The Rewritten Memory

CHAPTER 6: Dominion 9

"You idiot! You scared the hell out of me!" Wyatt yelled, his heart still thumping against his ribs with the same horror.

"Haha... I'm really questioning how careless I must have been! Calloway teased, let out a heavy exhale, and jumped out from the sofa. His gaze shifted down to the clean floor, ambled towards Wyatt's side, and picked up a crumpled paper. A knowing smirk appeared on his lips. "I know... You're going to reject my offer, aren't you?" he started.

God!!! Not again with his creepy stories, Wyatt thought, a familiar annoyance bubbling up inside. "Not again!!! Don't try to manipulate me with your thoughts.... He groaned, his voice casual yet confident. "Why do I have to follow your stupid words, just because you resemble me? Do you think  I'm as dumb as you?" 

A knowing smirk appeared on Calloway's lips as he silently sat at the edge of the bed, his gaze looking hypnotising, then shifted to Wyatt's hand. He pulled out his sleeves as he pointed to the scar on his cut. "Do you want to know the reason why this scar happened and how?" he enquired, his tone coated with full manipulation.

Wyatt yanked his hand back, an irritated huff escaping him. His jaw tightened without patience, and his gaze met Calloway's. "I'll never fall for your cheap tricks. First, I don't want to know. If it was deleted once, there was a good reason. If I do anything, there must be a reason behind it."

Calloway stood stunned and remained silent, his mind plotting another course of action. Shit! He's better than I except.... But I don't give a damn fuck just like you....  Callway rolled his eyes in disbelief. Oh God! He's me, isn't he? He thought as his tongue rolled over his mouth in disappointment, and a disconcerted smirk appeared on his lips. "What if it makes you get out of that horrific regret of your past? " 

Wyatt yawned on purpose and stretched his whole body like a cat to annoy him. 

Calloway didn't pause, "Just trust me... I have an ultimate secret behind your scar that you may not be aware of. You made this scar without knowing the full truth.... At last, I really want to save you!" He was trying his best to convince Wyatt.

"Ah!!!!!"Wyatt shouted, sighed, and interrupted Calloway's conversation. "I lost my fucking sleep.... Probably because of this ass*ole!" Wyatt goaded with fury, still boiling over. He pulled off the bedsheet and sprang from the bed. He gave Calloway one last final dead look before rushing into the bathroom and locking the door tightly.

"Is he alright?" Calloway whispered while gazing at the door.

 Inside, ignoring Calloway's presence, Wyatt sat inside the empty, dry bathtub, his eyes fixed on the white curtain layout. "Why is he making my life risky? He has no clue how risky it is to get inside the other dominion. What the hell does he want from me?" he screamed under his breath. 

After a few minutes, silence settled over the room. The bathroom door opened with a soft click, and Wyatt poked his head out like a snail, scanning around every corner of the room, which looked silent and had no presence. Then, confirming Calloway's absence, he pulled a towel from the hanger, wrapped it around his waist, and walked towards the cupboard. "Finally, he's gone? Did he vanish into thin air just like yesterday?" he said as his gaze swept the entire room again. "Thank god! My problem solved.... he probably back to the future?" He excitedly opened the cupboard with a relieved smile.

"Woof?" Calloway's voice boomed, his fingers crawling out of the cupboard like an animal's paw.

"Agh!!!" Wyatt's voice echoes throughout the entire place. "God!!!!!! You scared me, man!!!" he roared, letting out a deep, shaky breath of relief, and sat at the edge of the bed.

"Haha..." Calloway playfully chuckled, stepping outside casually. "I like it when you get scared!"

Wyatt rolled his eyes like he didn't care as he began buttoning his crisp white shirt. I can't deal with him, and I also can't stay home. I don't want this problem anymore, he thought, walking towards the dressing mirror.

"Why can't we make a deal?" Calloway asked, bringing a new idea. "I mean.... You like challenges, don't you?

"Do I?"  Wyatt furrowed his brows menacingly. " You need a treatment from a psychiatrist," he murmured as he adjusted his messy hairstyle and sprayed a mild, fragrant scent.

"Wyatt..." Calloway called out, his tone low and playful. He leaned against the dressing mirror cupboard, his gaze fixed on Wyatt."Have you ever been in love?" he asked, intentionally to make a smart move this time.

"I am done with this jerk!" Wyatt thought, showed no reaction, as if hearing the word for the very first time. "Love! What does it even mean?" he asked casually, almost dismissively.

I got you, baby.... Calloway thought as a satirical smirk appeared on his lips. "Do you want to figure it out?" 

"Hmmm..." Wyatt hummed as his eyes moved upwards, biting his lower lip in thought. Then shook his head mockingly, "Nope!!!!"

"Huh?" An unexpected, shocking air escaped from Calloway's lips. A small tender smile twisted, and his tone rising to a peak, "It's the world's best feeling ever in this world....." he continued, then lowered his voice, "And the worst too..."

"I have no idea what you are trying to say," Wyatt whispered back, leaning in close to Calloway's ear.  "I want to give it a try... "

"Really!" Calloway excited.

"Yes... because I don't want to see your annoying face all day." He grabbed the entry cards and walked towards the entrance, his movements as determined as if a soldier were going to war.

"Not bad..." Calloway proudly smiled, watching him go.

----

However, after a few hours of driving, Wyatt finally stopped the engine in front of Dominion Gate 9. His eyes scanned the modern architecture gate, which featured an eagle symbol in the centre. This gate is simpler compared to my Dominion, he thought, as he handed the files and entry card to the checking officer.

The officer processes the entry check.

"Clear..." Another checking officer checked the entry card and ID. He gave a thumbs-up sign. After the confirmation, "You may go... sir..." the office approved, handing back the entry card with a nod. 

Wyatt straightened his posture, his hand on the wheel, and the car began to move forward. His eyes scanned the identical buildings and apartments, all with the same repeating pattern. "Everything seems identical and different to Dominion 7..." He arched his brows in wonder. "Interesting!" he murmured, stopping his car near a coffee shop, where Calloway pinned the address on the letter.

"I think this is the right place to get some information...." Wyatt decided and fixed his spot. He casually with an confident posture, walked in the direction of an authentic coffee shop. When he placed a foot inside, a rich coffee aroma filled the entire cafe, refreshing the mind. People were silently drinking their coffees, with still, calm expressions and peaceful faces.

A sudden notification from his phone beeped inside his pocket, and he pulled it out and glanced at his screen, without warning, accidentally bumping into an old woman. She looked beautiful, with wrinkly skin, a confident and stunning gown, and a pretty smile on her face.

"I am sorry, Mrs.... Ma'am, is everything okay?" Wyatt apologised, glancing down at the scattered things on the floor. He immediately knelt, grabbed everything, and put it back inside her luxurious pinkish-coloured handbag.

Again, "I am sorry, Mrs.," he apologised.

"It's okay, little man." The old lady assured with a kind smile. Her gaze drifted towards the bleeding finger. "Oh! Son, my mistake... You are bleeding..." Without hesitation, her trembling hands grabbed his. Both sat at the table, and she gently placed a bandage on his wound. "Sorry about this wound...."

"No... It's just an accident; it's not your fault..." Wyatt murmured in a calm tone, his gaze scanning the identity card on the table. "Thank you so much for your concern, Mrs. Annabella." 

"It's okay... I don't need to appreciate my service. I was hurrying... My fault, I am running to school. Children make a new day, new problems, like this. I always kept a bandage on all the time...." Annabella laughed to lighten the tense, guilty atmosphere.

She works at school, which means she has a lot of stories about children, and she's my target today, Wyatt realised, a plan forming. "I'm working as a psychologist... here to collect information about people and their experiences, how they feel about their life... like that..." he explained, trying to sound as professional as possible.

"Wow... That's amazing... Anabella replied and correctly covered the bandage.

"Can I start with you? Do you have ten minutes? Just a ten-minute interview; it won't take extra time...." Wyatt proposed, his request sounding genuine and respectful.

Annabella glanced at her old model watch, and, realising she had enough time, she gave an agreement nod. "Okay... Dear... Go ahead...."

Wyatt gave a single nod and immediately pulled out a Calloway's pre-prepared questionnaire and an advanced pen. "What is your name and age?" he started, just as their ordered cat design coffee with a rich aroma was delivered to the table, steaming above it.

"Annabella Jason, and I am in my 70s," she replied with a proud, soft smile.

"Good... Let's go with the second question.... What's your favourite food from your childhood?" Wyatt asked, his eyes remaining on her expression.

Annabella's sagging eyes went downwards; her gaze fixed on the table. "Food!!!" she murmured. Umm! However, I don't have many memories of my childhood... Why? It's blank... she mouthed "Creamy pasta and chicken noodles..." She answered with some hesitation in her tone, not sounding fully compliant.

"Interesting!" Wyatt is scratching his pen on the paper. His eyes shifted to the next question. First, all he needed to know was if she had any scars, just like him, he thought as he scanned her face to hand. "How did that burn happen on your hand?" he pointed.