Seven dreadfully long days had slipped by, and still not a single memory had returned to me, I returned and stood at the edge of the bridge, the sandy cobblestone gritty beneath my feet as I gazed out at the vast expanse of the human lands. The sun was rising, casting a warm, golden light over the rolling hills and verdant forests, and I felt a pang of longing in my chest. I had been in Numariya for a week and already felt like a complete outsider. A stranger in a strange land. I took a deep breath, my eyes fixed on the human lands as I contemplated crossing back over the bridge. But something held me back. A lingering fear, perhaps, that the bridge was the cause of my lost memories, of the pain that had wracked my body when I first woke up. I didn't know what had happened to me, or how I had ended up on this bridge, but I knew that I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I squinted my eyes, gazing out at the horizon, and that was when I saw them. A group of humans, riding horses in the distance. My heart skipped a beat as I felt a surge of emotions wash over me. I was so close to my own kind, to a place where I could fit in, where I could be myself. But who was I? I couldn’t even remember ‘myself.’ I was torn. A part of me wanted to turn back, to return to Lennon's cottage and the curiosity of the unknown that awaited me in Numariya. But another part of me, a part that was growing louder by the minute, wanted to know the truth. Wanted to know why this had happened to me, why I had been brought to this place. I wondered if it was part of my destiny, if I was meant to be here for a reason. Maybe I was running from danger, maybe I was hiding from something. But what? And why? I had no idea, and that not knowing weighed on me like a physical burden. I wished I could remember something, anything, about my life before Numariya. A fragment of a memory, a glimpse of a face, a whisper of a voice. But there was nothing. Just my name, Ace, and a vast, empty space where my memories should be. I could return to the human lands right at that moment, all it would take was a couple of steps. But something was stopping me, the hesitation persisted. I couldn't shake the feeling that it was fear that kept me from returning. Fear of what, I didn't know, but it was a nagging sense that lingered in the back of my mind. Maybe it was the fear of losing my memory of Lennon, of the kind stranger who had taken me in and offered me shelter. Maybe there wouldn't be a human Lennon to find me, to offer me a warm smile and a comforting presence. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a pang of uncertainty. I stood there for a long time, torn between two worlds, two identities. I started to realize that I had been looking at my situation with too much pessimism. I had a place to sleep, a roof over my head, and food to eat. I had Lennon, who had been kind to me and offered me shelter. It wasn't much, but it was something. And in that moment, I felt a spark of gratitude ignite within me. It was a small flame, but it was enough to give me hope. I thought about all the things that could have gone wrong, all the dangers that I could have faced. I could have been attacked by a wild animal or stumbled upon a group of hostile Sidhe. But instead, I had been lucky. I had found Lennon, and he had taken me in. I didn't know what the future held, or what secrets lay hidden in my past. But with this newfound gratitude, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I would make the most of this situation, I would find a way to make it work. Maybe my memories would come back and everything would make sense. Maybe I was here for a reason. I shifted my attention to Lennon’s cottage rising up out of the misty distance like a beacon. And with that, I turned my back on the human lands and began the walk back to the cottage.

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When I returned to the cottage Lennon’s eyes widened in surprise. For a moment, he just stared at me, his face a picture of shock and confusion. "Where did you go?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. I didn't know how to explain the emotions that had driven me to the bridge, or the sense of gratitude that had brought me back. But Lennon's eyes seemed to hold a deep understanding, a sense of knowing that went beyond words.

"I just needed to think," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "I'm glad you're back," he said, his voice low and gentle. "I was worried about you."

I shot him a look that could have frozen hell over. “That’s surprising, I was starting to think I was invisible.”

His eyes widened, a fleeting spark of surprise dancing across his features. “I’m not ignoring you, I was just trying to give you space.”

For what felt like an eternity, Lennon had been a constant, awkward presence beside me, his silence a palpable force that seemed to vibrate through every molecule of air. I, meanwhile, had retreated into the pages of his books, losing myself in the worlds within, the character's struggles and triumphs a welcome respite from the awkwardness that seemed to cling to us like a shroud.

I laughed, the sound like a soft, mocking breeze. “I appreciate the concern, but I think I’m ready for some dialogue that doesn't involve a narrator.”

His mouth turned up into a grin. “Duly noted.”