Chapter 6 : Perplexed Memoir

Zia Stephanie's POV

Exhaustion stepped into my bones the moment I opened my eyes. The fatigue had moved to my fingers. I sat at the cold floor. I gazed my eyes towards the surroundings. The forest was far-reaching, shadowy, and prospering. Its canopy was overshadowed by sycamore, elm, and spruce, who allowed adequate light to pass down for a hodgepodge of saplings to make use of the moss-covered grounds below.

Coiling branches dangled from many a tree, and a medley of flowers, which claimed quiet corners, clashed with the otherwise monotone forest grounds. A variation of noises, most belonged to birds, added life to the forest, and almost completely muffled the occasional sounds of breaking twigs beneath the feet of larger animals.

I stood on my feet, examining my body. "Where the fork am I?" I blinked.

Every little sound, a pebble scraping underneath my shoe, the wind pressing against the panes of the trees was amplified by the deafening silence. The forest looked like hollow sockets, empty and black, the life that once thrived within them, long gone, and abandoned.

I have a sinking feeling it would not be as straightforward as it seems. But whether there would be difficulties as immediate as arriving here in an unknown island. It's okay, I say.

I straightened my back and started walking. As I walked towards the pathway from the rays of the sunlight, silence filled my ears. But the more I walk further, I could hear the hollow echo of drilling...something was not right. It was as if there was a huge void.

There was a moment -- a pause -- before it harks its song and takes flight, spilling golden light upon the plains, across the hills, penetrating the deepest of forests, and scaling the tallest of peaks... I saw the sun.

But something was wrong. Where are my wounds from yesterday? Or was it yesterday? It sent shivers to my spine as I searched for the echoes. But I could feel someone was watching me.

Sure enough, I felt the tension gradually easing from my neck and some kind of liquid warmth filling my body as I saw the ocean.

"Where am I? Where are the others? I need Brent right now," I whispered to myself.

Memories from the past flooded my mind.

The white color on the walls in this room was complemented by the black and white Moroccan rug on the floor. Between the two was a mix of warm and cool influences from the warm woods of the coffee table and wicker poufs juxtaposed with the cool blues of the textiles on the couch.

I walked through the seemingly long passageway, with my pj's rolled up to my knees. "Mom!" I shouted, still preventing myself to yawn.

The room was so bright white that when you look at it, it blinds you for just a second and then you will come into view of its uniqueness. It was sterile, full of machines and beeping of sounds.

"Mom, where's my iron man stuff toys?" I added, scratching my hair. I was about to take another step when a small voice yelled.

"Stephanie!" he said. Before I could search for him, Brent grabbed my arms downwards, making me almost fall to the cold-tiled concrete. "Keep your voice down," he added, while we moved towards the big box hiding from the sight of our mother.

"Brent," I paused, tilting my head. "Are we playing hide and seek with mom?" I asked, flashing a wide smile.

He looked at me for a while before he looked back at them again. "Zip your mouth," he said, lowering his voice.

"Look, Brent!" I giggled, pointing towards the huge machines in front of us and the different tubes attached to it.

Was Mom baking a ridiculously huge cake? Maybe, there was a surprise waiting for us while Mom was just trying to hide it. I wonder what it was, was it a big teddy bear again, paired pj's, box of potato chips, or lots of iron man stuffs?

I was about to call him again when he shifted towards the next box in front of us.

"Come here," he said. His chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. "Quickly!" he added as he drew another long breath. I stood still. When I eyed him again, his eyes were burning with fire. He walked towards me dragging me closer and closer to Mom, still hiding at the back of the big boxes.

I averted my gaze from Brent towards my Mom. Her hair was still silky as before as if it were handled with care, but her eyes showed her little wrinkles and tiredness. I pursed my lips together, wanting to be with her. Then, the boy wearing a white coat and gloves came near her, smiling widely.

"Are you sure you've got all the processors done correctly?" Mom asked. I furrowed my brows, looking back and forth from Mom and Brent's pained expression.

What are they doing? Are we still playing hide and seek?

I was about to stand when Brent stopped me, but he was still listening at their conversation.

"Yes, I've done my extensive research about that," the guy replied. "We only need to have a human sample."

I rubbed my eyes, listening to their boring conversation. Wasn't it bad to listen to other's business? I just want my iron man stuffs back.

"No... not yet," Mom said, rubbing her chin but still smiling widely. "Run more test on animals first. Make sure you can handle all of those," Mom continued.

I glanced at my brother. Brent went blank, quietly sitting at the floor while I shrugged my shoulders. I don't understand them.

"Hey, honey!" A baritone voice said. I heard his big footsteps walking so I looked back and saw my dad waving his hand in the air, catching the attention of Mom.

"Daddy is here," I said, poking at Brent's t-shirt's hem. "Daddy! We're -" Brent covered my mouth before I could tell another word.

I eyed him, scrunching my face. "I told you to zip your mouth, Stephanie," he said, raking his fingers through his hair. "If we got caught, I'll burn all your iron man toys," he added.

My eyes widened in fear. "You have them?" I asked. "Why are we hiding, Brent?"

He glanced at me for a while, leaving no answer. I pursed my lips together, roaming my eyes at the surroundings. Why was this room so boring? It was like a hospital, where Mom and I once went to when I needed a blood.

I was about to shift into a different spot when I saw a cute girl having long hair as her beads of sweat falls from her temple. "Who is she, Brent?" I asked my brother.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" He asked, face flushed crept up in his face. I nodded in agreement. Her pale skin matched her rosy cheeks and her reddish lips. She looked like a ghost, but an angel disguised. 

"What is she doing there?" I asked. Again, there was a long silence. He did not answer me again. This bummer brother. I would definitely tell Mom. "She was the child we've seen at the shore, wasn't she?"

My forehead creased as I peered towards the beautiful painting. It was colored in vivid colors composing of two figures, a man and a lady. I titled my head while I traced it with my index finger. "Look at this painting," I said, catching the attention of my brother. "What's this?"

"A Japanese painting, whoever leaves first, dies first," Brent said, having a blank face. "Take it down. Away from that thing," he added as his muscles in his jaw twitched.

I tilted my head once again, admiring the beauty of the painting. "They both pointing a knife in each nape," I paused, then gazed at him. "What's the meaning of that, Brent?"

He took a long breath before he answered, "It means, do not fall in love with an opposite sex without my consent." I nodded, sniffling the painting. My nose crinkled. It was made of some toxic acrylic.

I looked at the painting once again and said, "But look at the hand of the boy, he was shielding the nape of the girl."

He flashed a genuine smile, making me smile too, and said, "Not all girls protect the ones they love... some boys too."

I was about to take a step away from the painting when I saw a spider, making me shrieked, throwing my hair clip at the other side.

"What was that?" Mom asked. A long eerie silence filled the air. I saw how Brent's expression turned from calm to shocked. Am I dead?

"Have you heard that?" Mom continued.

I bit my nails, trying to hide my anxiety. "They're walking towards us," I said, heart racing fast.

"Let's go," brent whispered, grabbing my hand away from the boxes. "Let's go to that vent...quickly!"

When one walks in from a busy, hustled street, the first thing that strikes the eye was the somewhat subdued interior with its dark colors and quiet tones. The curtains on the windows keep the light out, making the inside of the shop look shady. A ray of light falls on the counter, playing on the long row of tubs with all kinds of coffee brands and types.

"I'll definitely burn all your toys," Brent said while catching his breath. The coffee shop was meters away from our house, making it our comfort place.

This was the best place to get coffee in the area, and variety of coffee assortment strikes every visitor. The air was filled with an incredible number of coffee aromas mingled in an unforgettable mixture of nuances. Coffee smells infuse the air, flowing out into the street and mixing with the fresh morning air so that every passer-by even with the eyes closed could say that it was a coffee shop located in the street.

I punched his arms and yelled, "You're so mean!"

The air was filled with an incredible number of coffee aromas mingled in an unforgettable mixture of nuances. Coffee smells infused the air, flowing out into the street and mixing with the fresh morning air so that every passer-by even with the eyes closed could say that it was a coffee shop located in the street.

We started walking towards the coffee shop when he replied, "You are median." He smirked; chin held high, pushing the door.

"You're mode," I said, bursting laughing. I roamed by eyes towards the building and the people busy eating their snacks. To the left were little tables with customers seated at them, sipping their morning coffee in anticipation of a long working day. Although the furniture in the store was not new, it retains an elegant look thanks to its good quality, adding an impressive touch to the atmosphere.

The strong smell attracts the visitors into the store, making them expect excellent coffee. At the entrance, one could hear the sounds of busy work as shop assistants rush back and forward packing the coffee, brewing the drink for their clients, and pouring it into steaming cups.

The sounds of talking, cups lifted off plates, and assistants working create a lively and energetic atmosphere that in itself helped those fighting with the rest of sleep wake up and brace themselves for the long working day. The good thing about this shop that it was not only a coffee shop but also half of this building was a mini mart.

"You're that +C that is used in integration," Brent said, raking his fingers through his hair as he walked towards the aisle of chips and drinks. "It has no use, and no one knows why its added," he added.

"You're the air resistance that's being ignored in physics calculations," I replied, bursting his bubbles. "Roasted." I laughed.

"Stop, smiling bunny kid, you're smile looked like a bunny. You're the numbers that are placed after three point fourteen," he said. My smiles instantly vanished; eyebrows creased. "Comeback," he continued.

I pursed my lips together, looking at the chips at the cabinet. "Now, you're so mean, I'll tell mom and dad," I said.

His voice hardened and said, "No, don't." I gazed at him; Brent's expression looked as if he was being pained. "I'll buy you some treats... just don't tell them."

"Alright, call," I said while nodding. I was busy scanning through the trays of mozzarella when a girl caught my eye. "Isn't she the girl we saw a while ago?" I asked, pointing at the girl standing at the door.

Brent immediately looked at the door and said, "Yes, she is."

"Talk to her, Brent!" I whispered, making him cover his ears using both his palms.

Brent's being shy. What is it brother? What is there to tell?

He threw me a deadpanned looked. "Why would I?"

The corner my lips turned up and in a soft voice, I said, "Because she's pretty? Come on brother, make a move." I pushed him a little.

"Let's go buy more foods to zip your mouth," he said, pushing the cart towards the next aisle.

"That's why I like being your sister." I giggled, flashing my bunny smile once again.

Minutes later, I saw Brent walked through the drinks section and I was surprised to see his picked items. "Rite 'n lite lemon with yakult, and chia seeds?" I scrunched my face before I could continue. "Is that even a drink?"

He patted my head. "Obviously? Grab yours too," he said.

I walked in front of him, reaching for my favorite drink. "I'll take this." I smiled at him once again, trying to convince him.

I looked at him, but his face expressed disbelief. "Potato chips and gatorade? But that's not good for you." He reached for the next alley of drinks, passing at my gatorade drink. "Here, take this," he said, while giving me a yogurt.

"Gross, what's this?" I asked while reading the label of the drink.

"Squash flavored drink and a bread," he said, pushing the cart once again.

I punched his shoulder. "You're a monster, Brent!"

He stopped. He looked at me for a while the corner of his lips curved into a smirk, and said, "Thanks, Stephanie. I know that."

After we arrived at the counter, we walked pass the girl from a while ago. I really admire her beauty. She was like a fragile glass that should be kept for it is easily broken.

"A hundred seventy," the cashier said.

I glanced at my brother who was busy looking for something. "Oh, w-wait," he said while his brows knitted. "Crabs! I forgot my wallet."

"Sir?" The cashier almost in her twenties asked, trying to hide her annoyance.

My brother was about to say something when someone spoke from behind. "Please add this one, I'll pay for their expense," she said.

"That would be a hundred ninety-nine," the cashier said. "I receive a thousand. Here's your change."

I looked at her again, trying to scan her features. It was the delicate ghost girl. She really was  God's sent.

I glanced at my brother whose face now flushed red, covering his ears. "I-I..." He stuttered. "Thanks," he said.

"I think my brother has crashed," I giggled as I lifted the stuffs that we have bought but my brother stepped on my left foot before he picked up the bag from my hands. "Ouch!"

"May I know your name...so, I can repay you," Brent said while his cheeks were still in fire.

I mentally facepalmed. Why is my brother acting like a total naïve boy? He was not like this. Something was definitely wrong here.

The girl in front of us, pinched the bridge of her nose, and said, "It's not a big deal, but I'm -"

She was interrupted when a man from a while ago wearing white coat yelled, "Where are you, Rianne?"

For a moment, her face turned pale. "I gotta go, see you," Rianne said, flashing a smile while showing her dimples in her cheeks.

"Thank you, Rianne!" Brent and I chorused before we bid goodbye.

I crossed my arms while looking at Brent who was still looking at Rianne's back. "I told you go and talk to her," I paused, "You're so coward."

In a glimpse of moment, I saw his smile. But then it vanished instantly, and said, "I ain't a coward."

I chuckled. "Grandmother says heartache is a hungry caterpillar that must be fed so it can grow wings and fly away." I twirled my hair, still teasing him. "Rejection at its finest," I added. "I like her, she's cool unlike you."

His eyes squinted. "I'm your brother," he said while his hands placed on his hips while stomping his feet.

"And so?" I shrugged my shoulders, making him pissed more than before.

"You should support me," he said, placing his right hand on his hip.

I rolled my eyes. "Of course! When I saw you twerking in the tune of bohemian rhapsody at your room, I know you're the one."

"How did you -?" he said, making little to no eye contact.

I walked ahead of him and said, "I saw it. Kids don't lie, swear, I won't spill it."

"You are so dead, come here!" Brent screamed.

I looked back and saw him running towards me, so I fastened my pace.

A sudden stretched creek made me back from my senses. "Who's that?" I yelled, roaming my eyes to my surroundings.

I am still dumbfounded after what happened. I could not believe this. I could not understand a thing.

I laughed. Maybe, I missed the hint. I found myself on what seemed to be a deserted island. I dragged myself up and stood back to observe the island that offered me a safe haven. In the midst of what seemed to be a tropical paradise, beautiful flowers along the banks of small streams running perkily through the trees. It felt like a dream world. I walked and walked as the echoes stopped.

The sounds of the birds brought freedom and happiness to mind. Nowhere was there any sign of fear; they had obviously not experienced the destruction that man could cause. Following the streams allowed me to hear the playful sound of the water lapping at the rocks and the fish jumping about. When the wind blew gently, it brings me a feeling of peace and tranquility.

Not knowing how long unconsciousness had lasted, I was unaware of how long my body had been without food. But as I remember myself before I passed out, I felt the ache in my arms and feet. I saw many stitches like a ripped doll trying to be fix yet my clothing was still the same but full of dry blood.

I snapped. "Am I going to be dead?" I asked myself.

I continued examining my body when I felt something weird on my left wrist. It was a watch. As far as I know, I have no interest in wearing a watch. Oddly, there was no way to remove this.

Then, suddenly I reminisced how Mae Joy died from our school. It was the same watch as before. Minutes have passed when I decided to keep my horses down and let myself breathe.

I walked and walked in this seemingly long forest. Shivers went down from my neck to my spine when I saw my watch glowing. I felt relieved when there was no harm nor hazards in the area. But the moment I looked down; I found a note near the root of the acacia tree.

I raised my left eyebrows. I cannot let myself die in here. No, not here.

I picked it up and a piece of paper fell out. Seeing this bloody handwriting turned my stomach in knots. It has written in careful script:

What challenge is there in breaking a horse without spirit? The challenge is to replace the spirit with fear, surviving all the costs. Are you ready to feel alive, Zia Stephanie?

I was about to close my eyes when my ears heard rushing of footsteps and a ticking of the clock. A number of unidentified creatures waved in.

Am I entering a rabbit hole?