My Hockey Alpha

Chapter 212: Dusty Memories

Nina

When I opened the door of the supply closet to let Enzo see into the tunnels, I could tell just from the way that his body began to morph back into his normal appearance that he was starting to remember. It seemed that remembering his past made his disguise fade, as though Selena’s magic thrived on the fact that he was brainwashed by her. I knew for certain now that if I could only help him remember a little more, then he would eventually break through her spell entirely.

“Do you want to walk in a little further?” I asked, walking up to stand beside him. “I’ll go with you.”

Enzo peered into the tunnels with narrowed eyes. He glanced at me with apprehension, but upon seeing the genuine look on my face, he seemed to relax a bit and nodded.

I held out my hand. Enzo stared at it for a few moments before tentatively slipping his hand into mine. I felt myself overflow with happiness at that point; to feel Enzo’s hand in mine again gave me more hope than ever before.

And then, gently, I led him into the tunnels.

We walked in slowly at first, just taking one step at a time. I slipped my phone out of my pocket with my free hand and switched on the flashlight so we could see, and we walked in a little further.

Enzo was quiet, but not in a bad way. He seemed to be looking around curiously as we walked, and with each step further into the tunnels, I could see his appearance shifting even more. Now, his hair had returned to its original curly, dusty brown state. I couldn’t see too well in the dark and I didn’t want to stare, but I was also fairly certain that both of his eyes were back to his normal color now.

“These tunnels,” he said quietly, his voice echoing around us, “they smell like rogues. What happened here, exactly?”

“When the Crescents came, they turned everyone into rogues,” I explained. “I guess the rogues decided to turn this place into their den. That was how we cured everyone; we infused the sprinkler system with the antidote and set off the fire alarms.”

Enzo chuckled. It sounded like his own voice, and not some strange, foreign voice caused by his disguise. Just hearing it made my heart leap up into my throat.

“That’s really smart,” he said, glancing over at me for the briefest of moments before his face turned slightly red and he quickly looked away again. “I think I can sort of remember it. It’s foggy, but it’s there.”

We came to a stop then as the tunnel began to dip downwards. I didn’t want to go any further, and I could tell that Enzo didn’t, either. Although I wanted his memories to return, I did secretly wish that his memories of what Edward did to us here would stay hidden forever. I didn’t want him to remember those traumatic moments.

“We should head back,” I said. “But I can show you more things if you want.”

Enzo paused. He seemed to be considering it, but only for a moment before he vehemently nodded and followed me out of the tunnels. I didn’t realize it until we walked back into the infirmary, but we were still holding hands — and neither of us seemed very keen on letting go.

lead him to the one place that

doors that led to the arena, then opened them and guided him

stepped into the cold arena. “Before you

as we approached the rink. I knew that he remembered watching the most recent hockey game here and that he remembered skating on the ice with Selena, but I wasn’t sure how much he remembered before that. As he looked at the ice, however,

the rink barrier and staring down at the ice. “But I remember now. I’ve been playing

blinking my tears away. “You’re really good at hockey,” I said. “The best. You’re literally a celebrity around

believe me at first, but then his laugh faltered, and his eyes widened. I felt my heart practically stop as

was a slight smile twitching at the corners of his lips. “I love hockey. I love my team. And you’re my team

the semester, and now I couldn’t imagine doing anything else… It filled me with a strange feeling that I couldn’t quite explain. I almost felt guilty now for all of the time I had spent hating my internship. Not just for Enzo, but for Tiffany. But even then, I knew that nothing made me happier now than being the team doctor, and I was proud to admit it. If only my voice wasn’t too

looked down at me with a new unwavering intensity — the same intensity that I had come to love. The same intensity that he showed me when we first met. At the time,

then,” I said, my voice shaking with a combination of fear of failure and excitement. Part of me was terrified that he would suddenly regress again, or that Selena would suddenly walk in here and snatch him away from me. But I pushed on and led him over to the

the locker rooms next, Enzo suddenly dropped my hand and stopped

in my throat; had I gone too far now? Was he regretting all of

stuttered as

His eyes were fixed on the inside of

way his eyes widened and his mouth hung open ever so slightly that he was right on the verge of

213: In the Locker

Nina

and his eyes widened. I knew, in that instant, that he was beginning to remember even more. I wanted to jump on him and hug him tightly, but I contained myself in order not to freak him out again and simply held the door

the locker rooms and began to look around. I stood off to the side and watched as he paced around through the rows of lockers, completely silent while he processed

front of the locker that used to belong to him. It still had his things inside, and as though it was instinct, he lifted his hand and began to turn the dial on

he turned it one way, then another, stopping

heart swell as I watched him retrieve his hockey jersey. It was a dark green color with burgundy piping — our school colors — and had a large number “1” on the back with

he mumbled, holding the jersey up to

changed, then his arms, his legs… His body slowly morphed back into its natural state as the spell

then, he suddenly turned

I whispered, my voice

floor and rushed at me so quickly it was almost as though he was flying. I felt tears begin to stream down my cheeks as he approached, and suddenly, his arms were around me,

in front of him, my entire body trembling with