I Remember

Every day, she awoke to the bit of sunlight that peeked through the window. The room never had good lighting even during the day. A lone candle sat on a desk, flickering and casting a dim light around the man who sat there.

She didn't know who he was, only that he had rescued her some time ago. He was kind and let her stay in his small home, but aside from small talk and pleasantries, she was generally left her to her own devices. Most days, he sat at the desk, hunched over something he was working on. But he never shared and she never asked.

Once, she thought she might dare to look, but realized that might cause him to become angry. She didn't know where she was, or even who she was. Her own life was as much a mystery as his. Being cast out would only cause her to become more lost than she already was.

They were alone on the island and some days, she thought she might lose her mind over the lack of company. She found solace in wandering along the shore on days when he insisted on being alone. Had there been other inhabitants, they might find her strange, conversing with whatever wildlife she happened upon.

As odd as it all was, it was the only life she knew. Whatever she had before was too far out of reach to grasp. Some days, it felt as though it was right there, waiting for her to touch it, but the memories never came.
Those days were the hardest.

Who was she? Did she have a name? A home? A family?

Was there someone out there who missed her? Who was looking for her? They would never find her here, of that she was sure. The island saw no visitors. The man wasn't clear on how long he had been there, but did not seem too afraid of intruders.

The man was particularly quiet today. She took her leave, per usual, and went down to the shore. She sat down close enough for the water to lick at her toes as the waves rushed in.

This place was foreign to her, and yet, it was becoming familiar. She imagined that if she ever found herself, that it might be strange and unusual to her now. This life was simple, and the clothes she had washed up in suggested she didn't come from such a lifestyle. Beads, jewels, and fine fabrics told a much different story than the life she was growing used to.

"I thought you might be cold," the man said, his voice intruding and breaking her from her thoughts. He wrapped a blanket around her and handed her a thermos.

She looked up and realized that she had been out all day, just sitting by the sea. The sun was setting now and a light breeze picked up. She opened the thermos and smelled what was sure to be a delicious soup.

The man may have been a mystery to her, but she learned quickly that he was a wonderful cook.

"Thank you," she smiled as she took a sip. The liquid warmed her, not so hot that it was scalding. It was just right, giving her the feeling of sitting by a cozy fire. She looked over to the man to thank him again, but couldn't understand the confused look on his face. "Is everything all right?"

He shook his head and looked away. He seemed upset, but not with her. Almost as though he was disappointed about something. "I'm going to head inside," he told her. "Please don't stay out too long. I wouldn't want you falling ill."
There was a sadness in his tone that she had never heard before. She could understand his concern. Upon her arrival, she was nearly dead and had a fever that seemed unbreakable. But she was fine now. Still, she decided it wouldn't be wise to worry him more than he already seemed.

"I'll be in soon," she promised. She turned to take another sip from the thermos as he began to walk back towards the cabin.

The warmth she felt before now felt like a fire in her soul. Images flashed in her mind.

A dress.

A ball.

A fight.

A ship.

Love.

LOVE.

The stranger wasn't a stranger at all. His green eyes flashed all through her memories. She remembered.

She remembered.

"I remember," she said aloud.

He didn't hear her.

She stood, leaving the blanket and thermos forgotten on the ground. "Isaiah!" she called. "I remember!"
It was too late. Isaiah vanished with the wind, along with everything she'd come to know over the past few weeks. She remembered.

But he was gone.