See-Through

I take in a sharp breath and gasp, looking around. Breathing heavy, I look at my surroundings.

Thick, dark woods surround me. Pushing myself up, I swing my head around.

Where am I? How did I get here?

I try to think what happened before this.

Nothing. I remember absolutely nothing.

Who am I?

I start to panic. I take quick shaking breaths, running my hands over the clothes I’m wearing.

They’re nice clothes. A black wool trench coat, black pants, and a grey shirt underneath.

Where did I get these clothes? How old am I? Who amI?

I put my hands on my head and try to think.

Think,think!

Names? Places? People? Give me something!

Nothing.

I almost want to cry, but I don’t.

I search through my pockets.

Front pockets, nothing but a gum wrapper.

Back, nothing.

I check the coat’s pockets and sigh in relief. My shaky hands pull out a wallet  my wallet.

I open it quickly, not paying attention to the money in it.

No ID. No Credit card.

I scan the coupons for free icecream and floded business cards until I find something usefull.

Elephant Books

Noah Lowry

Editor

The bottom half of the card was ripped out, only giving me a name.

As soon as I read that card, something inside of me recognizes it.

“Ah, Noah! It’s great to see you!” A young woman’s voice speaks and I feel a hand on my shoulder. I smile and turn away from the table and give my friend a grin.

Here dark hair is piled on top of her head, it looks much better than how she usually wears it.

“It’s nice to see you! Thank you for coming!” I say cheerily. She gives a laugh that sounds like bells.

“Well, you only turn twenty three once!” she jokes. She grabs my hand and leads me to-

 

The memory was cut off there, leaving me high and dry, grasping for more.

I walked through the forest in silence, my black shoes squeaking against the wet leaves.

That’s when I heard it. The sound that saved me.

A car honk.

I started running towards the sound, feet pounding against the floor.

And then, I burst though the edge of the woods.

I smiled and swung my head around. I was on a road. Roads meant civilization. Civilization meant people. I grinned to myself. I looked around.

I was in the middle of nowhere.

I swallowed a groan.

It’s okay; I’ll just follow the road, or hitchhike or something.

When I felt the road rumble I turned around, only to see a truck coming right at me. I screamed and tried to move out of its way, but I was too late.

The truck went through me.

I choked on my breath. The truck went through me. The driver didn’t see me. I sank to the road, the truck still going. Farther and farther.

I put a hand against myself. I wasn’t hollow, I’m solid.

It went through me.