Memories

As they were finishing dinner John looked at Annabelle. "I know I asked if it was alright, but we really do need to find out which clan you're from. Shelly and I'll be with you, it's not invasive, but it is important we do the test."

'I'm so screwed… Why. Why me?'

"Okay…"

"No need to be worried sweetheart, it won't even take five minutes."

"Can I watch?" Lewis's eyes were big, and he seemed to be bouncing in his seat.

"No." John said firmly. "This is a very private moment and it's already bad enough that she has to allow your mother and I the information."

Lewis was visibly deflated but dropped the subject without protest.

'Wonder why it's considered private. Isn't it just figuring out what you are?'

Noticing that Annabelle was starting to get antsy John stood up. Looking at his wife he motioned to the girl with his head. Mouthing for her to check on the child while he went to get things ready in the living room.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" Shelly got up and moved closer to Annabelle.

"Why would it be considered private? Isn't it just figuring out which clan you're from?" She looked at Shelly with big eyes. Head tilted to the side.

"Well… Yes. For you it should just be figuring out which clan you belong to. John's just worried about the off chance of more information being uncovered. But considering your amnesia I really doubt that will be a problem." Shelly chose not to mention a few things that may have disturbed the girl for no reason.

"Okay… IF I really have to do this, can we just get it over with?"

"Of course, c'mon John should have it all set up by now." Shelly gently grabbed Annabelle's hand and pulled her along to the living room.

John had already finished the preparation. There was a fluffy white pelt on the floor. Annabelle couldn't decide what type of animal it was made of. There were also runes on the floor, but she didn't recognize any of them.

"Please sit in front of me Annabelle. The test shouldn't take too long, but I do need you to sit still for a few minutes. Is that okay?" John spoke to her from his seat on one side of the pelt.

"Okay…" Annabelle replied, gently sitting where he had indicated.

"Just sit with your legs crossed like a pretzel with your hands on your knees, eyes on me."

"So, cross my legs like you are?" She had no idea what a pretzel was.

"Yes…" John was surprised at her lack of knowledge. He had noticed her pausing when people asked about what she wanted, or how she never told them what she liked or wanted to do. Before he had attributed it to her being in a stranger's home, but he had a nagging feeling that something wasn't right.

"Alright, I'm going to start now Annabelle. Remember it won't take long, but I need you to stay still till I tell you it's okay to move. Understood?" His tone was very gentle but had a firmness she had heard in her own father's voice before.

'Last time dad sounded like that he was trying to keep me and Cyrus from getting hurt. Why wouldn't John tell me if there was danger?'

As she was contemplating his tone the runes around them started glowing. Shelly had backed up so that she was as far away from them as possible without leaving the room.

As John entered Annabelle's mind he was bombarded with images. Not having expected that type of onslaught his body coughed up a bit of blood. Shelly was worried but knew better than to interrupt.

John continued, trying to ignore the memories while looking for the one memory of what she was. However, as he continued one photo caught his eye.

He had never seen such a beautiful place. Unfortunately, what he saw was also one of the most horrific things he'd ever seen.

A small town was ablaze, dead bodies were strewn around what seemed to be a central plaza. Annabelle was in the arms of a man, while she was carrying a small boy.

"Just what?" His voice was barely audible, tinged with disbelief.

Surfacing for a second he checked on Annabelle. She was still in a trance like state. Looking over at his wife he started speaking. "Shelly, I'm going to watch some of her memories. I have a feeling that whatever happened to her, we need to help."

"Are you sure honey? It's incredibly rude to read someone's memories without permission. Even if they are young and withholding information."

"Yes. Shelly, whatever happened to her it was horrible. What if there's a group going around hunting supernaturals again? This is something we have to nip in the bud, no matter the means."

Shelly thought it through for a second. "Are you sure someone's hunting supers?"

"No, but from the glimpse I had I'm worried."

Rather than speaking Shelly nodded.

Taking that as an okay John went back to sifting through the memories, this time however he was looking for signs of the attack he had seen before.

Instead of finding another memory of the attack he caught a glimpse of what looked like two moons hanging over a planet. Turning and grabbing the memory he realized that it was from a time when the girl had been star gazing.

Shelly watched as her husband's face went pale. Worried she got as close to the two as she could but decided against taking him out of Annabelle's memories.

'She's from a different planet… But why is she here alone?' He kept looking for a clue. Finally stumbling on another portion of memory from the first he had found.

He watched the scene from Annabelle's point of few. She had been very happy, on her way to show her mother a flower wreath she had created. When she walked in on her mother trying to hurt a young boy.

"Mom! Stop! What are you doing? Stop it, you're going to hurt Cyrus!"

John could feel the disbelief running through her emotions as she ran to shield the boy.