[ Chapter IV (4): "ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE REALLY MY MOTHER?" ]
After what felt like hundreds of questions later, Michael was finally let go by the school nurse. Told to rest and lay his head back to the bed, which he did in compliance. Now only silence was left in the said room, aside from the somewhat a noxiously sound of pen scribbling here and there due to the nurse writing something.
[ "Mom, can we go home now?" ] Axl asked, impatient. Both hands under his chin while he tried his best to be as patient as he could. [ "I don't really feel like going to class today. You see, Ms. Peterson hates lat-" ]
Which was then received by Mrs. Heck with a stern glare, no words were spoken, but the thought of his mother was conveyed there and there. And it was a resolute no. [ "I mean, it was worth the shot." ]
Michael on the other hand was looking at the ceiling, palms sweating as he imagined thousands of scenarios meeting his mom would be in this world. The most tame being that, he'll get ignored by his mother, before then getting beaten up by his father back home when he ultimately finds out. [ "I'm screwed..." ]
Though he hasn't yet experienced that in his past life, primarily because he was a goody two shoes that has yet to cause trouble. Thus the school not needing either of his parents to be called. But still, the fear of that was deeply instilled in him by his father, and his belt— even though he's emotionally and spiritually 21 years old.
He even thought of running away hundreds of times, every day. Did it thrice, but had cold feet midway when he remembered the fact that his father had connections to high places, he is the go-to lawyer of many officials after all. So Michael, though he hated it, went back home; to their family's cold bloody mansion.
So as to reserve energy, he closes his eyes, trying his best to steer his thoughts from remembering the many times he received punishment. Or the possible future punishments that his parents are gonna do to him, all much worse than the previous. [ "God, I pray, let it be light." ] So for the first time since forever, he prayed sincerely, clasping his unfamiliar yet familiar hands together; eyes tightly shut while beads of sweat drips from the corners of his forehead. [ "The punishments, I mean. I don't want to die... again." ]
Michael has never been a devout believer. Thus never really going to church every sunday, only once or twice every couple of months when his mother forces him and his sister, for appearance purposes, as his mother goes to the local church for every sunday afternoon after all.
But for the first time since maybe forever, he felt light, as if God himself is giving him strength to pass any and all challenges he'll face at the moment. Which made him smile without him even noticing. [ "Where is my son?!" ] Which then disappeared as quickly as it did appear.
[ "Bollocks...!" ] He heard a panicked voice from the hallway, a loud shriek, sounding identical to his mother's— which in insight is very likely to be her, though Michael is praying that he might be wrong.
[ "Mrs. Vanderbilt we're here!" ] Fuck... He heard Axl yell out loud, calling out to someone and waving at the doorway. Which is a bad thing, biting his lip, he reluctantly stood up and glanced to his left.
[ "Oh no..." ] And what came into view was his worst nightmare coming to life, his birth giver. The mother that he sees most of the time either bottle deep in wine, drunk, or in parties socializing and playing her part.
He wishes that this mother may be different, in the same way as his birth year was different, in the same way as how he went to a different elementary. And the same way he is at the moment in a different state. But seeing her disheveled hair, rushed appearance, the same way she is whenever she's alone and drinking... Michael knew that the chance for that is slim to none. [ "I'm dead." ]
[ "Axl, Frankie! I came as fast as I could, where is my son!" ] He could hear the panic in her voice, which he only ever heard whenever she ran out of alcohol to swim in. But in this scene, she doesn't seem to have had a single drink; thus making Michael raise a brow, intrigued.
[ "I'm-I'm here!" ] Michael answered, trying his best to channel his inner child. Something of which was easy, as he had been returned to the pre-adolescent stage of his life, voice naturally coming off as high-pitched. [ "Mom...?" ]
He had been contemplating it for what felt eternity, but he chose to go and do the amnesia route. Saying he knows and remembers nothing, total reset— which shouldn't be the case with normal amnesia... But hey, does he have a choice?
The perfect smile he presented disappeared when he had a closer look to his mother's face. Which was drenched in tears, causing him to be taken aback for a moment; his concern seeping out. [ "Are you... crying?" ]
As for him, it is the first time he'd seen her cry personally. Usually his mother would be hidden inside her bedroom, when no one would see her; though he had heard her cry once or twice growing up, he had never seen it close-up. That was until now.
[ "I-I am so-sorry baby, I'm sorry." ] Which surprised him, mouth agape. Even more surprising what came next, as he was approached by his mother and hugged— no chance for refusal at all. [ "Mommy's here, everything's going to be alright." ]
[ "..." ] Michael heard the worry in his mother's voice, something he had never heard of before. Something of which he only ever dreamt of. Then the hug, something he wanted to pry off...
But something stopped his hands from trying to shove her away; either to play his part well as the kid who doesn't remember her, or because he wanted the hug. He doesn't know, and he doesn't want to know.
[ "Are you hurt? Is your forehead okay? Do you feel pain anywhere? Don't worry, you can tell me." ]
[ "I-I..." ] Back at it again with the hundreds of questions. Michael sighs internationally, before then answering his mother; avoiding eye contact, like he just did something bad.
[ "I'm okay, I'm-I'm alright, thank you." ]
[ "Do you remember me, Mikey?" ] For a second he glanced at his mother, at her makeup which is ruined by tears. And for a second he didn't know what to do. [ "Do you remember mommy?" ]
[ "I don't..." ] But decided ultimately that the best choice at the moment is to feign ignorance, that he doesn't remember her. And through that, he'll try and figure out everything else; from family to everything else. [ "I don't remember you." ]
His shifty green eyes paused for a moment to stare at her, at his mother who shares the same color of eyes as him. To be honest, the only feature that he shares with her. And in him seeing that, he noticed her features which is shocked; then at her hold on him which is shaking. [ "Oh-oh god..." ]
[ "I'm sorry." ] Michael blurted out instinctively without him even trying to, but he didn't regret it. Especially because he's only now seeing the rare vulnerability of his mother; something... that he'd only ever seen now. [ "I'm... sorry." ]
[ "It's true, Mrs. Vanderbilt, Michael had indeed experienced amnesia; though the initial cause is yet to be known, I believe it to be stress." ] The school nurse spoke up, in a bland, robotic-like tone. [ "As he hadn't hit his head in the fall, thanks to his friend catching him last minute." ]
For a moment Lanna paused to recollect her thoughts, one hand wiping away the tears from her face which only smudged the make-up around her face and even her pointy finger. Something she didn't notice.
Then after some time she glanced to look at her son who was staring at her, blank not knowing what to say. Before then finally she turned to the nurse, asking what's really been bothering her mind. [ "But-but my Mikey is gonna be alright, isn't he?" ]
[ "Yes, that should be the case, ma'am." ] The nurse spoke, always with that cold, calculative, and monotone tone. Before adding, [ "It would be best if the student were to be diagnosed by an hospital, as I'm only a school nurse. But I believe, yes, he'll be alright aside for the memory loss." ]
[ "Then thank God!" ] Michael was instantly tackled back into a hug by his mother, this time, he didn't thought of subconsciously fighting it back. As he tries to enjoy it, trying his best to forget the bad memories that he has of his original mother.
Though he's 21 originally, that doesn't seem like it. As physically wise, and acting wise towards this mother; he acts like a normal child. Someone who only did one bad thing, and deeply regretful of it.
[ "I-I'm sorry for everything, mom." ]
Tears subconsciously falling from his eyes, while he hugs her back. Even forgetting the fact that there are observers nearby: Mrs. Heck, Axl, and the school nurse. The second getting scolded by the first— his mother.
I'm a fucking cry baby. Michael thought, before then sinking deeper into his mother's embrace, both of them crying, fueled by one another's crying.
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[ FUN FACT: "In Medieval England, laws like the Assize of Bread and Ale (started in 13th century) strictly regulated the weight of bread and fixed the price. A baker caught selling a loaf that was found underweight could face severe punishments; which included flogging or having his license revoked. To ensure that they were never found guilty of short-changing a costumer, bakers would usually throw in a 13th loaf free of charge." ]
[ 11/25/2025 ]
[ 11/26/2025 ]