16. Memory puzzle

"Mom. I want to give him some seeds as well. Shall we go and gather some outside?" It was a beautiful day and Anne just wanted to bring more things to John anyway.

She could feel his passion for plants when she brought potted tomato and pepper plants.

He was so happy that his golden eyes shone in happiness. Anne was amazed by the honey colour of his eyes.

Fabius Maximus stared at her happy expression as she planned to bring this and that to John. He pouted. "John... John... John... Tsk."

Jenny stood behind him and snickered. "Jealous?"

He snorted. "Me? Tsk. Why would I? Am I that desperate? There are enough women that want me." He glanced at Anne but almost flipped as he saw her complete lack of interest. It seems she didn't even hear him.

Fine. If she is not interested then... but kicked the new idea out of his head. To make her jealous with Scarlet. Nah. Better go and sharpen his sword. If they are going out, he can as well use his frustration to kill some zombies.

Sitting in his room he remembered his enemies and his eyes became cold. He was been with these two women for so long, that he almost forgot his original intentions.

He was angry now and planned to take that anger out on any monster on their way. He could see a few secret signs around the city and knew there must be some vampires nearby.

When he was about to put his old armour on, the door opened and Anne came in.

She stopped at the door and with a calm expression saw his well-proportioned body. They live in a century where bare man bodies could be seen everywhere. So she just calmly stared at him.

He smiled brightly and started posing, showing off the muscles. "Peacock..."

Anne said those words completely calm and entered the room without even changing the colour on her face.

With a flabbergasted expression, he saw her slowly walking towards him and pointing at the old armour. "I asked John to buy some good armour for you for gold. You deserve better than that old thing."

At first, he wanted to snap at her as she mentioned John. But her second sentence made him feel like she said that in care.

"So, you want me to wear better armour so I could protect myself." He just wanted to make sure that he didn't misinterpret her words.

"Of course. You are now an important part of our family. We want you safe and sound. No. I want you to be safe. Sometimes I really think you are the dumbest man ever." Actually she heard his words and ignored him as she felt angry.

But thinking about his clumsy ways to approach her she had to sigh. It seems she must explain to him a few things.

"I indeed like John." She saw his face stiffen and rolled her eyes. "You idiot. Let me finish."

"John again." He mumbled and Anne heard him.

"I understand why you have an aversion against him, but he is not a bad person. Just different than others." Anne sat on the bed and he sat next to her and listened quietly.

"I went back and spoke a bit with him. Fabius, you accepted me as well, even tho I'm not normal. Please, do me a favour, accept John as well. He is my friend." With those words, she already put the walls between John and herself.

His heart became easier and he smiled at her. "Don't worry I'm not that bad. I just felt uncomfortable seeing you two together. I have nothing against him personally. Actually, I do. Just a tiny bit..."

After all, it is personal if it is happening around Anne. After many millennia of his loneliness, she was finally his own ray of sunshine. Taking him out of the darkness and a dulled feeling.

To make this work he stayed by her side. Maybe he should tell her now? It's the best moment. He looked straight into her green pink eyes and inhaled.

"Anne. I must tell you something..." But suddenly saw Jenny rushing in with a dark expression.

"Fabius Maximus. How many of those wild women did you tell our address?'' She was furious as there was another of his 'fans' standing on the door.

He blanked. What is she talking about? He hated people almost just as much as he hated vampires. So her words were a real question for him. " Woman? I truly have no idea what you are talking about. "

With a puzzled expression, he went to the door, followed by Jenny and Anne. But when he opened the door a beautiful woman could be seen, staring at him with a bright smile.

"Fabius, I finally found you. I missed you so much." The woman was about to rush towards him when she saw his expression. "Don't tell me those people didn't cure your memory loss."

His face became dark as he stared at her in anger. ''Who are you and what connection do you have with those people?!"

The woman's shoulders dropped and she started crying. "This is truly unfair. I did all I could to be on your side and you don't remember me. My struggle makes absolutely no sense if you don't remember me. Ridiculous, this is truly ridiculous." She covered her face and sobs could be heard coming from her.

He watched her intently as suddenly his head started hurting. It was hurting so much that he became dizzy, but someone helped him not to fall. After a few moments, the pain became a bit lighter and he felt strange. Pictures of a beautiful woman in a white dress staring at him in happiness came to his mind, rushed towards his whole being.

"Miriam?" The memories were broken like puzzles. But indeed, he did remember her.

A bright smile appeared on her face and she was about to rush towards him, as suddenly a cold voice stopped her. "Stop right there!"