Awakening Memories

3. Conscience

A/N: Might be a double chapter update. I've got school opening day coming around the corner. It wasn't fun for me to write. Feel free to correct me.

I sent it. I sent my personal work to a total stranger. How unreasonable of me!

The cane package had arrived the next morning, from the Good Health Medical Center. A quad cane as Dr Sanaya claimed it was. It was dark brown all the way to the bottom, except for the handle which was black in colour. Additionally, the cane branched into four round-like tips which would provide me mobility and help in regaining my balance.

"These kind of canes are also used by sick people affected by stroke. Likewise applies to patients in your state." She adjusted such that it would compliment my height in some way.

"Are you sure I won't fall with this?" I questioned. I held onto the handle with my right hand. I sat on the edge of the surface, with some aid from her.

"Don't worry, my dear. See those four caps at the bottom? They're made out of rubber. When you move around with it, the caps will prevent you from tripping." She then corrected, instructing me to put my left hand on the handle, opposite to the injured leg. I was more than ready to give up. I had little hope in my recovery. At that point I just wanted to be wrapped in the confines of a wheelchair, forever.

Taking in a deep breath, I placed the leg with the injured knee forward followed by the good leg then the cane. At some point Dr Sanaya let me off, leaving me fully independent. Injured leg, good leg, cane. I memorized internally as I progressed to the huge windows. A warm smile crept onto my face as the image of my movement cast on the windows. I kinda changed my mindset about being hopeless, though walking with the cane was rather slow. Recovery is a process. It'll take time and patience. It'll take whatever I got.

She nodded her head in satisfaction watching me advancing back. "Good work. Now for the next part of this session. Follow me."

She unlocked the door which led out of the room. She stopped at where the stairs were. I swear my heart plummeted to my stomach when I saw the flight of stairs that I had to overcome. The fall from there was more likely than walking on a flat surface. Even with a quad cane with non-slip caps. "I'll be behind you, don't fear."

Her gaze over me had certainty and assureness. The cane ought to be flat whether I was climbing up or going down. Also, the pattern of walking changed here; good leg, injured leg then cane. I wish my pace was a little faster, but apparently the rehabilitation process never works like that.

Time appeared to stagnate as I came down on my own downstairs. I concluded that a snail or slug would beat me if we were thrown in a speed race. You can do this girl.

The sun's horizon went lower in the sky as its warm orange rays penetrated through the tall and large window above the staircase. I used the railing when I almost fell half the steps down. My heart raced in my chest due to the shock. What if it'd actually happen?

"Do it two more times," she articulated as I approached her.

"But why Doc?" That day's exercise was enough for my legs. Neither my heart nor mind were willing to continue the tedious exercises. "You want to walk with your two legs with no support, right?"

When Mom revealed herself from their room upstairs I gave her a puppy eye look, hoping she'd stand up for me.

"I've got a deal for you. We'll leave the house this evening..." My eyes widened in amazement as those words repeated themselves in my head. Ever since the hospital, my parents hadn't taken me out the house; as in out of compound. The only time I left the house was for Vitamin D and that was only the backyard.

"...only if you abide to the walking exercises. All of them."

Guess I had to go against those two crucial organs of mine. I wanted to explore the world again. Probably, know what's going round the globe. For the first time in forever.

A slight smile grew on my face as Mom opened the car door for me. "Can I get a boost?" The floor of the car was raised slightly, to my disadvantage. Mom didn't need to sit next to me; I could take care of myself.

I admired the stars scattered in the dark sky. A beautiful celestial landscape. The evening had potential to unleash more stars than that. Night time was still ripe after all. In thought, I leaned my hands on the handle of the cane.

Who was I in the past? What was my reputation? Did I have any friends? Most importantly, am the same 18 year old Beatrix I used to be in the past?

According to my imagination, I put myself to be a nobody who had no friends. If I did have friends, I'd remember them right? According to what researchers found out from people who've woken up from a coma, is that they remember the people whom they've add emotional influence over. I remembered who my parents were. I didn't remember who my friends where then it means I didn't have any. If I asked about this they would turn me down, as always.

Dad pulled up the car in front of a huge mall. He opened the door and helped me out the car. Beautiful fairy lights adorned the exterior walls, illuminating light in the darkness. Though at night, the mall was still bustling in life people walking to and fro.

Ricciolini, the restaurant that we'd have dinner at. It was at ground floor which was quite an advantage to me. From the table we sat at, the scenery was so beautiful. I wondered how it looked at during day. Tons of green towering plants were grown on the outside, give the restaurant a homey vibe. You could smell the aroma of food containing careful selected herbs and spices; the experience of the place was just enough to serve as a stress remover.

The food would take about forty five minutes to prepare. I really wanted to go explore the rest of the mall on my own; impatience got the best of me. Besides, I could walk. The cane would be my guidance.

"Mom, Dad, I'm going to check out the rest of the mall." I lifted myself up from the comfy accent chair, holding the armrests then my cane. They both looked at me as if I'd grown two heads. "What? I'll be fine. I promise."

"No." asserted my mother. She complained about me being kidnapped. Dad supported her perspective, saying it's best I stick to them.

"C'mon guys, of what interest will I be to an abductor? Look at me." Ouch. Got hurt by my own comment. I quickly displayed a smile on my face to hide the feelings within.

They reluctantly agreed and gave me some money in case I came across something that interested me. Special thanks to Mom mostly for changing her mind.

According to the mall map in the middle, more intriguing shops were located on the floor above. I used the elevator to get me there.

Many shops were eye-catching. From clothing shops to jewelry shops and the list goes on. It was possible for someone to impulse buy everything. After all, the items were worth it. However, I came across a secluded bookstore. Dim light came from inside, something that automatically drew me in.

Another conclusion I made of my past, was that I loved reading. That'd be a reason why I didn't have friends. Another assumption.

"Hello," i waved to the storeperson as I walked in. Luckily, she nodded her head back, in the midst of counting the money she made for the day.

The smell of old books was enthralling. I got lost in my own little world as I rummaged through pages of books that I found interesting. The feeling of being immersed in fictional worlds. I adored it. I picked two so far, of the same genre which was romance. I put them on one bookshelf so that it'd be easier to walk.

Apart from the cashier and I being the only people in the store, my conscience told me that someone else was in the store.

I pulled out a book which was surprisingly not in place with the other ones; It was literally close to falling to the ground. The title read, The Catcher In Rye by J.D Salinger. Enticed by the synopsis and first few pages, I decided to add it to my other books.

The hairs on the back of my neck rose when I heard a deep voice utter some words behind me. My conscience was right after all.