Everyone converged into the living room to talk. Everyone took a seat except for me, because I didn’t want to feel trapped. Everything just seemed so overwhelming right now and I wanted to be able to walk away if need be. I noticed Bren was motioning me over to the couch to sit with him and I shook my head no as I looked away not wanting to see the disappointment on his face.

Fuchsia cleared her throat and said, “Jax, you look like you have questions. So ask.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “I hate being the clueless one and I have the painful feeling that this is something that I used to know.” I stared out the window silently thinking of exactly what to ask.

Everyone was quiet, which I appreciated because it was taking some time to wrap my head around everything. I looked at Jackie and then at Fuchsia and said, “who is Jackie’s Dad and why is Jackie upset?”

Fuchsia laughed and said, “that is because he and his father don’t always get along. He often disobeys him and gets in trouble.”

Jackie grunted and said, “He’s an ass.”

Fuschia gave him a stern look and said, “he is your Superior.”

Jackie glared back at her and said, “I didn’t have to help you. I’m in trouble this time because of you!”

Fuchsia set up straight and said, “at least this time you had a good reason.”

Jackie started to say something but Lyra grabbed his arm and said, “stop, you know she is right!”

Jackie slid his face into his hands and said, “I know, but General Morgan is still going to give me and all of us hell when he gets here!”

I was starting to feel sick. “Do we need to worry? Should we leave?”

Fuchsia looked up and said, “no! General Morgan is a good person.”

Jackie stood up and turned my way. “My old man is just going to blow off steam is all. I’m sure he will be happy to see you so it won’t last long!”

The confusion in my head was giving me a headache. “Why will he be happy to see me?”

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Jackie looked at Fuchsia like he had said something he shouldn’t have.

Fuchsia stood up and said, “before your accident you knew Jackie and General Morgan.”

She walked over to Jackie and said, “lift your arm”. He did so and she pulled back his sleeve. Metal glistened in the light as I realized his arm was prosthetic.

Fuschia looked back at me and said, “he has prosthetic arms and legs. He was a patient and recipient of technology created at Eclipse Medical. A team of five doctors including your father and I surgically attached him with these cybernetic prosthetics.”

I felt a sharp pang in my chest. “Did we know each other?”

Jackie pulled his sleeve back over his arm and nodded. “I actually stayed with you and your father while I was getting used to my new arms and legs.”

I felt sweat forming on my forehead and neck as he spoke. His words felt like they were far away and my heart began to thunder in my chest. Why couldn’t I remember my past?

I felt an arm on my shoulder and looked up to see Bren standing in front of me. He said something to me but it seemed muffled. He pulled me outside to the covered porch. The cool air stung my face and distracted me from the conversation and panic I was feeling.

I stood silently looking out at the ocean and the heavy rain until lightning struck somewhere out at sea. I flinched and covered my eyes from the bright light that was emitted. Bren pulled me into his arms and said, “are you ok?”

Was I ok? When will I ever be able to deal with finding out about my past.Why did I get so upset?

I huffed and pushed away and looked up at Bren and said, “I want to remember. I want to remember all of it but I can’t. It’s not fair!” I leaned over and placed my head on Bren’s shoulder and said, “My memories will never return, I know that but I don’t want to hurt the people who cared about me.”

Bren wrapped his arms around me and said, “the people who knew you as Liam will get to know you and new memories will be made. Just like you have done with Fuchsia.”

We stood there for a little longer as I sorted through my emotions.

I stood up straight and said, “I think I will be ok now. We can go back in. I’m sorry!”

We walked back in through the front door. Jackie popped up and said, “I’m sorry I upset you. Fuchsia told me not to say too much and I did without thinking. We can talk about it more when you're ready.”

Jackie’s phone rang before I could say anything. He reached into his pocket, and pulled it out. He frowned and quickly walked outside.

Sina was in the kitchen with Lyra and Keri. The smell of food and tea were filling the air and my stomach growled. How long had it been since I had eaten a good meal, or any food for that matter.

Sina leaned over the counter and said, “Jax, I could hear that in here. I am making you a sandwich right now.”

I smiled and thanked her.

Fuchsia walked over to Bren and I and said, “General Morgan called Jackie and told him that he is headed our way. I want you to go to the bedroom with Bren and stay there until Jackie and I talk to him. I am sure he has a lot to say and there is no reason for you to have to listen to it all.”