"Yes, but you weren't blind. You must've noticed your surroundings, at least a little bit." He grasps my shoulders, gazing intently into my eyes. "This is important. Please think hard about what happened when you woke up. Close your eyes, try to relax, and let the memories flow naturally."
He's actually trying to help. I appreciate that, so I need to try to do what he suggested. I shut my eyes and listen to the gentle ebb and flow of the surf while the scent of the sea and the pine trees waft over me. The warmth and firmness of Gabriel's hands on my arms lulls me too, though I won't try to examine why, not right now. I've got the Zen mood going, and I need to release my worries, floating on a warm wave of relaxation.
At first, nothing happens. But I let my mind drift, as random thoughts tease the edges of my consciousness.
"Just let go," Gabriel murmurs, his tone smooth and almost sensual. "And when you're ready, tell me what you see."
Sounds tickle my memory, faintly at first, growing louder little by little but remaining an indistinguishable mess.
"That's it," Gabriel murmurs. "Relax into the memories as they flow into you."
His voice has grown so deep and sensual that a tingle starts up between my thighs, and my nipples tighten. But I shouldn't focus on that. I sink back into the Zen moment I've woven around myself—and Gabriel. Somehow, I know what I'm feeling has infiltrated him too. The mishmash of vague noises I've been hearing gradually coalesces into recognizable sounds. Pounding feet. Sirens. The roars of angry beasts. The screams of human beings.
"The Echo," I say. "I was in a city somewhere when the alchemy of worlds began, and the Echo invaded Earth."
"Good. Keep going, but remember to stay disconnected from the memories. You're safe, Sarah."
I feel that way with him, right here, right now. I know nothing will hurt me as long as Gabriel is with me. So I sink into the memories once again, anchored by the steady hands of Gabriel as I float on an ocean of tranquility. Even the screams of terrified people can't raise my pulse, and at last, I begin to experience events of the past as more than blurry images. I don't feel connected to what I see and hear, though, and I don't think that's solely due to my semi-trance state. Angry voices roar while lightning bolts punch into the earth and fireballs rip through buildings.
"Don't let her get away!"
"Wait, she's over there!"
"Stop running, you stupid—"
My lids spring open. My gaze connects with Gabriel's. I can't catch my breath, and my heart is pounding so hard and fast thatI feel like I might pass out. Cold sweat dribbles down my temples while my teeth begin to chatter.
Gabriel pulls me into his arms, rubbing my back and murmuring soothing sounds that aren't quite words. My pulse begins to slow down. I let my body sag against him and close my eyes again, with my cheek to his chest, listening to the rhythmic thump-thumping of his heartbeat.
Once I feel able to hold myself upright, I wriggle free of his embrace. "Thank you for…doing that. I started to drown in the memories, though I don't understand any of it."
"What did you remember?"
"Fragments, that's all. Fireballs, lightning, people screaming. That must have been the start of the apocalypse, right?"
He nods. "What else?"
"Angry male voices. They shouted not to let 'her' get away and that 'she' was over there. One guy shouted for 'you' to stop running. I think they were talking about me."
"But you couldn't see who those men were, or in what city that happened."
"No. I'm sorry, I tried."
He lays a hand on my cheek. "You did great."
"Yeah, sure. Vague shouts are super helpful."
"It's a start. And it suggests your memories aren't gone, they're just hidden deep inside your psyche." He makes a pained face. "But I'm hardly an expert on psychology."
"You've helped me more than anyone else has since the day I washed up on this beach."
He scratches his neck and clears his throat, as if he's embarrassed by what I said. "Let's head back to the camp and report what you remembered. Maybe your friends will have some other ideas about how to resurrect your memories."
"They're your friends too, you know."
"Yeah, sure. We're good buddies."
Despite his sarcastic tone, I think he honestly wants to become a part of our family. After three years in the Echo, he's probably forgotten what it feels like to live among a camp like Sanctuary. I'm sure his Echo friends were loyal and good people, but they didn't have the skills that Grant, Erin, Dax, and others in our group can bring to the table. And Gabriel needs a new family. Here, in Sanctuary. Now, how can I convince him that he belongs with us?