Ficlets

Remembering Self

I heard screaming. I wrenched myself away from the sick bastard’s memories. I knew why she didn’t want me to see them.

And I knew why she had forced herself to forget her own name.

I held her to me. Eventually, her screams turned to shuddering sobs. “He killed her,” she said. “He killed her because she shared a variant of my name. He chopped her up into little pieces, and he enjoyed it because he knew he could force me to watch.” She started crying again. I just held her.

“And those memories are out,” she said after she calmed down. “I can’t hide them away, again. I’m not strong enough!”

I looked in her eyes and said, “You don’t have to be. Because now you have someone who shares those memories. And if you think they’ll overpower you, I’ll be there.”

She looked into my eyes. Into my soul. “You mean that. You really mean that.”

“Of course, Gwenhwyfar.” I sat upright. “Gwenhwyfar. Jennifer. Jenny. Jen.” The more I thought about her name, the more I had to smile. The universe does have a sense of humour.

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