Chapter nine – Reentering Normal

Gina was only half-listening to the teacher. Her excitement regarding her Saturday night endeavors had started to consume her brain’s available bandwidth. She was imagining all the things she was going to do to Mark when she was finally alone with him. She was also imagining all the things he was going to do to her. She had driven herself so crazy she could hardly stand it.

“Just two more days.” Gina said to Carla as they passed between classes, “I can hardly wait.”

“It’s going to be epic.” Carla said, mimicking what Mark had said earlier.

Gina had completely forgotten about her dream. She had completely forgotten that she was a princess and in exile. She had completely forgotten that the girl that led her into this situation was her best friend. All Gina thought about was what she was going to do to Mark and that made her happy.

In passing between classes later that day Gina noticed a boy who was walking on crutches. A fleeting image passed through her brain, but it came and went, and she didn’t get a good sense of what it was.

He had a pretty good gash in his leg and the memory of her seeing him before came back to her. “How’s your leg doing?” Gina asked.

“It still hurts like hell, but I’m managing.” The boy replied. Gina thought she should know who this boy was, but she just couldn’t bring back any thoughts of him.

“Have we met before?” Gina asked a little hesitantly.

“I’ve seen you around. Are you okay?” The boy replied.

“You look so familiar, but I can’t place where I know you from.” Gina confessed.

“Maybe it was in a past life.” The boy suggested.

“Yeah, maybe.” Gina agreed as they both went their separate ways.

“Do you know who that boy is that was walking on crutches?” Gina asked Carla when they saw each other again.

“What boy?” Carla asked. Carla was concerned. Gina had her memories and now she doesn’t have them. There was another player, a powerful player and not knowing who this new powerful player was, bothered her. It bothered her a lot. Did this new player know about Mark and herself? What does this new player intend to do with the princess? She couldn’t have some unknown variable ruining her plans.

“There’s only one boy walking around on crutches at school.” Gina explained.

“Oh, that boy. Of course I know him. I know everyone.” Carla added an explanation.

“Who is he?” Gina asked.

“He’s just a boy. Why do you ask?” Carla offered.

“I don’t remember him. When I look at him, I think I should know him, but I don’t.” Gina explained.

“You’re not getting second thoughts about Mark, are you?” Carla asked.

“No, of course not.” Gina replied.

“That’s a relief, Mark has been good to you. I would hate for you to throw that away.” Carla explained.

“What about you and Bob?” Gina asked.

“Oh, Bob’s not in the picture anymore.” Carla confessed.

“That’s too bad. I thought Bob was nice.” Gina explained.

“Bob’s okay. I just realized he wasn’t my type.’ Carla went on.

“Who are you bringing, I mean, you do have someone coming right?” Gina said alarmed.

“Yeah, I have someone coming.” Carla reassured.

“Who is it? Don’t leave me in suspense!” Gina begged.

“You don’t know him.” Carla said nonchalantly, “but I think you’ll approve.”

“Stop teasing me and tell me who he is.” Gina demanded.

“No! You’ll just have to wait to find out.” Carla said in a playful voice.

“I am so going to get you back.” Gina teased.

Gina somehow got through the school day. Even the drab surroundings of the old run-down school building were not enough to dampen her spirits. When she walked through her front door, her mother was waiting for her with a grave look on her face.

“How was your day, sweetheart?” Her mother asked in a subdued voice.

“It was okay” Gina answered, “What’s wrong?”

“How is your memory.” Gina’s mother followed up.

“It’s just kind of so-so.” Gina confessed, “You know, the same.”

“I’m so sorry there is nothing we can do about it.” Gina’s mother continued. She had gone back and forth in her mind about whether she should give Gina the potion or not until she was racked with guilt. She wanted what was best for her daughter and she had finally come to the firm conclusion that keeping the potion from her was the right thing to do.

“It’s okay, mother.” Gina offered, “You don’t have to feel bad for me. I don’t forget everything, just my nightmares and some things during the day.”

Gina’s mother wrapped her arms around her daughter. She wanted to protect her, and she felt this was the best way to do that.

“I love you too mom.”

Gina had another dream that night. Gina dreamed she was in a cave. Her hands were restrained. She looked over and saw the young man restrained as well. The young man was in pain due to a gash on his leg. The large cauldron and the man in the cloak were also there. She could smell the salt and her body shivered slightly due to the moisture in the air. She knew there was another person, but she couldn’t see them. She knew it because she remembered her previous dreams. She remembered how they were the same yet different. They were different because she was making them different. She was dreaming them differently.

She was going to make sure that the knight hiding in the shadows had no armor. This was her dream. She was going to make sure that the restraints disappeared and that she had a bow and arrow. She was going to kill the Wizard and keep him from exiling her.

Her hands became free and as they did, a bow and arrow appeared just like they did before. The mad in the cloak didn’t notice or seemed unconcerned at this turn of events. Gina let the arrow fly. It would have hit its target but at the last moment, someone Gina had not noticed before, but knew was there, came out of the shadows. Without his armor, the arrow lodged into the shoulder of the knight and the knight went down. This time Gina could see the knight’s face because he was no longer wearing a helmet. It was Mark’s face. Gina was horrified. She almost killed her boyfriend.

“You don’t look too good princess.” The wizard remarked, “You should be more careful with your toys. It’s a good thing for your boyfriend that you’re not very good at aiming that thing.” The wizard made a gesture with his hands and Gina was again restrained.

Gina woke up in a cold sweat.