Two twin girls suddenly came running down to hug their mother and brother. Another girl of equal age to Ethan wearing dark blue jeans and an off-shoulder t-shirt stood in up the stairway in disbelief. Running down, she hugged him with happiness.
"Hey ahh…" He answered timidly with doubt.
"it's Katelin," she replied "Katelin harper? Your sister?"
Ethan smiled, yet in truth, he barely remembered her. Without delay Katelin quickly took his hand and pulled him up the stairs heading towards a short hallway. The door slowly opened and welcomed Ethan to his room. Ethan paused and looked around. "Well…call me if you need anything," she spoke, Ethan smiled while Katelin left the bedroom humming in happiness.
After a while he simply laid on his bed looking at his surroundings, flashbacks began to come in slowly of when he was about seven years old, yet it became more confusing. He looked at the room for a short while and saw pictures of him and a man of about twenty-three years old was carrying him on his shoulders with smiles on their faces.
At dinner time, his foster mother called the kids downstairs. The twins came running fast and Katelin called Ethan from his room and continued heading downstairs, but Ethan arrived last and found the table loud and excited and wanted to ask where his father is but seemed to be the wrong time and only enjoyed dinner. After dinner Ethan remembered he had some doubts, and called his mother to talk to her.
Katelin realised the situation and took the two twins upstairs. In the living room, his mother began to tell Ethan about their past like it was yesterday. She and her late husband Michael harper, a normal newspaper editor. He rose the ranks of the weekly sphere up to chief editor went to an orphanage in Detroit t to adopt a son.
That day walking around the orphanage, he felt disgusted. Most of the children looked sadder than delighted to wait to be adopted, yet he felt even more determined to find his future son.
The den mother suddenly welcomed him with a clear act of delight and he told her he wanted to adopt a son, yet looking amongst the kids, he saw a young boy who had a dark presence, like all life in his eyes were gone.
getting closer the boy didn't respond for a short while, until he tried to speak to him without an answer. Looking determined and driven, he told the den mother he would be taking Ethan.
After a long drive of silence, they arrived home his wife came out with delight, but Ethan did not respond in the least, yet she just told his husband how adorable he looked when a young Katelin came to be bewitched by the sight of her new big brother.
At the dinner table Ethan could not even eat a single bite until his mother gave him a spoon full and tried her best to feed him.
Bedtime arrived and escorted to his new bedroom with dead eyes. In his bed he felt sad as tears dropped from his eyes, yet he could not see clearly the cause when he felt a sudden snuggle with Katelin sleeping next to him.
A few days passed since that time, Ethan adapted in his new life with his new family, he felt a feeling that he never felt before.
Time quickly passed by, Ethan's interest in martial arts grew; his father recommended him for special training from one of his old friends from Japan. He felt delighted to meet someone who pushed Ethan to his limits as a fighter.
Her mother showed him a large trophy, along with a picture of him, his father, and his sensei winning a regional tournament. some memories of that event flashed in, but nothing else beyond those days.
His mother slowly began to cry. "Your father died from a car accident" she sobbed "his brakes suddenly failed while on a trip."
At that moment Ethan was shocked Ethan and immediately comforted his mother. Ethan thanked her mother for the revelation; however, he was curious about his sensei, yet her mother with tears in her eyes told her that he died five years ago.
he felt sad not able to find the person responsible for his skills and wished his mother goodnight.
Some hours passed, the same dream began again, yet he was shown a sequence of events that led to the stormy night. He saw the same woman carrying a baby in her arms, singing a soft lullaby when a man came in the room. While embracing each other, five ninjas came down from the sealing. The man tried his best to defend them, yet Ethan screamed in anger trying his best to save them, but failed. one of the figures looked at him in the eyes and only uttered three words, "you— are next."
The dream made him gasp in fear, a thunderstorm broke. Trying to get off his bed, he felt oddly heavier and checked under his sheets finding the twins sleeping next to him and holding on to him. He could only smile.
After a short while, he was woken up by the twins jumping on his bed, greeting him in unison. He sighed in delight and immediately woke up. He trained for a few minutes as the twins just looked in excitement seeing their strong big brother workout until their mother came in to take the twins for school and told Ethan to get ready. as he standing up and wiping off his sweat, Katelin came running in, yet got a bit distracted by his foster brother's strong frame.
After a while his mom felt like it was too soon for him to go. Putting the broom aside, "Ethan? don't you think… it's too soon to go back to school?" she asked while he wore his bag "I'm still concerned about your… condition."
"Come on mom, the more I'm cooped in—the less I remember and besides…dad would want me to meet other people," he replied still tying his shoes.
The bus horn echoed from the outside. Ethan enthusiastically ran out with Katelin while Mary waved goodbye, yet she felt concerned about her son's wellbeing
While on the bus He recalled the fight with James, he could recall his movement, but his sight felt different. A fifteen-year-old boy who had lost his memory recently, he thought that maybe his insight at school could help him. A car horn took him out of his chain of thought and stopped for a few seconds and stared at the other students.
Still lost in space, he was suddenly bumped intentionally by a teen who seemed to be in the football club, but he was completely unaware of it as it didn't cross his mind and just shrugged it off, but was immediately grabbed on his collar and pushed back, and hitting his back.
"Hey Ethan!" he shouted, "don't you know how to pay respect to your seniors or do you want a reminder?" he continued, catching Ethan's attention with his eyes widen in surprise.
He replied out of curiosity "I'm sorry… but, are you someone I—" but he was suddenly cut short when a punch came flying towards him, but he quickly blocked and diverged it and more and more students surrounded him and his aggressor.
The fight went on with Ethan neither grazed, nor returning a single punch or kick until his aggressor collapsed from exhaustion. He looked rather surprised, "why would he attack all of a sudden?" he asked himself and simply walked away.
People looked at him with delight, but it was cut short when a female teacher arrived to see what was going on. The bullies trying to lie their way out of trouble, tried to pin the blame on Ethan, but to their surprise, the teacher recognised him and called his name with delight, but he was just dumb founded from the response he got for the unknown woman who gladly introduced herself as Mrs Joy Grande.
After the meet and greet, he walked across the silent hallway towards the principal's office. Entering the office, all the required procedures were carried out and done.
"Ethan?" he asked, "were willing to help with your condition," he continued.
"I'll try to manage…nothing to worry about sir" standing up walking towards the door.
"Ethan…just enjoy your time here, okay?" cracking his knuckles, leaning on his chair.
He gave him a reassuring smile as they both left the office yet while the door creaked shut, "I'm sorry Ethan, but it's best if you know the truth on your own."
The class was energetic, noise from different students but all was silent when the teacher entered. "Good morning class! today we have a familiar…face, but he lost his memory so make him feel welcomed."
"Did he lose it in the washing machine or something?" one of the students joked, silent giggles echoed.
Ethan's steps echoed; the breeze flew through the windows. "Hello…My names Ethan harper, its… nice to meet you." Silence filled the classroom in an instant.
With introductions out of the way, the teacher pointed to his seat near the window, yet the students just kept on whispering about him. The teacher's voice echoed, but Ethan felt as if this classroom was familiar throughout the day. In the middle of class, his mind was out of it but one of the students attempted to hit him with a spit ball when Ethan felt as if everything went slow and easily dodged it, leaving the student dumbfounded.
The school bell echoed across the hall signalling the end of class, yet he still couldn't recall anything but to what the principal told him.
"You lost your memories the day you were admitted," they echoed.
A couple of teen boys came towards him trying to pick a fight, yet Ethan knowing the extent of his capabilities he politely tried to walk away. One of them pulled his collar and he kept on taunting him into a fight.
Without response from him, an uppercut came flying from nowhere that struck the aggressor who in turn shouted out of pain and anger, "Who the hell did that!?" he shouted. A student with a well-built physique stood above him, "I did it— got a problem with that!?" he spoke confidently leaving him speechless and intimidated in fear knowing full well who he was speaking to. "This isn't over—'amnesia boy'."
Ethan felt a bit uneasy about a stranger saving him. he was able to find a more peaceful resolution, but his chain of thought snapped. he felt a strong strangle grabbing him tightly as his so-called saviour began to rub his head enthusiastically.
"Hey there my friend— it's been a while." looking dumfounded, "sorry…do I know you?"
"it's Jimmy—Jimmy Harrison? we met the first day of gym class? but on different sides?"
Ethan remained unconvinced, "mostly I bullied you… you beat me… we all laughed and had an understanding."
Jimmy pulled Ethan telling him there's one place that he's sure to remember himself, however, it was a gamble.
"Welcome to our playground Ethan!" looking confused he thought "why the school gym of all places," as if reading his mind, "it's the place where they first met." Jimmy took his fighting stance with great anticipation of fighting his friend again, but Ethan felt a bit more uneasy, yet a familiar feeling. as he too took his own stance, both fighters raced towards each other when both fists met each other.
The two combatants went on, it seemed from out of an action movie come to life, yet both were too distracted fighting each other, enjoying themselves. But such joy began to fade as every fist they exchanged began to bring back images of what would appear to be memories of an individual ran from pursuers hiding in the darkness, "run my boy! Please… keep livin— GHAAA!" a strong slash split his guardian's head; blood splashed on Ethan's face.
The shock he felt from it afterwards made him perform another technique which took Jimmy by surprise. He found himself on the ground and Ethan breathed heavily, looking at his hands in horror. Jimmy looked at Ethan and asked how he was feeling, "I–I'm… fine" he replied inhaling continuously. He extended his hand to Jimmy and thanked for his help, yet Jimmy pulled him down and put him in a strangle hold teasing him.
In the hallway, Jimmy began walking backwards, "bro, school is cool, you just need to go with the flow!", looking at him in confusion, "Go with the flow?" he replied, "I don't think I can do something like that, but thanks for the tip."
Walking through the hall, Jimmy then got out of Ethan's way when he accidentally bumped into a young blonde girl dressed in a slimming short pink t-shirt and light blue jeans with white sneakers.
Feeling guilty, he stood up quickly and apologised and extended his hand, but to his surprise she was even more annoyed. Ethan felt a bit awkward, he again apologized to her but she only left with an annoyed look in her face. The fight between Jimmy and Ethan reached social media with plenty of viewers mostly interested by the young Ethan.
Such actions reached all people who saw them, but somewhere in a hidden hall a ninja kneeled before a council of people wearing black and red robes, a figure hidden behind a bamboo curtain spoke in an intimidating tone, "why—did you fail?"
With a trembling voice, he tried to defend himself as the individual slowly walked from the shadows while the ninja pleaded for mercy, but his voice was instantly cut short when a ninjatō slashed off his head with blood splashing on the wall. In rage the figure shouted to the council.
"Allow me to go kill him father," he spoke, "I shall not fail you." After his declaration he was warned about the consequences of his failure.
The bell rang as all ran towards the cafeteria, yet Ethan felt a shift in the air like something was keeping an eye on him. His gaze shifted to the window, a small breeze flew in taking the sight of the other students' laughter and joy.
The day went on as usual yet while walking through the hall way, he passed one of the students. She whispered enough to catch Ethan's attention, "beware of the wolf hunters."
Immediately stunned he turned around and saw no one. A shocking jolt raced through his head, images of a masked man came before him shouting, "RUN YOUNG ONE—YOUR LIFE IS MORE IMPORTANT! RU— GHAAAAA!" the sudden rush in his mind sent a sharp pain in his head, screaming in agonising pain. Students were caught in shock and jimmy ran towards him with utmost concern, yet he passed out.
Slowly opening his eyes, he felt a blur as he adjusted his sight finding jimmy and Elizabeth sitting in waiting. Attempting to make sense of the matter, a sudden pain flew in his head again. His friends comforted and telling him to remain calm as Elizabeth leaned closer. A while later as Ethan was heading back home, jimmy insisted to go with him but with no avail. He waked away leaving both jimmy and Elizabeth looking more concerned than before.
The memories came back to him, yet he had no answers as he took a shortcut through an alley way, but he stopped and looked around as something seemed off as the trashcan shook as he remained on guard, but assumingly, it was simply an alley cat leaping out.
Breathing in relief he turned towards the other way when out of nowhere a kick came flying towards him, but he quickly dodged it. Walking from the shadows he saw the figure, "great— a ninja" he annoyingly remarked. The assault kept on coming, all aimed for his vital areas, but he was able to block and misdirect some of them and instantly catching the aggressor and throwing him towards the opposite side.
Landing on its feet, the figure dressed in some kind of dark stealth suit with red tinted eyes in its mask, drawing its sword from its back ready to strike. but, all Ethan with an annoyed expression thought "why it had to be a ninja of all things."
Ethan's heart raced, he attempted to slowly assess the situation while sword slashes flew in each side. He managed to defend himself against the surprise attacks, yet he felt too overwhelmed as if a storm filled the air with him barely keeping up. With a sudden realization, Ethan's annoyance transformed into curiosity.
He wondered if this encounter was a result of some sort of misunderstanding, or if there was a purpose behind it. He glared at the ninja, deciding to approach the situation with caution. keeping his guard up, but remaining open to communication.
"Who are you?" he asked, "and why are you attacking me?"
The ninja remained silent; its face still concealed and its crimson eyes menacing as it disappeared in the shadows. He lowered his stance, ready to engage in combat once again.
Ethan sensed that there might be more to this encounter than a simple fight. "I don't want any trouble," Ethan continued, taking a step back to create some distance.
"If you have a message or if there's something you want from me, let's talk instead of resorting to violence."
The ninja hesitated for a moment, seemingly considering Ethan's words. Slowly sheathing its sword.
"You're not what I expected," the ninja finally spoke, its voice deep and somewhat intimidating,
"You have the spirit of a warrior within you, yet you lack the knowledge of our ways."
The words the assassin spoke piqued his curiosity, yet he remained vigilant and focused on defending himself.
The ninja began to strike, its sword flew with precise fluidity and unpredictability as some slashes made contact, but when he was about to give the final strike, Ethan caught the sword in reflex, his eyes glared with the silver glow, snapping it in two and instantly kicking the assassin hardly cracking his left rib cage. In pain he grabbed a small palate and threw it down as black smoke covered the place as the assassin disappeared in the shadows of the alley.
Ethan broke his stance as the pain came rushing in as he collapsed in the alley way with the rain slowly falling down. Ethan's blood flowed from his cuts; his vision slowly fading as shadowy figure appeared before him as he slowly lost consciousness. Ethan found himself inside a nursery; a woman smiling came running as he called out for him before a sword thrusted through her chest and blood splashed on his face.
A figure in a Japanese Oni mask stood before him as a shocked Ethan held the dying woman in his arms. The figure walked closer and closer when another figure in a dark ninja suit with a wolf muzzle beheaded the assailant, its head rolled to the other side of the room.
Ethan thanked the hero, yet to his shock his hero's sword was plunged through Ethan's stomach, his blood flowed down filling the white floor in crimson red. his masked saviour removed his mask revealing his face with a scar on his left eye.
In his weaken state the unknown hero glared at him like a wolf on the hunt, "remember your heritage boy," trying not to fall unconscious his protector smiled as Ethan slowly losing consciousness.