Chapter 1
My life changed seven years ago... and no matter how much I'd like to forget, the rest of the world likes to keep reminding me… But I won't let that define who I am now... I am strong. Those thoughts ran thought my head as I packed up my archery gear and headed to my car. Just as I exited the building I'm confronted by two members of my high schools newspaper club.
"Pura! Do you have a moment?" The girl from the newspaper club asked running in front of me trying to block my path.
"Sorry, I'm already late for dinner as it is and I'm really hungry." I said trying to pass them by but they follow after me,
"It will only take a second, please, we just want to get your reaction about the anniversary of your kidnapping being tomorrow." she persisted.
"For the past six years I have told you the exact same thing; I don't remember what happened to me and one more year isn't going to change anything." I said
"It'll be seven years tomorrow, correct?" she asked
"Yes, now please, I'm already late." I said as I quickly walk to my car and make my escape... I hate this time of the year... dad gets super overprotective and everyone at school becomes more nosey... I make it to my car and head home. Just as I'm about five minuet from my house my phone begins to ring.
"Pura, where are you!" I could hear my dad's voice thorough the phone
"I'm almost are home, sorry, Archery club took a bit longer than usual." I said as I can hear him let out a loud sigh.
"I'll see you in a bit." he hung up the phone... I get home and leave my archery gear in the garage before I walk inside where I know a lecture was waiting for me.
"Sorry Pura, I tried to calm him down." Mom said giving me a hug as I enter the kitchen.
"Oh don't give me that! I'm usually pretty flexible with your curfew but it's been two hours!" he yells.
"I know... we were discussing how the last archery competition is the week after school ends and we lost track of time... I'm sorry." I said,
"We get worried." he said,
"I know, but dad I'm seventeen now, I'm almost an adult and I wish you'd stop treating me like I'm still ten when this part of the year comes around." I said,
"Whoever took you could come back! They were never caught remember?" he argued,
"And they abandoned me inside a cave for who knows how long..." I added, "If they really wanted to take me again, they would have."
"Your fathers just worried," Mom joined the argument,
"And I understand that... I just wish you'd loosen the rope." I frown, tired of having this argument, "I'm going to have dinner in my room..." I said grabbing the plate full of food and walk away. I spend the rest on the night studying for my last final for my band class, I practice a little on my flute then head to bed.
My thoughts stirred as I drifted into sleep, maybe it was because I've been constantly reminded of what tomorrow is and that made the thought of empty memories keep repeating in my head. It was dark... as I came to I could recognize that I was in my old school auditorium. A strange woman appeared in front of me wearing a large decorated hat.
"There you are little bird!" she reached for me and I jolt awake, startling myself. My body began to tremble as I could feel a panic attack coming. I try to scramble around looking for my grounding stone... my psychiatrist gave me a quartz stone for me to hold onto when I start having a panic attack, it's meant to remind me of safety and the smooth texture helps me focus on something. Like the name, it helps me stay grounded. I find it and hold it tight to my chest and take slow deep breaths. Most of my panic attacks happen when I hold in pent up emotion or when I try too hard to remember seven years ago. An hour passes and I finally calm down, I start to think back to the dream about my elementary school... I should write April again, writing to her always helped me relax.
I walk out to our back deck with a pen and some paper. It always felt better to write on paper than it did writing on a computer or phone, I don't feel connected to the writing that way. I start writing and a few minutes later I hear the door behind me open and my mom walks out with a blanket in one hand and a mug in the other.
"Can't sleep?" she asked handing me the mug and then draping the blanket over my shoulders, She sits next to me looking concerned,
"No..." I said continuing to write; I didn't want to worry her about me having another attack. "I decided to write to April."
"Does she respond? It would me much quicker if you just emailed her." she said
"I know, I just like handwriting better, that's all." I said
"You had another attack, didn't you?"
"How did you know?" I look at her amazed at her power of insight.
"You left your grounding rock on the kitchen table." she laughs and I laugh along with her, "Is it anything we should be worried about?"
"No, it was just built up emotions." I said,
"Why don't you skip your last day of school?" she suggested.
"I totally would, if I didn't have my music final tomorrow." I said with a smile as a way to thank her.
"Well then try to get some sleep." she said kissing my forehead then heading inside. I finish my letter to April then leave it on the kitchen counter to remember to drop it in the mailbox before I head to school then I climb back into bed.
I wake up that morning and get ready for school, I grab my flute and sheet music and head to the door and both my parents walk up to me.
"Here," Mom hands me twenty dollars, "You've been wanting to get a placement piece for your grounding stone to make it into a necklace so your father suggested you go get one after you're done with your finals today." she smiles
"Thank you!" I smile at them both,
"Just be sure to not stay out past curfew, especially today." Dad said
"I won't, Love you." I said tucking the twenty in my back pocket and I exit the house. The entire drive to school I thought of how I wanted to place the stone and what color chain I'd like to have with it. I decided on silver, since I'm already stuck with this gold mark on my chest as it is, why not do the opposite? This strange triangle shape on my chest that appears when I was taken, it's a constant reminder that I may never be able to be normal.
I get to the school and head to the front with my flute in hand, but, I could see two members of the news club waiting in front of the doors, I quickly hide behind a wall before they see me and sneak into the school through another entrance. I quickly get to the band room and let out a sigh of relief. I can hide in here since this is my last final today and this also give me a little more time to practice. I put my flute together and place my music on the stand, the doors of the band room slam open.
"There she is!" I hear as I let out another sigh... I should have asked one of the security guards to block the door like I did last year. "Miss Pura!" She said, it was someone different than yesterday "May we ask you some questions before classes start?"
"I'm sorry... I would really like to practice for my final." I politely said,
"What was it like to be taken away from your friends and family?" she asked completely ignoring what I said,
"Please, I just want to practice..." I said
"Are your memories really gone? Or are you just telling people that to avoid the horrible things you went through." she said and I could feel my chest tighten.
"Hey!" I hear a loud yell that startles all of the people in the room, "I told you last time, you are not allowed in my band room! Now get out before I give you detention!" My band teacher Mr. Stewart walks up.
"It's the last day of school, you can't give us detention." she said with a smirk.
"You're right, I can't give you detention... But I can give you community service for the entire summer." His smile is like a masterminds who just thought up a dastardly plan for world domination. That smile alone causes the two kids' faces to go white.
"We'll be going..." She said as they quickly turn around and run out of the room.
"Are you alright Pura?" Mr. Stewart said, his expression completely changes to one of concern and worry. You would never think the person who just scared off those kids and the man looking at me now were the same person.
"Yes, thanks to you." I said and he smiles,
"How about I rearrange the schedule so you can take your final first, that way you can leave right afterwards and avoid those insects before they get out of class." he said
"Really? I don't want to impose." I said,
"That news club gives you more trouble than actual paparazzi, I think everyone else here doesn't have a problem with it." I look around the room to see all of my band mates smiling at me and nodding their heads.
"T...thanks everyone." I said
"You deserve a break." One of them said
"Yeah! It's been seven years since that happened to you, you'd think they'd let it go." another person said
"I really appreciate it." I said as I enter one of the practice rooms to take my final. We had to create a song for our final and I made a song I called the song of storms. The keys were sharp but still flowed nicely. I stop feeling a strange sense of nostalgia... but this was the first time I've successfully played the song... I finish recording my song on a tape then I hand it to Mr. Stewart.
"Thank you again for letting me go first." I said,
"You're very welcome, see you in the fall." he said,
"Will do." I said packing up my flute and grabbing my stuff before I say one last goodbye to my classmates and thank them again as I leave. I exit the school and I'm surprised to see it raining, it wasn't supposed to rain today... Or to downpour for that matter. I quickly run to my car and throw my stuff in the back seat then jump in, I wish I had brought a jacket, but at least I have an umbrella stashed in my car just for these kind of situations. I take out my phone and text mom real quick to let her know that I'm heading over to the mall now and I instantly get a response to have fun and not stay out too late.
I get to the mall and I park in front of the hardware store, whenever I come to the mall I like to park on the opposite side so I can walk around and explore other shops before I get too distracted with the craft store. I exit the hardware store and enter the mall, luckily since it is the last day of classes the mall was practically empty. I walk around and pass by my favorite soap store and they have their summer fragrances out so I stop in. They have a new scent called refreshing waters, it reminded me of a lake... odd... I don't remember going to a lake... I shrug it off and leave the store just as a guy walks past me. He had long blond hair about chin length that covered his face a bit and his nose and mouth were covered in a white cloth, he wore a strange blue outfit with a white scarf, and his red eyes... could he be? I reach out and grab his arm and he turns around showing a slightly different appearance, his blond hair was gelled back and he was wearing a blue tee shirt and jeans and his eyes were a beautiful green. We stare at each other for a second before I realize that I was still holding onto his arm, I quickly let go and blush.
"I am so sorry! I thought you we're someone else." I said,
"It's no problem, who did I look like?" he asked,
"An old friend..." I lied, I have no idea why I reacted that way.
"Glad I look friendly, I'm Sean" he said holding out his hand.
"I'm Pura," I said taking his hand and shaking it.
"Nice to meet you, maybe you could help me. I'm new to the area and I'm trying to find the cheapest shoe store." he said
"Oh, there's a shoe mart at the other end, I'm heading down that way to go to the craft store." I said.
"Do you mind if I tag along to find it? You're the first person who's been friendly." he said,
"I don't mind." I said... besides, he's really cute. We start walking,
"So have you lived here for a while?" he asked
"My whole life." I said
"Wow,"
"What about you? Where are you from?" I asked,
"Jersey," he said,
"Long way from home." I said,
"Yeah, I'm starting my first semester of collage at Bright University." he said,
"Oh, so you just graduated?" He's not much older than me then,
"Yes, I graduated early and took some time to pack. I thought I'd move a bit early to learn about my new surroundings." he said,
"Sounds smart, I just finished my junior year." I said,
"So officially a senior." he smiles,
"Yep,"
"Cool, so you're here to celebrate?" he asked,
"Uh-huh, I'm getting a necklace placement for my... a stone." I said, embarrassed to tell him that it was my grounding stone.
"Can I see it?" he asked and I pull out the stone, he looks at it for a second, "Is... that a grounding stone?" he asked and I blush and look away,
"I... I mean... well..." I try to make up something but then he pulls out a ring of keys and hanging on it is a stone similar to mine. "...is that?"
"Yeah, I get them too." he said "I was in a car accident a few years ago and it never went away..." he said, I could tell he was trying to make me feel more comfortable."Do you mind if I ask..." he said, this is the first time I've had to explain what happened to me, everyone in town knows the story so I've never actually had to explain it out loud... if felt a little strange.
"It's kind of a long story... Um, there's a coffee shop down a few shops... I mean, if you have time..." I said,
"Sure, I've got plenty of time, lead the way." He said and we walk over to the coffee shop, we both grab a cup of coffee and sit down at one of the tables. I like my coffee warm and sweet while it looks like he likes his more strong and over ice. "So... back to my question..." He said trying to not make it uncomfortable.
"Seven years ago... my school was attacked by strange people and ... they took me." I said
"Wait, you were kidnapped?" he asked looking shocked,
"Yes... Six months later... they found me in a cave on the other side of the country..." I said as his eyes widen,
"Do you..."
"Remember? No... I have no memory of what happened to me those past six months..." I said,
"Do you want to remember?" he asked and I was thrown off by his question. Everyone only wants to know what happened, they never asked if I want to know...
"I... I haven't given it much thought... I guess... well, I don't know... Part of me wants to remember... But also, don't want to remember because those memories might change me." I said
"And you have an attack when you over think about It." he added,
"Yeah..." I said, but now that I'm talking about it with someone else if feels like I'm getting it off my chest. I thought to myself as I finish off the last of my coffee.
"Well, thanks for telling me your story. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who gets panic attacks." he said grabbing my empty coffee cup and throwing it away for me.
"Thanks, and I feel the same way." I said standing up. "Shall we?" I said and we continue down the mall getting to know each other more until we make it to the shoe store ... I was kind of sad that we got there and we're going to part ways, Sean was really easy to talk to.
"Looks like we're here." he said,
"Yep..." I said,
"Can I... I mean, is it okay... I mean, we did just meet... I don't want to be to forward..." his indecision made me giggle, "Could I... have your number?"
"Yes," I said pulling out some paper,
"Really? Great!" He said as I write down my number and hand it to him. This is the first time I've given out my number to a guy... but I feel very comfortable around Sean. "So... I'll call you?" he asked, it looked like he was just as new to this as I was.
"Yeah," I smile at him, just as I was about to say good-bye, all of the lights in the mall go out making it pitch black. Both Sean and I pull out our phones and use them as flashlights.
"Um...does this usually happen?" Sean asked as I felt a chill,
"No..." I said stepping a little closer to him. We start to hear screams out in the dark, the emergency lights go on covering the mall in a dark orange glow. The screams were coming closer... until we saw them. Huge black monstrous animals with long arms and they were all wearing strange black masks, they were grabbing people... my chest began to hurt.
"What in the world? W...we gotta get out of here!" he looks at me but I couldn't move, I could feel my body begin shake as I start to have another attack, it was getting hard to breathe. "This way!" Sean grabs my hand and pulls me towards a side hall and we hide behind a wall. I sit down trying to calm myself down but I was starting to hyperventilate. "Pura, where's your stone?" he asked as I quickly pull it out but my hands are shaking so violently that I drop it. Sean grabs it and places it in my hand and holds my hand to prevent me from dropping it again, I try to take deep breaths.
"This... can't... be happening..." I manage to say,
"Calmly, tell me what triggered this, saying it will help you relax." he said,
"This... can't be ... happening... today..." I said,
"Why? What's today?" he asked,
"The day they took me..." I said as his face turns white.
"We gotta get out of here!" he said as I see a show next to the wall were hiding behind, a tall man wearing strange clothes and a freaky metal helmet that resembles a lizard turns the corner and sees us.
"Sean!" my voice quivers in fear as he turns around and sees the man. Getting a closer look he's wearing a robe almost like a shaman with long tassels hanging at the end of the sleeves that almost touched the ground. He grabs Sean by the collar of his shirt and pulls him up off the ground close to the helmet. "No!" I scream, but my body is still shaking.
"Get off you creep!" Sean struggled,
"You are not the one." the strange man said throwing Sean to the side then turns towards me. His voice was sharp in tone but gave an icy chill.
"Run Pura!" Sean yelled, but I couldn't move, he kneels down but was still hovering over me and getting very close to my face. My vision was starting to get blurry from hyperventilating... I might pass out...
"There you are... little bird." he said as I slump back and black out.