Lost Memory by Jacqueline Cortez

Chapter One: Gwen

"No, please. Don't hurt me...I was wrong...please...I beg you," A little girl yells in agony. Tears are falling down her face.

"Stop crying...You deserve to be punished for what you did. He is only here because he is my son," She keeps crying begging for her to forgive her. I look over to see the boy but his face is blurry. Who is that? Why? Where am I? Am I in a dream? Why does it feel so real? I walk closer to the little girl to see who she was...this girl...this girl in distress is...me.

New York City, Early September 2020

I am a time traveler. Hi, I'm Gwen Rio. I am 32 years old now.

Being a time traveler is abnormal, but I had to get used to it, and surprisingly I did. I only have one concern, I can't travel past the year 2029 and I don't know why. I think that maybe since it is 10 years from now, that future wasn't relevant yet. I feel as if there was something else.

Today, I'm taking a trip to Sokcho, South Korea. It's going to be a surprise trip for my best friend and roommate, Rosaline "Rosa" Palay. I haven't told her about it yet, but I'm going to, very soon in fact. Going towards the bathroom, I brush my teeth, fix my hair, and start to pack up my bathroom products for the trip. Afterward, I grab the rest of my luggage and head downstairs.

Arriving in the kitchen, I grab some snacks that I got from the future. There're some amazing chocolate bars, a couple of fruit juices, and ramen that tasted beyond phenomenal. One thing that I find odd is that Rosa has never asked about where did I get them from. She just eats it. To be honest, I don't know what I'd do if she did. I don't want to lie to her, but at the same time, I don't want to tell her about who I am and how I gained these abilities. The truth is, I don't know how I got them exactly either. This remains a mystery to me.

Rosa walks into our apartment and noticing my suitcase by the door, points to it before looking back at me.

"Aye, what are you doing?" Rosa asks, honestly confused. A mischievous smile creeps up on my face; I can't control my excitement! 

"We're going on a trip!" I shout, turning to face her.

"No way," she gasps, her mouth wide open.

"Yes way, so hurry up and get your suitcase! I already packed for you."

She stares at me for a few seconds, processing my words. Once they register in her brain, she rushes upstairs to get her stuff. I can't help but laugh at how fast she ran. I don't think she's ever run that fast before; at least since I've known her. No offense, Rosa.

"Takeoff is in six hours, so hurry up!" I yell from downstairs, sitting on the couch to enjoy my snack. I turn on the TV and reach for my phone, taking note of the time.

It's 2:20 pm now, and our plane is going to leave at 8:20 pm. But, everyone knows you always have to be at the airport earlier, especially for an international flight. It's going to be a late-night flight, lasting about 15 hours with no delay. It's going to be a one-way trip, and I booked the first class so we can be comfortable throughout the whole thing.