Hello there!
Regarding the location of my story, I'm not good at either geography or weather patterns so I just got my world map, I did my little research and decided on the area of the Philippine Islands. I think it is okay but in case I'm wrong in any way regarding my characterizations or locations, my deepest apologies. This is, for all intents and purposes, just for fun reading and no offense intended.
Hope you're still with me along for the ride. I'm posting chapters as soon as possible. :)
Much obliged,
Abby
Dalton's Promise
Chapter 4
06 June 18
0600H Batanes, Philippine Islands
Nina brought her 5 year old son Joseph by the seashore to help gather sea shells for her crafts. She sells them to tourists to help with the day to day expenses. Being a single mom is hard but she is managing. The storm brought debris all of kinds. She was startled when she heard her son shout "Ma, look there's a man sleeping by the rocks." She immediately went to check it out.
"Hey mister, are you all right?" Nina is shaking the man's shoulder. No response. She turns him around to find that he has a gush on his forehead and several cuts and bruises. "Joseph, help me quick, he is hurt. Get the net and a thick blanket we will drag him out of here. Hurry up."
Nina looked at the foreigner. He looked like a battered angel. He has a faint pulse and his skin shrivelled by being in the water. Trusting her instincts, they dragged him to their house. It took a while to get there because the man is heavy. She heated some water.
Inside the house, Joseph looked at the man and noticed the chain-like necklace he had on. He recognized it. His father had a similar one. He gave it to him and then never came back. The kid took it from the man's neck and placed it in his drawers. His mom returns and starts cleaning the man's wounds. He went back to the shore to gather the shells.
Nina still has some of her husband's clothes in storage. It would be a tight fit for this man but at least it's clean and dry. He is heavy for her to lift so she had to cut the tattered clothes he had on. She wiped him with a hot towel and cleaned his scratches with antiseptic and put a band aid on some of it. The head wound is a little trickier. She'd have to go to town to buy medicines and more medical supplies.
The next day
How long was I floating? Expecting the sun to blind him, Dalton raised his arms to cover his face and slowly opened one eye. He was surprise to see … Is that plywood? That's strange. He could swear that he also hears a woman humming. He opened both eyes now. Yes, definitely a roof of some kind. He lifted his foot and carefully dropped it and felt the cold ground. Ok I'm awake and on land. Where am I? He tried to sit up. He noticed he is naked except for the big blanket covering him.
"Hey, take it easy. Don't move too fast, you'll be dizzy… English yes?" a soft spoken petite woman said.
"Yes, English…Who are you? Where am I?"
"My name is Nina and you're at my house. You've been asleep for about a day or so. What is your name? "
He pauses as if he's needs to dig deep for the answer. Touching his head, "I…I don't know… I don't remember."
"How do you feel?"
"Like I'm in an on-going explosion… that's on a loop."
"Hmm, don't push too much, you have a head injury, maybe after we get some food in you, you'll feel better." She came back with a bowl with a fragrant smelling broth. "I don't know what you eat and we don't have much, please eat this soup. You'll regain your strength faster" she placed the spoon near his lips encouraging him to take a sip.
As Dalton slurps the soup, he looked around his surroundings. Noted the where the window and doors are. Hmm, why is that the first thing I do? I must have scrambled my brains pretty badly.
The door opened suddenly and by instinct Dalton reached under the pillow. His hands came up empty. He is grasping at nothing. What was I expecting to find there? His thoughts were interrupted when out of nowhere a kid appeared in front of him.
"What's your name? My name is Joseph. I am 5 years old" the kid happily supplied the info. His little fingers held up, showing his age.
"Joseph? Joseph. Joseph." Eyebrows arching he repeats the name aloud. This name is familiar to me. Is my name Joseph? Like my gut says I know that name or am I Joseph?
"You're also named Joseph but three times?" Kid stared at him eyes wide with amazement.
"I'm sure he is not. Come on, let's have him rest first" his mom answered.
"That would be great thank you and thank you for the soup Nina. It was wonderful."
"'Your clothes were already in tatters plus you're heavy for me to lift so I'm sorry I had to cut it off you or you would have pneumonia. I'm actually surprised that you don't have one right now or even a temperature. You must have been in good health before all of this. Here's a change of clothes. You're bigger than my husband so it's quite short and tight for you but at least you won't be naked."
"Again thank you, I very much appreciate not being naked. Won't he mind that you have a naked stranger in your house?
"He's a soldier in the Philippine Army. He deployed for Mindanao and has yet to come back. I kept asking the government but they just say he is missing. I try to hold onto hope for my Joseph."
"Army?"
"Yes, why you remember something?"
His head is aching. He began circling his thumbs at his temple.
"I also don't know what you want to do. Do you want to go to the authorities and maybe they can help you go to Manila and to your embassy. You're American right? Your accent seems to be a lot like my customers."
"Customers?
"The seashells that I collect I turn them to necklaces, purses, knick knacks, home accessories, anything possible. I go to town every other day and sell them to tourists. Tourists flock this area for the fine white sand beaches. Why don't you change first and I'll make coffee. Let's continue this in the kitchen."
"Where exactly is this place? And what date is it today?"
"We are in Batanes, a northern province in the Philippines. Today is June 6th."
"Ok thank you, I'll join you shortly." Adam is grateful for the woman who found him and saved his life. He is also glad that she spoke and understand English at least no language barrier there. He thought of her offer to go to the authorities. He needs to remember who he is first before contacting them.
He changed into the clothes .The pants and the boxer shorts are comfortable at the waist but short and tight. He picked up the shirt. It was a gray shirt with Philippine Army written on it. He checked the mirror. He looked like Hulk busting out of the shirt. His outfit were the least of his worries. He needs to remember.
He stared at his reflection. His eyes were drawn to where the word "Army" was printed. A familiar scene flashed on his mind. He was wiping his brow with the shirt. There are people around him laughing. There was this smell. Something heavenly is cooking. Then it was gone.