by Owens, Wendy
“Yeah man, your girlfriend did a number on you. What kind of kinky stuff are you two into?” Uri moved around to the front of the sofa, clearly proud of his joke.
“Sophie!” Gabe exclaimed remembering every horrific detail of what had happened in one second.
“Uri, stop it!” Michael snapped.
“How long has she been like that?” Gabe inquired.
“Haim says a while. She seemed to progress faster than the others.” Michael replied.
“Oh God, she’s awful.” Gabe said as he tried to sit up again. “A little help here. Can you all sit me up?”
“Yes, of course.” Michael replied reaching out to Gabe and motioning with his head for Uri to come help. “Careful Uri, the flesh patch is fresh.” Gabe’s stomach turned at the talk of flesh patches.
Once Gabe was securely propped up, Michael and Uri sat down in the side chairs nearby, ready to assist Gabe at his first sign of distress.
“What were you thinking, Gabe? There is no way you should have been in there alone with her.” Michael reprimanded his injured pupil.
“I had no idea she was that bad. She wanted to kill me!” Gabe shrieked.
“Of course she did, numb nuts!” Uri boasted. “She’s kind of evil right now.”
“Michael, we have to do something!” Gabe urged.
“Gabe, we have been trying spells, and the elders apparently had tried an ancient elixir before we even returned. None of it has worked. But I am sure we will figure it out. We just have to be patient.” Michael explained.
“No! Don’t you get it? She’s a monster.” Gabe argued.
“Gabe, I’m sure Michael is doing everything he can.” Uri commented, dropping the comedian act when he realized how upset his friend truly was.
“No, I don’t think he is.” Gabe snapped.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Uri began to feel as though he had to defend his trusted leader.
“He can wipe her.” Gabe suggested firmly.
“I said no!” Michael yelled quickly.
“You know it will work.” Gabe insisted.
“Gabe, it’s not about it working, it’s about wiping away any trace of the Sophie we know.” Michael asserted.
“You don’t know that will happen.” Gabe stressed.
“Gabe, I would have to go so deep I don’t know how it could not happen.” Michael tried to explain more calmly.
“Uri, what’s better, a Sophie who has to get to know us again or a psychotic demonic version of Sophie who tries to kill you with her teeth if she can?” Gabe asked in a sarcastic tone.
“Gabe, Michael has a point. Artis had no idea who I was, not even when I left. Can you really deal with Sophie having no clue about who you are or what you had?”
“More than I can with her trying to kill me!” Gabe exclaimed.
“Gabe, it’s not just her not knowing who any of us are, it’s also if her mind can handle the stress of it. Some people are never able to adjust to their new realities when they begin to learn about it.” Michael explained.
“I think that is more of a chance for her than locked in a box, being treated like an animal.” Gabe argued.
“I think you’re exaggerating a bit. We are trying to keep her and everyone else around her safe.” Michael reassured Gabe sternly. “Look at what happened to you!”
“I’m not going to let up on this, Michael. You could wipe her right now and her suffering stops.” Gabe insisted.
“Michael, maybe Gabe has a point. Nothing the elders have done has worked, you have no clue how to help her and she’s getting worse.”
“Uri!” Michael exclaimed, clearly feeling betrayed. “We can’t do this to Sophie.”
“I don’t see how we cannot.” Gabe added. “And, considering you were the one that had her work with relics in the first place, I would think you would feel some sort of sense of responsibility to fix this.”
“Gabe!” Uri exclaimed. “I think that’s a bit harsh, come on now. Michael was only doing what he thought was best for you and Sophie.”
“And I’m telling you, wiping Sophie is what is best for her, I know it.” Gabe insisted. “Would I have you do something to her if I really thought it would hurt her?”
Michael sat silent, it was clear he was considering Gabe’s words. Gabe held his breath as he waited for his answer. The two boys stared at their teacher, almost ready to leap from their skin.
“Gabe, I think this is the wrong decisions but leave me, let me think about what you have said. I will discuss it with the elders and let you know what we decide.” Michael replied.
“That’s all I ask.” Gabe said, positive his teacher would come to the right answer.
“Uri, help Gabe to his room. He needs to rest tonight. The flesh patch should take a solid hold by morning. I will give you my decision then.” Michael said, hanging his head immediately in deep thought.
“Come on, Nancy,” Uri said giggling and picking Gabe up as though he were a damsel in need.
“You’re just loving this, aren’t you?” Gabe asked annoyed.
“Oh yeah!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Gabe ran his fingers over where the flesh patch had been. He was amazed that just three days ago there had been a gaping hole in his neck where Sophie had bitten him. There really had not been much of a change in her condition.
Gabe wiggled in his seat a little. Sitting still had never seemed like such an impossible task than it was right now. He had been begging Michael to wipe Sophie’s memory since he returned home from Iron Gate and now it actually seemed like he might get his way.
Standing up and walking over to the fireplace, Gabe stoked the embers and wondered when Michael would return. Though it seemed like he had left to meet with the council of elders hours ago, Gabe knew it had actually only been about thirty minutes.
“Hey man,” Uri’s familiar voice called out from the doorway. “How you holding up in here?”
“As good as can be expected I suppose. Any word?” Gabe chimed back.
“Last I checked he was still with them.” Ur replied.
“I really don’t see what choice they have. They have to say yes, right?” Gabe asked, desperate for his friend to agree.
“Gabe, are you sure this is the right thing to do? If Michael is this worried about it, maybe we should listen to him.” Uri urged.
“Uri! She tried to kill me. You know she loves me. What is in that cell isn’t her anymore. I have been down there every night to be with her, to look for some trace of who she was and there is nothing. Do you really want her to keep living like she is?” Gabe attempted to reason with his friend
“No, of course not.” Uri looked down at his hands wondering how Gabe could be so sure it was the right thing to do.
“Boys.” Michael said, acknowledging Gabe and Uri as he entered the room. Gabe noticed Michael didn’t seem to be healing as quickly as he normally did and his skin was still pale.
“Hello, sir.” Uri replied.
“Sir.” Gabe added, staring at Michael intensely, waiting for some indication of the decision.
Michael said nothing as he walked over to his desk. He moved behind it and glanced at a stack of papers on one of the corners. Frustrated, Gabe could wait no longer.
“Well?” Gabe asked, making his way to the large desk.
“Well what?” Michael said, looking up from under his narrowed brows.
“Oh come on,” Gabe said throwing up his hands. “Are you going to wipe her memory or not?”
“Gabe, one last time, you understand that if we wipe her it could fracture her reality. She may end up worse off than she is now.” Michael explained.
“I seriously doubt that.” Gabe retorted. “I’m not sure there is anything worse than what she is right now.”
“Well the elders have all agreed, against my better judgment we will wipe Sophie’s memories.” Michael’s words were full of worry. Though Gabe could sense the worry from Michael, he himself w
as overcome with excitement. Darting behind the table, he threw his arms around his mentor’s torso, even surprising himself by the outburst of physical display of gratitude.
“When?” Uri asked in an almost whisper.
“Haim is bringing her now.” Michael replied.
“Wait, What?” Gabe yelped. “What do you mean Haim is bringing her?”
“Don’t worry. She has been placed into a catatonic state and Haim is bringing her here to my office to conduct the procedure.”
“Just like that?” Gabe felt a swirling conflict of emotions. Suddenly he was consumed by the fear of what if he might be wrong, a thought that had not crossed his mind until this moment.
“Are you sure?” Michael asked, sensing his student’s shift.
Concerned the debate would all begin again and Sophie may not get the procedure, Gabe reassured Michael of his choice, trying to sound as confident as he could.
“You both are welcome to wait in the hallway during the procedure, but I must have complete silence during it and no distractions.” Michael rattled as he continued flipping through some papers. Then below his breath Michael added, “I can’t mess this up.”
Gabe could see the pressure this was putting on him and he wished he could help lessen the burden.
“You’re going to do great.” Uri reassured Michael as he walked to the door.
Michael said nothing, still focusing on the words that covered the pages in his hands.
“We will be right outside.” Gabe added following Uri.
Gabe followed Uri out into the hallway. They both leaned against the wall and it was obvious the situation was weighing on the boys minds equally.
“Do you think it will all be alright?” Gabe finally asked, no longer able to mask his growing concerns.
“I don’t know, I really don’t know.” Uri replied looking down at the rock floor so intensely it appeared he was studying it.
In the distance the boys could hear the shuffling of feet. They both looked up in silence and watched as Haim and Sophie came into sight. Sophie walked slowly, her head hung low, and her feet almost dragging behind her with each step. Haim followed close behind, one arm outstretched, his hand on Sophie’s shoulder, guiding her to Michael’s office.
Nobody spoke as the two reached the doors and entered. Gabe wanted to grab hold of Sophie’s hand, but he knew it was not his Sophie he would be talking to. A few moments later Haim walked out and joined the other two. All three leaning against the wall in silence.
Though all three boys thought the silence was long and awkward, not one knew what to say to the other. At last, after about ten minutes, Gabe could not take it anymore. He needed something to reassure him before he went mad and ran into Michael’s office.
“So how do you think it’s going?” Gabe asked.
Haim leaned forward and looked over at Uri. Both shrugged their shoulders as if they had no idea how to respond and continued in silence.
“Have you seen this performed before, Haim?” Gabe questioned in hopes of a better scenario than what Uri and he had witnessed in Iron Gate.
“Nope.” Haim replied without making eye contact.
“Alright then,” Uri added, also trying to fill the uncomfortable void.
The three fell silent yet again for another length of time until at last they heard Michael beckon from the room. All three burst into the room as quickly as possible, nearly tumbling over one another. Sophie sat on the sofa; the back of her head was all that the boys could see.
“Wait. Stop there.” Michael commanded. “I just need Uri.”
“What?” Gabe gasped. How could he need Uri’s help with anything to do with Sophie and not his?
“Can the rest of you wait in the hall for now?” Michael requested.
“Of course.” Haim said, grabbing hold of Gabe’s arm and pulling him back into the hall.
As the door fell close, Gabe pleaded with Haim, “Wait, I should be in there, this is Sophie we are talking about.”
“If Michael says he needs Uri, then we should do as he says.” Haim insisted.
“But—“
“Gabe! Do you want Sophie back? Then we do what Michael says.” Haim interrupted.
There was nothing Gabe could say. He knew Haim was right no matter how much he wanted to be at Sophie’s side. A few minutes of silence passed between the boys.
“Why do you think he needed Uri?” Gabe finally asked.
“I don’t know.” Haim replied flatly.
“Do you think that’s a good sign?” Gabe continued to prod.
“I don’t know.” Haim said again, slightly agitated from the questioning. Before Gabe could ask the next question that was on his mind, Haim added, “We should just wait until their done.”
Gabe let out a huff and stomped over to the wall, leaning against it and sliding down to a seated position on the floor. Haim followed suit and sat down next to Gabe.
At least thirty minutes had passed before they heard Michael’s voice again. The two boys leapt to their feet and rushed into the chambers. Gabe looked around wildly but saw no sign of Sophie. Uri sat in a side chair, staring into the fire.
“Where’s Sophie?” Gabe asked panicked.
“Sleeping.” Michael replied, wiping his hands on a towel near his desk.
Gabe rushed to the back of the sofa. Peeking over the edge, he saw Sophie fast asleep. Her skin had a pink hue to it and there was no trace of the black veining any longer. Gabe wished he could see her eyes.
“Is she alright?” Gabe asked.
“Yes…” Michael said, hesitating for a moment. “And no.”
“What?” Gabe asked, feeling his stomach twist from Michael’s words.
“Sit down, Gabe, we’ll explain.” Michael commanded gently, motioning to the remaining chair. “Haim, can you carry Sophie to the infirmary for observation? I’ve cast sleep on her so you will need to carry her. I’ll fill you in later.”
Gabe stood still, unable to move as he watched his friend pick up Sophie’s limp body. For the first time since he returned home she seemed to be at such peace. Gabe smiled, he was certain she had to be better than she was. She already looked so much better, Gabe was sure of it. Gabe watched Haim and Sophie until Haim was completely out of the room. Only then did he walk over to the empty chair and sit down.
“She looks so much better Michael, thank you!” Gabe exclaimed.
Michael said nothing. He walked to the now empty couch and took the seat closest to Gabe.
“The demon is gone, right?” Gabe asked, anxious from Uri and Michael’s behavior.
“Yes.” Michael responded. “There is no trace of that evil left in her.”
“So she’s alright.” Gabe reaffirmed.
“Not exactly.” Michael replied.
“What’s going on then? Why did you need Uri?” Gabe questioned.
“Sometimes, if a subject forgets too much, a familiar face can jog their memory. My hopes were since Uri was her closest friends for so many years it would bring something back of those early days.” Michael explained in a solemn tone.
“Wait, what? She doesn’t remember anything?” Gabe parroted, confused.
“She didn’t even know who I was!” Uri cried.
“Uri.” Michael said in a calm voice, causing his student to reel his feelings back in quickly.
“So what does that mean? How do we make her remember?” Gabe inquired, curious as to what the next step might be.
“We don’t.” Uri added, staring into the fire once again.
“Huh?” Gabe felt utterly lost at this point. “How much doesn’t she remember?”
“It was a complete wipe unfortunately.” Michael replied.
“What does that mean?” Gabe attempted to clarify. “She doesn’t know who she is?”
“It means she doesn’t remember any of us.” Uri added.
“She has no memories before her ninth birthday.” Michael revealed.
Gabe felt his chest began to ache. H
is worst fear had come true. Sophie had no memory of him or of their relationship. Then suddenly it dawned on him. Her ninth birthday. “Does she remember her mother’s death?”
Michael simply shook his head, glancing down. “She’s very confused. She remembers the party and that they were supposed to go pick up the cake. Then nothing. My guess is, when I did the wipe, the evil was attached to some of her most horrifying memories. I had to go so deep; there wasn’t any way to separate the evil from those events. It’s like it was feeding off them.
“Did you tell her?” Gabe asked.
“What?” Uri snapped. “That her mother is dead and now she is stalked by demons. No Gabe, we glossed over those points.”
“Uri!” Michael snarled, this time more forceful in his point.
“What? He’s the one that pushed us into this.” Uri argued.
“Uri, leave now.” Michael commanded. “You’re upset and I don’t want you saying anything you don’t mean.”
“Whatever.” Uri mumbled as he hopped up and skulked out of the room, huffing several times as he glared at Gabe.
“I didn’t know.” Gabe sputtered, his voice quivering.
“I know, Gabe. There was no way for us to know how Sophie’s mind would have reacted.” Michael said trying to reassure his young student.
“So what do we do now?” Gabe asked, ready to take on the challenge of returning Sophie to her former self.
“Well,” Michael said pausing, trying to judge how to state the next part as delicately as he could. “You can’t tell her anything of your relationship. You have to understand from her perspective, she is about to have her ninth birthday party and at any moment her mom is going to come and pick her up.”
“So how do we get her to remember?” Gabe asked.
“We don’t.” Michael stated plainly.
“What?” Gabe gasped.
“Those memories are gone. A wipe is just that, Gabe. It wipes all memories away. While we managed to wipe away the imprint the demon left on her mind, all traces of Rampart Manor are gone as well.”
“I don’t understand, she can’t stay like this. We have to do something.” Gabe pleaded.
Michael reached out and touched Gabe’s arm in an attempt to comfort him. “I will work with her, explaining who we are and eventually break the news to her about her mother when I think she is ready. In the meantime, you all should do your best at becoming her friend again and gaining her trust. Can you do that?”