I meant to, the next thing I know a decade had flown by,” he said sincerely.
“How can he help?” Olivia asked.
“Like I said, he has the connections. He was a cop, but got tired of the corruption on the force, he still has friends−.”
“But, that was ten years ago,” Donna interjected.
“True, but I won’t know until I call him. I’m sure he knows a sketch artist who she can sit with. He’ll have a drawing of the murderer in no time and most importantly—he won’t be too curious. I’ll call Max first thing in the morning,” Richard said.
“Well, it’s late, let’s go to bed,” Donna said.
“Uh…Dad, I need to tell you something,” Olivia said nervously.
“What is it? Is there something wrong?”
“Not really wrong…”
“Is this about the whole pooping thing,” Derek interjected.
“Shut up!” Olivia said snidely, “It’s about my Mom.”
“What about her?” Richard asked curiously.
“Well…I never really knew her, because I was so little when she died, but I always felt a little guilt for not remembering her. The name Mom, was just that…a name. There were never any feelings attached to it, do you know what I mean?” She asked apprehensively.
“I think so, but go on,” he pressed.
“Now, that I have my memories of my Mom, the emotions connected to her, all seem to be pouring back into my head. I feel the love she and I had for each other as though I saw her a couple of hours—“
“Oh great…I know where this is headed,” Derek said. “Like Johnson’s Baby Shampoo—no more tears! Please!”
“Shut up and sit down, I’m almost done,” she ordered, “Anyway…it feels as though I just saw her. It’s a gift I will cherish forever, thank you.”
Richard and Olivia hugged! Donna was an emotional wreck, but regained her composure quickly.
They said their goodnights and Donna and Richard left the room, kissed and retired to separate bedrooms.
“Goodnight,” Derek said, turning to walk away.
“Stay for a little, I don’t want to go to sleep yet,” she said patting her bed, encouraging him to stay, “We can stay up late and talk like we used to.”
“Can we curl my hair and paint my nails…oh and maybe a painful bikini wax?” he said joking.
“Yes, to the first two, but no, to the last,” she said giggling.
“What? Why not?”
“Well, I think you need to hit puberty first,” she laughed.
“That’s so low!”
“Will you stay?” she asked again.
“Okay, you twisted my arm—move over,” She scooted over, crossed her legs and put her pillow in her lap. He sat next to her, leaning back on one elbow.
“So…what’s new?” he asked sarcastically.
“Oh, not much. I just became Super human overnight, that’s all,” she replied casually, as though she were referring to a new pair of converse.
“I think it’s the coolest thing ever! My best friend is ‘The Angel’,” he said ardently, “Do you know how huge this is? Imagine the fun we can have in school or all the sports you can play and there’s no way you could ever lose!” he laughed
“It is pretty cool, but I wouldn’t want to misuse it to my advantage. It wouldn’t be right,” she said seriously, “But, it’s also scary.”
“Scary? Why?”
“First, because as I said earlier, I have no idea if I’m going to live one more day or forever. Second, saving a life is a huge responsibility.”
“How so?”
“What if I arrive a second too late to save a person or I do something that can hurt someone? Tonight, I pushed a truck out of the way, but it went right into oncoming traffic. If the other car hadn’t swerved, they could have been killed. I don’t think I could live with myself if I caused someone’s death.”
“I see what you mean…I would feel the same way, but it wouldn’t stop me from doing the right thing. I guess the answer is to always be aware of your surroundings before you do anything…super,” he grinned.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. It’s not like I can turn my back on someone who needs my help. I think that would make me feel even worse.”
A thought came to Olivia. One that she’d been wanting to ask, but kept forgetting and now was a perfect time.
“Derek, do you ever get…I don’t know…upset because I got the serum?” She asked staring at her pillow, then up at him.
“Am I envious of you becoming Supergirl? No…but I am envious,” He said matter-of-factly.
“Of what?” She asked, intrigued.
“I am envous because Richard’s your father and he really cares for you,” He looked away to hide his sadness. “I never knew my father; he never cared for me enough to stick around. I’d give anything to have Richard as my father. Being here the past few days, even though a bit traumatic at times, has been amazing. I feel like I’m part of a family.”
“You guys are always over here, how is it different?”
“It’s not the same, because every night we leave. Families are suppose to stay together and never separate; through the good and the bad. When you told your Dad that he could do the worse things imaginable, and you would stand by him. I feel exactly the same way about all of you, because that’s what real family does.”
“I really wish our parents would hurry up and realize how perfect they are for each other so you and I could be brother and sister,” he said, cheering up at the thought.
“I know! Wouldn’t that be awesome? Except…how would you deal with having a sister who could beat you up?” She chuckled.
“I guess the same way I deal with having a best friend who can kick my butt.”
“I know that all my memories of my mom have come back to me along with the feelings, but having your mom here has been so nice. It does feel more like being part of a complete family, now that you mention it.”
“You know she loves you right? You should have seen her when she thought you died; she practically fell apart…well, we all did.”
Olivia remained quiet, momentarily.
“She told me she thought she’d lost a daughter, then we got a little emotional.”
Derek could see that she was getting sentimental about the whole thing. He was done with that stuff—time to change t
he subject. “So…are you going to be full-time hero now?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You told your Dad, if someone needs saving you’re going to do it even if it means that you reveal who you are.”
“No, I’m not going into the superhero business! I want a normal life, like I had before, but I’m not going to walk away if I see someone needs my help.”
“Well…I’m not sure the word ‘normal’ could ever apply to you again.”
“Then…as ‘normal’ as possible, how’s that?”
“Here’s something that’s not so normal—you’re most likely going to have a photographic memory. You’re going to basically have a camera in your head!”
“How’d you come up with that?”
“Your Dad told us while you were having your nightmare. He said Chromosome ‘S’ was messing with your brain, which is why you have had your dreams, which is also why you now know who the murderer is—“
“I don’t know who he is!” She said excitedly.
“Sorry, you know what he looks like.”
She considered the prospect of having a photographic memory. “If my Dad is right—that would be so awesome,” she said enthusiastically.
“Yes and no.”
“No,no,no! Don’t ruin it for me!” She said jokingly.
“Well, it would be cool as far as school work goes or anything good that might happen to you, but what if it’s a memory you want to forget? Imagine…you break up with the love of your life and you are devastated; you would have to remember every single
detail—forever! You know the saying ‘time heals all wounds’?” She nodded. “That won’t be true in your case. Memories fade over time, but not for you. Your body heals almost instantaneously, but your mind will never. What happens if someone you love dies? How painful and drawn out it will be for you?” He looked at her somberly.
Olivia pondered his words, as the excitement dwindled away. How horrible it would be if my Dad died, she thought, I’d be forced to remember every minute detail. Wouldn’t something like that drive a person insane? Doesn’t the mind have a way of dealing with something like that? “I should probably worry about it, when the time comes, what do you think?” She wanted desperately to get off the subject.