Chapter Eight – Unknown Variables

“Are you alright?” Gina’s mother asked.

“I’m okay.” Gina responded, “It’s just sometimes I don’t remember things and sometimes it bothers me.”

Gina’s mother knew the potion would wear off. She had gone back and forth in her mind about whether she should give Gina another dose. She wasn’t sure it was better for Gina to remember a life she couldn’t go back to.

“You’ll be alright.” Gina’s mother assured her.

That night Gina had another dream. She was restrained in the cave with the wizard, like in all the dreams she had had before. She looked over to see the young man still imprisoned as well. Something caught her eye and as she stared at him, she could see he was in a lot of pain. He was trying to hide it but not doing a very good job. The man in the flowing robe was mixing some kind of potion in a large cauldron.

If only Gina had something to fight back with, she thought. A bow and arrow would be nice. It was at that moment of thought that Gina’s hands came loose, and she did in fact have a bow and arrow in her hand. She stood up and aimed the arrow at the man in the flowing robe. He took no notice of her but was busy with whatever it was he was actually doing. She let the arrow fly. It flew toward its target and would have hit the man in the heart if someone had not come out of the shadows.

man wearing armor and holding a shield inserted himself at the last possible moment to deflect the arrow. The arrow bounced harmlessly off a portion of the cave wall. The man was wearing armor and Gina recognized it as belonging to one of the King’s knights. This didn’t make any sense. Why would one of the King’s knights be protecting a traitor. The knight made no move to attack her. He just kept her from harming the wizard.

“Perhaps I’ve underestimated you as well.” The wizard said, finally giving Gina some attention. He seemed more amused than concerned about this turn of events. “Rather than see you dead princess, in my mercy I am exiling you to a faraway place. A place you will never return from no matter how hard you try.”

With that the Wizard started speaking words that sounded like nonsense and Gina woke up. Gina gets up with purpose. Even though she doesn’t remember, she knows she has the same dream every night but there’s something different about each one.

They are changing somehow. She doesn’t know how but her instinct is telling her that they are. She is determined to remember this time. She must remember. Her life depends on it, or at least she thinks her life depends on it.

“I had another nightmare” Gina informs her mother.

“What was it this time?” Gina’s mother asked even though she knew what the answer was.

“It was the same nightmare, but it was different. I don’t know how but I know it was. I don’t quite have the same nightmare every night. It’s the same place and the same people but the events are not quite the same.” Gina concluded.

“How do you know?” Gina’s mother asked, “If you don’t remember them.”

“I don’t know” Gina confessed, “I just know that they are. I also know that I have to figure out a way to remember them. My life depends on it. I know it does.”

“Don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic” Gina’s mother insisted.

“No, I don’t think I am. I am going to figure this out.” Gina promised. This turn of events alarmed Gina’s mother. Even though Gina did not remember anymore, she was different. The potion had changed her even if she didn’t remember anymore and her mother feared she would never be the same.

When Gina got to school, she was greeted by her boyfriend Mark.

“Hey, princess” Mark said aa a greeting.

“Princess, is that a new pet name?” Gina asked.

“Don’t you like it?” Mark shot back.

“It might be nice to be a princess, but princesses are stuck-up snobs that expect everyone to cater to their every whim. I’m not like that, am I?” Gina asked putting Mark on the spot.

“Of course not.” Mark replied, “I will never call you a princess again.” There was something different about Gina. Mark couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Carla did say she got her memories back, but it wasn’t that. It was something else. The last thing he needed was another unknown variable. Dealing with Gina had always been like work, and today was no different. Soon he would be done with her though. He wouldn’t have to put up with the masquerade much longer. Saturday was only a couple days away. He could put up with her a little bit longer.

“Be sure that you don’t” Gina scolded, “Are you ready for Saturday?”

“I can’t wait” Mark said, “It’s all I’ve been thinking about.”

“I promise you won’t be disappointed.” Gina teased.

“How could you ever disappoint me” Mark shot back. Mark moved in for a kiss, but Gina pulled away at the last moment.

“You’re not getting a preview just yet.” Gina teased again, “I’ll see you later.” Gina leaves Mark staring after her, memorized by the sway of her hips.

“Snap yourself out of it.” Carla says disgusted.

“How long have you been standing there.” Mark asks.

“Long enough” Carla scolds., “Keep your head in the game.” Carla arms are folded, and she shoots Mark a look that tells him it’s all business.

“My head’s in the game. You don’t have to worry about me.” Mark assures.

“Princess isn’t going to know what hit her.” Carla says with a smile.

“It’s going to be epic.” Mark agrees, “There is one thing though.”

“What’s that?” Carla asks.

“That girl does not remember that she is a princess.”

“Are you sure?" Carla asks, "She sure remembered she was a princess yesterday.”

“Oh. I’m sure.” Mark says confidently.