Discovery

Chapter 7

Charlie

A loud sigh escapes my lips, frustrated I opened my eyes and maneuvered myself to a sitting position on the plush sofa. A quick glance to my left sat a very pensive doctor Alfonso. His warm chocolate brown eyes piercing me with a disproving frown and pursed lips. I guess he expected this session to produce more insight. I couldn’t blame him. I, too, was woefully disappointed.

Four days flew by since the cafeteria incident, four days of me trying but failing to trigger a fresh memory. Bereft and exhausted, I laid awake night after night reliving the gruesome scene of my dad’s lifeless body lying prone on the dirt floor of what appeared to be a campsite, riddled with bullets. My tiny fist pressing against his opened flesh. After witnessing that, getting out of bed seemed like a monumental task, one I couldn’t even do. The nurses and orderlies came into my room three times for the day, left food, and pills. Stoically, I ate what my churning stomach could take and left the rest, the pills I took without thinking twice. 

Even grumpy Aragon, who I learned actual Christian name was Francis, need I say more. Insert eye roll here. Well, he became concerned when he realized I had become a subdued recluse of my volition. The nurses tried to encourage me to join the others as was accustomed, but I declined. In all his wisdom, Aragorn decided he would send Riley to convince me to get out of bed. 

Riley showed up, sat by my bed as I laid with my eyes starring at the white ceiling lost in thought. In my mind, I saw the ceiling disappearing to be replaced with the starry sky I saw in my memory. Safe to say I was stuck inside my head, reliving this nightmare literally every damn day. How the hell would I cope if I remembered everything, was that the reason I lost my memory in the first place, was it the reason they threw me into this hellhole? Did I completely lose my shit, have a mental breakdown? That would explain so much, except for the fact that no one answered my questions when it came to my family.

“Hi I am Riley, Francis sent me to ask if you would come to dinner,”

For the first time, I really looked at her. Flush cheeks and a hesitant smile made me realize how nervous and unsure she was in my presence. Odd, I wasn’t that big a pain in the ass, was I? I shook the stupid thought from my head and smiled at her.

“Raincheck, just not feeling up for company tonight,” I said.

I notice the smile slipped from her face and a small quiver alighted her slight frame. Concerned, I gently took her hand as she started for the door, stopping her movement.

“Is there something wrong, why did you become so scared Riley what is the matter.” Hesitating for a minute, she spoke, then stopped immediately. Swung her head to the open entrance as if she feared someone was listening.

“It’s nothing I promise. Have a good night Charlie,” Unconvinced. I nod as she saunters from my room, her blonde ponytail swinging from left to right, and a distinctive stiffness to her normally slow gait. Something was definitely wrong. I could feel it. For a minute there, I felt the need to run after her and make her tell me what was wrong. My instincts told me she wouldn’t say a damn thing if she believed someone could overhear our conversation. The encounter stayed with me for a while. Riley had definitely made me forget my shit for a while. Now my focus seemed to be on her.

She had only been here for a week and already the smile she once greeted me with had dimmed a bit. That wasn’t good it could only mean one thing, trouble.

That was over two days ago, two days of being Riley’s shadow every chance I got. It was easier to focus all my efforts on Riley, at least getting her to open up to me. It was a slow process. Today I got a smile that actually made it all the way to her eyes. 

“Charlie,” I jolted from my thoughts, apparently doctor Alfonso had been calling my name for quite some time.

He stared at me as if I had completely zoned out on him, which I had clearly

“Are you hearing me this time, Charlie?”

“Of course, sorry I zoned out a bit there,” I said apologetically, squirming in embarrassment.

“We should try the mediation exercise one more time,” A loud groan left my lips, my gaze was on the laughing doctor Alfonso clearly my discomfort was amusing.

We have been at this for several hours now. The only answer it produced was a distinct hatred of any form of mediation. Why anyone did this was beyond me. I found it to be annoying as hell. This place was quiet enough without the addition of stupid meditation. I swear between the psychotropic drugs, mediation, electric shock, this place was like a version of the Invasion of the Body Natches. Creating little mindless drones.

I needed out of this twilight zone mindscape. I decided whether I got my memories back or not. I was leaving in two days. My plan, easy-peasy, become friendly with the good doctor, borrow his ID, wait until nightfall when everyone was asleep, disguise myself as a nurse, the costume, I got over a month ago, hidden under the floorboard of my room. I had set my plan into motion for weeks. I was simply buying time until I figured out what the hell happened to me. But I just could do it anymore. The answers I sought weren't in this place.

The problem, Riley, she had become the sister I always wanted but never had. I loved my brothers but there were times I wished my parents had given me a sister to talk shop with, like boys, makeup, even life. How the hell was I going to leave her. She was alone in the world, abandoned by parents who could never understand how special and sweet she was.

She hadn't told me the details, from the bits and pieces of conversation it appeared as if she had been sent to Bellmore institution for the criminally insane because she was different, how I still wasn't sure, maybe when she trusted me enough she could disclose what that was, in the meantime patience was my new saving grace when it came to her. 

She had been at my side since the day before when I finally showed up for dinner. I actually saw the relief on Aragorn's face or should I say, Francis, I kind of liked his given name better at least I would use it when I wanted to tease or get under his skin.

When I entered the dining hall, I saw Francis stood at attention, a slight smirk playing on his huge lips. I wasn’t sure if he was happy; whether I was up and out of my room or not. But I was where he could see me, which meant I wasn’t getting myself into trouble. Although his eyes did bulge when I walked in a spaghetti strap top and short shorts. Not my usual attire. 

Lately, I have been feeling like a furnace has been inhabiting my body. Nothing I do short of stripping naked seemed to help curb this incessant heat plaguing my body for the last two days. It was so odd I snuck into the central room that housed the thermostat. Someone almost discovered me tinkering with the stupid device. That would not have been pretty. It sure as shit would have mess with my plans of escape. Especially if I wasn't successful, took over thirty minutes to get the temperature right.

Upon entry, I noticed everyone seemed to be dressed in oversized coats, scarves, and sweaters. Huddled in small groups, for a moment I felt the tingling relief of cold air being replaced with unwavering guilt. Then I remembered I was just a visitor and any inconvenience I was causing would be rectified after my departure. It was the only way I could justify other people's discomfort. It pretty much sucked, but I couldn’t let that twist me into knots.

So that being said, I strolled in a spaghetti strap top with shorts, with no fucks to give attitude.

“Charlie, I am going to need you to focus now,” shit there I was again, zoning out.

I closed my eyes and let the quiet settle into my mind, drifting closer to the memory that wreaked havoc with my emotions for days. This was it. I had to remember or give up trying and discover the truth.   

“I want you to tell me where you were in the last memory.”

Doc says as I let my mind take me back to the stars, and smoke so thick I felt like it overpowered my senses.