“Now that I’ve shown you where you live, how about we go into the city?”

  “The city?” Amelia’s hands then started getting sweaty, and she started getting knots in her stomach. She said, “How about we just stay here for now?”

  “Why? Don’t you wanna see the city up close?”

  “I would love to…it’s just…”

  “It’s just you’re nervous, aren’t you?”

  “How did you know?”

  “Because I used to get nervous going into the city as well. But you were the one who helped me with that, because you always held my hand through it all. So, this time I’ll do the same.” Lily then reached out her hand to Amelia. “I’ll keep you safe, no matter what.”

  Amelia took her hand, leading her to the carriage where guards were waiting.

  “Oh, Princess Amelia and Lily, going into the city early this morning?”

  “Princess? I’m a princess?”

  “What do you mean, Amelia?” The guard asked.

  “Sorry, Amelia lost her memories, our fears came to fruition…”

  “So, it’s true then? I’m sorry to hear that, to both of you. Look, if there’s anything I can do to help, just please let me know.”

  Lily thought for a second. “Could you escort us to the city? Amelia is feeling nervous.”

  “Yes, of course!”

  “Thank you…” Amelia said.

  Amelia looked up at the massive gate as they dropped her off at the city’s entrance. She thought to herself, “So, behind this gate…leads to the city I’ll live near forever…” The thought made her uneasy.

  The gate slowly opened, revealing a long street with dozens of stalls on each side of the road, merchants yelling over one another as they tried to reach the next customer.

  As they started walking through, the stall owners quickly recognized them.

  “Princess Amelia!” one of the stall owners shouted.

  “How are you feeling, Amelia?!” another stall owner yelled.

  Amelia stopped and whispered to Lily, “What are they talking about?”

  “Everyone in the city has been worried about you. You came down with a very serious illness, and you’ve been in a coma for a couple of weeks.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “This coma…also caused me to lose my memories?”

  “Yes…it did…”

  Amelia then thought to herself, “I was out for a couple of weeks? But I just died last night and woke up this morning…”

  As they continued walking through the city, Amelia’s heart started beating quicker. Her breath was shortening, her chest was tightening, and her legs were buckling. Her face was feeling hot.

  Lily then pulled her to the side into a nearby alleyway. “Are you okay, Amelia?” Lily then put her hand on Amelia’s forehead, feeling heat. “Amelia! You’re burning up! Here, sit down. I’m gonna go get a towel with some cold water. Don’t move.”

  “Why do I feel this way?” Amelia thought to herself, “Am I still not recovered? I felt just fine in the castle…”

  A group of men then came out of another alleyway and spotted Amelia. They slowly approached her. One of them said, “If it isn’t Princess Amelia, do you remember us?”

  “Sorry, but it seems I’ve lost my memory. I know nothing I did prior to this morning…”

  “You don’t remember getting all of us thrown in jail? Well, since you’re still recovering, this is the perfect chance for us to take our revenge!”

  He then swung his fist and slammed it down. Not onto Amelia but onto Lily, who shielded Amelia.

  “Lily!” Amelia shouted.

  Lily fell to the ground.

  “Let’s take out her girlfriend first!”

  Amelia, fueled by rage, slowly stood up, legs still weak, and got in their way. “What are you gonna do? You’re too weak to do anything.” He tried punching her, but she barely blocked it, with a jolting pain going up to her shoulder.

  Amelia, ignoring the pain, clenched her fist and swung with everything she had, connecting with his jaw and knocking him down.

  One of the other members swung his arm at Amelia. Amelia dodged, his fist nearly touching her face. Amelia staggered, almost falling backwards. She kicked him full force in the stomach and knocked him into a nearby wall.

  Footsteps then echoed from the entrance of the alley; guards finally arrived.

  “Man, let’s get out of here!”

  “Thank God…” Amelia then collapsed onto the ground unconscious.

  “Amelia!” Lily, with her head bleeding, crawled over to Amelia, and hugged her.

  “Let’s get them to a doctor!” The guards nodded to each other and picked them up, heading to the city clinic.

  ---

  “Please be okay, I can’t deal with you being gone again…” Lily said, sitting next to Amelia’s bedside in the city clinic. “Please don’t lose your memories again…”

  The doctor came into the room. “You know most patients can’t even stand after being bedridden for weeks, let alone fight off a gang.”

  The doctor paused for a moment. “People don’t push themselves like that unless something matters.”

  “Are the guards still looking for the people who did this?” Lily asked.

  “Yes, I’m sure they won’t be safe for long. The entire city is after them.”

  “Thank you.” Lily paused for a moment before asking, “Can you leave us alone for a moment? I’ll make sure she’s safe…”

  “Yes, of course. Let me know if you need anything.” The doctor then left the room, closing the door behind him.

  Lily’s lips began trembling, and tears began falling down her face, onto the floor beneath her. As Lily looked down, she said, “Why did all of this have to happen to you? I’ll never understand it. How much more do you have to suffer?! How much more do we have to suffer…? I can’t take it anymore!”

  Lily then felt a hand rest on her fist, a warm familiar hand. Amelia’s hand.

  “Amelia?” Lily asked hesitantly.

  Amelia muttered. “I’m still here…Lily…”