Oh, fuck, I'm going to die. Again.
"Fox!" Someone shouted his name, but he was too engrossed in his pain to figure out who it was. "Come on, baby brother, look at me."
Hearing that he was being called brother, Fox slowly raised his head and looked at the man's blue eyes.
"That's it, keep your focus on me. Take deep breaths and think calming thoughts, like the happiest moments in your life."
Fox listened to his words, and a name and face came to him. Vale.
Where are you, Vale? Why aren't you here?
Tears streamed down his face, confusion wracking his mind. He didn't know the man trying to comfort him even though he called him brother. The last thing he remembered was dying with regrets of not having lived the life he wanted. He wasn't sure if he was alive or living in purgatory. All he knew was his heart ached so bad he was sure he was going to die.
Blue eyes pulled him into his arms, gently holding him close. "It's going to be okay, little Fox. I know things seem confusing, but I promise to always make things better for you." He kissed Fox on the crown of his head. "It's going to be okay."
"No, it's not," he bawled, feeling like a baby who'd just entered the world. "I don't know who you are, or where I am."
"Your name is Crevan "Fox" Hannigan, my little brother. I'm Zev Hannigan, but you like to call me..."
"Wolf," Fox finished.
"Yes. See, you do remember me."
"No, I don't. I just know what it means." Ever since he was a kid, Fox had always been interested in names and their meaning, keeping the ones he liked for when he'd have his children. Fox leaned back and looked at Zev. "I'm sorry I don't know who you are, but you seem like a nice person."
"Sounds like we have a case of amnesia."
Both Fox and Zev turned to look at the new voice that entered the room. He was accompanied by a beautiful female with long black hair and a handsome, mature man he didn't recognize. Other than her beauty, Fox could tell that there was something different about the female, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"Oh, my little Fox." The female rushed over to him, pulling them both in her arms. Fox leaned into her touch as her scent surrounded him, and instantly he calmed down mentally and physically. The pain in his heart was still there, but slowly subsided as his arms circled her waist, burying his face in her stomach. He whimpered, feeling her fingers gently running through his hair.
"He doesn't remember us, Mom." Fox heard the female whisper.
"Not to worry, my sweet Moressa, he will. He simply needs time," the mom answered. She leaned back, and Fox raised his head, looking into familiar blue eyes. "The doctor needs to check you over. Are you okay with that?"
"Are you going to stay with me?"
She gave him a smile that calmed him even more. "Yes."
"Okay."
She stepped to the side, never removing her hand from his shoulder. The doctor stepped closer to him. "Hi, Crevan, I'm Doctor Evans."
Crevan means Fox. Fuck, why is everyone in this family named after an animal?
"I know Zev asked you these questions before, but let's go over them again. Sometimes it helps to spark a memory."
"Okay."
"Can you tell me what was the last thing you remember doing?" He shined a light in Fox's eyes as he spoke.
"I was..." His words died on his lips, unable to say where or who he was with. It felt as if there was a block on his tongue, making it hard for him to say who he was. "I can't, I'm sorry."
Doctor Evans smiled. "Don't be. Let me ask you an easier question." He stood and picked up Fox's chart. "Do you know what year it is?"
Feeling confident, Fox smiled. "Of course, it's 2018." The room went completely silent.
"Are you sure?" Doctor Evans asked.
