Zach

***

I can feel my sister’s daggers across the dinner table. I always can. I’m not really sure why she’s always angry but I have a feeling this boiling rage is directed towards me.

We were so close as children. Back when we were both homeschooled, we hung out all the time. Being so close in age made us inseparable.

I believe it was around her twelfth birthday that the daggers began. It was also the same year okasaan and daìdi enrolled us in public school.

“Alright, Willes, listen up.” bellows daìdi. His face probably has about two tons worth of freckles, his hair a red so bright, I swear it glows in the dark. He’s built like a lumberjack and okasaan is the tree; tall, thin, and boring. And, according to God’s logic, I’m built like okasaan while Sami is built like daìdi. The only thing they all share is startling eyes darker than pitch. Meanwhile, my eyes are a bright blue that makes me stand out in every family picture. After he’s sure he’s got everyone’s attention- which isn’t hard for him, even in a stadium of over a thousand- he continues, “I am going to share some very important news. Very-” he looks to okasaan- “wonderful news.” He pauses for dramatic effect. I love him dearly but he’s so dramatic, you’d swear he was queer. No one questions him for fear of his ax-like voice. I lean forward in anticipation, rice rolls forgotten. Finally, he smiles and says, “There is going to be a new addition to the family!”

……………...what?

“What?!” cries Sami. She turns to okasaan. “How can you have a baby at this age?!”

“Samitha!” okasaan is appalled by this rude outburst. Funny, her culture respects the old so much. Guess okasaan is too watered down.

“I can’t be the only one who thinks this is a ridiculous idea, right? Right?!”

“Stop over-reacting.” I mutter in shock. Then..shit.

Sami’s rage is now on me yet again. I can’t escape now. I fidget in my seat.

And then, the most life-saving thing happens. Her cell phone rings.

As she excuses herself from the table, I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.

***

I never had many friends. I’m not sure why. I mean, okasaan says it’s just because I’ve been homeschooled and-

“...take his memory.”

I pause and turn curiously towards Sami’s closed bedroom door. Are they talking about Witches High? Maybe they’re talking about the new season.

I don’t like to listen to my sister’s conversation with her company but…

I press my ear to the door.

“And now,” says a muffled voice I recognize as Libba, Sami’s friend, “your mother is going to bring another kid into the world.”

“Another responsibility for me,” sighs Sami. “Another Zachamo.”

What?! I can take care of myself! When have I ever had to rely on my younger sister? Never, that’s when.

“What is the possibility this child will be born a weak human?” asks Cassedie, twin of my friend Martin. My...only friend.

Wait...human? Are they doing some weird super-natural role play?

“Ninety eight percent!” Sami’s voice then goes so soft, I have to strain to hear it, “And, there’s a chance it could suck the small amount of power Zachamo has. If this baby is a boy, it could kill Zachamo.”

“Your mother hasn’t told him about what you two are?” gasps Libba.

“No. And, every time he runs into a wizard or a vampire or a freaking pixie, I have to erase the memory. Do you know how many of these memories are jammed into my brain?!”

“How can your mom do this to you? To you both?”

I, already in utter and complete surprise, dread what comes next.

“She’s a rotten human lover.” Sami says scornfully. “That’s why.”

I back away from the door. Ridiculous. Utter nonsense.

But..that would explain the anger. That would explain the holes in my memory. Even something as simple as walking home today is an unwhole memory.