Navia And Destiny

Memories

"Feels like I've been here for years," Navia said as she looked around.

"Yeah," Destiny responded. "Crazy to think it's only been a few minutes."

Grandma Lucy chuckled. "It's been three weeks sweetpeas."

"What?!"

"Time here and time in the world don't move the same. Sort of like we're on another planet that's not so far from Earth."

"Jeez," Destiny started. "Mum and dad must be really worried. We've been unconscious for almost a month."

"Don't worry about that. Since you've come this far, your physical bodies have also shown signs of improvement. Listen to this."

Grandma Lucy hits taps her walking stick against the ground thrice and the the hall they were using echoes with the taps.

"Doctor?" They hear Jennifer say. Doctor Navia held my hand! I squeezed and she squeezed back!"

With another tap of the stick, there was silence.

The two girls smiled and continued to follow after their grandmother.

"So, why exactly is this place called the void of the forgetting?" Navia asked.

"I like to think it's because all we have here are memories and being here, people fight the fact that we will forget a thing or two eventually because they're afraid of not having anything left at all. Bit that's just me. They don't give us manuals on this type of thing you know?"

Destiny chuckled with her grandma.
"I just can't wait to see mum and dad again."

"Well, you're in luck sweetpea because we're here."

Grandma Lucy placed her palm on a grey door and a soft voice responded at that action.

"Family guardian, please allow the forgetting to place their palms.on the sensor."

Navia walked up to the door and pressed her palm onto it.

"Jacobs. Navia. Hospitalized. Steady
condition."

Navia smiled as she stepped back, making room for Destiny who did just as she did.

"ERROR."

As a heavy silence fell, Grandma Lucy cleared her throat.

"Oh uh...try again sweetpea."

Destiny nodded her head shakily as she did as she did before.

"ERROR."

The girls watched as colour flushed away from Grandma Lucy's face.

Destiny fought back tears. "G-grandma?"

Grandma Lucy shook her head slowly and whispered to herself.
"I-It can't be."

With a shaking hand, her walking tapped the ground once more.

The three listened as the echo bounced all around them from one wall to the next.

"Second patient is non-respondant," a deep male voice said. "We lost her last night."
"No." Jennifer whispered. "No..you-you can't lose her. She's my baby."

Jennifer cried, blood curdling screams in-between her sobs.

"We tried everything we could ma'am. We're sorry."

The void went quiet again.

"No," Navia said in a whisper as she took hold of Destiny's hand and placed it on the door. "You can't...you can't stay here."

"ERROR."

"Navia! Let go!"

"No Destiny I can't leave you here!" Navia was crying. Her voice cracked and she felt like throwing up. Her chest was burning. She was exploding from the inside.

It couldn't be.

"ERROR."

"Navia you're hurting me! Let go!"
Destiny pulled her hand away from Navia's grip, rubbing her wrist.

"ERROR."

Navia shook her head as she was brought to her knees. She forced words out through her sobs.
"You don't understand Dee. I-I can't go. I can't leave you here. It's my fault you're here and I can't let you die. Please."

Destiny knelt besides Navia and wrapped her arms around her, her own sobs causing her to quiver and shake.

"It's okay." She wiped away her own tear. It was cold.  "You'll be okay."

"No I won't. You don't...you don't deserve to remain behind. What about your date? What about Yasmin? What about Bertrand? What about mum and dad? I can't leave you. If you're remaining I'll stay with you I won't go anywhere."

"Navia," Destiny said as she rose her head so the two could face each other. "Mum and dad can't lose both of us. If you're going to go, go for me. Okay?"

"I can't"-

"You can. And promise me you will."

Navia shivered at the sound of her words.

"This was gonna happen either way. One way or another, I was gonna die. But atleast I got to say goodbye. Now promise me."

"No."

"Navia."

"Promise to leave you?" She was crying even harder. "Are you hearing yourself?"

"Promise to do one last thing for me."

Navia looked up her little sister. She was as peaceful as a mixture between life and death. She nodded her head.

"I promise."

For a while, the two were just there, hugging and sobbing, not daring to take time to wipe the tears off their cheeks because those few seconds were all they had.
They couldn't afford to lose any.

"Navia Jacobs. Gateway is being prepared. Countdown will be granted to get through. No delay must be made."

Destiny got up and held out her hand for Navia to hold.
"You're gonna be okay."

Navia stood, her vision blurry through the continuous flooding in her eyes.

"10."

Navia gave her grandmother a tight hug.

"9."

"I'm sorry sweetpea."

"I-it's not your fault Grandma. Thank you for everything. I'll miss you."

"Aww sweetie. I miss you everyday."

"8."

Navia stood in front of Destiny. Both of them too afraid to hold on because letting go would be too painful.

"7."

"I love you," Navia said as she wrapped her arms around Destiny. "I love you so so much and I wish it could be different. I'm sorry."

"6."

"Hey," Destiny said with a wry smile. "It's nobody's fault. Okay?"

"5."
Navia blinked through her tears as she nodded, taking in Destiny's scent for the last time.

"4."

Just as the two predicted, letting go was painful. It was as though one thousand pricks pierced through theirs hearts.

"3."

Navia's made her way to the open doorway. Bright white light surrounded her.

Destiny smiled as Grandma Lucy threw an arm around her shoulder.

"Hey Navia?"

"2."

Navia turned around, immersed in white light. She could barely make out any figures.

"We'll always have our memories."

"1"