Memory Walker

by Carly Marino

  I swallowed and fiddled with my charm bracelet. “Hey.”

  Her full lips curled up at the corners, lifting her prominent cheekbones. My shoulders slackened, and my heart rate slowed. “I didn’t see you at my party. Thought I’d pop over to say hey,” she said in a thick British accent.

  “Why?” I wanted to smack my hand on my forehead. “I mean, thanks.”

  Her eyes trailed my paint-speckled smock. “You paint?”

  “Yeah, it’s a good de-stressor.” I glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Did you need something? I’m not trying to sound rude. I just noticed that it’s getting late, and Wynter is picking me up to go to a club tonight. I have to get ready, or she’ll kill me.”

  Her eyes connected with mine as a slow smile rose on her face. Pleasantness flooded my muscles, calmed my breathing, and brought on a smile of my own. I rubbed my eyes with my hands to shake off the strange euphoria spreading through my body.

  Nora maneuvered around the coffee table until she stood in front of me. “Are you going to Metro?”

  “Yeah,” I mumbled, fidgeting with my bracelet again.

  The jingle of keys drew my attention to the kitchen. Aunt Karen grabbed her purse from the counter and walked into the living room. “I’ll see you later, honey. Have a good time with Wynter and Ethan. It was nice meeting you, Nora.”

  “You, too, Miss Scott.” Nora beamed in her direction. Aunt Karen stopped for a minute and gazed back, before shaking her head and stepping out the front door.

  “Okay.” I returned my attention to Nora. “Um—”

  “Yeah, I should probably get going. I just wanted to stop over.” Instead of turning away from me, Nora stepped closer—too close. “Nice bracelet—” She gripped my wrist. Her skin touched mine, my eyes closed, and the all too familiar feeling of falling rushed over me.

  When I reopened my eyes, Nora’s reflection stared back at me through a large glass window. I settled as her memory played before me.

  Street lights illuminate the dark sidewalk. I study the girl sitting alone at a small, circular café table. Her sadness attracts me like a vulture. She stares into her cup of cappuccino. Tears drip from her cheeks, making tiny rings in the foam.

  I walk around the potted flowers lining the outdoor patio to squat next to her. Her gaze drifts from the white cup to my face. She jumps and opens her mouth.

  I slowly curl my mouth into a smile.

  Her body relaxes as her shoulders sway. She stares at me, mesmerized, like a cobra under a snake charmer’s enchantment. I smirk. Taking what I require won’t be painful. It actually lessens her pain. I just have to do it fast.

  I touch her hand.

  A warm current burns up my arm until my heart fills with the girl’s aching pain. The squeezing of my chest soon swells with sweet surges of power. I glance at my reflection in the coffee shop window. A white light flickers in my irises. I have what I came for. I release her.

  The girl exhales and slacks in her chair. She nods at me, unknowingly thanking me for relieving her of her sadness.

  “Everything will be okay, now,” I whisper.

  Power vibrates through me, filling my muscles with strength and speed. Electricity snaps in my ears as streams of yellow light shoot past me, brightening the dark city streets.

  The power surge allows me to see trails invisible to the naked eye. A shiver crawls up the backs of my legs. I’ve never seen so many beams in one place before. The currents intertwine like a spider’s web. They’ve taken over the city.

  I suck in a deep breath. Each strand of light will lead me to a different parasite. I just have to pick which one to follow.

  I sprint, my body blurring with the night. I turn a corner and see her. She embraces a man in what looks like a passionate kiss. To outsiders, this appears harmless, but I know the truth. The man’s skin has already begun to decay, and soon his body will crumble to ash.

  I body-slam the girl with my shoulder. Her back collides with the dumpster, and the man falls to the ground, wheezing and tearing at his shirt collar. He’s ill. I can only hope I’m not too late.

  The girl kicks my ribs, and I fly to the side. The hit catches me off guard, and I fold over as the pain sucks the air from my lungs. She skulks closer, and my eyes meet the yellow light swirling around her pupils. I have to end this now, or she’ll kill me.

  Fighting through the ache in my chest, I force my legs to stand. Before she can attack, I dive at her, knocking her to the ground. The rough cobblestones scrape my knees. I grip her neck, digging my fingernails into her skin, and inhale until her body shrivels and crumbles. The ash floats with the breeze, and I stay kneeling on the cool ground, holding my hand to my broken rib—

  I yanked my wrist from Nora’s grasp and stood, staring at her. My mind raced with jumbled thoughts, and spider-like tickles skittered up my spine from the intense way she was studying me. Had I manipulated her memory without knowing it? I didn’t realize I could create a fantasy. What the hell just happened? I backed away from her, darting my stare around the room for an escape or a weapon.

  She tilted her head back and forth. “Cole was right about you. How’d you do it? Hmm? Did they help you?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I—I think you should leave.”

  “I think you’re right.” She spun and headed toward the doorway.

  Something didn’t feel right. Did she know I’d witnessed her murdering that woman? She couldn’t leave. Not if she knew about my ability.

  I lunged and grabbed her arm.

  Images flickered before my eyes, and the past few minutes played in reverse like a TV show on rewind. Nora walked backward from the doorway. She clutched my wrist, let go, and we spoke. Then I reentered the garage.

  Nora sat on the couch.

  As if I’d hit pause, the picture froze. Each frame of Nora’s memory played forward in slow motion. When a moment ended, it dissolved into black and white pixels. Was I erasing her memory? I tightened my grip, stopping the memory at the exact moment Nora entered my house. I didn’t want to alter another memory, but … I had to do something. She’d killed another person, and I was alone with her.

  “Thanks for returning my purse, Nora. I didn’t realize I left it at the party,” my voice echoed in her memory.

  I let go and stumbled, my gut clenching as if sucker punched. I breathed out.

  Please work.

  Nora’s brows narrowed. “What—oh, no problem.” She walked to the door and turned the knob. “Are you going to Metro tonight?”

  “Uh, yep. Bye.” I urged her out and locked the dead bolt, sighing with relief.

  What just happened? How did I erase her memory? I’d never deleted a memory. I rubbed my temples, replaying what I saw: Nora killing that girl, the yellow light in that woman’s eyes, the decaying body, the—

  A sudden jolt to my heart toppled me over, and I dropped to the ground, clutching my chest. My heart slowed and with each beat, a rush of strength and agility radiated through me. The sensation mirrored what I had felt when Nora touched the girl at the coffee shop but much stronger. Fighting through the intensity, I tried to remember Nora’s memory.

  I coughed. “What’s happening?”

  Heat pierced my heart then branched out toward my limbs. My biceps, abs, thighs, and calves warmed. Every fiber of my muscles flexed. I struggled to stand.

  Sounds of television programs, music, car horns, and sirens circled around me. I lived in a quiet, small, neighborhood. Where are these sounds coming from? I groaned.

  I heard Wynter’s mom arguing with her dad on the phone as if they stood in the room with me.

  “Just come home already. I don’t understand,” her mom said.

  “I can’t. I told you, I have meetings.”

  I clenched my teeth, forcing the sounds away.

  What is happening to me?

  My hands faded to black as if wearing leather gloves. The darkness crawled up my wrists to my forearms. I gasped, shaking my
arms until they reappeared.

  An ice-cold burning scratched and clawed at my fingers, like frostbite. Each tip glowed a bright yellow, and then a turquoise blue. I rubbed my hands together but the light did not fade.

  The air swirled around me, and the tenseness in my body subsided. My breath returned to normal, and my pulse beat at a steady rate.

  Every morsel of my body felt invincible, confident, strong and … powerful? Almost … high, as if on a drug. I’d never tried drugs in fear they’d affect my ability or kill me, but they probably felt similar to this.

  I laughed and covered my mouth in disbelief. What is this?

  I felt like I could conquer the world. I ran upstairs to get ready in a blink, using the speed I knew I had.

  For the first time, I didn’t want to hide from my ability. I yearned to use it.

  Chapter Six

  Outside the car, the lights of the city tangled in ribbons and reflected on office buildings. I rested my cheek on the window, admiring the way the light danced. Stars cut through the brightness in shimmering globes, hundreds twinkling in the distance.

  I switched between humming a soft tune and laughing to myself.

  The Uber driver swerved to the side of the road. “Are you okay? You seem a little … out of it. Need me to call someone for you?”

  Unable to take the confinement any longer, I nearly fell out of the beat-up Honda. Fresh air. I need fresh air.

  I took several deep breaths to refocus and euphoria flooded my body. The breeze tickled my sensitive skin as if someone trailed a soft brush along my arms and legs.

  “No, I’m … I’m good. Great actually.” I flashed a toothy-smile at the driver. “Metro is what, a couple blocks from here?”

  He nodded. I waved before sauntering down the sidewalk.

  My cell buzzed for the hundredth time, alternating between an unknown number and Wynter. She wanted to know when I would meet her. After I got ready, I needed to get out of my house. Explore this feeling on my own before I had to explain my behavior to her.

  The unknown number called again, and I sent them to voicemail. I hated telemarketers. If it was important, they’d leave a message. They never did.

  As I strolled, I sent Wynter a quick text to tell her to wait for me in line. I zipped my phone into my wristlet.

  Dim street lights appeared blinding, and the darkness brighter and more defined. I spun on the sidewalk, bumping into a couple passing me. They grumbled, but I didn’t care. I loved the freedom I felt. The flexibility of my muscles, and the lightness in my movements.

  I groaned at the vibration in my purse. Without looking at the caller ID, I answered. “Wynter, chill out. I’m on my way.”

  “Thea?” a deep male voice vibrated in my ear.

  I stopped walking. “Who is this?” I giggled. “You’ve been tickling me for the last hour. Stop calling. Bother someone else.” My voice echoed in my head, and I could hear the slur in my words. The sweet vibration brought pleasure to my body. I laughed, again, louder and more robust.

  “What the hell are you thinking? Where are you?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know? Why would I tell you, anyway? I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.” I twirled around, stumbling into a big blue mailbox. I grunted but chuckled. It didn’t hurt at all.

  He huffed into the phone. “It’s Cole, and I’m coming to get you. Are you going to Metro? Nora said—”

  “Nora? She’s a wacko. And so are you, Cole Conway, for calling so many times.” I turned the corner and spotted the long line across the street. The black brick building had a big neon sign flashing the word Metro in blue and red. A large window displayed a girl dressed in white frozen like a mannequin. She moved every few minutes, giving herself away.

  I scanned the line. Wynter glanced at her phone and looked down the street.

  “Are you listening to me?” Cole asked.

  “Not really. Were you talking?”

  He groaned. “Are. You. At. Metro?”

  “Maybe … maybe not. Are you? Doesn’t matter anyway, ’cause I have to go.” I cackled. “Count to ten and come find me.”

  “Thea, wait. You aren’t in a safe state of mind right—”

  I hung up, rolled my eyes, and returned my cell to my wristlet. I skipped across the street. A car honked and veered around me. I paused and walked the yellow line like a tightrope. Tires screeched on the pavement. I closed my eyes and anticipated each vehicle. It was as if I could see them in my mind.

  People yelled for me to get out of the way.

  Wynter’s shrieks pierced their muddled voices. “Thea!”

  I inhaled and pranced my way to the line.

  When I got to Wynter, I curtsied.

  She glared. “What the hell were you doing? You could have been killed.” Our line moved closer to the bouncer. “Are you wasted? Did someone give you something?”

  I laughed, covering my mouth when I saw the annoyance in her eyes. “Sorry, Wyn. I didn’t mean to freak you out. I’m totally fine. Excited to get this night started.” I howled and a few people behind followed suit. I blew a kiss at a guy toward the end.

  Wynter eyed my outfit. “I know I picked out that dress for you to wear last night, but—”

  “You never thought I’d ever actually wear it?”

  “Well, no. I guess not.” She pointed her finger at me. “Which proves that there’s something wrong with you. Maybe we should just go home.”

  “Nothing’s wrong with me. I’m in a good mood, Wyn, enjoy it while you can.”

  “Okay. I’ll enjoy your momentary loss of sanity.” A smile peeked from behind her serious expression. “I’m surprised you can even walk in those heels.”

  I admired the four-inch black ankle boots I had paired with the tight black dress. “Yeah, well, tonight seems to be a night full of surprises. More to come.” I spun on the ball of my foot.

  Her eyes narrowed. “Are you sure there’s nothing—”

  The bouncer cleared his throat and held out his hand for Wynter’s ID. She gave him a big smile and handed him the fake one Ethan had made for her. The three-hundred-pound body builder tried to maintain his hard expression, but the moment his eyes met Wynter’s big blue ones, he softened.

  She twisted her finger around a long curly tendril.

  He chuckled. “Go ahead.”

  Wynter beamed at him. “Thanks.”

  Shaking his head with a smile, he glanced down at me. “ID.”

  I gave him my regular driver’s license, and he looked me up and down. His lips tightened. “I think maybe you’ve had a little too much to drink.”

  “I haven’t dranken—drunken—?” I snorted. “I haven’t had anything with alcohol in it.” My words jumbled and slurred together.

  From the corner of my eye, I caught Wynter fidgeting. “She really hasn’t. I promise.”

  He crossed his arms. “I’m sorry, but—”

  “Please,” Wynter begged.

  “It’s fine, Wyn.” I rested my hand on his forearm. “I think he might have a change of heart.” I expected a memory to whisk me away, but I stayed in the present. That’s strange.

  I frowned. An odd feeling of irritation and persistence flowed through me. I shook it off.

  He coughed. His brow lifted as he stared at my hand still on his.

  I sighed. Focusing more than usual, I used my newfound ability, which felt like second nature in this supercharged state. I changed his mind about my behavior and implanted in his memory that he’d already checked my ID. I smiled: twenty-one, instead of seventeen. I removed my grip from his arm and lifted my chin.

  Dazed, he pulled an over-twenty-one bracelet from the bunch in his hand and gave the bright-pink strip to me. I stuck the ends together around my wrist and smirked. Too easy.

  Wynter’s mouth hung open. “How did you…”

  “I told you this night is full of surprises. Let’s go!”

  She grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs into the club. I prepared for
the rush of dizziness, but like the bouncer, no memories.

  Why is this happening? How am I controlling my ability?

  I could still read and manipulate memories. But, for the first time, I’d done so on my terms. I could spend all night trying to figure out why this happened, or I could enjoy a night without memories.

  I squeezed Wynter’s palm tighter, happy that I could. The moment I did, an uncanny shock soared up my fingers through my arm. A lightness invaded my chest, quickening my pulse. I wanted to laugh out loud and squeal. Although thrilled my best friend and I could hold hands and giggle like normal teenage girls, the excitement didn’t come from me.

  As we reached the main floor, Wynter looked over her shoulder with a huge grin and wide eyes. My gaze trailed our arms to our hands. Could I be feeling Wynter’s excitement? I laughed to myself. Feeling emotions? I shook my head. That’s ridiculous.

  “Come on,” Wynter yelled, leading me across the dance floor.

  Streams of blue lights rotated around the club, mixing with strobes flashing to the beat of loud techno music. The room smelled of alcohol, sweat, and bad cologne. I cringed but continued to bounce with the bass as we walked through the crowd of people dancing.

  Wynter leaned over the bar. “Rum and diet.”

  The bartender smiled at me with raised brows. His teeth and eyes glowed an eerie shade of yellow from the black lights illuminating the bar.

  I shook my head. “No, thanks.”

  Wynter glanced at me. “Good answer. I think you need to sober up.”

  I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut. She thought I was drunk. I wanted to enjoy the thrill in my body.

  While Wynter talked with the bartender, I lifted up on my tiptoes to look over people at the DJ booth. “Where’s Ethan? I don’t see him up there?”

  She took a sip of her drink and then smiled at the bartender. He shooed her money back.

  “He’s spinning next, I think. Let’s find him.” Moving to the music, she swiveled through the horde.

  Shoulders, arms, and hips slammed into me from all angles. I tensed at the contact, afraid of the repercussions, but for some reason, I didn’t receive a single memory. I exhaled. Maybe this boost in adrenaline blocked the transfer. Without the worry of touching people, I could actually enjoy myself for once.