Hayden stood across from Artemis, his hands shoved in his pockets as he leaned back on his heels. A slight frown stretched across his face as he looked at her, stern brown eyes studying her.

“Why are you here?” He leaned against the doorway, awaiting an answer.

“I need to clear some things up,” she answered. “I know you were mad at me last night and I would like to fix that.”

“Clear some things up?” he echoed with a smirk. “Like that’s possible. You acted like telling me would end your life.”

“Wait,” she stopped him. “You remember what we talked about?”

He nodded slowly. “Should I not?”

“No, you shouldn’t,” she answered. “Because the things we talked about are related to the Library which should be inaccessible.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Maybe I’m an exception?”

“I don’t think that’s possible.” She shook her head. “But then again, I’m not a hundred percent sure.”

“You said you wanted to clear it up,” he spoke up. “I’m waiting.”

“You’re gonna have to see it to believe it.”

****

Regulus leaned his head to the side as he massaged the side of his head. “So you’re telling me that this kid right here stumbled across your Safe House and now he’s remembering things?”

Artemis nodded slowly. “That’s the short version of the story but yeah, that’s what I said.”

Hayden stood next to her, seemingly unfazed by the angered look on Regulus’s face. Instead, his attention was focused on the thousands of people that roamed about underneath them. Although the Master’s Hall was technically below the rest of the Library, the dimension and perception had been manipulated so the Master’s could see everything that went on as if they were indeed watching over them.

“How did he find the Safe House in the first place?” she asked, leaning forward. “That’s what’s been bothering me the most. He’s just a normal human being who shouldn’t be able to remember anything or see anything.”

“He remembered you,” Regulus started. “But that was before Zypher released you and even now, he remembers you even though you’re a Master. There’s no way he should remember you.”

She sighed. “Yet he does. Why?”

Leaning back in his chair, he studied Hayden for a moment. “He lost something—something that he held close to him and valued more than his own life. Something that he was looking for. It’s called a Safe House for a reason, Artemis. The Watchers that stay there are lost—just like Hayden was when he stumbled across the house.”

“Lost?” she echoed, looking at the boy that stood next to her. “Could this be related to the death of his mother?”

Regulus nodded. “Most likely. It’s not impossible and a few humans have stumbled across Safe Houses in the past. They don’t normally remember them though—.”

He trailed off as his eyes lingered on Hayden for a moment longer. “He looks familiar.”

“His father is Thomas Hills,” she answered. “He was a former Watcher that was under my care.”

Regulus snapped his fingers. “Then that’s why he remembered you and the house. The influence that the Library had on his father has, in simple terms, ‘rubbed’ off on Hayden, making it so, if he did manage to discover something related to the Library, he would be more likely to remember it.”

She raised an eyebrow. “So, if that’s true, if a Watcher that’s retired from service finds something that is tied back to here, they could remember?”

He nodded. “We can’t permanently delete memories—they’re not something you can just get rid of but we can block them.”

“And that block can be removed if something triggers them remembering.” She rubbed her jaw. “What about Tay?”

“Tay?” Regulus’s eyes widened as he turned his attention to her. “I know what you’re thinking right now but Tay is living a very good life and you have no right to interrupt that.”

“I’m not going to.” She gritted her teeth. “But if something changes and that ‘good life’ stops being so peaceful, I would do whatever I had to do to protect him.”

“I understand that but you can’t go near Tay.” He slammed his hands against the desk, startling Hayden. “You’re too strong of a reminder. It could be dangerous for both of you.”

As he stepped out from behind his desk, he continued. “I can’t keep protecting you, Artemis. You’ve broken the rules as it is by bringing Hayden here and telling him as much as you have and I won’t let it slide if you bring Tay back.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’re scared. Why?”

Clearing his throat, he leaned against the edge of the desk. “I’m not scared of you or Tay but rather those that are higher up. Master isn’t as high as you can get, Artemis. The Guardians won’t even give you a chance to explain why you did what you did.”

“The Guardians?” she echoed. “I thought they were myths.”

He laughed. “Myths? No, Artemis.” He sobered. “They’re real and they’re getting mad.”

“Because of me?”

He nodded. “Because of you.”

Dread started to settle in her chest, making it hard to breathe. Tiny tendrils of doubt spread through body, following the path her veins had already made. They were freezing cold and dripping with ice and every inch of skin that they covered tingled as if it were on fire. It was as if she had come inside after being outside in the cold for too long and the warm water made her skin tingle to the point that it seared.

“Then I’ll deal with the Guardians,” she gritted her teeth. “They don’t scare me.”

His eyes widened and he forced a smile. “We’ll see about that. They’re more powerful than you and I, Artemis. They are not to be reckoned with.”

“That’s for me to decide,” she snapped. “Right now, I want you to make it so Hayden won’t forget.”

He leaned his head to the side. “You want to help out a normal human?”

“Unlike some people, I take care of the trouble I cause,” she answered. “And since his father is tied back to the Library, shouldn’t he be allowed to know?”

“You have a good point but—.” He paused. “—why should I?”

She lowered her head and looked at the floor. If Regulus wasn’t willing to help her, no one would. Maddox would do anything to use this against her and if she didn’t Regulus on her side, she would be at a disadvantage.

“Please help me,” she muttered softly. “Just this once.”

Hayden, who had been quiet and in awe the whole time, looked over at her, taken aback by how soft she had spoken. The normal demanding and powerful tone was gone and instead, she was pleading for someone to help her—because of him. He frowned.

Regulus had a similar reaction as Hayden but instead of a frown, it was a grin that appeared. To him, Artemis was one of the most defiant Watcher’s he’d ever come across and here she was, asking for his help. He was the only one that could help her and the feeling of superiority that raced through him, although quick and sudden, made his veins burn with power.

“I’ll help you.” He stood. “But just this once.”

Hayden shifted his weight from foot to foot as he waited quietly. As he folded his arms over his chest, his eyes met Regulus’s and he forced a smile. The other boy glared back, obviously upset by his presence.

Maybe Artemis had messed up more than he thought but that didn’t bother him. What bothered him was the fact that she was willing to lower her head because of him. Gritting his teeth, he ran a hand through his hair and stepped back. He had seen this before—someone asking for help and the only one that can spare them holds back because they can.

He had watched his father do it a thousand times over again.

And it made him mad.

****

“So you told him everything?” MJ leaned against the wooden railing that kept him from falling onto the foyer below. “Even though you’re probably going to get suspended for it?”

“I really don’t care at this point,” she admitted, running a hand through her hair. “If they kick me out, they kick me out. If I get suspended, I get suspended.”

“You’ve changed.” He looked at her. “A lot.”

“I’m just tired,” she assured him. “I don’t have the time or effort to care about it anymore.”

“What about the Guardians?” He tilted his head to the side.

Shrugging, she sniffed. “I don’t know. I always thought they were a myth up till today when Regulus brought them up.”

“They’re not a myth,” he muttered. “And there are two of them.”

“Two?”

He nodded. “They balance each other out, one leaning this way and one leaning that way. One made of chaos and one made of peace.”

“Like the yin and yang?”

“That’s the idea behind it, I guess,” he continued. “A male and a female, representing the original humans at the beginning of creation.”

“How old are they?” she asked. “Are they older than Regulus?”

He shrugged. “I don’t think they have to be a certain age. Regulus has the position of Top Master because he’s worked for it but the Guardians were given their position, just like you were.”

“Who gave it to them?” She had only ever heard of the Guardians in passing before and it was only ever rumors that reached her ears. If their titles were said, it was said in a hushed voice so no one would hear. It was as if those Watchers were scared of what the Guardians would do if they heard them. “Was it passed down by the previous Guardians?”

“Yep.” He nodded. “I don’t know a lot about them thought. The majority of the things I know I’ve heard from Regulus or the other Masters.”

“Have you ever met the Guardians?” she asked.

MJ got strangely quiet for a moment as he bit the inside of his cheek, searching for an answer. “Maybe I did at one point.” He spoke slowly. “But I wouldn’t remember it.”

She opened her mouth to say something but the front door swung open and Hayden fell backwards through the doorway. Seneca appeared from the darkness outside and slammed the door behind him, glaring at the boy before him.

“And why is he here?” Seneca’s voice boomed through the foyer as he looked at Artemis for an answer. “I thought you got rid of him.”

“Got rid of him?” Hayden stood up and brushed himself off. “What am I? Trash?”

“Don’t answer that, Seneca,” she laughed. “Just let it be.”

Looking up at her, he frowned and stepped back, dropping his coat on the back of the chair. As she made her way down to the foyer, she watched as he made his way into the kitchen and started making dinner.

MJ jogged down behind her and quickly slipped past Hayden without even acknowledging his presence before dropping onto the couch and pulling out his phone.

“Did I do something that he’s ignoring me?” Hayden asked.

She shook her head. “No, he’s just doing what every Watcher’s been taught to do when a human comes along. Although he knows you’ll remember, it’s just out of habit so don’t worry about it.”

“Okay.” He looked over his shoulder at MJ who was sprawled out, oblivious to what was going on around him. “Why is Seneca mad at me?”

“Why do you think?” she sighed as she headed for the kitchen. “I messed up and this was the only way to wrap it up semi-neatly and Seneca’s not really happy with me.”

“I think it’s more than that.”

She stopped at the table and watched Seneca’s back as he moved about, doing this and that. Without realizing it, she zoned out for a split second as she remembered what she had said to him on the night before.

“I thought I lost you back then.”

As she hung her head, she felt Hayden shift beside her, unsure of what do say or do. She motioned to a chair and he slid into it quickly and without a word. Seneca turned around and set several plates down on the table and when he looked up, his eyes met hers.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?” she spoke up, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had settled over them.

His startling green eyes met hers and an icy chill ran down her spine, making her move slightly. It had been a long time since she had last seen such a strong emotion in his eyes and although she knew it was because he was upset, she couldn’t help but smile.

She liked it when Seneca got mad.

18 means........

I'm of legal age in many states.

I can be held accountable for all of my mistakes.

No more smack on the wrist because I'm a minor.

People will get rude when you are older instead of kinder.

A temper tantrum is now called assault.

Living for free has now come to a halt.

Parenthood is around the corner if you don't protect yourself.

You might be lucky enough to hit the lottery, but now you will build your wealth.

Your parents breathe and worry all the same.

Because now you are old enough to put the family to shame.

Being at the wrong place at the wrong time could land you in jail.

Your parent is not responsible to come to pay your bail.

My advice to you is to have manners and follow your dreams to grow.

Grow to be the person that makes your character glow.

Do other people like you want them to do you?

Be a leader NOT a follower, and let GOD guide you through.

“For a girl without a mother, life is callous.” This was what everybody used to say when I was a littlie. They asked me if I missed my mom and I tenuously replied yes (sure I was a good actress). But those dumb little creatures never realized that I was only three when I lost her to the accident. How would I, in the name of God, remember her? It was like she never existed and no one can miss someone who they cannot remember. Rather, quite a few times, I liked being motherless.

At first “mother” was not a very interesting word. But soon I realized that it actually was, when one day I got teased by some of my seniors. It was another gay day at the school when some filthy looking boys entered the class. “You know what?” one of them said aloud pointing at me, “Your mummy is a mummy” the other said. The whole fourth grade class room resounded with the giggles that followed. And to everyone’s surprise I was the one laughing the hardest. Not because I was too wise to be annoyed by such badgers but because it was simply funny. Imagine how enticing it would be to have a mummy as one’s mom.

So yes; I was an ignorant girl who loved and admired and needed only one person i.e. her dad and never wished to share him with anybody (not even my own dead mother). Also, among girls of my age, mothers were regularly labeled as crabby, talkative and hot tempered whereas fathers as placid, taciturn and dear. And let me tell you, my father was not my mother but my father. Like all the other witty fathers he never required words for expressing himself. I understood him and he understood me without saying anything. And that made our happy and complete family, understanding each other.

Life was good as the calendar evolved. But everything changed one day, just a month after my 14th birthday, when I had a severe stomach ache. Dad was not home until then. So I, a self-proclaimed doctor, took a pain-killer and retired to bed early.

I woke up the next day to see a bright sun in my room. Wondering why I was still in bed, I walked up to the refrigerator, with eyes nearly shut; and saw a note from dad.

Have to go early today but don’t worry will be home soon.

Tried to wake you up .But you are such a kumbhakaran.

So sleep on

You can skip the school today.

I stumbled back to my room, still sleepy, but all my drowsiness vanished when I saw a big red spot, as big as a penny, on my pretty pink bed sheet. I stood there aghast, drooping against the frame of my king-size bed. A lot of questions crossed my mind; what could it be?........is it BLOOD?.........where did it come from?........why it had to be on my favorite pink sheet?( I was concerned about it the most actually)……….

Totally under control of my reflexes I removed the sheet and rushed into the bathroom to wash it. As soon as I entered the bathroom, my eyes fell on the large mirror in front of me. And what I noticed, completely took me by shock. The pajamas which I was wearing also had a big blood spot on them. I was completely nonplussed. You never know how to react when something like this happens. Quickly, I sat on the toilet seat to remove my pajamas and blood smeared underwear. I was bleeding! And not even a normal bleeding, bleeding from under; a place I was not introduced to; a place I was discomfited to define even in my own head. I was afraid and embarrassed at the same time. I was not able to look at myself. I knew I had contracted a deadly disease. I knew that I was going to die.

I tried to think of somebody, who could help me with my problem but was not able to conceive a single name. I couldn’t tell dad because that would be soooooo embarrassing and the news of me dying would only make him go nuts. Not very gregarious as I was, I never had any confidant with whom I could share my misery. Also I didn’t want to make a daft of me in front of my classmates by seeking any advice from them. Actually, I was so ashamed to tell “anybody” in this whole world. There was not a single person to share my sorrow. This made me much more miserable than before and I cried there, in the bathroom, till infinity.

I lived with the embarrassment and humiliation, stuffed my pants with rags and cotton and made excuses to skip school for almost four days. But on the fifth day dad ordered me to go to school without paying heed to any of my excuses.

I went to school but never lifted my gaze up from my shoes. I escaped the teacher’s eyes for the whole day and didn’t move an inch. After spending the day plastered on the bench I heard the bell ring. As I hastily got up, the girl sitting behind me whispered in my ear, “You’ve got a spot on your skirt……” She was still speaking but I went stone deaf. Without letting her complete the sentence I ran out of the room with tears welling up in my haggard eyes. She followed me into the washroom and the dam of tears overflowed.

“Why are you crying? Tell me. Can I help you?” she said while pulling something out of her bag.

“Here, take it if you don’t have any but please don’t cry.” I had no idea what it was and my bewildered eyes mirrored the question.

“Oh! First time. Don’t worry. It will not let the blood spoil your clothes.” she answered my unquestioned question.

“I am going to die because of this disease and you just worry about my clothes?”

“Which disease?”

“This bleeding disease.”

“It’s not a disease, it happens to every woman. You remember the concept of menstruation we learned in class 8th. Didn’t your mom tell you about it?”

“No, my mom never told me about this. Why would she do this to me?”……………And then it struck me……….. OH MY GOD! I don’t have a mother……….. My mummy was a mummy and then it was not funny because I needed her and I missed her.

Yes, you can miss someone who you don’t remember. Because ‘missing’ someone is the result of love, which remains even after the memories vanish, which needs not to be remembered but to be felt.

I felt my mother’s love, that day, when I was grieved and needy.

I felt her saying, “Don’t worry Dear, I am here for you”.

Her love came down to pull me out of my blues. I knew she sent this girl to help me. I felt that love……… I felt her…….. I felt her presence and her absence……..I missed her………...