Chapter 2: A Little Brotherly Love

No more than five minutes passed when Taylor heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," he said. He was taken back by the strange sound of his voice. It was a very confusing idea to him. The voice belonged to him, he knew. That was quite obvious, but the part that startled him the most was that it was like a stranger's voice to his ears. Now that he thought about it, however, any voice would sound like a stranger's, because he couldn't remember what he or anyone else sounded like in the first place.

The door opened and Isaac walked over to Taylor's bed. He sat down, resting on the soft, comforting mattress and looked at Taylor with such loving eyes, comforting eyes that only an older brother could give.

"Hey...Ike." Taylor said staring at who he was told was his brother. He strained to remember some small fact, anything at all, about the eighteen year old sitting by him. Disappointment struck him when he could remember nothing.

"How is my little brother doing?" asked Ike.

"Well, not bad I guess, although my neck is still a bit sore," Tay said as his hand massaged his neck carefully.

"I'm glad to hear you're better. You were in rough shape after the car accident. The doctor said you were so close to damaging your nerves, and that you just escaped paralysis. You don't know how lucky you are." Ike explained.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right, a little neck strain and temporary memory loss is nothing compared to never moving again," Taylor agreed.

"Yeah..." Ike said at a loss for words.

The two sat in awkward silence, not really knowing what to say to each other. What would someone who had been through an accident that caused amnesia have to say to a brother who he has known his whole sixteen years but can't remember a single thing about him? And what an older brother talk about to his younger brother who would have no recollection of any memories he brought up?

"Hey, Tay, I know you don't remember me and I'm just some kid that shares a room with you and another kid right now, but I just want to tell you that I'm here for you, and Zac is too. We are going to help you get through this. You will have your memory back in no time at all." Ike said, breaking the silence.

"Thanks, man. I sure hope you're right. You have no idea how frustrating it is to be in this body, and have no idea who I am." Taylor said with frustrated, watery eyes.

"I know. It must be difficult, I can't even imagine how it must be. If I could, I would trade places with you." Ike said comfortingly.

"No, you wouldn't. Believe me, you wouldn't want to be in this position for all the money in the world," Tay said truthfully with harshness entering his voice.

Ike didn't know what to say. He knew his brother was right and regretted what he had said immediately.

Tay could sense this. "Hey Ike...don't worry about it. I know you didn't mean any harm, I really do appreciate all you're doing for me." A rumbling noise came from Tay's stomach as he realized he was starving. "What time is it, anyway?"

Ike glanced down at his watch. "It's almost 1:30. You've been sleeping all morning -- and afternoon," he joked.

Taylor was about to say something to Ike about his dream, but he was distracted from his thoughts as he heard stomping and clattering approaching the closed door.

"Well, here's Zac now!" Ike said as they listened to the ear-deafening noises.

Bang. Crash. Thump. Smack. "Ouch!!!"

Taylor had to laugh at the mixture of sound effects.

"MMp mys, mmfmen fma fmoor bfmz!"

Isaac and Taylor just shook their heads as Ike got up to let Zac in.

[Chapter 3]
[I'm No Stranger To Your Dreams]
[Home]