(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

"What proof do you have that you could return them to me?"
She stood still, but suddenly her hand was touching my forehead, a finger
dragging along my temple. "Only this..." and the fog in my head began to
peel away, briefly, enough to catch a glimpse of remembrance... but before I
could focus on the memory, the mists rolled back in. The renewed obscurity
was thick and cloying, leaving me frustrated as if I had been on the edge of a
sneeze. "Only this. Only tell me why you desire it, speak to me your craving,
and I shall speak to you of the price..."
"I want them back... is that not enough?"
Her smile hardened. "You must give your desire voice and emotion, or it is
as dust to me. You must convince me that you truly desire what I can impart,
or it shall not be yours."
I began to describe how I wanted my memories back: the conscientious fear
of the unknown, the thirst of curiosity and the terror of potential sins,
peeled back raw and bleeding and revealed anew.
As I spoke her smile faded, and Unfulfilled-Desire leaned forward
attentively, her eyes ravaging my features as I continued. Her presence
compelled me to speak more than I normally would, and after a few
moments, her eyes fluttered closed as she gave a sharp intake of breath.
Suddenly, the desire for my memories began to wane... my want slowly
drained out of me, leaving only a sense of cold emptiness in its wake as it
bled out. She opened her eyes again as I stopped speaking.
"What is wrong, traveler? Do you no longer want your memories returned
to you...?"
"No... I mean, yes... what have you done to me?"
She seemed perplexed. "Whatever do you mean?" Despite her innocent
demeanor, I was certain that something unnatural had occurred. She had
somehow siphoned off some part of my desire - stolen it away for some
ghastly collection of wants, or perhaps to feed upon. Had I finished speaking
of my desire, I was certain it would have been lost forever.
"Come, now; is there something else you want, then? Tell me of it..."
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