Chapter 54 Remember
~ CARLOS POV
"I remember," She whispered, her voice trembling. "I remember where the Ore code is."
Her words sounded almost melodic. She finally remembered. I knew she would—it was only a matter of time.
Nala was shivering, clearly scared of whatever she saw in her dreams. After using the machine on her, she completely lost her consciousness for almost an hour. I was already getting worried and had called the doctor to check on her but then she woke up.
After she said those words to me, she didn’t say anything else. I let her lie down to rest while I went to the kitchen for some water. She didn’t ask me to get her water but I figured she’d really need some water after all the tension she’s been in.
I hate seeing Nala so scared. It’s like she can’t comprehend what’s happening to that and seeing her extremely weak just makes me feel awful but a part of me feels relieved.
After all these years, I am finally close enough to get the Ore code in my hands. I have spent too long chasing its shadow, burning through every lead, every contact, every ounce of patience I had. Now it is within reach.
When I returned with the water, Nala was still on the bed. The trembling had stopped, but she looked tense, her eyes distant, as if her thoughts were dragging her somewhere far away.
I handed her the glass. She took a slow sip and lay back, staring at the ceiling. I waited a moment before speaking. "Are you feeling any better?"
She didn’t answer right away. Her eyes stayed on the ceiling, her breathing shallow. Then, softly, she said, "I think they killed Grandpa."
My chest tightened. "Who?"
"I don’t know." She turned to me, tears gathering in her eyes. "I don’t feel safe here, Carlos."
"It’s okay," I said quickly. "You’re safe. They can’t get to you here."
"No, I’m not." She shook her head "I feel scared Carlos, I feel like they are coming for me and I’m terrified that this time they will kill everyone just to get me." Her voice cracked as she spoke.
"I won’t let that happen," I said
She let out a long, shaky breath. I set the glass aside and lay beside her. She curled into me, clinging like she was afraid I might vanish.
Nala didn’t say a word for a while, she was completely drowned in her thoughts then out of nowhere she murmured "I saw them fighting." She said, her voice shaky "They were shooting at each other."
"Who?" I asked, my voice low and careful. I didn’t want to trigger any emotions I am not aware of.
I know that the memory machine can make one remember way more than they are supposed to and right now, it seems like it has worked too much on her.
Nala didn’t answer my question. Her gaze drifted upward again, searching the ceiling as if it could replay the scene for her. Slowly, she rested her head against my chest, and in a voice barely above a breath, she said, "I can’t remember."
A tear slipped down, warm against my skin. "It happened so fast. I was hiding. I didn’t help. I didn’t even move."
Her voice cracked. "I think they killed Grandpa," She repeated, almost pleading for me to deny it.
I didn’t understand what she was talking about so I wrapped my arms around her. "It’s okay," I whispered.
"I didn’t save him," She said through tears. "Just like I didn’t do anything now."
"It’s okay," I repeated
"No, it’s not." She mumbled as tears streamed down her face "I could have done something, I could have saved Grandpa or even Sophia but I didn’t. I watched." Her voice cracked
"I’m sorry," I whispered
She cried quietly against me. I wanted to say more, something to pull her out of that dark place, but the words wouldn’t come. So I just held her, rubbing her back until her breathing steadied.
For a long time, neither of us spoke. Then, when her tears had dried, I said softly, "Do you know exactly where the Ore code is?"
She was silent for a while, then whispered, "Not the exact place. But if we get to the cabin, I can find it."
"What cabin?"
"Grandpa’s cabin," She said, her voice barely audible. "The one in the woods."
~ NALA’S POV
Words can’t describe how I feel right now. The pain inside me won’t settle; it twists and burns, and I can’t seem to breathe through it.
I saw everything—like a dream—but it wasn’t. It was real. It was the past, and I just lived through it again.
I’m still lying on Carlos’s chest, not wanting to move, not wanting to let go. I feel safe here, with his warmth against me, with his voice soft in my ears… it all just feels good. His arms are wrapped around me, his hand moving slowly up and down my back. He didn’t say anything, and I didn’t either. For a long time, we just stay that way, holding on to the silence.
Then I asked quietly, "What are we going to do now?"
"We’re going to Grandpa’s cabin," He said.
My heart sank. The thought of that place makes my stomach tighten. I don’t know if I can go back there after what I saw.
I lifted my head to look at him. "We are going?"
"Yes," He said. "It’s the only way to end this, once and for all."
My pulse quickened. "Do we have to go?"
He opened his mouth to answer, then closed it again. He studied my face for a moment, seeing what I’m trying to hide. "If you’re not ready," He said gently, "We can wait."
I shook my head. "No. Let’s just do it. Let’s get the plan started." The words come out steadier than I feel.
"Are you sure?"
I nodded. "Yes."
I lay my head back on his chest. He held me close again, and for a while, the fear faded. The world felt distant. Right now, it’s just him and me and for the first time in a long time, that felt like everything.