Chapter 3-Brand New
Author's Note: Keep in mind that toward the end the italics represent her vision and the regular is what she is expeirencing now. So, the situation is kinda like a interweaving action.
New: adj.-Not existing before; lately discovered or invented; not ancient.
When one thinks of something as "new", one imagines the object to be shiny, exquisitely sculpted, and perfect in every single way. "Brand new" is what most strive for, what we all want in life. The most recent product available. Something that's never been touched, spoiled, or tainted.
But the "new" life she has discovered was the complete opposite. It seemed as though every dirty human out there in the world purposely raped and disfigured her newly found life. The edges have been tampered and crumbled. The structure had chinks and holes varying in sizes. The support system was slowly fading into dust. It was a life that many, if not all, would do whatever they could to steer clear of. She felt ashamed.
She was sprawled on the icy concrete floor of the holding cell. The area was as black as space itself, absent of stars. The air was stale, bare of feeling. Life before, she didn't have the slightest clue where she was. The nurse never gave any answers and after passing out she didn't see another soul. And now, she was afraid she never will.
The feeling of being scared was odd. 'Was I a fearful person?' she asked herself. She curled her legs inwards seeking warmth. None was found.
An abrupt sickening feeling washed upon her. She had the sense that she might not make it out alive-whatever she's about to face. Having lost her memory, she didn't have much knowledge. But, there was one force out there that she somehow knew she would never forget: God. The almighty control power, the all fearing Father, the Creator.
She silently prayed, asking to spare her life.
Then, as though God himself had sent a sign to reassure her nerves, a sound broke the silence. A click. Afterward, the floors and wall began to rumble. The vibrations ran through her bones and exited her mouth, accompanied with a surprised sigh. Then, as though she were witnessing the moon creeping out of view of the sun-much like a solar eclipse-, light swept the frigid solid floor and ascended up the walls.
At first glance, the light was unbearably sharp. It took time for her eyes to adjust, but once they did, she noticed that the light wasn't the only thing revealed. Beyond the now open door, there lay leaves, grass, and woodland. It was a forest from what she could tell. Shrubs and trees were abundant. The concrete floor faded to grass and dirt.
She couldn't tell if this was an invitation to leave the cell and enter the outside, or to forewarn what was beyond; the mysterious.
She was still laying on the floor, watching the forest in wonder. A variety of possibilities ran wild through her mind. She decided she had enough. The thoughts were resulting in a headache. She cut the wire of ideas and prospects loose, creating a pleasurable wash of emptiness.
She went with her instincts and stood. Her silky hair, dark brown like the scatter of autumn leaves, fell just past her shoulders. She felt a cotton fabric covering her body. A tan tunic-like top with some leggings stretching all the way to her ankles made with the same fabric and coloring. The clothing was simple, convenient, and overall, comfortable. Around her feet she wore plain black tennis shoes. She glided her hands over the outfit, taking in every stitch. Once her hands reached her hips, she was startled. Unlike the normal smooth even feel of the wear, there was a bulge. A pouch lengthening to reach about mid-thigh. Her fingers hovered over the button. She was unsure if she should open it. But she did; her instincts kicking in again.
She let the metallic button loose, then let out a little gasp when her eyes laid upon what was held inside. She assumed the bottom of the object was facing toward her for she saw just a hoop; a simple circle with a hole right through the middle, but-she had a pretty good idea what the object was-she took it out of it's home to lull the thought.
And she was proven right. What was held inside was in fact a dagger-like weapon. Another gasp escaped her lips.
The knife, lightly laid on her flat hands, was shimmering on half and darkened on the other. It contained a blueish hint. The handle was wrapped in white cotton taping, probably for grip.
She stared at the dagger blankly. What was it for? Killing? What else? She shook her head in disgust over the thought of what might be out there and over what she might have to do to whatever is out there.
She decided she had enough of the weapon for one moment and shoved it back into the pouch, then turned toward the opening. The brilliance of the light once again stinging her eyes.
A voice in the back of her head startled her as it spoke, 'Go'. It was a strong voice, egging her onwards. It wanted her to enter the unknown. Strangely, she obeyed.
She took one step toward the exit. Then, with more courage, she took a few more. Before she knew it, she stood on the brink of the concrete floor. Her feet place right on the edge of civilization and wilderness. She hesitated, taking slow deep breaths. Yet, something inside her was eager to see what lay beyond, to leave the frozen chamber her back now faced. She had no choice but to listen to her gut. She exited.
Five steps out and her feet were planted on complete green. Then, like before, the ground began to softly shake. She turned and faced the cell door and found that it was nearly closed. It had quickened it's pace since the opening. Her feet took action and she was right on the door when it had sealed.
"No!" she yelled, banging on the rugged door. This was it. No turning back.
Suddenly, the door began to transform. Instead of the grayish solid look, it mimicked the greenery. Large leaves and trees took it's place. She noticed that the door didn't just copy the forest, it became the forest. The plants around it lined perfectly with the recently created ones. And when she reached out to touch them, she was shocked to find that the plants were real. It was as though the entire cell had disappeared into thin air.
She stepped back, aghast. It was unbelievable. Nothing was truly believable all of a sudden.
Now, she was indecisive on proceeding into the foliage. But still, instincts and curiosity took control. One step at a time, she entered deeper into the woodland.
Along the way, she spotted that an abundance of plants were present. Not just the usual shady bark, leaves, and shrubs, but tropical palms and foreign floras. She could see a pink Asian Cheery Blossom tree in the distance and an Indian Peepal Tree to her right. It bemused her how she had the knowledge on such trees. How she could recall the many diversities of plants but couldn't remember her own family frightened her.
She pushed the thought away and continued down the path. Slowly, the greenery became nothing but a blur; nothing to her.
She came up to a break in the forest: a circle of dirt with a single oak in the middle. The oak was massive. Over powerful. Ruling. It stretched far into the heavens. She could barely see the tip. The leaves were reddened and the bark was graying. She circled the tree and stared in wonder.
All of a sudden, she was hit with a rush of sheer pain. Her legs weakened in response.
It was a vision. Another one.
She was sitting atop a tree just like the one she stood before now. Her legs hung off the edge of the branch nearest to the ground. She swayed them back and forth. A light breeze ran through her hair and brushed her skin. She held a red leaf provided by the oak. She held a feeling of happiness inside that overwhelmed her to the end of her toes.
From the size of her hands, it looked as though she was a couple years younger than she was now.
She could hear a voice shouting from below.
"Tifa!"
She could hardly keep herself standing straight. Giving in, she fell to hands and knees at the roots of the tree.
She looked below to see a boy. He had blonde spiky hair and was about the same age as she.
"Tifa, get down from there!" he screamed once more. She let out a little giggle and blatantly ignored the commands. She continued admiring the leaf.
"Hey! Listen to me!"
Her eyes began to blur, even worse than they did during her walk on the path. Her vision went in and out of focus. She lifted her right hand to her head, attempting to ease the sudden ache. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a red leaf lightly fall off from the tree and the leaf dissolved into the vision itself.
"No!" she yelled back, adding a little flirtatious girly tone.
"Yes! You're going to fall!"
"Nu-uh!" she shook her head playfully.
Then, as though the little blonde boy could sense the future, a strong gust of wind uneased her balance. Her body rocked in the breeze, then she fell.
Her entire body fell to the ground. Her stomach rolled as she laid on the dirt.
Her body flung and spun as she struggled to hold on to anything that might be in grasp. She heart skipped several beats and she repeatedly lost her breath. She attempted to let out a scream, but the shock of falling left her voice scarce.
A wild storm went frantic in her mind. Just the slightest thought was blown away to oblivion.
The impact was harsh. She hit the the ground below, blacking out immediately. The boy hovered over her unconscious body. He stared at her in doubt. Then, pulling himself back to reality, he let free a vociferous scream. He madly shook his head, tears going every-which-where.
The scream echoed through her ears, resulting in a hushed slumber, calming the pain that strangely engulfed her body.
Her new living was quickly revealing to be exactly what she had predicted it would: a tragedy.