Chapter Three

The Queen had been expecting Jack to return some time ago and when, after three days, he still hadn’t, she began to miss the company and wonder if it had all been a dream. There had definitely been something familiar about Jack, so much so, that the Queen was almost positive that she had known him in her past life, before she had lost her memory, that is. But, if so, why did he wait so long to visit her? His question still burned in her brain. What exactly are you Queen of?

On the other hand, Jack knew the answer to this question, and, although he wanted desperately to drop in and tell her, he knew she had to figure it out on her own.

It had been three painfully long days for Jack, for he missed the Queen terribly. Spencer. That’s where she was, where he hoped she’d still be. Talons, how he missed her so. But he knew that there was a chance that she might not ever understand, and that’s what he was most petrified of.

“Topher!” Jack yelled.

POP!

“Yes, Jack?” Topher said upon his speedy arrival.

“I’m going out for a while. Think you’ll be able to control yourself while I’m gone?” he asked.

“I’m fourteen,” Toph sighed. “I think I can take care of myself for a few hours.”

“Well, that’s the thing,” Jack started. “I may be gone for longer than just a few hours.”

“How long?”

“At least a full day, if not more. I might pop in to check up on you later,” he finished.

“Alright,” Toph sighed, agitatedly.

POP!

POP!

“Elli?” Jack called, cautiously, creeping down a hall, peering into the closest room, he found her browsing a selection of old, dusty books, most of which looked like they hadn’t been touched in a decade. “Elli?” he said again. She whirled around suddenly.

“Jack?!” she shrieked, putting a hand over her chest. “You scared the wits out of me. What took you so long?”

“I know, I’m sorry. I got held up,” he apologized.

“Wait, how did you know my name? I don’t recall telling you that it was Elli,” the Queen remarked, hesitantly.

“Sit down,” Jack requested motioning to a uncomfortable looking recliner as he lowered himself onto the couch across from it. “I have something to tell you.” The Queen sat slowly, nervous and ready to run if need be.

“Elli, I…” he paused, trying to come up with something decent to say. “The reason I know your name is because, well…Talons!” he stuttered.

“Jack?” The Queen said as she leaned over and placed the palm of her hand atop of his anxiously sweaty one in a comforting gesture meant to encourage him. “It’s okay.”

“Elli, I’m your best friend, or I used to be, anyway,” Jack began. “We were childhood friends, and you went missing four years ago,” he stopped to pause with a painful expression spreading across his features.

“Did you know I was here?” she asked. She believed him. She had to, this was probably her only chance to learn about her past.

“No,” he responded. “I’ve been searching for you ever since you disappeared.”

“So, if you know me, does that mean you know my family?” He nodded. “Do you know where they are?” The Queen continued, eagerly.

“Well…yes, I knew your family, but I’m afraid I don’t their whereabouts. I intend to help you find them, though. I have a hunch where they might be,” Jack reassured. “But I want you to try and get your memory back, first.”

“Could you tell me about them?” The Queen asked. Jack looked unsure, The Queen gave him a pleading look. Reluctantly, he agreed.

“I’ll tell you what I know,” he paused, exhaling deeply. “Okay. You had a younger sister named Katey, I think that’s spelled K-A-T-E-Y. Anyway, she has the same age difference to you as I do to my younger brother. So that makes her…fourteen. I could always tell that she was jealous of you, for being crowned the queen instead of her. But I could also tell that she loved you. When you disappeared, I’m pretty sure she got crowned queen,” Jack stopped again. “Can we take a walk? I really need some fresh air.”

“Yeah, um, sure.” They stood up, heading for the open doorway to the kitchens, and from there to the exit. Once outside, Jack continued again.

“Your parents,” he let out with a sigh. “Were very considerate people. Well respected too. I’m not entirely sure of their names, but I think you once told me your father’s name was Bra-Zial, and your mother’s was Austi-airse. Mr. and Mrs. Greeschay to me. They loved you so much, they still do, I imagine, you could just tell by the way they looked at you,” Jack halted lowering himself to the ground. The Queen joined him.

“Can you tell me more about myself?” she asked, patiently.

“What do you want to know?” he inquired.

“Everything,” The Queen breathed.

Sorry for the REALLLY long wait. Thanks for hanging in there, guys.