September 11th

Something feels off as I wake up. Then, I remember the events of yesterday, and realize that I achieved nothing last night. My aim was to try to figure out what to do next, yet here I am, still having made no progress.

I take stock of where I finally collapsed last night. I fell asleep at the base of a tree, surrounded by other miscellaneous flora. I note the fact that the air smells very refreshing before I notice a basketful of berries sitting in the middle of the clearing.

I begin to move towards it, when I suddenly begin to have doubts. Who put the basket out here? Did someone leave it out here for me? Or did they leave it here thinking no one would steal from it? I really should leave it alone. Besides, maybe it's a trap of some sort.

Still, it's first thing in the morning, and I am hungry…

I approach the basket, when all of a sudden, it jerks to the side. Confused, I follow it, and notice a length of rope attached. I step closer, and a large jerk is given to the rope. I take a dive towards it, and do a terrific faceplant as I miss.

I pick myself up, and begin to chase the basket, now being pulled at quickly across the ground. Somewhere, in the back of my head, something becomes painfully clear.

Someone is pulling it from the other end. I'm being played for an idiot

I decide that this has to end. I put on an extra burst of speed, and fall on top of it. I think that I have it secured, but, to my surprise, it is still pulled. I am now being led along with the basket.

After a few seconds, the basket is yanked into the air, and me along with it. I am now dangling ten feet or so from the ground, holding on for dear life. I am unsure of what my endurance is, but I get the feeling that if I let go, the forest floor will have a fresh blue splatter.

I stare upwards, and notice that the rope is hanging over a tree branch. On the ground, I notice a few rocks on top of it, with a small hollow. Whoever was puling the basket was using some kind of primitive pulley system, and is therefore definitely on the ground. I turn my gaze downward.

The Charmander from yesterday is walking below, looking a bit confused. She is scanning the area, as if she is expecting someone. She suddenly peers upward, and is shocked to see me hanging there.

"Ack! I'm so sorry! Don't let go, I'll get you down in a moment! Just hold on!"

I note her ironic choice of words. Several seconds pass before I feel the rope jiggle, and then I'm slowly lowered to the ground.

The Charmander steps out from the bushes again, and she appears relieved that I'm okay. She steps over towards me, and speaks.

"I'm very sorry about that. I didn't think that you'd be able to actually catch the basket. The idea was that you'd chase it until it got yanked into the air. Then I'd come out, and offer to bring the basket down in exchange for some info, namely who you are and why you bolted after helping me last night."

I wonder if she usually explains the details to her plans so thoroughly.

I nod, and answer. "Alright, I'll talk. But the basket's on the ground right now. What are you going to use for leverage?"

She smiles. "Now that I have your cooperation, what do I need leverage for? Help yourself."

I sit down, and pull some berries out of the basket. Between mouthfuls, I ask, "So, what do you want to know?"

"Well, your name would be a good start. What is it?"

I'm taken aback as I realize that I don't know. I tell her this, and she seems surprised, to say the least.

"You don't remember your own name? Gosh, what a weirdo I've found. What do you remember?"

I think for a minute. What do I actually remember? I try to dredge up memories, personal details, and even my personality. The best I get is a lot of academic knowledge, and the fact that I'm supposed to be human. I tell her, and she does a double take.

"Human? Really? Hm…."

She begins to pace.

"It might not be a good idea to tell people around here. They may be friendly, but there are certain things that you just can't say to them. For your protection, let's keep that under wraps.

"As far as your name, it's a shame you can't remember it. And I can't just go around calling you 'you' all the time. We'll have to come up with a name for you later."

She turns to face me.

"Listen, I can probably guess why you ran last night. It must be terrifying to suddenly be removed from everyone and everything you know. It has to be even worse with no memories of what you miss. Then, to have something that you have believed your entire life to be impossible suddenly occurring, you must have been scared out of your mind. So, I'll give you some help. I know this area better than most. You can bunk with me; it's not a problem."

I sit silently for a few seconds, and then realize that she had just solved all of my problems. I stand up, and hold my hand out.

"Thank you for your hospitality. I'll be honored to accept. Can I have your name?"

She smiles.

"I'm Kim; nice to meet you. As for your name… I guess you can be Heath. Does that sound good to you?"

I nod, and she smiles.

"Okay then, Heath. Let's head to my place for a while. We can figure out what to do there."