Isles of Recollection

(I) The Mysterious Island

Therese Greenfield

I awoke to the sound of a high-pitched wail. I looked around me, and I saw no one. I blink, confused, and looked for the direction of the voice. Then my eyes darted to the ocean, there was a woman sitting atop a pile of rocks. When my eyes met hers, she started singing. She wasn't just beautiful, she was captivating. Her voice had a sweet ring to it. She looks so young, so stunning.

"Hello?" I called out.

At first, her words did not make any sense. But then, she started to sing more audibly.

My daughter will avenge me

My princess will regain the throne

My child will conquer the island

But grief she must withstand.

My daughter will face him

My princess will fall in love

My child will have it harder

But true happiness will bloom in her

My daughter-

Her beautiful singing was cut, and she began to wail again, it was as if the next few lines are too painful to sing. I was about to approach her but when I took a step closer, she was gone. Talk about creepy.

Just as I thought of that, I realized something even creepier was happening-I didn't know who I was. I don't remember anything except my name. I don't even know where I came from, who were my parents, who were my best friends and basic information like that. I wanted to cry, tear my hair, but this was not the proper place to do it. I had to stay strong and figure it all out.

The chilly breeze swept against my face. I roamed around the beach and saw a crumbling, old paper. Written were these fading words:

My daughter, my princess, my child, this place is a maze, and you cannot escape unless you do what you were meant to do. I'm sorry, Clark.

I kept the paper in my pocket, I have no idea why, but I had this sensation that this paper was important. As if it was a part of my missing memories. I wonder who Clark was. I bet with all my money (but I'm currently short on cash) that somehow, I knew her.

I trudge deeper in the island, and discover a few not-so-helpful things.

1.) This place is infested with mosquitoes. There are even some variations I don't recognize.

2.) This place is too huge to roam on my feet alone

3.) The nearest village is still hours away. (The sign says so)

Suddenly, I heard a rustle from the bushes. Immediately, I knew there was someone watching me. My instincts suddenly perked up, and I felt a rush of adrenaline. I knew I had to be ready because whoever that was must have had lots of experience.

"Who's there?" I ask, trying to make my voice as firm as possible.

"Who are you?" A strong voice replied.

"I asked first."

"True, but you can't see me. I could be aiming a weapon right into your head right now."

I sighed in defeat. I decided to tell him my name. After all, I have no choice, have I?

"Fair enough, I'm Therese. Who are you?"

Right after saying my name, he emerges from his hideout. A brown-haired, green-eyed, boy about my age appears.

"Calvin. Where are you from? Are you some sort of alien?"

I shot him a quick glare before replying, "What makes you think so?"

He hesitated before replying, "Well-uh-you look like my... deceased friend."

"You hesitated. Are you sure she's your friend?"

He looked away. His face had a tinge of red, and a mixture of regret. Whoever this 'friend' was, she must be pretty special.

"C'mon, I'll bring you to a friend."

"How interesting, lead the way, Calvin." I raised my eyebrows.

We went in the village together. He had a horse nearby, and within an hour, we arrived in a small village. The village was small yet harmonious. Calvin says this village is named Kisc. Kisc is mainly composed of strong men and old, sick people. Calvin says this is the least supported area by the Apige Council, who are the lawmakers of the island. The Apige Council was kind enough, though, to hand out medicines such as Calisthole.

"What's the entire island called?" I ask.

"Kralc Island." He replies curtly, "We're here."

He knocks on the doors and call out a name. A bright, old woman comes face to face with us.

"Come in!" She greets happily. "Cal, sweetie, is this girl your new-"

"Nope! I just met her." Calvin snaps, "Tamara please."

Tamara laughs heartily and starts to ask me questions. I tell her how I arrived here, and what has happened to me.

"That's a bit peculiar..." Tamara rubs her chin. "But Calisthole usually works for most deficiencies... It might help you regain memory. But, your story reminds me of something else. There was a legend that says that one day, a beautiful, kind hearted woman turns into a tyrant. She arrives in an island with no memories, and then her mind feeds her partly faux memories for vengeance. The only way for her to be back to her kind hearted state is to have a woman named-" Tamara's words were cut off by a high-pitched noise, peculiarly, it sounded so much like the woman at the beach's.

And we all black out.

When I wake up, I find myself lying on a soft bed. I looked around me for Calvin and Tamara. They were both sleeping peacefully in the two other beds. I was wondering about the legend Tamara was talking about. Could I be part of it? There were two women (or at least two for now, Tamara never finished her story.) involved.

I knew I had to get answers if I wanted to unravel my memories. I just had to. I was sent here for a reason, and I promise to figure it all out.