Echos of Amnesia

Chapter 2

I sat silently with Simin as the sun rose over the city buildings, giving everything a pink glow.

I smiled as I touched the light rays and Simin stretched as the light reached the edge of our building.
One luxury I have had because I'm always moving, I have seen over 300 different sunsets from all over the world, unfortunately wherever I go, EOA seems to follow...

I ran my fingers through my hair, once again reminded of how it was in desperate need of a wash. I let the straight brown mess fall out of my hands and just to my hip. A cut would be a good idea too.

I lay on my back closing my eyes. I'd need to move soon, so I may as well make the most of this now.

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I woke up and I could smell smoke, strong and burning in my lungs.
I coughed trying to get it out.

I looked around, confused as to where I was.

Suddenly I was hit by an aching headache which filled my stomach with nausea causing me to throw up onto the concrete floor.

I looked up and noticed a staircase and a door, I ran clumsily up the stairs and grabbed the handle of the door shaking it violently.

The door was unlocked, but something was blocking it from the other side.

"H-help..."
My voice was weak and rough like sand paper. how long had it been since I had spoken? How long had I been in here...?
I shook off my questions and tried desperately to open the door, shoving, pushing and kicking with no luck.

"Hey! Someone come! I think someone's trapped in the basement!"

Someone was coming, the sense of relief hit me like a tidal wave causing me to fall onto my knees and cry from joy.
Anywhere was better than here.

About an hour later the door was opened. At first the light had been blinding, I had to squint to see the dark outline of the firemen reaching out for my hand.
When my eyes adjusted, I almost ran back into the basement.

Firemen and news crews everywhere taking pictures of what appeared to be a burnt up apartment with only a few walls still intact.

I started crying, even though I had no memories of this place, I still felt a connection which made me depressed to see it's walls in this state.

I feel to the ground, landing on the hard rubble under me, it was then I was noticed by the news, thanks to the bragging fireman.

The questions came flying, hard to decipher one from another.

"Do you know how the fire started?"
"How long have you been down there?"
"Was there anyone with you?"

I tried my best to answer what I knew but after their questions, one more remained.

"So honey, what's your name? So we can quote you in the papers."

I froze, thinking back, I couldn't remember anything, my name, where I'm from, who I was, anything. thinking fast I looked around for an answer.

I stood, staring at the Ash ridden ground in front of me.

"I-I my name is Ash..."

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I walked silently out of the city, past the checkpoint gates undetected. Good thing this EOA isn't in with the police.

I'd lost Simin on the way, he went off because some guy offered him food but I'll see him again no doubt, he has a habit of turning up and saving me.

I smiled under my hood and kicked at a pebble on the dust path, if I keep walking I should make it to Heightstine by midday and have enough time to find a place to stay.

The past three years I haven't really found anything useful about why I can't remember who I am, which quite simply sucks. I blame the EOA. Every time I get close to finding something, they're there to chase me away from it and take it away. I don't even know what they want from me...

The smokey hillside started to part and the path grew slowly into a dirt road, wagon tracks fresh in the dirt and the sides of the road overgrown with blackberry bushes.

It's hard to imagine something so secluded existed not to far from the city unless you'd seen it for yourself.

I could see the small clay buildings standing lonely in the middle of the valley and smiled at it's dusty warm smell.

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When the stars disappeared, so did seasons. The government held a vote, to decide which city's held which season. In the end, it was decided that cities in the north would hold snow, South would be summer, east spring and west autumn. and that was it, the weather was changed, and the small towns got left with whatever the sun felt like.
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Entering Heightstin I could see children playing and mothers hanging out the washing. the usual small town.

The streets were lined with lilac and lavender and the even in sun burned above.

"Ash!"

I turned to see a short silver haired woman holding a woven washing basket.

I smiled and walked over bowing respectfully as I greeted her.

"Marie! Nice to see you again."

"You too dear, it's been a while, you stopping by or just passing through?"

"Just passing through I'm afraid, the usual."

She nodded.
"Ah, I see. well anyway, it was good to see you-"

I quickly grabbed a scarf from Marie's basket and threw it over my head leaning close and speaking in hushed tone.

"They're in the town Marie, behind me to the right."

"Right. Take the tunnel under the table. That will talk to you directly Mora."

I nodded.
"Thank you Marie. Good fortune to your family."

I dropped a purse of coin in her washing and walked inside without looking back.

When inside I took off the scarf tossing it on the table and pushing it to one side.

I looked out the window, it was the two idiots from before. Judas and that smoker guy. They went into the house across the street and I took the opportunity to slide into the tunnel and pull the table back over the hole.

Mora wasn't far, but it would be far enough that it'd be a couple days journey to get there.

Maybe Mora will be my best choice in a while.

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Hiya guys! Chapter 2 is up and done! Didn't take as long as expected due to lack of homework at school I guess. had more time to write. well, hope you enjoyed it and next chapter will be up soon!

Bai! PhantomShadows