Page 44 of Born Savage

“That was in my life before?”

“Yes. You are ready to remember even more and you will. Tell me what you remember about the day you were rescued. Just take deep breaths and allow your mind to be free. No one is going to hurt you.”

His voice as soft, melodic, and holding such patience with me. As always, I could trust him.

Even so, pain and uncertainty tore through me, my pulse skipping beats. I was certain I wouldn’t be able to remember anything.

Shivers sweeping through me were uncontrollable, but I trusted Peter with all I had and all I wanted to be. “I was alone, but I don’t know why. It was a building, rubble and I’d found a safe place to hide. I was so cold and so frightened that I couldn’t stop crying. Something had told me I shouldn’t make noise, but I couldn’t help it. I was distraught and so thirsty. I could hear wild animals and thought for certain I would die.”

“What happened then?”

An ache formed behind my eyes, painful enough I rubbed my skin to try to relieve the discomfort. It was too forceful, the agony only increasing. Or perhaps that was all in my mind. “I heard another sound. At first, I thought a creature had found me. But then a face appeared.”

“A face?”

“Uh-huh. A man. No, it was a boy’s face, an older boy. I don’t know. Maybe seventeen? His face was thin and I remember him having long arms and legs.”

“What did he do?”

“He was nice to me. He gave me water and told me everything was going to be alright. After that, he took me with him. I know we hid in a building that night, but somewhere different. He even built a little fire to keep me warm. The next day, wherever he took me, there were a lot of people.” I opened my eyes, but the visions didn’t leave. “Not long after, Mama and Daddy came to get me.”

He smiled slowly, nodding as if I wasn’t finished.

“But they aren’t my real parents.” I was stating what I’d already known.

“No. They were asked to care for you and I think you know how very much they love you.”

My chest ached from tightness. “Why was I alone?”

“I must ask you. Are you certain you’re ready to learn more of the truth?”

I leaned forward once again, my hand fisted. “You know I’ve always wanted the truth. That’s who I am. I realize it might be ugly or not what I want to hear, but something inside me is screaming that I must learn the truth.”

“Very well. I will tell you what you are ready to hear. You were abandoned, Star. Had the boy not come along, you would not have survived even a night alone. While he did not understand the mission at the time, he was sent to find you. To protect you. The area was barren, or so those who left you believed. Do you remember anything before seeing the boy?”

“No. Just Jake, my dog.”

“Likely because he was a very good memory. Tell me what else you remember about the boy.”

This I didn’t need to close my eyes for. “He was strong. Very strong. And so protective. Maybe if I was older then, I would have said handsome.” For whatever reason, a slight blush crept across my jaw. “I don’t know why you’re asking. I never saw him again. Obviously, he didn’t care about me. He dropped me off at whatever the facility and that was it.”

“I’m asking, Star, because it’s vital that you remember as much of what occurred in the past as possible. But you need to fill in the blanks. Filling your mind with details is potentially harmful.”

“Alright. I’ll try.” I hated the guessing games. This time I did close my eyes, searching my memory for whatever Peter was looking for. “His eyes were unusual.”

“Why?”

“Because they were…” I caught myself before answering, even gripping the edge of the table with enough pressure my fingers ached. “Very green, like the pictures in the books of the deep green waters of a lagoon.”

“Then very much like the vivid hue of your eyes.”

I nodded as words were stuck in my throat. “Exactly like mine.”

“Have you not seen those eyes again?”

“That’s not possible.” I was breathless, lightheaded as another more recent group of visions appeared.

He cocked his head, waiting for me to correct myself. I didn’t because if what he was insinuating and what I was already starting to believe was true, then fate had come full circle. “Anything is possible, child.”