Aquata Cove Ch. 82

Donna gasps and sobs into her handkerchief, shaking her head.

"Honey, you know I've always been a take-chances kind of guy. Those are good odds." He said softly. She refuses to speak, but to nod with a whimper, "It's getting late... How about we say bye to Adam, and head back home?"

"O-Ok... I-I-I-I I still want to co-ome and see him tomorrow..."

"Ok, honey... I'll meet you at the ward when I get off work."

Luther picks up the box of pictures and mementos, and walked his wife back into the building, with his other arm around her shoulders. They walk down the hall, to see the younger couple from before.

"Oh, hello," Syrinx said, "Um... You are Adam's parents, right?" Donna sniffles as she nods. "My name's Syrinx, and this is Kevin. I don't think we've ever been introduced."

"Thank you for visiting Adam." Luther said, "I... I can't tell you how much it means to know how many people care about him."

Donna glances to the side, and sees Adam playing with short toy rods with tiny magnets in them, attaching small metal balls to them, and building with them.

"Did you uh," She takes a moment to wipe her eyes, "Did you bring those things in?" Donna asked.

"Yeah, it's something my Uncle came up with years ago -- he's a psychiatrist who specializes in recovering patients with brain damage. He had a theory that by giving a patient a puzzle or building toys to work with everyday on a routine, the repetition would imprint into the mind, and have them retain some sort of basis of processing memory. Or something."

"I-I see..." Donna cries with a weak smile as she nods, "That, that actually does sound helpful, thank you."

"I wish we can help more." Kevin said.

"It's fine, we really appreciate you two coming all the way here to visit our son. I understand the two of you live far away from here? Merrick and Adam has spoke about you on occasion." Luther said.

"Yes, me and Merrick both go to the Kenovani." Syrinx digressed, "We keep in touch, and we usually take the train to stop by here."

"I see, alright." Luther nodded, "We won't keep you then, thank you again, so much."

"No problem," They shook hands, and left the building. Donna and Luther then turn to the door, and walk in on Adam, having already made a few simple structures with the magnet link toys.

"Hi baby..." Donna whined, her eyes brimming all over again.

"H-Hi," Adam greeted back, "You're... My Mom, right? And Dad?"

"That's right," Donna sniffled as she tries to compose herself.

"We just wanted to say goodnight before we head out."

"Ok," Adam smiles as the woman came first to hug him. He hugs back, still feeling little kinship with these two people, but still sensing the slightest bit of familiarity as they both hold him for several seconds each. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Yes..." Luther smiled as his eyes glistened a little, "We come in everyday for you, son..."

~~~

"Ohoooo~ooo ~You gonna top this~" The audio sings a frisky male voice as the neon lights shone around the dark-lit club, "~Ohoooo~ooo ~You better hit this~ Ohoooo~ooo~" A couple of muscular, near-naked men twirl along the poles, one wearing a golden thong and a silver harness, and the other one sporting a silver jockstrap with a golden harness, "~Coz I'm a hot trip~"

"~We got on Grindr to find ourselves a hung top~" Pablo Hernandez's voice sings his parody song, "~I bought an enema and then I flipped the top off ~The waters pumping and someone's gonna top us~" The two dancers stylize their movements, "~We're going home with someone who can pound us~"

"~I just wanna get done tonight~" The hot men swerve their hips and pump their arms about, "~Get a piece of my ass tonight~"

"~Ooooh ooooh ooooh ~I really wanna get laid tonight~ (GO PABLO!)"

"What, so like," Sasha said at the bar next to Jamal, "He can't remember anything? Like he has that thing from 50 First Dates?"

"When Drew Barrymore had one-day amnesia thing?" Jamal answered, "I asked Yuri if that was it, but she said it was a made-up from the movie."

"Still, it's the same thing, yeah? It's not like Finding Nemo where that blue fish forgets things every 5 seconds."

"It ain't like that neither. Not sure how often he's forgettin things. Gotta say, this really gets me down."

"You think YO sad?" Sasha asked, "Merrick's been a total zombie at work. Poor guy can't even think straight -- which isn't saying much for a gay bloke, but still."

"Makes me wonder if the wedding's off." Jamal mentioned before drinking his bourbon cocktail, "Merrick hasn't said anything bout canceling it."

"If mermaids don't have weddings, he probably just thinks it's not happening altogether."

"Eh, I think it's a little soon to fuck it. Even if Adam forgets every thing, chances he and Merrick will get back together in a couple a months or so. Heck, maybe Merrick'll propose to Adam at some point."

"That would be so sweet." She smiled, "... Hopefully he can get better by then... How about his Mum and Dad? How ah they coping?"

"Luther's tryin to show Adam a bunch of old stuff to try and remind him, and Donna... Well, she ain't doin so good. Her boy is lookin right at her, and askin who the hell she is. That's gotta kill something inside..." Jamal said sadly, "Happened a couple a times with MY Ma for a while..."

"Oh? What hap-"

"I'm not talkin about it." Jamal said.

"Ok, alright," Sasha drinks her own sugary cocktail as the various male strippers prance and whirl around.

"Hey Sash, can't we go to a lady bar or somthin?" Jamal said, "I've had a lot of man action fo a while. I need some pussy game or I'm gonna be cumming rainbows and glitter or sumthin."

"PPFFFF!" Sasha spits up her drink as she snickers harshly. She takes several deep breaths as she turns to him, "Cumming?? Rainbows, and glitter?! Where the bloody hell did THAT come from??"

"I dunno, I just need a bitch or two. And Nick can use some new meat too."

"What, you two breakin up?"

"Naw! Course not." Jamal said, "He just needs to heal his ass, and I just wanna get some breasts on my dick for once."

"Gay sex is awesome though." Sasha dismissed. "I love this place, I just wish I can get the fags here to bend me over each other."

"... Dayum, you a bigger slut than I am." Jamal said. "Seriously, can't we go to Hooters or the Bird Cage or somethin?"

"The lesbian bar?" Sasha asked, "Why, they're not going to do me any favors. Let me know when they turn into guys, then we'll talk."

"I'm sure there's a couple a trans here and there."

"Not what I meant." Sasha says while ogling some black cowboys grooving his thighs and package against a pole.

~~~

Yuri and Merrick walk along the hall, to where Adam's room is, Merrick finally having calmed himself down. Yuri's insides churn with anxiety and sorrow as she senses him behind her. After Merrick made himself stop, his face just... Lost its expression again... His eyes have been dulled and lost their light again, just like for the past week or so.

"...Ok," Yuri said as she pushes the medicine cart next to the door, "I need to give Adam his pain killer and his vaccines, and that's going to knock him out in a few minutes... Do you sill want to see him?"

"Yes, Yuri..." Merrick nodded, barely able to whisper. His throat is so sore, as is his eyes. His whole body feels as heavy as it did when he first saw him in the operating room, as is the dark agonizing pounding in his chest through this whole ordeal.

"Alright, just wait here..." Yuri said before going in. Merrick watches her with exhausted eyes. He sees Adam there, in that bed, smiling at Yuri and talking to her. His heart quivers as she prepares a sharp needle to go into Adam's arm. How and why do humans need to be invasive with sharp and obscene objects?

Merrick huffs with emotion as Yuri finishes injecting the medicine, before having Adam take some pills as well.

~~~

"I... I think I met someone, di-didn't I?" Adam asked, "I... I can't seem to remember, Dr..."

"Yes. You've met your parents, and two of your good friends." She answered.

"Oh..." Adam looks down at the magnet toys on his lap. He could swear he had something to do with these things a while ago...

"It's a good sign you have some inkling of meeting someone." Yuri smiled, gently tapping her knuckles on Adam's bandaged head, "Means you're getting better."

"Reehh-" Adam gives a slow yawn, before quirking his head, "Really..."

"You're really sensitive to the medication..." Yuri noted, "If you can hold on a bit longer, you've got one more visitor who wants to see you."

"Mmm... Ok..." Adam sighed, feeling drowsy a little quickly.

"Alright..."

Adam closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, relaxing smoothly before peering his eyes open, seeing a rather sullen looking blonde man walk in, very handsome to boot. Adam's vision gets a little blurry as he yawns again, before he can tell the new comer has taken a seat next to him.

"H... Hi, Adam..." The young man muttered.

"Hey..." He greeted back. Adam's tired eyes catch a glimpse of those blue eyes... For some odd reason, Adam's mouth can't help but smile, while also feeling a foreign warm prickling sensation across his face, "Hi..." He chuckles very lightly as a rush of endorphins flickers inside him.

Merrick quivers with emotion again as Adam looks at him, smiling at him, having no clue as to who he can possibly be. Merrick sniffled as he reaches and holds Adam's hand, wiping his eyes as he seems to grow more forlorn from being here.

"Did I..." Adam glanced down at their hands, hold each other, before looking back up at those translucent eyes, "Did I... Do something to you...?"

An awkward question for a first meeting like this... But this stranger seems to be upset.

"Nnno..." Merrick shook his head, "I'm just..." Merrick's eyes flood as he finds a weak, wry smile on his own face, "I just can't believe you're here again... I-I... I know that doesn't make sense..."

Adam starts to frown as he looks at this poor fellow. The more they look at each other, the sadder he seems to be. Adam can't seem to find the right way to put his feeling... He's sure he's never seen this sunshine-haired man before, but the way he's crying... Adam feels as though he wants to take some sort of action to somehow put an end to whatever is making this kind, sorrowful man suffer.

"I'm sorry, I... I don't really know anyone here..." Adam said, growing more sleepy as the seconds pass by. "Is there... Something I can do... You're... You're crying..."

"... My heart is fractured." Merrick said, "I'm not sure if you can do much for me now... I've been trying to keep together, but I keep falling apart... I'm so sick of the hurt and being weak..."

"I... I can try though." Adam said, "I wanna..." He yawns again. Merrick watches their hands rub and tighten softly together. "Awwhhh... Sorry..."

"Adam...?"

"Hm?" Adam turns to face Merrick, looking at him through semi-dazed eyes.

"... Please, Adam..." Merrick pleaded as he puts his other hand onto Adam's hand, "Do you remember me... At all..."

"I..." Adam forces his eyes to keep peering under his lids, just inches away from sleep, "I dunno..." He breathed.

Merrick sniffed and rubbed his eyes, "I see..." He then moves his legs, and stands up.

"No..." Adam's hand tightens around Merrick's. "Don't go..."

"What?"

"I can't... Remember things..." Adam said, barely conscious, "Buh I..." He groans, "I don' wanna be alon righ noh..." Merrick's lower lip tenses as more tears pushed through his eyes, "I doh... Wa't you tah go..."

"O-Ok..." Merrick whined as he sits back down, sniffling and rubbing Adam's arm. His chest still feels like a box of crippling glass, breaking shard by shard... This request only prolonging his suffering... Yet at the same time, giving him some glimpse of what hope and light is supposed to feel like.

"I sorry..." Adam mumbled as his eyes stay closed.

"Errff... Mnnh..." Merrick cried incoherently.

"I'm making you cry... I'm sorrh... I'm sor..." Adam breathes calmly, before letting himself fall into slumber.

Merrick slowly leans forward, his eyes heavy and sore, pushing his elbows onto his legs, sniffling and rubbing his eyes.

"... When can it all stop..." He mumbled.

()()()

A stranger falls headfirst through the endless space. His form whirls around a curve once or twice, bits and pieces of his being falling from himself as he goes, until his momentum slows down, and his body turns over so his feet now faces down, before meeting a solid surface.

The stranger walks into the black and grey abyss. His eyes scan over the vast emptiness around him, looking to his left, and looking around to the right, noting the only clue he has of a kin to a floor, are cards. All of them arranged in perfect alignment.

Playing cards with tribal frames and designs on them. The cards are scattered all across the universe, they're endless, an infinity of cards, all lying face down, all of them with the same patterned across their backs.

The man bends over, and picks up one of the countless cards, and turns it over. His eyes sees the counterside as a window-like surface, glass-like, and immediately flashing with an image of a waterfall, and a glimpse of a swarm of orange and black butterflies.

The card vibrates in his fingers, before it flies from his hand! Once airborne high, the card disintegrates into diamond dust, disappearing entirely.

The man looks sad onto the card, before looking down, and stooping down to pick up two of them this time, one in each hand.

One card depicts that of a hilarious moment of watching a ridiculous show with an young, Asian woman, and the other card shows him a man with dark brown skin wrestling a white, shirtless man to the floor for what seems to be a discarded pizza box.

Both cards ring out before shooting from his grasp, and turning into glittering vapor. The figure looks sadly onto the nothingness that remained of the cards he touched. He didn't get to look at them long enough, they seemed to be fun to watch, but they are so very fleeting... It's not very fair, is it?

The stranger looks down. Some of the cards flash glimpses here and there, even with all of them face down. One glance shows of an adult man taking a child out to learn how to fish in a big, lush forest, while another depicts a woman taking him to a large school with other young adults. On another slip of light from a card is of both adults taking the boy to a musical about a red-haired mermaid.

The passing lights flicker here and there all around the stranger as he stands there, turning about, seeing memories in a flash, before they're forgotten. All he can reckon is the regret of not taking the chance to pick up the cards to see what they have to show him, even with the knowledge that they will just leave him as soon as he sees their image.

The stranger turns again, and then looks out, seeing someone else with him. A man with white skin, a subtle tan about him from good access to sunlight. The man has short hair, as well as a fuzzy chest and a layer of hair on his stomach, abs covered with a thin layer of fat. A thin layer facial hair covers his jaw as his eyes look into the stranger's eyes. This man has absolutely no hue of color, whatsoever.

"... Who are you?" The stranger asks. The man doesn't answer. His face is almost blank, with only a hint of sadness in his expression as he looks at him, "Who are you?" The stranger asks again.

"..." The man glances down at the cards.

"Who are you?"

"..." The man looks back up at the stranger, "I am something that is supposed to exist." He answered.

"But who are you?" The stranger asked again.

"... That is what you'd like to know."

"I know. Who are you?"

"Who are YOU?"

The stranger hesitates, before glancing around at the cards again, "I... I need to know who you are..." The stranger said, "How am I supposed to know anything when I don't know who you are?"

"..." The man glances down. Aside from the cards being placed everywhere, the only other spot without them is in a circle from around the man's feet. "I am nothing." He finally said, "I am something that was supposed to have meaning. But you lost me a long time ago."

"What did I do?"

"Nothing." The man answered.

The rushing sounds of breaths could be heard from behind the stranger. He turned around, and sees an ethereal presence. Suspended horizontally is a smoky image of an upper half of a humanoid, with the lower half of what appears to be a fish tail. White and grey smoke wisp and cloud around it as it lifts softly in the air, before descending about an inch or so, before moving down again.

"And who are you?" The stranger asked the ambiguous being. No answer comes from the mist-like creature.

"That was something you were supposed to go." The man said, "It's supposed to be here... Always supposed to be here... No where to go..."

The stranger looks down on the cards, having heard a few flips. Some of the cards have turned themselves over, flashing vague images again and again.

"What are these things..." The stranger asked again.

"They are nothing..." The man said, holding his head, "They hold nothing... They show nothing... They mean nothing..."

"But they... They are doing something..."

"Nothing... There is nothing..." The man said, grunting in pain as he holds his head.

"But there's something here. If you can just-"

"NOTHING!!" The man suddenly shouted, his head driving him mad with agony, "THERE IS NOTHING! THERE IS NOTHING!!"

The stranger looks in fear, seeing the man start to writhe where he stood.

"What is happening to you? Who are you?"

"THERE IS NOTHING! THERE SHOULD BE NOTHING!" The man started to shift and change. His dark hair turns a grey-blonde. His tan turned fair as his muscles blur smaller, and his body hair dissolved. His voice even started to change.

"Who ARE you?!" The stranger asked. The man seethed with hurtful energy, groaning loudly as he repeats himself.

"I... Am... Nothing..." The changed man said, looking up with eyes full of rage and pain, his appearance completely changed into someone else, "I am nothing... YOU are nothing... There is nothing in this world..."

"Is there really such a thing as nothing?" The stranger asked. Just then, the stranger began to hear subtle, clinking glass. The cards seem to be breaking apart, turning into shards as they lose their light, and break away, like dried leaves flying up in nonexistent wind.

"The world is nothing." The man said, "Anyone is nothing. There should only be nothing. Nothing does not hurt. Nothing does not love. Nothing is the only reliable answer."

"But there has to be something..." The stranger sadly protested as he looked down. He gasped as he sees the man from before! The tanned man with a hairy body and manly features, standing where the stranger's shadow is supposed to be.

The stranger whips around, looking at the fog-like merman. The merman of smoke swims away, his vapor slowly disappearing as it tries to make a circle around them, quickly extinguishing itself as it goes.

The stranger bows his head back down to his human shadow. The image of him stays blank and emotionless, before a jagged web of black lines broke out from the middle, with a sound of a hard piece of glass hitting hard. More cracks appear on the man's previous image as the stranger walks backward, confused and terrified, the man's image still following him as it continued to break.

The stranger looks back up in desperation back at the new man, yelping in fear as the man who preaches nothingness is now himself turning into rolling smoke. His eyes of apathy glaring at him as his features dissolve, his legs melding together into a single tail before turning into a humanoid cloud over again, and floating into the air.