Marmie's arms wrap around me tightly.
She mutters inaudible words into my hair.
The moment is broken by a screech of rage.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF SAINT PETER HAVE YE DONE, ARABELLA JOY!"

We both turn to see a muscular, bald man, with a scraggly red beard, standing in the doorway.
He is staring daggers at Marmie.
Tears slip down her face.
"I don't mean any harm..... I found her in the woods. She doesn't remember anything, and she was badly burned. All I did was take care of  her wounds. I planned on giving her back. Still do! Please don't blame me! I'm so sorry.....so sorry..."
She breaks off sobbing to hard to continue.

I wrap my arms around her, still very confused.
"Ye say she don't remember nothin'?" he finally asks.
Marmie nods through her tears.
Charlie looks down guiltily.
"I didn't  mean to make ye cry."
He awkwardly pats her on the shoulder.

She slowly stops.
"I have done such an evil deed though....  I can not bear the shame of what people will think... Please believe me that I am very, very sorry. I didn't know."

He nods.
"I believe ye. But as ye said, tis the people ye should worry bout. I'll try an keep them off ye back, but I can't do much.  The main people ye need to be askin forgiveness of, is God and the lassie herself. And probably her family too."

I swallow, finally building up the courage to speak.
"Marmie, what's going on?"
She peeks down at me, sadly.
"Well, I know who your family is now, and I must return you."
I gasp.
"BUT I DON'T WANNA LEAVE YOU!" I scream.
Before she can reply, I run down the hall and out of the house.

She can't take me back if she can't find me!
I think menacingly.
I scramble through the scruffy woods, scratching my legs and face on brambles.

I finally collapse of fatigue and pull myself under a dense thicket of branches and brambles.
What had Charlie meant by "so she don't remember anything?"
What am I supposed to remember?

I look behind me and groan. I can still see the cabin.
I try to get up, but my knees give way and I collapse on the ground again. If I could walk, I would go talk to Marmie. If she knew that I felt like she was my mother, perhaps she would let me stay.

My burns are beginning to sting, and my strength is fading fast. A memory flickers inside me.
Daughter, when you cannot find the strength to stand, kneel on your knees and pray. God can see you anywhere, and he cares for you even more than I do.
I sob at the sound of the deep reassuring male voice that floods my head. I clutch at the memory, and try to make others come.
None do.

God, I am sorry that I had forgotten you in a time when I needed you most. God, would you please allow them to find me here, or give me the strength to go back home.
I want my memories back. I want to remember my mom and dad and siblings if I had any.

I feel the tears that have been poring down my face finally stop, and a quiet peace settles over me.
Then I slowly drift off to sleep.

                           ***

I feel strong male arms lift me from the ground and start to carry me.
"Pa?"
"Nay Lass. It's your Uncle Charlie. I'm taken ye back tae Aarabella."
I sigh and snuggle closer to him.
Uncle Charlie.
I once again descend into the blackness of sleep.
                            ***

When I wake up, I am laying on my bed in Marmie's cabin. A blanket is tucked in around my shoulders and I hear the fire crackling in the grate.
"Marmie?" I call quietly.

Charlie, (instead of Marmie) sits in the rocker by my bed.
"Aye, lassie. She'll be back soon."
I nervously sigh.
"How are ye feelin'?" he asks after a bit.
I think about the question.
"Tired, I guess."
He scratches his rough orange beard.
"Aye. Probably so."