Abandoned Memories

Following The Yellow Brick Road

My hands trembled with a mixture of fear and shock, and all the colour in my face suddenly disappeared. I wasn't sure if I was being deceived by my exhausted eyes or if what I was intently staring at was true. I pushed my back into the tree, trying to keep myself upright and clenched my fists in the hope that my hands would stop shaking. And I watched speechless as the shimmering ghost-like figure of my mother opened her mouth to speak.

"There's no need to be afraid darling. I know none of this makes sense but that's why I'm here. I know you're obviously confused, scared and have no idea what's happening. Just know that I'm here to help you learn the truth."

I looked at the strange figure, still trying to take everything in. The specter before me spoke with the exact same calm voice that my mother used to speak to me in when I was troubled. It always used to sooth my anxiety, but now it did the exact opposite!

Though it looked like my mom and sounded like her, my mind just couldn't comprehend that she was there standing before me. I blinked and there she still stood. I soon realized that I had been holding my breath for what seemed like forever and sharply exhaled. I leaned back against the tree again, willing myself to speak.

"What are you even talking about? Who-I mean WHAT are you!? What truth? What's going on? Aren't you dead?! How are you here? Start explaining or I'm going to scream for help!"

She gave me a comforting smile, a smile that I knew so well, and in doing so, she pulled out a vial holding a sapphire-coloured liquid. Somewhere within me, I began to ease up.

"Zoe honey, it's me. It's scary seeing me this way I know, but please listen to me. The reason I am here is because the reason behind my death was never uncovered. This means unfinished business for me in the Underworld. Everyone who dies under mysterious circumstances goes there. We cannot rest and if the truth is not revealed, the consequences for me are dire."

She looked gravely worried, but still attempted her reassuring smile once more. She took one step forward slowly and reached out to me. She reached out and before I knew it, she was clutching my hand and placing the vial in my
palm. My body tensed at her touch; it was as cold as ice.

"What matters now is that you listen closely to what I'm about to say. There isn't much time. It is vital that you drink the contents of this vial only in your time of need. This substance will allow you to see a vision of your past or your future. This vision will not show you the reason behind my death though. It's not that easy and no matter how powerful something is, it always comes with limitations. When you drink it, it'll enable you to keep your memory for an extra three days. You will experience extreme nausea and dizziness though so remember, only use it when you absolutely have to!"

I started to feel sick just listening to her. Apparently being a normal teenager just wasn't in the cards for me.

"There's one more thing you need to know Zoe. There are seven clues you must uncover before the cause of my death will be revealed to you. This much I know. Meeting me was the first of them. You must make your way to the Tallahassee River next. It's not too far from here. That's where you'll find the second clue. The closer you get to the truth, the harder it will get. I don't know all the details, but beware of sabotage. There are many forces at work and it is in their best interest that you don't find out, because if you do, I will be forced out of their hands and into the hands of the Just."

There was so much information and so little time to take it all in. My mind was racing; it was like trying to solve a puzzle without having all the pieces. My mother brought her hands together and took a breath before beginning to speak again.

"The Just are in charge of putting me at peace and deciding where the true fate of my soul lies. Those in charge of The Underworld are not concerned with that. They simply want to keep me for themselves. Trapped, condemned, lost! They're coming for me now, I can feel it! I know this is an unbearable burden but it's now up to you to find out how and why I died. Only you can save me and when you do, your memory will be restored. I believe in you Zoe. "

And before I could utter another word, she was gone. She had seemingly evaporated into thin air and I was alone once more. I looked down at the vial in my hand with only one thought in my mind: I needed to make my way to the Tallahassee River. NOW!