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She had to try, just one more time. Today. One more time today, before the sunset. She'd look again tomorrow if she didn't find him. Sending texts was a bad idea, especially since he hadn't answered the last couple. He hadn't been down the infirmary way, so that was good, but she still worried. With all that had happened and was going on and the fact most of the island was running on no power, she just worried.

She was practically chewing on her lower lip as she entered the dorms. They were quiet, even though they weren't empty. Something about not having power made them feel quieter. They were certainly darker, most of the time. It made the whole place feel a little lonelier. Which was part of the reason she hoped she'd find him. There was a good chance Jake was busy, but if he wasn't, spending the evening with him was far more desirable than spending it alone. She'd spent most of the day busy, doing things that needed to be done, helping out where she could. Now was her time to do what she needed. She figured worst case scenario, she'd go to sleep shortly after the sun did. No need to sit up in the dark, and no need to sit awake wasting resources alone.

Sherry hadn't even paused as she'd passed her door. She'd thought about dumping her coat off on her way past, but decided against it. It was hot but she wasn't wearing much under the uniform. Besides, she was in a hurry. The sooner she knocked on his door, the sooner she'd find him.

Maybe. Hopefully.

Her hand fiddled with her phone inside her pocket. He hadn't responded. Could be conserving power...but he hadn't responded before the Tear, either. And she'd had all day to think about it. The last few steps to his door were just enough time for her mind to run through all her thoughts again. He'd changed his mind. She'd pushed to far too soon and he just wanted some time to think. Everything was fine and Jake was just quiet. She liked that one. Dear heavens. She was probably worried for no reason at all.

Sherry let out a heavy sigh as she knocked Jake's door.

There was no answer. Rarely is, she told herself. She was used to Jake being reluctant to open the door. That was just the way he was.

So she knocked again.

"Jake?" She called quietly, not wanting the sound to carry too far. The hall felt open, and she didn't want to disturb anyone. Except the one she'd come to disturb, of course. "Are you in there?"

She fought the urge to try the door. Even after everything, she was sure he didn't want her just barging in.

She had been debating knocking again when she head him unlock the door. He was in! She couldn't help but smile as the door began to open. Jake made her happy, ok.

Usually.

That frown and the question that followed brought the slightest scowl to her face. "You can tell me why you haven't responded to my messages." The scowl began to fade and she placed on hand on her hip. "I was worried about you."

Her expression had softened even further at his first question. Was it possible he hadn't received them? She'd noted a delay with messages before. That would explain why he'd been so quiet since the Tear.

"Yes, messages," she confirmed as she watched him grab his phone and look at it. She'd been worried about a million things, Jake. Geez. She could hardly be mad, though, since he was alright and all.

She opened her mouth to say something, resisting the urge to shake her head at him. The words never left her throat; they remained stuck and were forgotten before they could ever form. Something cold settled in the pit of her stomach and she scowled at him. "That's not funny, Jake."

She had to admit that he didn't. In fact, he looked a little confused.

The cold thing in her gut began to grow, but she tried to ignore it. She wanted to ignore it. She wanted this to be some kind of joke, mean as it would be. With everything that had happened it was too close to reality. The lock she'd seen on Armagnac flashed in her mind, and Sherry tried to ignore that, too.

"You have to be joking." The tell-tale prickle behind her eyes warned of tears, and she did her best to will them away.

His words hit like a ton of bricks. His words, the tone, the look on his face. He was serious. Dead serious. Oh, no. He'd forgotten her. Just...forgotten her. Not just a few things here and there. He didn't even know who she was. No name, no face, no nothing. There was nothing but confusion there.

The cold in her gut grew and rose and met the hollow that had opened up in her chest.

Sherry took one big breath and held it. She wasn't going to cry. No stupid sobbing tears out here in the hall where everyone could see. No stupid crying in front of Jake. He didn't remember her.

Letting her breath out slow, she shook her head. "It's you. It's--" Another big breath. She was trying really hard not to cry in front of him. That wouldn't be fair, would it? It wouldn't help, she was sure of that. The lock she'd seen on Armagnac crossed her mind's eye again.

She sighed, the hollow feeling in her chest huge and cold and empty. "Can...Would it be alright if we talked a bit? Because we have met." You just don't remember. She might have choked down a sob with those last words, but she was not going to cry in front of him. She hoped.

Sherry smiled. It was one of those half smiles, the kind that are forced and rarely reach the eyes. “Thanks,” she said stepping inside.

Armagnac grumbled her displeasure.

Is the only thing keeping me standing. Sherry was fairly certain the need to not break down like a blubbering fool was the only reason her knees hadn't buckled and she wasn't curled up in a ball trying to close the hole in her heart with tears. Pride. She had it. And... If Jake didn't remember her, then he didn't deserve to be put through that either.

“It's okay. A lot of people forgot things it seems. It's not your fault.” She didn't know what else to say right then. She just didn't.

It felt odd then, being inside that room. It was his and the same, but darker and chilled somehow. Or maybe that was just her.

“What did you need help with?” She would never tell him no. She couldn't. And.... Something to focus on would help keep the tears away. Since she was pretty sure blurting out 'I love you' would make her break.

Sherry watched Jake's face as he closed the door. He seemed genuinely sorry about her plight, but even more confused. It helped her, in a way, to keep the emotions in. Bottle it up and push it down. No one needed to know how much it hurt. No one but her.

Armagnac grumbled.

Sherry's face changed a bit as Jake talked. Her own confusion, and a little bit of pain showed. Not for her this time. He didn't remember that either. Sherry gave Jake another smile, this one sadder than the first. "Chester," she said. "He's still not..." she trailed off, not sure of how to put it.

Sighing she shifted on her feet a little uncomfortably. "Something bad did happen. Chester... was broken. He was in pieces. He's been sleeping or something since then. Sam said he would be fine since you were still alive, and you told me you planned to talk to Mark about fixing him. But... you never told me what he said." He hadn't talked to her since that night.

"The um, the lock is new. My weapon has one too." It was easier, worrying about some one else. Poor Jake. He...didn't remember so much. Of course, she thought, staring at Chester, Maybe that's a good thing. The thought made her chest ache.