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“Dangerous how?”
“It could be intensely traumatic, potentially causing further dissociation, psychotic break, headaches, and even seizures.”
“So you’re saying that whatever happened to me, combined with the physical trauma of a brain injury and surgery, is shutting my brain down. And this is preventing me from remembering something as integral as who I am or where I come from?”
“That’s the gist of it, yes.”
Jackson has moved near us, his hand on my knee, ready to comfort me if I lose my shit. I hate that they’re all looking at me like I might break. More than that, I hate it’s possible they may be right.
What could possibly be so bad that my mind has reacted this way? There’s only one thing that I can think of, but the thought is almost too terrifying to consider.
“Jackson- you told me that last night, after my nightmare, I said something about ‘them finding you’, right?”
“Yeah...”
“And what was it that you said I was ranting about when you found me?”
He scrunches his forehead. “You were saying they were coming for you, or maybe us, that we needed to run. You were really upset and not making a lot of sense.”
My heart beats hard and fast against my ribcage, a tingling in the back of my head telling me something is wrong. Something is very wrong.
“What if none of this is random? What if whatever I can’t remember has something to do with all of you?”
Lukas’ arm tightens around my waist, and I can see them about to placate me, try to calm me down. I lift my hand the same way Bennet does to indicate that I’m not done.
“What if I wasn’t just a mad ranting woman? What if whatever led me here had something to do with one or more of you? What if the people that are looking for me are also after you?”
What if I’ve put them all in danger?
Luis
Six is calm, or at least her body language is stiff and controlled, but her fear is evident in her eyes. She’s terrified we are all in danger, that she might have led something or someone right to us.
I’m not sure what to think about it, but it seems unlikely. I admit the three of us being unknowingly related is a big twist, but how could it be anything more than a coincidence? While I’d like to believe we’re all truly connected in some bigger way, I think it’s a lot more likely that Lukas is right- we’ve all merely come together as the result of a traumatic accident.
It doesn’t make any of this less real for me. It doesn’t lessen the connection I have with her or the comradery I’ve found with these guys.
I haven’t just gained two brothers, I’ve found four. In the event someone did come for us, I believe we could figure it out. I’d go on the run with them. I’ll fight if it comes down to it. Whatever it takes to keep her safe and keep us all together.
“Whatever comes, we’ll figure it out,” I tell her. Whether or not I think someone is after us doesn’t matter. “We’ll all be okay.”
Micah is rubbing her back in slow circles, Jackson’s hand is squeezing her knee, and Lukas has his arm wrapped securely around her waist. Bennet is silently observing, as usual.
The stiff silence is interrupted by Mrs. Coolson walking in with a tray of blue cupcakes, followed closely behind by her husband. He’s holding a single balloon with blue letters that say, “It’s a boy!” I can’t help but laugh.
“What is this?” Asks Jackson, amused.
“I thought we ought to celebrate.” Her eyes well up with tears as she sets the cupcakes on the table. “Finding out you have brothers is something that deserves to be celebrated, no matter your parentage.”
The way she looks at Jackson is full of love, but there’s something else in her gaze. Sorrow, or guilt?
“That’s really sweet,” gushes Six.
Jackson gets up and hugs Mrs. Coolson, but when he goes to release her, she holds onto his hands. She looks up at him with watery eyes. Mr. Coolson gives her a supportive kiss on the cheek and places something in her hand. It’s a small box, about the size of a novel.
Hands shaking, she passes the box to Jackson but doesn’t let go. She takes a shaky breath.
“First of all, I’m so sorry. We never meant to keep anything from you. Your mother thought this information might hurt you, and we went along with it. This might go against her wishes, but in light of everything that has happened, I think you deserve to know the truth.” She looks heartbroken, tears streaming from her kind old eyes.
