"Come on, Mackie! Ple-e-e-ase?" I could not believe that I was resorting to begging!
"The answer is still no, Devian. Sorry." However, Mackie did not sound the least bit sorry about the fact that I was still stuck in the same bedroom that I had been, for the past three days!
"But Mackie, you said two days. Can I just point out the fact, that it has been three days? You get it? T-h-r-e-e days... I. Am. Bored! B-o-r-e-d!" It wasn't that I was complaining about Mackie's company. No, Mackie was probably the world's greatest hostess! Rather, it was just that while I had been sitting up in the room, alone, I was listening to her, and what sounded like two or three young men, playng cards, laughing, and watching shows on the television (I mean, what gives!? I didn't have a television)! If I were to be completely honest, you could say that I may have become a bit jealous.
Mackie sighed, as she handed me my breakfast. "Look." She began, in an apologetic voice, "For some reason, Parker does not wish to see you, so the twins and I have decided that it may be best for you to just lay low for a bit, until we can convince him..."
I felt my heart sink. I was NEVER going to get out of here! What had I done wrong? I had to ask; "Sooo. I guess that what you're really trying to tell me, is that I am actually a prisoner?"
After I said this, Mackie's face grew pale. "I-I... I really don't think it's like that, Devian. Haha... why would you think that?" Mackie's nervous voice, combined with her nervous laugh, told me that she knew more than what she was letting me know.
"Oh please, Mackie! I may not be able to remember anything, but you and I both know that I am smart enough to realize that you were just lying right then."
Mackie looked at me. I could see that she wanted to tell me something, but as usual, she brused it off. Instead, she surprised me with an invitation to leave the house!
"Look, Devian, the twins, Leo and Teo, are going into town today. You can go with them, if you would like to. I'll make sure that I cover for you, if Parker gets home from work before you guys."
"Wait." I could not believe it. Was Mackie actually going to let me out!? "Are you being serious?"
"Yeah." Mackie answered, as she walked around my room, searching for a town-worthy outfit. "Besides, your ribs seem to be nice and healed. However, you still can't seem to remember anything about your past."
Oh yeah... that. "But what does being able to leave for a while have to do with my memories?"
Mackie scoffed, as she threw me a leather jacket. "You're smart." I looked questioningly at Mackie, who offered nothing but a wink. "Why don't you try and figure it out?"
I tried to think about the answer to Mackie's challenge, but I failed to draw up a solution.
Seeing that I was struggling, Mackie smiled and handed me the watch that had caused me to have that painful flash back that I had the other day. "Because." She started to explain, "Maybe you and the twins will come across something or someone, that could potentially spark any memories that you may have."
"Oh. Huh. I really didn't think of that." I hesitated to take the pocket watch, remembering the pain that it had caused. Thankfully however, this time when I took the watch from Mackie, nothing happened.
"Well, I suppose that it would be worth a shot." I said, shrugging. Besides, what did I have to lose?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"OH MY GOSH!!" Leo, Teo's twin brother, exclaimed, as I followed Mackie down the stairs, and into the kitchen. "Mackenzie, remind me again why your brother has an issue with this kid! He looks so weak and helpless!"
"I know, right!?" Teo said, agreeing with his brother, "you should have seen him, when Parker and I were pulling him out of the wreck!"
I felt myself glaring at the twins. Weak and helpless. Ha!
"Okay Leo." Mackie said suddenly, "first of all, DO NOT call me Mackenzie. Second, Parker has his reasons, and we need to respect that. Teo, I am putting you in charge of Devian and Leo... don't let him start up world war three. PLEASE."
Leo must be a wild kid, I thought to myself.
"You got it!" Teo saluted.
Mackie continued; "And I want you to look for some more time-sand."
Well that got my attention... "I'm sorry... time-sand?" Were these people crazy!?
Leo gave me an odd smile, and patted my shoulder. "That's part of our job, you know?"
"I'm really not sure about what you guys are talking about." I said.
Teo looked disappointed. "We're Time Keepers... you mean... you don't know what we do?"
"If I did, I wouldn't be thinking that you all are crazy." My words had come out harsher than I had intended them to. After all, these people had taken care of me. Who was I, to judge them?
"I-I'm sorry..." I began to apologize, but Leo waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "You don't need to apologize, kid. Besides, it's not like you actually know us."
Teo stepped in; "Yeah." He said, "besides, that's what today is for... getting to know each other! If I have my time right, we can grab lunch, catch a movie, meet up with some girls..."
"Time-sand, Teo." Mackie's stern voice interrupted Teo's future hopes for the day.
"Oh. Yeah, that too." He nodded. "Well anyway, I hope that you're ready to hit the town, Devian!"
I allowed a small smile to grace my lips. "Sure. Let's go." I said, following the twins out to their car.
Even though I didn't know these people, I was looking forward to getting to know them. They seemed like a trustworthy and kind group.