The house was too quiet. Not the peaceful kind. The kind that made every small sound feel louder than it should.
Blitz walked slowly down the hallway. Barefoot. Careful.
"…Okay," she muttered. "This place is officially creepy."
The lights were dim. Only a few lamps were scattered around, casting long shadows along the walls.
"…If a ghost appears, I'm leaving immediately." A pause. "…No, actually, I'll fight first… then leave." She nodded to herself. "Yeah. That's better."
Her steps slowed. Something caught her attention. At the end of the hallway, a door. Blue. Different. "…Oh." Her eyes narrowed. "…Why does that look suspicious?"
Every other door looked normal. But this one felt wrong. Blitz walked closer. Slowly. "…Okay… don't overthink," she whispered. "It's just a door."
A beat. "…A suspicious door." She reached it. Her hand moved to the handle. Twisted. Nothing.
"…Huh?" She tried again. Still locked. Blitz stared at it. "…You serious right now?" A pause, then, a slow smirk appeared. "…You think this can stop me?"
She reached up, pulling a small hairpin from her hair. "…Please." She crouched slightly, carefully sliding the pin into the lock. Click. Twist. A soft sound.
Her lips curved. "…It's easy for me, though." A small chuckle escaped her. "Too easy." She stood up. Gripped the handle again. Turned CLICK. The door unlocked. "…Nice."
She pushed it open slowly. A faint creak echoed. "…Okay… not scary at all."
A step inside. Darkness. "…Just turn on the light and go," she whispered to herself.
Her hand searched the wall. CLICK. Light filled the room.
And then, Blitz froze. "…What the hell…"
Photos. Everywhere. Walls. Table. Floor. All of them, her. "…No way." Her voice dropped. "...This isn't funny anymore."
She stepped closer slowly. Different ages. Different moments. Some she remembered. Some she didn't. Her fingers picked up one frame. A younger version of her. Hair in two braids. Smiling.
"…That's…" Her breath caught. "…That's the same picture…" The one from the bedside. Her heart started beating faster.
"…Who keeps all this?" Her voice trembled slightly. "…Why?"
Then, a voice. Behind her. "…You weren't supposed to be here."
Blitz spun around instantly, weapon up. Eyes sharp. "…Zander."
He stood at the doorway. No smirk. No teasing. Just serious. For the first time.
The light revealed everything. The room wasn't just filled with photos. It was… organized.
Too organized. Strings connected different pictures on the wall, red lines linking moments, places, faces. Notes were pinned beside them. Dates. Locations. Observations.
Blitz's name appeared again and again. Not just photos, records. Like someone had been watching her. Studying her. For years.
On the table, a small box. Inside, there are old items. A broken bracelet. A ribbon. A tiny badge.
Blitz's breath hitched. "…These are the same as mine…"
Her fingers trembled slightly. "…How do you have all of this…?"
Then, her eyes caught something else. A photo. Different from the rest. Blurred. Damaged. But still visible. Two children. A little girl with braided hair. And a boy, standing beside her.
Her heart skipped. "…Who is that…?" Zander just being silent for that question.
Her grip tightened. "You locked this room." A step forward. "And you kept all of this."
Her voice shook just slightly. "…Explain."
Zander exhaled slowly. "…Calm down first, pumpkin." Blitz's expression snapped instantly.
"Stop calling me that." Her voice rose. "I hate it. You know that." Her breathing grew uneven. Her emotions, unstable.
Zander stepped forward slowly. Careful. Like approaching something fragile. His hand reached out. Soft. But Blitz pulled back slightly. Not trusting. Not now.
Her head was spinning. Too many questions. Too many things are not making sense.
"Explain to me now," she said. Her voice dropped. Cold. "Or I will hurt you." A pause. "I don't care."
Zander stopped. His expression shifted. "…Not this time, Xara." His voice was quieter now. "I don't want to get hurt again." A beat. "…Please."
"Forget it. Just for now."
Blitz stared at him. "…Are you kidding me right now?" Her voice cracked slightly. "I want the answer. Now."
Her eyes flicked down, realizing his hand was still holding hers. She pulled away immediately.
"…Don't make me get mad at you again and again." Her voice softened, just a little. "Hurry…please." Her eyes blurred. Not fully crying. But close. Too close.
Silence filled the room. Heavy. Because for the first time, Blitz wasn't joking. She wasn't teasing. She was asking. For the truth.
And Zander couldn't give it. Not yet. His hand slowly dropped. "…If I tell you now…" A pause. "…you won't be able to go back."
Blitz's heart tightened. "…Go back to what?" He didn't answer. Again. That broke something.
"…I hate this," she whispered. Her voice is trembling now. "I hate not knowing." A pause.
"I hate that you know everything…" Her eyes lifted, meeting his. "…and I know nothing." Silence.
Zander looked at her. Not Raven. Not the teasing version of him. Just him. "…I'm trying to protect you." A beat. "…Even if it means you hate me."
Blitz clenched her fists. "…I already do." A lie. And both of them knew it.
The blue door remained open. Secrets exposed. Truth, waiting. And between them, a past neither of them could fully face yet. Because once the truth comes out, there's no going back.
Blitz's eyes still stayed on the same photo. The two children. A girl with braided hair. And a boy standing beside her. Her fingers tightened slightly around the frame.
"…Who is this guy, I ask you again?" she asked quietly. A pause.
Behind her, Zander exhaled. "…Yeah." A faint smile appeared. "…That's me."
Blitz froze. "…What?" She turned slowly. "…That's you?"
Zander nodded once. Then looked away. "…Come outside first." A small sigh escaped him. "…I'll tell you." A pause.
"This room… I haven't cleaned it for a long time." He glanced around. "…Too dusty anyway."
[FLOWER GARDEN – OUTSIDE]
The night air was softer here. A quiet garden stretched behind the house. Small flowers. Faint lights. A calm contrast to everything inside.
Blitz stood there, still processing. Zander leaned lightly against the fence. Silent for a moment. Then...
"I had… mental issues when I was a kid." His voice was calm. But distant. "I liked being alone." A pause.
"The other kids didn't like me." He let out a small breath. "They knew something was wrong with me." Blitz didn't interrupt.
"They avoided me." Another pause. "So I didn't have any friends… back then." Silence.
Then, his gaze shifted to her. "…Except you."
Blitz blinked. "…Me?"
A faint chuckle escaped him. "Yeah."
"You were the only one who kept following me around." A small smile formed. "You talked too much."
Blitz frowned slightly. "…I still do."
"Exactly." He nodded. "You always asked questions." A pause. "And you kept making things for me."
Blitz tilted her head. "…Making things?"
Zander laughed softly. "Yeah."
"Paper stars. Bracelets. Random crafts." A small shake of his head. "You forced me to accept them." A beat. "Or you said you wouldn't be my friend anymore."
Blitz's eyes widened slightly. "…That sounds like me."
Zander smiled. "…It is you." A pause. "So I accepted everything."
He let out a soft chuckle. "…I didn't want to lose you." Silence fell between them.
His voice lowered slightly. "…My life felt… a little lighter when you were around."
Blitz's chest tightened. Something about his words felt familiar. But she couldn't remember. "…So that's why you kept those photos?" she asked quietly.
Zander's expression softened. "…Yeah."
"I didn't want to forget." A pause. "…Or lose track of you."
Blitz looked away slightly. "…That's still creepy." But her voice was softer now.
Zander didn't argue. "…Rania found out."
Blitz's eyes shifted back to him. "…Vex?" He nodded.
"She saw me taking pictures of you." A pause. "She thought I was obsessed."
Blitz blinked. "…Are you?" Zander smirked slightly. "…Maybe."
Blitz immediately frowned. "…Don't joke."
"I'm not." A beat.
"…Anyway," he continued, "She tried to stop me from getting close to you." Silence.
Blitz's expression changed. "…That sounds like her."
Zander nodded. "She didn't trust me." A pause. "But I convinced her."
Blitz tilted her head. "…How?"
Zander looked at her. "…I told her I wanted to protect you." A beat. "I asked to become your bodyguard."
Blitz blinked. "…Wait, what?"
Zander shrugged slightly. "She accepted." A small smile.
"But she kept watching me closely." His voice lowered. "To make sure I wouldn't hurt you." Silence.
Blitz stood there. Trying to connect everything. "…So you've been…" A pause. "…watching me all this time?"
Zander didn't deny it. "…Yeah."
Blitz exhaled slowly. "…That's insane." But her heart wasn't reacting the way she expected. Not anger. Not fear. Something else.
"…Then why don't I remember you?" she asked softly. That question hit harder than anything before.
Zander's smile faded. "…Because someone didn't want you to." Silence.
Blitz's eyes widened slightly. "…What do you mean?" A pause.
Zander looked away. "…Not tonight."
Blitz stepped forward immediately. "No... don't do that again." Her voice sharpened. "You already started. Finish it."
Zander shook his head slowly. "…If I tell you everything now…" A beat. "…you'll break." Silence.
Blitz clenched her fists. "…Then let me." Their eyes met.
For a moment, everything stopped. And in that moment, Zander realized something. She wasn't the same little girl anymore. But at the same time, she still was. "…You always were stubborn," he murmured.
Blitz smirked slightly. "…You're just slow."
A faint smile returned. "…Still the same."
The garden grew quiet again.
Zander didn't speak. Blitz didn't move. But something felt wrong. Not outside. Inside. Her chest tightened slightly.
"…Why does it feel like I almost remember?" she whispered.
Zander's gaze sharpened. "…Blitz..."
Too late. A sound. Not from the garden. From her mind. A faint echo. Laughter. Small. Light. Childlike. Blitz froze.
"…What…" Her fingers trembled. "…What is that…" The world around her blurred and suddenly...
[FLASHBACK]
Sunlight. Warm. Bright. A training yard. Children running. Laughing.
A small girl with two braids, running in circles. "Wait for me!"
A boy stood at the edge. Alone. Watching.
"…Why are you always alone?" The girl stopped in front of him. Hands on her hips. "You look boring."
The boy blinked. "…Go away."
"No." She smiled. Bright. "You're my friend now."
"…I didn't agree."
"Too late." She grabbed his hand. "Come on!"
He hesitated. But didn't pull away...
[FLASHBACK – ANOTHER MEMORY]
Rain. The same boy. Sitting alone.
The girl appeared again. Soaked. Smiling. "I made this for you!"
She shoved something into his hands. A small bracelet. "…Take it."
"…Why?"
"Because we're friends."
"…What if I don't want it?"
Her expression changed. "Then I'm not your friend anymore." Silence.
A pause. "…Fine." He took it.
She smiled again. Victory...
[FLASHBACK – DISTORTED]
Voices. Angry. Sharp. "Stay away from her."
A girl, older now. Cold eyes. Rania. "She's not someone you should be close to."
The boy stood still. "…I won't hurt her."
"I don't trust you."
Silence. "…Then let me protect her." A pause. "I'll stay by her side."
"…As what?"
"…Her guard."
Rania's eyes narrowed. "…I'll be watching you."
[FLASH – BREAKING MEMORY]
Darkness. A scream. "…RUN!" Gunfire.
The boy, bleeding. Reaching out. "Xara!"
[BACK TO PRESENT]
Blitz gasped. Her body staggered back. "No..." Her hand pressed against her head. "Stop…"
Her breathing became uneven. "…That's not." Tears blurred her vision. "…That's not me…"
Zander moved instantly. "Xara!" He caught her before she collapsed. "…Hey, look at me."
Her grip tightened on his shirt. "…I saw…" Her voice shook. "…I saw you…"
Zander froze. "…You remember?"
Blitz's eyes widened. "…That was you." A beat. "…You were there." Her voice broke. "…Why don't I remember anything after that?" Silence.
Zander's expression darkened. "…Because someone took it away." The words landed. Heavy.
"…Rania…" Blitz whispered.
Zander didn't answer. That was enough.
Blitz's heart dropped. "…She erased it?" A tear slipped down her cheek. "…Why would she do that?"
Zander looked at her. "…To protect you." A pause. "…Or to control you." Silence.
Blitz shook her head slowly. "…No…" Her voice cracked. "…That doesn't make sense…"
But deep down, it did because everything was starting to connect.
Blitz leaned against him. Still shaking. Still trying to breathe. "…I remember you." A whisper. Soft. Real.
Zander closed his eyes briefly. "…I know." But this time, the past wasn't just a memory. It was coming back.
-------------------
The night felt colder. Blitz didn't move. "…You asked her to erase it." Her voice was quiet. Too quiet.
Zander didn't deny it. "…Yes." Silence.
Then, a sharp sound. SLAP. Zander's head turned slightly to the side.
Blitz's hand trembled. "…You don't get to decide that." Her voice broke. "You don't get to decide what I remember… or who I become."
Zander slowly looked back at her. "…I know." That made it worse.
Blitz laughed. A small, broken sound. "You know?" A step back. "Then why did you do it?!" Her eyes filled. "…I would've stayed." Silence. "I would've stayed with you." A beat. "Even if I remembered."
That hit him. For the first time, Zander's expression cracked. "…No." His voice dropped. "You wouldn't."
Blitz shook her head. "You don't know that."
"I do."
A step forward. "You saw me bleeding." His voice tightened. "You saw what happened because of me." A pause. "You would've been afraid of me."
Blitz's chest tightened. "…I'm not afraid of you now." Silence.
"…That's because you don't remember everything."
Her breath caught. "…Then let me." A pause. "Let me remember all of it."
Zander froze. "…You don't understand."
"Then make me understand!" Her voice echoed through the garden.
"I'm tired of this!" A step closer. "I'm tired of everyone deciding things for me."
A beat. "Vex." Her voice dropped. "You." Silence.
"I'm not a mission." Her hand clenched. "I'm not something you protect by lying." A tear slipped down her cheek. "I'm a person."
Zander looked at her. Really looked. Not the version he protected. Not the version he controlled. But the one standing in front of him was angry, hurt, alive.
"…You're right." A pause. "…I was selfish." Silence. "I didn't want to lose you."
His voice softened. "So I chose the version of you that stayed."
Blitz's eyes widened slightly. "…That's not love." A beat. "That's control."
Zander didn't argue. "…I know." Another step back from her.
"…And now?" Blitz asked. Her voice is steadier now. "…What are you going to do?" Silence.
Zander exhaled slowly. "…If you want your memories back…" A pause. "…I won't stop you."
Blitz froze. "…Really?"
He nodded once. "…But once you do…" His voice dropped. "…you might not look at me the same way again."
Silence. Blitz swallowed. "…Then I'll decide that." A beat. "Not you."
The distance between them felt different now. Not close. Not broken.
But real. For the first time, there were no lies.
Just truth. Uncomfortable. Painful. Necessary.
And somewhere, deep inside Blitz, more memories were already starting to surface. Slowly. Quietly.
And this time, no one was going to stop them...
-------
The garden went quiet again.
Blitz didn't look back. "…Whatever."
She turned, and walked away from Zander.
No hesitation. No goodbye. Just distance.
[INSIDE THE ROOM]
The door shut behind her. Click. Blitz leaned against it for a second. "…Ugh."
She dragged herself to the bed and dropped onto it. Face first. "…My head is spinning."
She flipped over, staring at the ceiling. "Why is everyone messing with my memories?"
A pause. "…Am I that important or what?"
She frowned. "Rania… why did you agree with him?" Silence. Then...
"…Nope. I'm not thinking about this." She sat up suddenly. "I don't care anymore."
A beat. "I'm escaping." She nodded to herself. "…Yes. That sounds like a great plan."
A pause. "…Wait." Her eyes narrowed. "With what?"
She looked around the room. Window. Door. Walls. "…Yeah, no."
Blitz sighed dramatically. "This place is locked like some secret military base."
She flopped back down again. "I can't stay here."
A pause. "…It's getting creepy."
She frowned slightly. "…What if he really is obsessed with me?"
A beat. "…Okay, that sounds kind of cool..."
She immediately sat up. "NO." She shook her head. "Stop it."
"He's just your teammate." A pause. "…And your past friend." Silence. "...That's it."
She lay back down again. "I'm sleeping."
A beat. "Tomorrow, I escape." Another pause. "…Hopefully."
Blitz suddenly sat up again. "…Wait. My face." She stood up and walked toward the bathroom.
[BATHROOM]
She turned on the light. "…Oh."
Her eyes widened slightly. "…Wait."
She stepped closer to the sink. "…Is that..."
Her favorite skincare. Her usual stuff. Exactly the same brand. Same scent. Same everything.
Blitz blinked. "…Seriously?"
She picked one up. "He even knows this?"
A pause. "…Okay, that's actually impressive."
Then, her eyes narrowed. "…Or creepy." Abeat. "…Mostly creepy."
She slowly turned her head, looking around the bathroom. Left. Right. Up. "…Did he put cameras here or something?"
She immediately checked behind the mirror. Under the sink. "…Hello? Hidden camera? Say hi."
Silence. "…Okay good." A pause. "…I think."
She splashed water on her face. Cold. Refreshing. "…Okay."
She looked at herself in the mirror. "…You're fine."
A small smile formed. "…Still cute." She nodded confidently. "Nothing changed."
A beat. "…Except everything." She paused.
Then, "Nope." She shook her head again. "We're not going there tonight."
She turned off the light.
Blitz dropped onto the bed again. Pulling the blanket over herself.
"…Tomorrow." Apause. "I deal with everything tomorrow."
Another pause. "…And maybe punch him again." A small smirk. "…Yeah. That sounds good."
She closed her eyes. Still confused. Still thinking. But calmer now.
Because no matter what, Blitz was still Blitz.
And she wasn't going to let anyone, control her story. Even if they tried.
TBC