My breath quickened as I stood there, watching my father as I had never seen him before. Darkness surrounded him, but the chill in his voice pierced me deeper than anything else.
"Iris, it's time for you to remember."
I looked at the little girl sitting on the floor, at my innocent face, now stained with fear. Her eyes pleaded for escape, to run away from me and the memories that would change everything.
But no… I wouldn't run this time.
I lifted my head, my hands clenched at my sides. I could no longer deny the truth, could no longer let the past haunt me without facing it.
"What do you want to tell me?" I spoke, my voice steadier than I expected.
My father smiled, but there was no warmth in it. It was cold… cruel… as if he knew I wouldn't be ready for what I was about to hear.
"You are not who you think you are."
I froze.
"What do you mean?" I whispered, but deep inside, I knew I was about to uncover something I could never take back.
He took a step forward, and behind him, the corridor began to shrink as if the walls were moving, closing in, trapping me inside this moment.
"The accident that took your memory… wasn't just an accident."
His words choked me, and I felt the ground shift beneath my feet.
"Stop…" I muttered, but the other version of me grabbed my wrist, her eyes glinting with determination.
"Listen to him, Iris. This is the truth you've been searching for."
I shook my head, my breathing rapid. "No… this isn't real."
But my father continued, and his words cut through me like knives.
"They made you forget because they were afraid of you."
I gasped, turning to the little girl I once was, who now seemed to be remembering too. Her eyes widened… then locked onto mine.
And in that moment, I understood the truth.
I hadn't forgotten.
I had been made to forget.
To be continued...