A few hours passed before the police came to interview me. Ms. Riken stayed with me as I told them everything that happened. I told them what my parents had done in the past. They confirmed everything with Margaret beforehand and although she was reluctant, her fear won out. And as for Byron, he had been taken into intensive care as well. They’d said they wouldn’t know if he’d ever wake up, but if he did, he’d be sent to prison and suffer from chronic migraines, potential problems retaining memories or creating new ones, as well as a state of confusion. They also said that based on the X-rays, he would most certainly suffer from loss of hearing in one ear.

They uncuffed me and I was released into Mara’s care for the time being. Although, I wasn’t allowed back at school just yet, and because of certain rules and restrictions, Mara wasn’t allowed to be my psychiatrist, so she had to get me in with a friend of hers.

I always stayed with Allison in the hospital while Mara went to work. We talked and talked, some topics were ones we’d already covered before the incident. But they weren’t any less enjoyable.

A few days later, I had to meet with Emry. She had brown, almost black, curly hair, hazel eyes, and smooth brown skin. Mara told me she was one of the best psychiatrists around. We talked for a good while to get to know one another and build trust before we got into my trauma, that came during my second appointment.

On my third appointment, I confided in her aboud the echoing laughter that I used to hear, but I hadn’t heard it since I left the school that day. She’d told me it was likely a manifestation of my stress. Humans tend to compartmentalize. And because I keep myself under control, I had to see my stress as a separate entity. She’d asked if I came to terms with my trauma and stress, if I’d accepted them as my own. I told her I have. She told me it was likely that it disappeared because I no longer viewed them as separate. I no longer had need to cope with it in that way.

On my fourth visit I was finally prescribed antidepressants for the time being, just so I could be allowed back into school, but I didn’t want to go. Without Allison, I felt too weak. I didn’t think I could handle the cautionary stares and all their talk this time around. Not after what they saw. Thankfully, Allison had been released home that same Friday and was told that if she maintained bed rest for the weekend, she’d be allowed to go back to school the following monday.

Allison still hadn’t regained the past memories she’d lost, but we made new ones. Over the weekend, I hung out with Allison when she wasn’t napping.

Allison and I went to school together on Monday, her clinging to me again as if she’d never lost her memories, when in reality she just got attached to me the same as before. People gave her pained glances, remembering how they’d seen her on the ground in a pool of her own blood. People steered clear of me, clearly afraid, but Allison continued to stick with me whenever she had the chance. Even Jason, who had once picked on me couldn’t even make eye contact without flinching.

After school, Ms. Riken and Mara had dropped us off at home and went on their promised date. While they were out, Allison and I played some games before watching a movie together. The movie was almost over when the front door opened. After some shuffling around, the bedroom door opened. Mara looked happier than I’d ever seen her, even Allison was surprised.

“Went well I’m guessing?” I asked first, Allison giggling after seeing her mother’s giddy grin.

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“It went.. Great! Beyond my expectations even.” She expressed excitedly, “We’re both looking forward to the next time.” Her cheeks were flushed.

Even in the dim light I noticed, “Did you two drink?” I asked, my voice laced with playful curiosity.

Allison quickly looked at me, then back at her mother, examining her carefully. “Maybe a little bit. You’re definitely observant, maybe you’d be suited for a career in psychology.”

Something clicked for me after she said that and my face went serious, “I hadn’t even considered what I was going to do after high school.”

Mara walked over to the bed and sat next to me, “We can talk about career paths soon. Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out together.” She smiled kindly, but it only lasted a few brief moments before turning mischievous, “So what did you two get up to while I was out hmm?” She stood up and quickly tugged at the blanket, revealing both of our lower halves, fully clothed.

“We’ve been playing games, and are almost done with the movie we’ve been watching. That’s all, aside from eating of course.” Allison told her. Her cheeks were a little pink, but she seemed composed.

“Oh, and what’d you eat?” She asked, clearly the question was directed at me.

“We had pizza from the freezer.” I told her, crossing my arms, trying not to show how amused I was.

“Well that’s boring. You two really didn’t do anything else?” She asked, disappointed.

“Nope. We only decided to date recently, so nothing’s happened yet.” I explained.

“Oh? Assuming that ‘yet’ means you’ve talked about it.” She leaned in close, “Remember the box I gave you Allison?” Her cheeks flushed upon realization. “Don’t forget to use pro-”

Allison cut her mother off by hitting her with a pillow. The latter ran to the door and turned back to us, “After the movie ends you two should get ready for bed.” Her smile deepened, “That reminds me. Which room are you going to stay in Alex?”

My cheeks warmed a little, “I know where you’re going with this, and I’ll be sleeping alone like always.”

“Before Allison lost her memories, I distinctly remember her coming out of your room one morning.” Mara teased.

I facepalmed while Allison quickly looked at me, her face burning, “We didn’t.. You know. Have-”

“Nope, you couldn’t sleep and we cuddled until we both fell asleep.” I explained.

She breathed a sigh of relief, which disappointed me. “If we did, I’d like to remember.”

Upon saying that, I instantly felt relieved as well. I’d thought she was just glad we didn’t do it.

Her mom finally left the room and we finished the movie. After that, we both went and got changed and brushed our teeth. But as I headed to my room, she grabbed my arm. Stopping me. Her sharp green eyes pleading with me, “I.. may not remember all the time we spent together, but I want to experience what I forgot at the very least.” She ever so lightly tugged my arm.

I smiled, “Alright, let’s go then.” I said, and let her hand slip into mine as we walked back to her room and got comfortable in the bed. I put my arm under the pillow and let her hug me close. We quickly drifted off to sleep, and unbeknownst to us, Mara quietly peeked in before she went to bed and smiled at the sight before slinking off into the darkness to get some rest herself.

After that, I continued to see Dr. Emry and date Allis, while Mara and Ms. Riken continued to go out as well. I had decided to pursue a career in therapy to help those like myself, whereas Allison went into the medical field to become a surgeon. Byron? The side effects of his actions left him fearful of the world and he decided to try to fix things with Margaret. The two started attending AA sessions and attempted to come back into my life. I congratulated them on bettering themselves and forgave them, but I would never forget, I refused to let them back into my life. At school, although the other students never quite stopped avoiding me, I didn’t let it bother me any longer. Because I had a goal, and I had Ally. And I wasn’t going to let anyone deter me. I had been redeemed, and I was going to become someone that could help others. No matter what.