Sparks and Fire

I don’t know where I am or what time it is.

I only know 2 things,

1- I am very tired.

2- It is the middle of the night.

I am lying on the floor of a place I do not recognize.

I sit up. I do not recognize these hands on my knees but I know they must be mine. I do not know who I am.

A slight weight on my stomach reveals to be a thin slice of black metal and a long black stick I think is a... Pen? I watch mesmerized and twirled handwriting appear on the screen, but it isn't me writing. There's no one else here.

Hello, Miss Celestria

With shaking fingers I write;

Who is this?

Nobody to worry about, Miss Celestria.

That isn't my name.

Then what is?

I'm caught out by this with the sudden realisation-

I don't know my own name

I consider not replying but then more writing appears:

Do not move.

What does that mean?

Stay where you are.

I have never felt terror crawl over me like this before. This time it is vicious. I realise that I remember being terrified to my bones. And I remember the pain. There are other memories, but they slip from my hands likee water. Like a flopping fish. Like smoke curling away from human touch.

“Aha, Miss Evelyn Celestria.”

I spin around at the sound of a human voice. But all I see in the darkness is a slight silhouette. I cannot tell from the tone alone if they are male and female. “I am Tower Banks.”

The darkness has a name. Which is more than I can say for myself.

“He-Hello…”My voice is alien and unwelcome in my throat. I don’t want to speak, not to darkness who captured me in my own fear.

“Tower Banks.” darkness repeats, and I feel bitter. Darkness has a name and is showing off.

“I know who you are! Where am I?” The darkness doesn’t answer me, just chuckles.

“Are you laughing at me?!?” I’m filled with anger I didn’t know I had a few seconds ago.

“No, no of course not, Miss Celestria.”

There is a familiar buzz that I recognise but don’t remember. “Yes, Mr Banks here. She calls me darkness and doesn’t remember anything. It worked.”

“Who are you talking to? And how do you know-“

“Miss Celestria, this entire conversation is being monitored, so I highly suggest you dress yourself.”

I look down at myself in shock. “I'm … I'm naked?!?” thankfully darkness doesn't hear, and he chucks fabric at me. (I have established with myself that until I know otherwise, darkness is a he.) I struggle into the fabric, unsure of what it looks like. “Why am I in the dark?” but darkness doesn't respond, and I realise he left. I feel a burst of annoyance. How dare he leave me in his territory.

I think of what darkness calls me, Evelyn Celestria.

I feel bitter so I’make myself a name, one that will spite darkness. I think carefully, trying to remember any names I like. Lystra springs to mind. Lystra… I cannot think straight, I long for light, so I can see myself for the first time. Light. I like Light.

Lystra Lightress.

Lystra Lightened

Lystra Light.

Lystra Sunlight.

Lystra Twilight.

Yes. Lystra Twilight. I am Lystra Twilight, and I am not nameless.