Thursday, December 1, 2022

Victor pointed to a large blue package with a gold ribbon. One of the kids picked it up and ripped the paper away.

Duke placed his hand on my shoulder. “Pay attention. You’ll like this one.”

The child revealed a picturesque original Nintendo Box. His eyes shouted louder than the gasp he made. He jumped in the air and hugged his other siblings.

“I’m guessing you’re doing the same thing across town at this very moment,” Duke said.

My face softened a bit. “I’m probably screaming and doing the running man.”

We watched the Sato family as they took turns opening gifts. They were creating moments of togetherness, but I would soon take it away. My mission was to stop the man who took everything from me.

It was time. I moved toward the back of the house. A small blue light expanded into a giant blue hole allowing a black bag to pass through. My kit had arrived.

Duke got into character, and I readied myself for another lecture.

“Why don’t you tell me what I did wrong the other times instead of urging me to stop?” I demanded, “Victor is a problem.”

“Since Ananova gave you a memory refresher, tell me what is missing from the future,” Duke said.

I opened the bag, trying to ignore Duke. He had a way of dancing around important information. Clearly, what I had done previously hadn’t helped. Inside the bag I found a pair of gloves, forget spray, paralyzing rope, and a set of clothes ready for anyone traveling to the 1800s.

“Chasen, what’s missing?”

“I don’t have any future memories of my mother.”

“And what does that tell you?” Duke asked.

My hands felt around the bag. “There isn’t a time link. I can’t send Victor to the past without linking him to my system.”

Duke sighed. “Chasen?”

“What?”

“You’ve done this multiple times. Why aren’t those memories there?”

I thought about it, memories seeping back. It seemed like the bombing of ‘87 never happened. But why wasn’t my mother anywhere during my adolescent years? Nothing was the same, but it didn’t make sense.

“Where is she, Duke?” I snatched his collar. “Where?”

Duke gently removed my hands. “Her leaving was always going to happen, and it does each time you change the past.”

Join us tomorrow for the exciting conclusion of Ignite a Memory.