The Anomaly

Reserved

I had been attacked by a dark spirit a few weeks ago. An anomaly like no other occurred where my spirit was damaged, and I am no longer able to summon him. Though this saddens me I don't remember much of my spirit from back then anyways. The scientist here has been studying me to discover how something like this was able to happen. They've also been experimenting with ways to draw the spirit back out if he is still there. 

I also suffered some brain damage from the event, I don't remember much from my past. They've been trying to spark my memory, thinking this may also be connected to the disappearance of my spirit. Doctor Paul is a kind man, he's done what he can to make my stay at his facility more comfortable but there aren't many luxuries here. I am not sure how I feel sleeping in the same rooms a dark spirit would be housed but given the circumstances I think I can understand.

"Good morning Samantha." His voice startles me, I was spacing out for a moment staring at the ceiling. I sit on my bed and smile at him.

"Good morning," I respond as I stretch out my arms.

"Ready for another memory test?" Doctor Paul says as a guard opens my cell door. I frown, I was very bad at these.

"Yeah, I guess." 

"Come now, I know these tests may frustrate you however even if the memories don't come on their own, we can still implant them so you have them." Doctor Paul says stepping from the door as I step out into the hallway. 

"I know, I just wish I could actually remember something on my own for once." Doctor Paul walks leaning on his cane and I match his pace though I'd like to simply get these tests over with. 

"In due time, it has only been a week." 

"It feels longer."

"I don't doubt that." 

A little more walking later and I'm in a small room with two other scientists. There's a chair and a screen built into a wall. The scientists dim the lights and give a nod to Doctor Paul, and he takes his leave. An image of myself appears on the screen.

"What is your first name?"

"Samantha."

"And your last name?"

"Barns." The scientist to my left marks up a clipboard as the one on the right changes the screen. An image of me standing next to two older people is on display.

"Who are these two to you?" 

"My parents."

"Do you remember their names?"

"Darrel and Jessica Barns."

"Very good so far, we'll make things a little harder now." Great, this is always where they started to lose me. The screen changes again and an image of me wearing sports clothes appears on screen.

"What did you do before the accident?" This one I remember from the last few days of failing this question.

"Soccer, I was the goalie on my school team." The scientist marks his clipboard as the screen changes. Mom and Dad are dressed up in business attire. 

"Good. What about your parents? Where did they work?" This one I'm a bit less confident in.

"Dad was a... Lawyer and mom..." What was Mom again?

"Go on..." The scientist says, gazing at the side of my face. What did she do? 

"She was a... Nurse?" 

"Excellent work Samantha."

"Thank you, Professor Isaac." Haha, nailed it!

"One more, let's see if you can get this one. At what age were you adopted?" I was adopted? No, they've told me this before. I remember...

"I don't know," I say in a weak and defeated voice, I couldn't remember.

"Trick question, you weren't adopted." Professor Isaac says smiling. I wasn't?

"That'll be all for today, eat some food, get some rest Samantha, your brain needs it." Doctor Paul says standing in the door behind me. I turn to see him, he leans against his cane with a smile. 

"Yes sir." 

As prescribed I eat whatever meals they make for me and I rest as much as I can. It's quiet tonight, and though Doctor Paul had given me books to read and a television to watch, bouncing back and forth between the two was boring after a while.

The night was always the most interesting, I remembered things then, in the depths of my sleep. I had dreams of going to school, coloring, and dressing up. Tonight however was the most interesting, I had dreams of floating in the air, flying. Was my spirit a bird? Could I fly?! That is so cool!

The next morning I woke thrilled by my dreams. Flying, I was actually capable of flying! Well, I used to be, but if I could be able to get my spirit back I could again someday. I'm wide awake when Doctor Paul comes around for another day of testing. In the morning it's simple, putting on a weird head thing that shows my brain activity. To their description, they are seeing improvement and more activity in the hippocampus. Whatever that meant. 

"What test are we doing next?" I asked Doctor Paul as he led me down a corridor. 

"Another memory test. Though I suppose it could also be seen as an attachment test." He says rubbing the stubbles on his chin.

"An attachment test?" I say that sounded different.

"Well, we're going to show you a few people you might remember." Doctor Paul says. 

"Hmmm." I consider it'll be much different than seeing things on a screen. Perhaps it would jog my memory, or even give me more dreams.

"Something on your mind Samantha?" Doctor Paul leans forward into the corner of my view.

"Nothing, just thinking of a dream I had?"

"A dream?" His eyes narrow for a second before opening back up.

"I had a dream I was flying. I think it has something to do with my spirit." I say flatly, for some reason I don't feel as though he's excited about the development. That had to be my imagination right?

"That's wonderful news!" He says but the smile never reaches his eyes. 

Not too long later we arrive at a cell, and there are three people sitting inside. They don't look happy, clean, or well-fed. Were they bad people? Why would I remember bad people? One of them looks up and sees me, and their eyes go wide. They leap up from the bench built into the wall and grab the bars, pressing their face between the gaps.

"Samantha! I thought they had killed you, it's so good to see you!" He says, excitement stretching his face. 

"Umm, hello?" I say confused. Killed me? Why would these people do that? Maybe he was referring to the dark spirit that attacked me. 

"Samantha? Don't you remember me? It's me, Dylan." He says. Dylan... Dylan... That name doesn't sound familiar I don't think. Though something about him makes me feel like I need to protect him. It could be the desperation in his voice or the condition he's in.

"I'm sorry but I don't remember a lot of things. They're trying to help me." I notice Doctor Paul has been observing me, and he smiles at my comment. Dylan then turns his attention to Doctor Paul and his expression is not a happy one.

"What did you do," he asks in a low tone, "What did you do to her!" He shouts and it startles me. They haven't done anything but tried to help me. What was he talking about? Doctor Paul ushers me away as the boy continues to shout and the guards move to calm him. I hope they don't hurt him. I didn't want them to. He just seemed concerned for me that was all. Right?