-Chapter 1-

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 I remember falling; falling with no resistance. No air whipping past my face, or tearing at my clothes. Just a lucid dream where nothing weighed me down. So I flew, I glided effortlessly around the depthless plane and I felt free. But I began to think, when was I going to wake up? I looked around, at the nothingness, at the dark void that surrounded me. And then I felt alone.

I think I started talking to myself, and sometimes I would scream. Just hoping for anything, anyone, even an echo. But there was no answer, no echo. I don't think I had ever felt so wretched, so helpless in my life. I did have a life before this, right?

At some point, I realized screaming was useless. There was no one here to save me. So, I closed my eyes and slept a dreamless sleep. A deep, unnerving slumber, the kind you don't awaken from by normal means. I slept and slept and slept. Hoping, once I open my eyes, I'll see sunlight.

I drifted around the void, asleep, for who knows how long. But, something woke me up. I was being watched? Someone else was near? I tried to speak, to cry out, plead, beg, anything. But no sound escaped my lips. Please, help me. I felt tears roll down my face, my last few bits of hope slipping away.

And then I heard a hum from the darkness; A soft sound that rang in my ears. And then, they spoke.

"You do not belong here, child." The voice reverberated in the nothingness, the darkness seemed to curl away and tremble.

I covered my ears and closed my eyes tight, afraid of this unknown entity. Maybe asking for help from them would have been unwise. I don't know what happened in that time to be truthful, but when I opened my eyes, I saw a clear, blue sky.

I was sitting on the ground, actual real earth, covered in grass. I could see trees in the distance. I was out, I was free. I hesitantly tried to speak again. My voice came out raspy and cracked more than once, but I felt such relief that my voice wasn't gone forever. So, I, again, began talking to myself.

"Okay, first, where am I?", I mumbled under my breath. I surveyed my surroundings once again: I saw trees in one direction and I think I could hear running water. Is there a river nearby? And then I heard a voice. I almost jumped out of my skin, my last encounter with a disembodied voice didn't go so well. Or maybe it did?

"Can you hear me? I said, what are you doing?" The voice repeated itself and I flinched again. I looked around until my eyes settled on a tall figure, with–was that crystals coming out of his head? He continued to stare at me.

"Oh, I, uh-" I stuttered, looking at the ground. I didn't really know what I was doing either. I tried to stand but my knees buckled. The stranger caught me right before I minorly injured myself and helped me stand. "Um, thank you... Who are you?"

"Bob." The simplicity of his answer surprised me a little.

"Well, hello. I am- My name..." I trailed off. I couldn't remember. What's my name? Do I have one? I searched my memory and found so many gaps, my name is only one of many things I've forgotten.

"You're new, aren't you?"

"I- I guess so?" I had no idea where I was, so "new" was close enough.

"Well, don't worry too much about what you can't remember. It'll come back to you in time. Probably."

"I- Thank you?" I wasn't really sure whether or not I should be concerned about that.

"How did you get here?"

"I'm not sure. I don't really know where I was before but, it was dark. I think I was there for a long time. I- I can't remember-" My voice broke as my throat tightened. Oh gods, was I crying?

Bob reached out as if he was going to touch them, and then clenched his fist, letting his arm fall back to his side. "It'll be fine," He said quietly, avoiding eye contact. "Don't think about that, focus on right now," his voice grew more steady, "Do you know where we are?"

I wiped my eyes and looked around, "No." I said softly, my eyes were watering again. I was overwhelmed and confused and I couldn't stop crying. This isn't what I imagined doing when I escaped from that hell. I kept wiping my eyes and stifling the sobs that wracked my body while Bob just continued to stare at me, looking like he really didn't know what to do. He hesitantly reached out again and softly settled his hand on my shoulder. The touch felt awkward but it helped a little. We stood in silence for a short while and I was glad to have the company.

Bob was the first to speak, "Hey, do you want to see something cool?"

"I guess so." I sniffled, glad my tears were under control again.

"Close your eyes." I did as he said and waited. Then, I felt his hand slowly curl around mine and my heart skipped. I felt my cheeks start to warm and my mind began to race, but it was over as soon as it started. He let go of my hand.

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. You can open your eyes now."

I opened my eyes and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. And then, a beautiful city graced my vision. Bob guided me through the winding streets and I saw the residents of the city going about their day. But he ignored every single one of them, even if they greeted him. I was curious as to why but I didn't know if it was okay to ask such a thing.

Many of the residents looked at me with curiosity, and I looked back. I couldn't remember the last time I had seen so many people. That's right, I couldn't remember much at all. My eyes started to water again and my legs felt heavier with every step. I didn't even realize Bob had stopped until I walked right into him. One look at me and, with a lot less hesitation than last time, he grabbed my hand. He led me away from all the prying eyes, all the noise of the town, and this time, I let the tears fall.

I'm not sure where Bob led us but I couldn't bring myself to care. I didn't even know who I was. Was I ever someone important? To anyone? More tears rolled down my face and I felt someone wiping them away. I felt reality come flooding back as I snapped out of my daze. We were on the edge of the city, surrounded by a forest.

I choked on the words I wanted to say and Bob held my hand tighter. "I- I'm sorry." I stuttered and he wiped away more tears with the hand that lingered on my cheek.

"It's okay." He said softly, and for some reason, I believed it. It's okay.

He didn't let go for a while and neither did I. And for the first time in a long time, I truly felt I wasn't alone.

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