The next morning Marissa woke up and headed downstairs for breakfast.

Dean was sitting on the is island eating cereal and working on his computer. “Morning Mar!” He said as he continued to work.

Marissa grabbed a bowl from the cabinet and filled it with Lucky Charms. “Morning.” She said rubbing her eyes.

“I was thinking of going to the library later, cool?” She asked trying not to make it sound like a big deal.

Dean looked up from his computer and gave his little sister a raised eyebrow and suspicious look. “The library?” He asked in between bites of his cereal.

“Yep.” She said sliding into the stool next to him. Dean went back to his computer, ignoring the question. “Dean!”

“I'm thinking.” He said turning back to her. “And the answer is no.”

Marissa rolled her eyes. “It's the library!” She protested in a pissy voice.

“Library is just code for meeting up with Zak.” Dean said clearly not bugging.

“Deeeean pleeeease!” Their are some books I need to check out for a school project, that's it. I promise.” Marissa gave Dean her best puppy dog eyes that always works on Dean.

He tries to keep a stern face but Dean was a sucker for his little sister's puppy dog eyes. “Fine. He said finally cracking.”

Marissa jumped out of her seat and rapped her arms around her brother's neck. “Thanks!” She said racing up the stairs to get changed.

“Be back before 12:00.” He called up while putting her bowl in the sink.

Marissa was starting to fall asleep as she read a book about adams and the scientific theory. This is so boring they should read it to kids to make them fall asleep. She thought

Marissa needed to clear her head so she left the library and went for a walk. Marissa was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even realize that she ended up outside of Zak’s house.

The last time she was here things got pretty ugly. Despite all that Marissa was ready to put it all aside and hear what Zak had to say.

She creeped to the door but pause for a long moment before knocking. After a deep breath she got up the courage to place her fist on the door just hard enough to make a quiet sound. She repeat this five times, increasing the sound of the knocks after each one. She waited a few seconds but then she spun around and started to walk away. Though she didn't get far until she heard the door open.

She slowly turned around and saw Zak standing in the doorway. “Hi” he said smiling with his hands in his pockets.

Marissa tucked her hair behind her ear then met Zak's gaze and said “Hi”

“Hi”

“Hi”

Zak chuckled knowing his could go on for awhile. “Want to come in?” He said “I promise no one will chase you out through a window.”

Marissa blushed as she twittled with her fingers. “I'm really sorry about that.” she said too embarrassed to look in the eyes.

“Well that makes two of us.” Zak said as he walked towards her. “Please come inside, I'll explain everything.”Marissa smiled and followed Zak into his house.

They went up to Zak’s bedroom and Zak told her everything. Everything from the woods to losing his memory to the strange dark shadow man.

It was strange to say it all out loud. He was sure she would think he was crazy.

Despite what Zak thought Marissa believed every word. They spent hours trying to piece everything together, but they didn't get very far, though they were not giving up anytime soon.

“What if the shadow man was Filippo? What if he drugged you?” Marissa suggest.

Zak didn't even think about before he said “No it wasn't Filippo.” Zak put his head on his hand and stared at the countess amounts of papers on his desk.

“It's not that crazy of a idea.” Marissa argued.

“It's not Flippo!” Zak said raising his voice.

Marissa looked at him puzzled. “Just a few days ago you were so sure about it you were going to kill the guy!” She slammed her hand against the bed and then proceeded to yell “how are you so sure?”

“I just am!” Zak screamed as he bolted up from his seat. Then he paced back and forth before he calmed down and gave a long sigh. “I, I'm not sure how” Zak began to say in a much calmer voice. “I just know it's not him.”

Marissa got up from Zak’s bed and slowly approach him. “Okay.” she said quietly. “Lets go to the woods, maybe you will remember something.”

“Ya, good idea.” Zak said while he grabbed his backpack.

Marissa looked at her watch and then quickly stopped him. “It's getting late, and well-” Marissa couldn't finish her sentence, she was just too embarrassed.

Though it didn't matter because Zak finished her sentence for her. “Dean doesn't know your here.” Marissa nodded her head but didn't say anything else. “So what he thinks your at the library or something?” Marissa pause but then nodded. She just stood there staring at her feet thinking just how much she hates that her brother has so much control on her. “It's fine.” Zak said putting his backpack down. “we’ll go after school tomorrow.”

Marissa smiled and then said “great. Well, I guess I'll see you then.”

Zak smiled back at her, and then Marissa headed for the door but before she can leave Zak said “I'm really sorry.”

Marissa turned back to him. “Ya, me too.”

When Zak walked into school he was happy to see Filippo was healthy and well.

He walked towards his group of friends and sat next to Marissa who was reading a book.

“So what's today's book called?” Zak asked as he leaned over and nugged Marissa’s shoulder with his own.

She smirked as she held up the book that read Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince.

He laughed and held the book in his hands. “Isn't this like your third time reading the series?”

“Forth.” Marissa corrected as she took the book back.

“Nerd.” He said as she smirked in his direction.

The rest of the school day went by normal for the first time since Falisha died.

Everyone was happy and talkative, there was just one thing that was off. Alicia wasn't there and Marissa and Zak knew why.

It was driving them crazy that they had to keep this big secret all to themselves. They couldn't wait until this was all over.

After school Marissa and Zak quickly headed into the woods. “Are you sure you know where you're going?” Marissa asked as she followed Zak deep into the woods.

Zak looked around. He wanted to assure her he knew where he was going, but the truth was he wasn't exactly sure. “I think.”

“Great.” Marissa said as she pushed tree branches out of her path. “You know if I stay out too long Dean will get worried.”

Zak rolled his eyes. “Why does he care? I mean you have parents, your brother doesn't have to be so controlling.”

“You know my parents are away on business all the time.” Marissa began to say still trying to avoid swinging tree branches. “I mean Dean's been there for me more than my parents have ever been.”

Zak shrugged. “I know I'm just saying.”

Zak and Marissa walked through the woods for a while and Zack was getting no more memories back. and Marissa was starting to get impatient.

“Let's head back.” She whined “you don't know where you're going and I really don't want to get lost out here.”

Zak sighed as sign of defeat. “Ya, alright.” he said, so they started to head back but then something caught Zak’s eye. “Wait!” He yelled while he walked towards a tree.

He walked up towards a old looking tree and places his hand on the middle of it were there was a charcoal colored burn on the tree.

He looked around for a while but eventually looked at Marissa with hope in his eyes and said “I remember. I remember everything.

To Be Continued...