My knocked out friend (Private to Brook)

"Cousin, friend," I list, "neighbor, stranger from across the street. I bet she'll remember me, if we go find her. That is, if she didn't, like, have her mind erased of memories of me, like what happened to me."

"Apparently," I say, "I can barely remember my family, where I grew up. I can't remember Hunter. I just wonder who would do that.... I can't even remember my last name anymore."

I think.

"Maybe a god? But what god would do that....." I say.

I hesitate.

"I don't remember," I say, "I suppose it's possible."

"I told you, I can't remember anything," I say, "Do you think it was my father, Hephaestus? I haven't heard from him since I arrived at camp. The only thing I remember is him, though."

"Well," I say, "I've never truly met him. I mean, he's spoken to me, but I have no idea what he looks like. He doesn't sound aggressive or mean when he talks to me. Maybe he wiped my memory for my own good, if he did at all."

"Definitely," I reply.

I close my eyes and pray silently.

"Dad, was it you? Did you clear my memory?" Nothing happens. "Hello? Are you.... there?" Nothing. "Hephaestus?" I give up. Nothing's happening.

"We should get some rest," I tell Calyx.

I bury myself in the warm blankets and quickly fall asleep.

My dream is black and white, like an old movie. I see two large eyes staring at me. They slowly back away so I can see the full figure. He's quite an ugly man, I must say. Shaggy, greasy hair, a large, round nose, and a big belly.

"Is this thing on? Areana, can you hear me?" he asks. His voice is a lot nicer than the appearance shows, but it seems familiar...

I don't answer him.

"Blasted old device!" he mumbles he walks closer with a screwdriver and out of view. A few seconds later, he reappears. "Better?"

"Who are--" I begin.

He chuckles. "You mean you don't recognize your own father?"

"Hephaestus?" I ask.

"'Course," he says, "Well, not like I expect you to remember anything."

"You... you erased my memory. It was you, wasn't it?"

He fiddles with the screwdriver in his hand.

"Listen," he whispers, "I was expecting you to get mad. I wouldn't imagine it any other way. Yes, it was me."

"You!" I scream.

He chuckles.

"Who is Hunter, and what've you done with her?" I say, trying to calm down a bit.

"I gotta go. Figure it out," he says and walks closer until I only see darkness.

I wake up and sit up in my bed. I think that was the best dream I've had in weeks.

Reply......

rEpLy.............