音 Oto Sound
She grins at me and I tilt my head at her. Who are you? I try to speak but nothing comes out and she grins even wider.
Her grin seems to freeze on her face, eyes lovingly looking at me. She can't talk either. That must be it. Her long black hair seems silky and I'm urging my fingers to reach out and touch it but I can't move either.
Is this sleep paralysis? They say that when you can't move when you're woken up from sleep but you're conscious, a lady with long black hair will be in your vision.
I'm not giving up though. I force every fiber in my being to move. It hurts. It's like I'm going against the snug comfort of armless hugs all over my body and the pain is excruciatingly raw to the point that I can't help but scream. I don't hear any piercing sounds, though I do notice my heartbeat even more than before. It's the same feeling I have when I touch the tendons in my neck. I'm screaming in my mind. My mouth's frozen shut in a frown but my eyes are open.
Hearing echoes of my own scream in my mind is unnerving when my mouth isn't physically moving. It's making me feel detached from myself. I continue to scream as my fingers finally twitch. My feet are moving too, I'm sitting up now and the lady is gone. The pain subsides and all I'm left with is this intense sense of drowsiness after I've regained control of my body.
Should I lie back down again?
I don't want to.
My body wants differently than I consciously do though and before I even know it my eyes are closed and I'm snugly pressing my back against the mattress again. As my head hits the pillow, I lose consciousness and begin to dream.
ようこそ Youkoso Welcome
"Promise me."
"You know I don't do promises."
"Just say it anyway."
"Alright, I promise you."
"Good. Now, let's begin."
"Finally."
...
"Are you awake now?"
"...me?"
"Yes, you. Do you remember who you are?"
"...sort of. My name is Irene, I'm 19. I think. Could I change my name?"
"Sure, whatever you fancy. Do you remember anything else?"
"I'd like to be called Serena and... not really... Who are you? Where am I? What's going on?"
"Well, Serena. You were a volunteer for a program that'll help with your rare disease. We've informed you beforehand that amnesia is highly likely and as a result, you'll start anew mentally and physically. A blank slate if you will."
"That sounds dodgy. Can I read the documents entailing all this?"
"Sure, just stay in here, I'll bring your breakfast and the documents."
"Alright, thanks."
嬉しい Ureshii Happy
She smiles at you like you would smile back. Your frown is incessant in staying on your face regardless her smiles.
"How are you doing?" She avoids saying your name, to see if you'll give it away later, creating a sense of closeness when you're not even sure who she is. You have several guesses, but nothing concrete unless she reveals and confirms it herself. There's no point in giving yourself away so soon though, so you smile and ask her a question of your own instead.
"Do you want to know or are you just trying to tell me what you want me to say?" You begin with the offensive. You don't have the patience for tact right now.
The woman in front of you narrows her eyes and you hold her gaze impassively unimpressed. "...It would be in your best interest to remain civil with me." She begins slowly, an unruly laugh escapes her. Disturbing to listen to, but you can't exactly leave as you please. "But I'm glad, you haven't lost your core self just yet."
"Core self?" You repeat after her, eyes raised incredulously. "Are you referring to my personal principles and personality?"
The eery ever present smile stays on her face and you can't help but scowl at it. Her lack of a response unnerves you.
Two could play that game though.
Silence stretches on and to your credit, you're not exactly bothered by the silence anymore. If anything, it's nice.
The woman in front of you cracks though as she lets out a derisive snort and shakes her head at you before standing up to leave.
You shoot a smirk to her back as she leaves, the door closes with a resounding slam and you chuckle.