Tyler tried to gather his thoughts, despite the headache, but he couldn't hear himself think over the ringing in his ears. He slammed his eyes shut, the light of the stars only increasing the agony. How did he pass out behind the cafe?
The memories were long gone, but so close he could almost grasp them. He could picture the scene, but the actors failed to show. He could recall pieces of conversation, a strange woman, and the harder he tried to piece together the puzzle, the more his head ached.
He wondered if these disjointed pieces of information were true, or perhaps the remains of a dream he had while unconscious. He heard a worried voice, and only then noticed Charles standing over him.
"Tye?" Charles said. "What happened?"
"I'm fine," Tyler replied. Tyler tried to stand but struggled to carry his weight.
Charles bent over, helping Tyler to his feet, and supporting him as they walked to the car.
"Did you pass out?" Charles asked.
"I honestly can't remember," Tyler replied, his foot dragging across the concrete.
They entered a white sedan, Charles taking the driver's seat. "I'm taking you to the ER, man. That's not a good sign."
"No," Tyler said, his voice raised higher than intended. "I'll be fine."
"Bullshit."
"I can't afford a doctor. If it happens again, fine. Right now, I just want to be in bed."
Charles shook his head, his eyes focused and his jaw clenched. Tyler sat back.
The drive home was tense, Tyler's head followed a gradual path to recovery. The ringing in his ears stopped by the time they entered the apartment, the pain died off soon after.
Tyler made his way to his room, collapsed on the bed, and drifted in and out of sleep for most of the night. He gave up trying when he noticed the faint light of dawn filling the sky through the window.
Tyler spent the day in a haze, making little progress. The memories lingered at the back of his mind, impossible to recall but making their presence known. He couldn't help but feel like he was missing something, some life-changing detail that could shake his world if only he could remember.
He drove Charles to work, spending most of the day sitting in a booth with a cup of coffee as he stared into space. The cafe was quiet, much quieter than most mornings. Tyler looked through the front window at those who passed. He noticed a woman with green eyes and red hair sitting on a bench across the street.
His mouth felt dry. He failed to notice how hard he was gripping the coffee mug, his knuckles turning white as the mug strained under the force. His heart raced, adrenaline pumping as if preparing for a fight. He was angry, but couldn't imagine why.
He stood and walked out but didn't approach. Instead, he walked to his car, stopping before glancing in her direction. She sat with unnatural stillness, like a statue in a park unaware of the eyes that stared her down. Her cane rested in her lap, her hands overlapping on top. He opened the door, took a final look in her direction, and his nostrils flared.
He shook his head, slammed the door shut, and walked across the street. He didn't bother to look for oncoming traffic. When he reached her, she didn't seem to notice.
He stood silently, realizing he hadn't prepared what to say. The anger he felt shifted, now directed to himself. He wasn't acting like he normally would, a fact that made him second guess refusing a hospital visit the night before.
The woman jostled in her seat. When it was clear he wouldn't speak, she spoke for him, "Hey you. Remember me yet?"
"I wish I did. Do I know you?"
"You could say that."
"Why am I so angry?" he asked.
"Angry," she said in a sudden burst of laughter. "This is you when you're angry?"
Tyler crossed his arms. "Yes."
"I never would have guessed. You seem so calm." She turned her head to him, gestured to the empty space beside her. "Care to take a seat?"
He opened his mouth to speak, then stopped, cocking his head and dropping his arms to his side. He let out a lung full of air before sitting beside her. She refused to move, resulting in him being far closer than he wanted to be, but unable to adjust the distance further.
He waited for her to speak, tapping the arm of the bench with his finger. When his patience wore thin, he cleared his throat. "So?"
"Yes?"
"Are you going to explain?"
Her reply was immediate, as she knew what he was going to say before he said it. "You're the one who's angry, why should I be the one to explain?"
"You know something I don't," he said.
"What gave you that impression?"
"You remember me?" he replied, poorly imitating her accent.
"Damn," she said with a subtle nod. "My mistake." The smile faded as she pondered her words carefully. "I'm Morrigan," she replied, "It's nice to meet you, again."
"Again?" Tyler leaned to the side in an attempt to distance himself.
"I know." She sat back, her body loosening. "What do you remember?"
"Nothing, but I somehow know there's something to remember."
She turned her head, her brow lowering as she pondered his words. When she spoke, she made sure her eyes met his, the uncomfortable closeness compounding with her lifeless stare. "Do you scare easily?"
His eyes struggled to maintain contact with hers. he pulled away and replied, "What does that mean?"
"I knocked you out yesterday in hopes you wouldn't remember me. I was upset, and I apologize. The memory is gone." She nudged him in the shoulder. "The body, however, is not so easily persuaded it seems."
"You're saying that you erased my memory?"
"The memory loss is on you."
"Care to explain?"
"Not really. Some things are just easier for the mind to forget."
Tyler tightened his jaw. "What's the point if you're not going to tell me what I want to know?"
"I am trying," she snapped. She bushed wayward locks of hair behind her ear and turned her head away. "Sorry. This is much harder than I thought it would be." She crossed her arms, raising a hand to her chin.
Tyler caught a glimpse of her cane, a fine, beautifully stained wood with a green handle that seemed accented with beautiful green and red gems.
“Emeralds, and rubies," she said. "The handle is made of jade."
He looked up and saw her staring at him. "How'd you-"
“I'm blind, not oblivious." She didn't speak again for some time, as if not wanting to say what needed to be said. "It's better for you to forget me."
"Maybe so. You're irritating,"
"You have no idea," she replied. "I can make that happen." She paused, burying her face in her hands before speaking again, "Then again, maybe we could start over. I was enjoying myself." A smile broke through when she spoke again, "A truly great kiss can be hard to come by."
"What?" He felt warm, his cheeks flashing red. He pictured it, allowing himself a single moment to entertain the thought. As irritating as she was, he liked the idea.
The ringing in his ears returned, lost memories flashing in short bursts. While present, they were half formed much like a dream is upon waking. They were missing crucial pieces. He wondered if the memories were genuine. He took in a sharp breath, suddenly realizing he wasn't breathing. He found himself staring at her, and she at him.
"Tyler," she said with a furrowed brow. "what's wrong?"
"I remember a little." He replied. He watched as she turned from him. "How did I forget?" he asked. "How could everyone forget you moments after you leave?"
"Candlelight," Morrigan replied.
"I'm sorry?"
"That's what we call it. You sure you want to know?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," he replied.
"Can I ask why?"
"I don't understand it."
Morrigan cocked her head. "You're driven by a need to know?"
"A need to understand," he corrected.
"Is there a difference?"
"Knowledge and understanding aren't the same thing," Tyler scanned the area around them. "I know things happened. I want to learn why and how."
She blinked at him, her eyes darting from one random direction to another. "I am not sure if that is wise or foolish."
"Both?"
She laughed and shook her head, losing herself in thought. After a moment, her face lit up. "Pull out your phone."
"Oh, did I earn a number?" he paused and before she could answer, he had a far more pressing question. "Why didn't I have it before?
"Don't push it."
"Oh, my apologies." He said as he pulled out his smartphone. He navigated the menus and punched in each digit as she listed them off.
"Tomorrow. 6 o'clock?"
"It's a date. Will I remember?"
"I have no clue. That's kind of the problem," she said. "I'd rather not waste my breath with answers if you're constantly forgetting them. That's also why I never gave my number."
Tyler nodded but couldn't bear the thought of leaving empty-handed. He had so many questions. "Give me something at least."
"I did," Morrigan said with a grin. "I gave you my number. I don't just give out my number, you know." Morrigan stood, and waved goodbye.
Tyler followed. "Wait, come on, you know what I mean."
She turned to meet him. "How about the fact that this marks the 4th time you've forgotten me."
Tyler cocked his head. "Four times?"
"We've been at this, off and on, for two months." She backed away, lowering her voice as if to speak more to herself than to him, "I'm dating a man who routinely forgets I exist." She let out a burst of laughter. "Just imagine the state of my self-esteem."
"We're dating?"
"That can change if you'd rather not," she replied.
"No, it's fine. Lucky me."
Morrigan's posture stiffened, her expression still and without any hint of emotion. "I'm sorry, but the road into my good graces cannot be shortened by charm, nor flattery."
"You think I'm charming?" He asked.
A smile broke through the crack. "I'll see you tomorrow. Let's do the park this time."
I like it. The whole idea of them dating before -- not sure how that'd work based on candlelight -- and the premise of the book. There are a few typos like forgetting to capitalize Tyler once, but this chapter's really good. However, the first and third sentences are kind of weird. The first sentence isn't properly combined. You need a bit of a different transition. Maybe : "Tyler's head was throbbing as he opened his eyes" or "Typer opened his eyes, holding his throwing head" to create a dependent/independent relationship. The third doesn't make sense because the stars should be above him not in front of him. If you don't literally mean the stars, maybe change what he looks away from.
I jumped the gun on this chapter. I'll correct those problems asap. I'm definitely glad the intrigue is there. The candlelight will be explained, of course. People in the know are a source of it, and it can spread, but it can take a few tries to light the match if you catch my drift. Thanks again. Till next time!