《Anamnesis》Chapter 22: Red Kite

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It was a difficult ride back to the cottage. Fuchsia and Jax decided they couldn’t wait any longer to eat and tried to start eating the food. Bren wasn’t about to allow either of them to eat in his car and denied them access to the bags. He placed the food in Sina’s care, her hands wrapped tightly around the bags. Bren could see the evil glares that Jax was giving him from the passenger's seat. He looked up in the mirror and could see Fuchsia giving Sina a similar evil glare. He couldn't help but laugh, causing Fuchsia to snap and say, “What’s so funny.”

He laughed again and says, “ It’s just sometimes you and Jax act a lot alike.” Fuchsia huffed and looked out the window, a smile evident on her face despite her attempt to hide it. Jax no longer stared at Bren but instead began staring blankly out the front window. He could understand Fuchsia’s reaction after hearing about how close she and Jax used to be, but what was Jax thinking about?

***

As they arrive at the house, Sina carries the food to the table. She lays the boxes out and Bren grabs plates. A large amount of seafood lay in front of them, but it didn’t take long before every morsel of food had been devoured. Bren clears the table while the others look for Nix, who seemed to be hiding. Fuchsia pops a can of cat food and Nix appears out of thin air. He skids clumsily across the slick wood floor into Fuchsia’s leg. Jax starts laughing as Nix regains his balance and starts eating. Fuchsia looks at Nix and says, “It is going to take some time for him to get used to being indoors all the time.”

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Bren walks out of the kitchen and asks the others if they were ready to check the beach out.

Jax stands up and eagerly says yes! Fuchsia says that she wants to change first and she will meet them in a bit. Sina decides to wait on Fuchsia, so Bren and Jax head out first.

The cottage was built on slightly higher ground surrounded partially by cliffs, so they have to walk a little while before they reach the sand. They both take their shoes off so they can move easier in the sand. Jax didn’t wait for Bren to lead; he heads straight for the water and places his feet amongst the salty foam. Bren walks to Jax’s side and pulls his sleeve so he would follow him. They walk in the water for a while enjoying the breeze and view. Bren turns as he realizes that Jax was no longer following him, he was kneeling in the water poking something. Bren walks closer and realizes he was poking a jellyfish. He grabs Jax’s hand and pulls it back quickly saying “Don’t do that! They are venomous.”

Jax continued to stare at the jellyfish as he says, “Is it dead?”

Bren kneels down closer and says, “I don’t think so, but it can still hurt you.”

Jax says, “I think Jellyfish are really fascinating, they are beautiful but deadly.”

Bren pulls Jax up. “Let’s keep walking, it will be dark soon and we will have to go back to the cottage.”

Jax frowns, pulls away and says “We can’t just leave it like this, it will die.”

Bren sighs and says, “No, the water will pull it back in and it will be ok. Now let's finish our walk.”

Jax looks at the jellyfish, nods and starts walking again.

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They find a place to sit and enjoy the view. Jax looks out towards the waves as they crash into one another. Bren enjoys seeing Jax so calm and he wishes that things could stay this way. Bren slides a hand into Jax’s, which at first startles Jax but then he smiles and looks back out into the ocean.

Jax says, “It is really beautiful here!”

Bren smiles and says, “ I thought you might like it here, but I didn’t expect to be able to bring you here so soon.”

Something catches Jax’s attention and his eyes flit towards the right side of the beach. A red kite dances in the air guided by a young boy and his father. Bren notices that Jax’s expression seems to have changed and his grip on his hand has become tighter. He stares transfixed on the kite, the boy, and his father. Bren calls Jax’s name but he doesn’t respond. The boy and his father laugh and, as if in response, Jax’s entire body begins to tremble. Tears begin to roll down Jax’s cheek and Bren knew something was wrong. Bren turns to see if he can see Fuchsia and Sina anywhere. He spotts them at the opposite end of the beach. It was too far away for them to hear him so he pulls his phone out and quickly dials Fuchsia.

He could see Fuchsia look up at him as she answers the phone and asks, “What’s wrong?”

Bren says, “Something is wrong with Jax! He was fine, we were enjoying ourselves and then all of a sudden he froze. I haven’t been able to get him to respond to me. He is just staring at something and crying.”

Fuchsia sounds worried and says, “We will be right there!”

***

When Fuchsia and Sina arrive Fuschia looks at Jax and then at the kite. She frowns but looks like she understands what is going on. She steps directly in Jax’s vision and kneels in front of him. He closes his eyes and places his hands over his face. Fuchsia looks like she might cry as well as she pulls him towards her into a hug. He starts crying uncontrollably and says, “I remember something... I remember...I remember Dad.”

Fuchsia looks up at Bren and Sina and says, “Let’s get him back to the cottage.”

Bren helps Jax back into his shoes and they walk back up the path towards the cottage. Bren hopes that Fuchsia knows what happened to Jax, but he couldn’t help but worry.

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