Parallel Universe: Ch5
#5 of Parallel Universe
Conflicts
"W-who are you?" Alex stared at us.
"Alex, it's me. Michael," I held him. "Don't you remember?"
Alex just held his bandaged head and thought hard.
"Sorry..." he hung his head. "I don't remember anything."
My world just shatter at that moment. I had been searching him for 13 years. Now here he is, in front of us, with no memories of us. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. My parents walked out of the room and tried to find a doctor. Meanwhile, I was left alone with my amnesiatic brother. I calmed myself and began to speak.
"Your name is Alexander Stone, my twin brother," I began to tell him what I knew about him. "You were born at 31 October in Chartor City. When we were 5, we go separated and you live in Lightwood City now.
Ever since then, I've been searching for you for 13 years. I also found you by accident. But still, I'm so happy to find you even if you don't remember me."
My eyes started to form tears. I began to cry silently. Alex hugged me and whispered in my ear.
"Sorry..." Alex held me close.
"No, I'm sorry. You got caught up in my problem. I was lucky my friend knew what was going to happen. If she didn't, you'd probably be..."
"It's okay," Alex broke the hug. "I forgive you, um..."
"Michael," I smiled gently at him. I wiped the tears in my eyes and looked at him. "We have to start remembering things, don't we?" We both laughed like we used to. I started to tell him the places I've been to and he listened to every one of them. He looked like he was experiencing it first hand. Just moments before finishing the first town, the door was opened and mom, dad, and a doctor went in.
"Looks like you're getting better quickly, Alex," dad smiled at him.
"Yes, sir."
"Um... Alex," I whispered, "that's dad."
"Oh, sorry dad," Alex started blushing. His cheeks turned bright red under the flourecent light.
"It's okay," dad patted him on the shoulder. "I'm just happy your healthy. Well, physically of course."
Alex chuckled and stared at mom.
"You must be our mother,"
"That's right sweetie," mom hugged him tightly. "Are you feeling any better?"
"Well, my memories are still gone, but I think I can manage."
The doctor cleared his throat and opened his files.
"Well, Alex, because your injuries have been completly healed, I'll say you can leave the hospital immedietly."
"And you're not surprised at all?" I asked him.
"No, not one bit," the blonde doctor chuckled. "What I'm surprised of is the family isn't surprised."
"After 13 years ago, nothing surprises us," said dad.
'13 years ago?' I thought to my self. I don't remember anything that has to do with this sort of event.
The door was opened once again and Louis' head appeared from behind it.
"Can we come in?"
"Sure thing, Louis," the doctor gestured. The door opened widely, revealing Louis and Lionel carrying a boquet of lilies, Alex's favourite flower.
"Thanks for saving our kids again," dad shook Louis' hand.
"No problem," Louis responded.
"Wait! Again?" Alex and I questioned them at the same time. The adults turned their heads towards us.
"Well," mom started to speak out, "it's a long story."
"We have plenty of time," Alex responded. "I know I do."
"Not now, okay?" dad stopped us. "We'll tell you when the time's right."
"Fine..." we sighed in a big disappointment.
"So, you have an amnesia, huh Alex?" Louis asked him.
"Yes, um..."
"It's okay. Don't strain yourself trying to remember us," Lionel stopped him. "This is Louis, your mentor, as well as my cousin. I'm Lionel."
"Louis and Lionel..."
"Got that memorised?" Louis asked him. Alex nodded and tried to get out of bed. He wobbled a little before he managed to stand up straight.
"Now, for your attackers," Lionel smiled, "we managed to arrest all 74 of them, including Lloyd Stellar."
"What's impressive is the battle talent Michael has," Louis also smiled. "He managed to beat all of them single handedly without any weapons."
"That's my boy!" dad rubbed my head.
"Don't worry about them. They'll be locked up for a looong time," Louis assured us. I sighed in relief.
'No more danger for now...'
"As for your school, Michael," said Louis, "I've talked this over with the school board. They agreed the same thing and you'll be back at school starting tomorrow."
"What about Alex's school?" I asked him.
"Oh, Alex? He was home schooled when he lived with us. If he wants to, he can go to school with you."
"Of course I do!" Alex yelled at him.
"Okay, I'll notify the school board again," Louis took out his cellphone and walked outside.
"So where do you wanna go?" I asked Alex.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, where do you wanna go home? You can stay with Louis, or you can come home with us."
"I'll pick you, of course!" Alex pouted. "Why would I live with Louis?"
"Want me to tell you the reason you told me?" Lionel asked him. Alex made a worried look before he nodded. "You told me you wanted to become as strong as Louis and me so that the event 13 years wouldn't repeat itself."
"Just what happened 13 years ago?" I asked everyone.
"I'll tell you when the time's right," dad told me. I sighed again in defeat.
"Fine..." I looked down in disappointment, again.
"Um... can I change?" Alex asked us.
"Oh! Sure!" we responded and walked outside. Our parents, Louis, and Lionel went immedietly to the lobby and I waited in front of the door. After around 10 minutes Alex, who was out of his hospital gown and in his everyday clothing, walked outside. He wore a blue T-shirt with black baggies and sneakers.
"Ready to go?" he asked me.
"Not yet," I took off my locket and pulled his hand.
"Here," I placed my locket to his hand, " I want you to have it."
He opened it and smiled at the picture.
"It was taken before our 5'th birthday. It kept me going when I tried to find you. I just hope it will help you remember everything."
Alex wore it and hugged me tightly.
"Thank you..."
"Just keep it safe, okay?"
We joined the adults and went to Louis' house. We grabbed all of Alex's stuff and brought it with us. As we drove back to our apartment, I picked up one of the books in the box. When I opened the book, instead of letters, there are some strange symbols in it that I've never seen before.
"Alex, what language is this?" I pointed at the paper. Alex took a glance and took the book from my hand.
"I dunno," he began to read it. "I think it's Magus Runic."
"What's that?"
"Dunno. Just popped up in my head."
"Can you read it?"
"I think I can..." Alex began to read the symbols slowly. As he was about to flip the page, the car stopped and we looked up. Apparently, time flied so fast, we already arrived at our destination, home.
"I haven't finished it. Sorry," Alex looked down.
"Don't worry," I patted his back. "You can take your time reading it. Now can you help me bring your stuff up?"
We brought all the boxes to our and placed them in my room. As I was about to leave the room again, I noticed my computer screen is still on.
'Did I left it on yesterday?' I thought. I opened my mailbox. Turns out, there are two new messages from an unknown person. Yesterday's was 2, and today's is 1.
'I knew it... A ticking time bomb,' I sighed. 'What kind of big prank is gonna happen tomorrow?' I shook the idea and started to cook dinner. Luckily, I bought the supplies two days ago. As I finish the steak, I heard mom got out of her room.
"Michael, what are these bras doing in our room?" she held up a pair of pink bra. As I was about to answer, the front door was opened and Mei came in.
"I'm back," she told me before she saw mom holding her underwear. "Oh, sorry Mrs. Stone."
"Is this yours?" mom handed her the bra.
"Yes. I had a sleepover here since Tuesday."
"I see..." said mom before she glared at me. I just gulped, thinking of what she could do. After Mei introduced herself to the family and vice versa, we had dinner together. Mom started to tell Mei and Alex my embarrasing childhood memories. Everyone laughed out loud except for me, who was blushing hard. Dinner hasn't been this lively since Alex went away.
"Can I stay here for another night?" Mei asked us.
"No problem!" dad smiled. "I wanted to know more about Michael's friend."
"Does he have any other friends?"
"No, you're the first in 13 years," said mom. "He was always too serious on finding Alex that he never made any friends."
"Oh..." Mei looked at me.
"Forget what I said," mom interrupted us. "Just make yourself at home."
"Thank you Mrs. Stone," Mei smiled.
"Please, call me Marsha,"
"All right, Marsha," Mei chuckled. We started to clean up the dishes and prepared an extra bed for Mei. I flipped the couch into a bed and prepared it for my bed. As I was ready for bed, Alex went to the living room. He was wearing a white polo shirt with grey pants.
"Michael," he looked at me, "can I sleep with you tonight?"
"Sure," I waved my hand, gesturing to tell him to get close. We both hopped in the sofa bed and slept in each other's arms.