Amnesia

chapter 1

The brisk autumn air had left a chill down the spines of all it reached, the sun tucked behind the darkening clouds that were forming into a giant ball of vehemence. A sharp, fresh aroma was being carried on the wintry wind, another reminder of the frozen tundra to come. Despite all, the streets were packed, bright bundles in different shapes and sizes hustling down the road making up for the last minute holiday shopping. They had been "too busy" to get too before the stores shipment ran low and started to close for the holidays.

Her purse bounced at her side as she hustled along with the others, the little name tag clipped to her shoulder strap flashing "Dawn," for all those to read. Though, it wasn't the name on her birth certificate. Her bright green eyes blinked as she scanned the area, hesitant. The list that was being crushed in her hands was forgotten in the mystification of the whole process. People rushing passed her pushed and shoved, the blinking lights of the window displays adding to her disorientation.

Slipping out of the constant stream of colors and sitting down on chilled stone, frigid water occasionally splashed onto her back, following with a distant shout of an apology. I want to go home; the thought crossed her mind as another round of water soaked her back. Where's home again? Her eyes darted back and forth, following the whispers and recurrent glance of eyes directed towards her. Tensing, she sprang from her spot, and bolted.

Sweat perspired off her cheeks, the familiar burning in her lungs as they cried for oxygen the only reason she slowed. Panting, she examined the area, now wishing she were back at the shopping area. Nothing was familiar, nothing made sense, and everything was blank. Words were just words, their meaning lost in a sea of nothingness. She could comprehend that she was standing on a bridge or below that was a boat or go as far as that boat was reeling up a fish. The purpose was the problem, it was lost somewhere in her head.

A little child reeled up a fish, the Father screams easily heard despite the slight blur of the distant figure. She had caught herself smiling then, not knowing why this was such an achievement or the memories the two had just formed. As the boat docked she got a feel for the time, the sun three quarters of the way from touching the horizon and the temperature dropping a few notches. Her hand trailed the smooth wooden rail as the first drops of rain came crashing on her head. Looking up, she watched heaven break open and spill tears upon the Earth.

Opening her mouth and sticking out her tongue, she made an attempt to quench her thirst, which in the long-run was probably not the best idea. Her thoughts matched the even steps that she had fallen into. Step, step, step, step. More than one action confused her, made her hesitate. Step, step, her mind and body were set up like a wind up toy.

The rain pounded over the fabric of Deans black umbrella as he peered into the mist and gloom creating a veil to all those things that go bump in the night. Gripping onto his handle, he spat a ray of curses under his breath before slipping back into a run. His blue jeans were soaked from the knees down, his shoes most likely ruined. The events kept repeating through his head like a broken record, through it all he managed to pick out his own thoughts abandoning him as well. Pausing at the wishing fountain, he watched the frequently disturbed reflection, the coins dull lumps in the murky water.

Crumpled up mush laid near his hand, a trail of black running over his pinkie ring. In normal circumstances he would've noticed but at that moment his mind was going in so many directions that if his main problem was solved he would of stayed motionless. In fact, he didn't notice the ring or the trail of black by sensation or curiosity, but by simple mistake. Regardless of the sudden downpour, he went to close the umbrella, noticing the faint trace of black rolling off his hand until it blended into the umbrella.

A few seconds passed as he watched the droplet wash away, disappearing from existence before his head slowly moved with his eyes to the crumpled mush. Grabbing it with the tips of his nails, (He would never recall letting the umbrella slip from his fingers or it rolling away.) he straightened it, trying to make out the bleeding other worldly dialect. A pit in his stomach started to grow as he picked out a few recognizable letters, and though he wasn't looking into the water he could tell he was growing pale.

This has to be a coincidence, his mind refused to think the worst till he kept reading the globs of ink remnants. Leaping from his seat, he started to run in a general direction, the paper crushed in his hands, before tripping up on something and landing on all fours. The impact had taken his breath away, his heart hammering as his nose scraped the concrete. The something was thrown into the air before striking him in the back, knocking him to the ground.

The warm trickle from his nose made him aware of the searing pain running down his spine, and the spots wouldn't cease to stop nibbling at his vision. Soaked and muddy, he frantically searching for the paper. Finding it won't solve anything. Giving up on the paper, he stood, starting up his manhunt again and peering through the rain.

Her vision caught the oppressive green meeting concrete as she started in a sprint, the blurry rows of structures coming into view. Her foot pecked the road before springing forward. The houses were the generic two bed and bath with an attic and basement, topped with a white wooden fence surrounding the yard. Her thoughts could barely be heard over her racing heart, her clothes soaked to the point she couldn't tell perspiration from rain. The gnawing in her gut refused to stop, her hair raised on end.

Pausing in the middle of the cul-de-sac, she slowly turned on her heels, taking in each house. She stopped after observing each home, and, in a desperate attempt, ran to the closest home. Pawing at the gate, she unlatched the handle, the door creaking open with a touch of her hand. Cautiously stepping in, she scanned the recently groomed yard, perfection blooming in every nook and cranny.

Her steps were uneasy as she approached the metal knocker, her heart a garbled voice. A shaky hand that she assumed was her own grabbed the cold, wet metal. Knock, knock. The knocking settled into her mind. Seconds passed, minutes without a response. As she turned, she thought she caught movement in the window before dismissing the thought. The door suddenly swung open, missing Dawn from the tips of her boots.

Spinning around, she stood face to face with a woman. Her eyes were on the softer side, her hair maintaining color minus the gray streak running down in a tangled braid. The two stood for a few moments, silence lingering in the air. "Won't you come in?" The woman motioned inside, breaking the silence.

Taking the invitation, she stepped inside and glanced around. The interior was lacking in the creative part, though still cozy enough to be called home. Sitting down on the gray couch, she crossed her hands and pumped her feet. Maybe I'm finally home, she smiled as her gut released. "May I put your purse in the closet?" The woman seemed to want nothing to do with the purse.

Without a second thought she passed her purse over before watching the woman and the purse disappear. As she sank back into the seat, an object pierced into her lower back. Jolting forward, she reached back and pulled out a remote. Clicking on the television, she looked up, amazed. She started flipping through the channels, pausing every few seconds to watch a show of interest before returning to the buttons.

The woman sat down next to her, a smile etched on her face. She glanced between the remote and the television, which was still changing channels. "What're you watching?" She asked.

Dawn stopped flipping channels and started watching, genuinely interested in the nonsense they were projecting. Opening her mouth, she paused, muling over her options. "watching television, why?" Its a start; she had spoken for the first time in front of someone other than him.

The woman nodded slowly as if taking in her words before silence slowly but subtly snuck up onto the two once more, the television the stand point in the room. Another commercial had switched on when Dawn yawned.

"Why don't you get some rest, you've had a long day after all." Her tone was sickly sweet.

She handed over the remote and started to curl up on the couch, the thoughts of warmth and comfort concealing the pit in her stomach. Closing her eyes, she pictured herself back in at the bridge, letting the warmth envelop her. She had just closed her eyes for a few seconds, maybe a few minutes at most. The door had crashed open, piercing the atmosphere with a bang! Her eyes flung open, and she was met with a sopping man, hunched over panting a storm. "Where have you been?" He screamed more than questioned.

She did once over, taking him in before speaking. "Welcome home Dean." She smiled innocently.

He blinked, dumbfounded before reality shattered the little bits of hope he had. She's gone. Realization swept past him, leaving him numb. That's not the person I used to know. He thought he managed to hold a weak smile, but everything was fake now. "Glad to be home Celine."