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The next time I can confidently say I remember after breakfast is being in a hospital room. I have bits and pieces of the ambulance ride there. Someone asking me my name, the date, things I knew. But when they started asking me if I could remember why I was there I shut down. I didn’t know. It was scary. Like... how could I not know?

I was lying down when my parents came in, cautiously approaching me and telling me everything would be alright. Then Dylan and Apollo came in. Dylan tried to hug me but I recoiled. I didn’t understand what was happening and I couldn’t stand touch. They sat opposite me and while Dylan tried softly talking to me, Apollo just looked wrecked.

Then an old man came in. I felt like I should remember him, but I couldn’t place him, thinking made my head hurt.

Malcolm: I’ve looked at all the scans, they’re clear. She’s going to be okay

Daniela: Oh thank the watcher

Papa let go of my hand and walked over to him.

Byron: Are you sure the scans are clear?

Malcolm: Yes. She has sustained no permanent brain damage. No swelling, no bleeding

Byron: But they were asking her questions about today... the only one she could answer was what day it is. The rest... well her echolalia kicked in

Malcolm: I know this is probably very scary son but memory problems, especially around the time of the injury, they’re pretty common in concussion. Give her time. Now Apollo was it?

Apollo: Yes?

Malcolm: Don’t fill in the blanks for her. When the police get her statement they will be looking for if she’s been coached on what to say or if it seems like genuine recall

Papa walked over to me and took hold of my hand again, bending down to be at my eye level.

Byron: I’m going to go talk to the police and the dean of the university jitterbug. There will be a way through this, I promise

Delilah: *quietly and confused* Promise

They left and some kind of nurse came in. She bent down to touch my arm and I tried to crawl away.

Delilah: NO *gasps at pain*

Daniela: Delilah, sweetie, sweetie, the nurse here just has to tend to your arm so it will heal properly

Delilah: Heal?

Daniela: She’s only going to touch you as much as necessary, no more

Mama looked at the nurse who nodded her agreement. Reluctantly I stuck my arm back out and she began to wrap a bandage around it.

When the nurse left I couldn’t stop staring at my arm. I didn’t understand anything. Dylan stood up and came over to sit on the bed with me. I was on a hospital bed?

Delilah: I...

Dylan: Take your time

Delilah: *scared* Dylan... I don’t understand what I’m doing here or why that nurse put this wrap on my arm. It hurts but I don’t know why

Daniela: Sweetie you sprained your wrist. They did an X-ray so they know nothing is broken. Do you remember that?

I remembered a woman lying my arm on a table and telling me to hold still. That must have been it. I nodded.

Delilah: Nothing is broken?

Dylan: Nope. You’ll be back to kneading bread with both hands soon if you just rest it

I looked over at Apollo. He looked so sad, and something else. Some emotion I couldn’t place.

Delilah: Apollo are you okay?

Apollo: *sadly* I’m not the one in a hospital bed. But I should be

Daniela: Apollo sweetie it’s not your fault

Dylan: Lilah, what is the last thing you remember from today before being here?

Delilah: Umm... We were all having breakfast. Rina said she would let me know when I could shower. *winces* My arm really hurts

Daniela: I’ll go check with a nurse if you can have more painkillers

As Mama left James walked in. Talk about a day that made no sense.

Apollo: *confused* What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you still be with the police?

James: They have no more questions right now. I wanted to see how she was doing

Apollo: Well she remembers fuck all and is lucky not to have a broken wrist

James: That is quite a shiner

Confused I felt around my eyes and winced. One side was definitely sore- maybe there was a bruise coming?

James: Look, I just wanted to apologise for-

Delilah: Wait. Wait wait wait. We’ve... we’ve talked already today? Is that right?

James: *nods* Yes. We were the last two on the roster for the staggered start

I closed my eyes, bits of memory trying to reassert themselves.

Delilah: Give me a minute...

The door closed behind Apollo and I was left with James. Fifteen minutes until he would go in, thirty minutes until I would.

Delilah: What do you make of the chef then?

James: He seems nice enough, if quiet. I do think it’s weird he doesn’t want to watch us cook

Delilah: Right? Like who doesn’t love to watch cooking?

For the first time we chuckled together and I felt my chest unclench a little.

James: Look, I ah... I think I might owe you an apology

Delilah: For what?

James: When we met I assumed you were spoiled idle rich. These last two years though... you’re a good cook Delilah. You have talent

Delilah: You really think so?

James: I do. I don't think we're ever going to be friends. While it's not malicious and you're hardly alone in this, you still have a lot of privilege to unpack. But I'll be happy to tell people I worked alongside you.

Delilah: *smiles* Thanks. You’re a good cook to. I don’t doubt you’ll work hard to achieve your dreams, whatever they are

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Marci has arrived on the scene and she doubts her gifts. Solomon is there to assure her, he knows her potential. Though she is still a Cadet she already displays high levels of analysing and seeing patterns.

Saturday – 5:21pm – 04:00:23

[soft knock at the door]

Aspen: Dad? Phoenix: Yeah?

Aspen: Have you seen my phone? Phoenix: Seriously? Why’d we get you a phone if you’re just going to keep losing it? Aspen: I didn’t lose it. I just don’t remember where I put it. Phoenix: Annie. Aspen: Dad.

Aspen: Will you just call it for me? Please? Phoenix: Fine. But lose it one more time and I’m taking it away until you’re eighteen. Aspen: Ha. Ha. Phoenix: Not joking.

Aspen: Dad-ah! Phoenix: Calling.

Aspen: Found it!

Phoenix: Are you all ready? Aspen: Yep. Phoenix: Jeez, looks like you packed for a week. You know it’s just one night right? Aspen: Mhm.

Phoenix: Homework done? Aspen: … Phoenix: Hey. Let’s shut that off. Li’s almost here. Aspen: Fine.

Phoenix: Thank you. Homework? Aspen: Me and Mei have a project. We’re gonna work on it tonight.

Phoenix: Will I see a finished project when I pick you up tomorrow? Aspen [rolling her eyes]: Yeees.

Phoenix [mock rolling his eyes]: Okaaay. Aspen [giggling]: Stop it!

[knock at the door]

Aspen: I’ll get it!

Aspen: Hi Li! Li: You all ready? Aspen: Yep.

Phoenix: Thanks again. I’ll be by to pick her up around ten tomorrow. Li: That works. Good luck tonight. Phoenix: Thank you. Aspen: Bye dad! Phoenix: Nice try. Come here.