Chapter Text
I woke with a startled gasp. My chest heaved as I rose to a seat, gripping the grass around me. Where was I?
I swallowed, mouth and throat dry, biting my bottom lip; a habit since I was little. Had I? My memories blurred, almost hypnotic as I watched the events distort. My eighth birthday. The graduation of elementary school. Celebrating with family, eating red velvet cake and passing around wobbly plates piled high with cake, sharing with friends. I remembered going to the beach, laughing and uselessly wiping sand off my feet and legs. I remembered driving in the car, humming with my sister and mom as we turned on radio music.
So why couldn’t I know my own name?
A shaky laugh exited my mouth as I peered around my surroundings. I had no clue where I was, only the rising sun my guide. The air was thick with humidity and sweat quickly beaded on my forehead and hands. I needed to find shelter; fast.
Attempting to rise to my feet, I was met with a letdown, collapsing to my knees as swiftly as I had gotten up. A crackly sigh sounded, and my throat ached. I connected the dots. It was another issue. Being severely dehydrated could cloud my senses, and I could be hallucinating in a matter of hours without water.
My search became more desperate, scanning for supplies around me. I took a seat as I poured over my choices. I could get up and search for water, potentially risking my life, or stay in place and wait for rescue.
Rescue seemed like Elysium in someplace heaven didn’t exist.
I slowly rose, supporting my adjusting legs as my arms heaved my body upwards. The scenery was beautiful. I saw a city in the distance, bright and shimmering in the risen sun. It seemed heavenly, with the emerald structures beautifully reaching towards the sun. A city surely had water, right? Finally able to support my weight, I struggled to sink my feet into the ground in front of me.
I gripped onto a branch of a nearby tree, continuing to eye my peripherals. I was in a strange forest, trees green and luscious, which was odd. The last memory I had was during the winter, right? Fear split my stomach as I began trekking down a spiraling path. The dirt kicked up around my feet, sneakers scuffing the clouds into smaller wisps. My vision clouded for a moment, and a tremor went through my body. I attempted to swallow before continuing my journey.
As I began my descent, I began to be more aware of the living creatures around me. I heard birds chirping in the trees, the flutter of the occasional dove, the cry of an anguished hawk. It was quiet, other than the animal’s cries.
Too quiet.
I eventually came to the entrance of the city, or what I assumed was. The label stating what city it was was chipped and scraped, as if claws dived and tore the metal apart. I shivered. Readjusting my ragged clothes, which I had just realized I was wearing, I entered the maze of buildings. Oddly, there was no one there. Pure silence rung in my ears. Peering around, I realized that the buildings were covered in greenery. Beautiful plants grasped the air, preaching their desires to the sun, leaves swaying in a ceremonial dance. Their stems slowly wavered in the breeze, as if the beams of light were the only panacea in this world.
I wished I was a plant.
It was eerily empty, the only noises the occasional pigeon or dove cooing for a savior. Or that’s what it sounded like, from my ears. I quickly searched for a convenience store and tracked one down quite close. At this point in time, the sun had slowly drifted to the west, preparing for its descent. The greenery was washed with soft waves of orange and yellow, shifting ever so slightly. The vines that took root underneath a building thrived, waltzing in the air.
Appreciating the calm, I took a deep breath and padded into the convenience store. Strangely, no one was there. I picked out a bottle of water from the still-running fridge, gulping the contents down in a matter of seconds. It was extremely refreshing, and my flushed cheeks quickly cooled, the redness fading away into my skin. I took my time perusing through the shelves, grabbing a bag of bread. I tore the package open, quickly stuffing the food into my mouth. It was sweet and soft, the risen bread melting on my tongue. I quickly devoured the entire piece of bread. Finally having something in my stomach, I dragged myself from the aisles and to the restroom.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I was startled to see a freckled face with blue eyes. The skin on my cheeks hung slightly off the bones, eyes sunken and hues dull. The girl’s skin was pale and almost bleached, brown hair a staggering contrast against the stretched skin. Her hair was tangled and lightened by the sun. The ends were a staggering blonde. My hand moved to touch my face. The girl’s hand moved to touch her face.
I began to accept the reality that I was an entirely new person. Maybe it was because I had lost hope. Or maybe it was because I gained hope. Either way, my back straightened and my shoulders moved back. I left the bathroom filled with exhilaration, although unsure from what.
The convenience store was slightly dank. Feeling a bit claustrophobic, I watched my sneakers take steps towards the exit, and my body followed in an eerie pattern. It still felt odd being alive in such an empty city.
Something brown leapt straight at me.
A scream tore from my throat as I flailed, shoving my hand with fingers outstretched towards whatever that godforsaken creature was. It fell to the ground with a scraping thud, screeching as it struggled to lift off the floor. Flinching, I hopped away from whatever it was and threw the nearest item on the shelves in the creature’s general direction.
I missed.
It rose, rejuvenating by something I perceived as rage. It flew with a passion, its gaunt legs outstretched as its wings parted in a horrifying embrace. I ducked underneath the zooming thing. Inspecting it as it paused, it looked like an overgrown mosquito. It had wings the size of my palms, body twice as long, and beady eyes that bore into my soul. I shivered.
The insect decided it was done and quickly sped outside the store, large enough to trigger the sliding door. A rush of warm air brushed my arm before the door closed again. I was left alone.
Alone.
Where was I even? How did I get here? How did I survive? Where was everyone?
Questions flashed through my mind, attempting to locate memories that helped me connect the pieces. Nothing relevant showed up.
No. Focus on surviving. My voice didn’t work. Thoughts would have to settle.
My finger twirled my hair for a few minutes, bile rising in my throat. Survive?
Ignoring my fear, I slowly grabbed a backpack from the end of the aisle. I took bottles of water and non-perishable food and slowly placed them into my bag. Rising and planting my feet into the ground with my heavy backpack, I exited the convenience store. The city was still quiet, and the sun was setting, hues flaring over the buildings, brushing them with orange glaze. I trudged along the abandoned roads, shoelaces dirtying as I stubbornly refused to tie them.
Pay attention. My nails bit into my palm, forcing my eyes to remain open and scanning. My surroundings were quiet, the air thicker than before. Clouds gathered in a meeting over the city, like they were pondering whether the city deserved rain or not. My heart dropped as I heard the familiar crackle of thunder. I couldn’t travel yet.
I began to stiffly jog back to the convenience store, backpack jumping with every step I took. When I entered, the sliding door made no noise.
The rain poured down outside, and I rested my cheek against the ground.
Day 1 had passed.