Emmeline

Emmeline’s life was quite dull and uneventful. That is, until she found herself stuck in this strange predicament. Emmeline had no idea where she was, nor had any recollection of how she had gotten there. She paused as she looked at her surroundings. She noticed the white walls with white roses which sat atop a white desk which was next to a white bed with a white bedspread. The crackled white walls matched the white marble flooring. She immediately noticed two interesting things about this room. One was that there appeared to be an aura of brightness throughout the entire room, yet there were no light fixtures in sight. There were no lamps, no lights, nothing of the sort. Emmeline pondered this mystery for a minute until she heard a voice speak to her,

“Hello Emmeline.”

She froze, turning her gaze in the direction of the mysterious voice that spoke to her. This was when she realized she was not alone. She analyzed this mysterious girl who was sitting next to her on the marble floor. This girl looked about the same age as she was, around seventeen years old. She had short, wavy, dark brown hair and tan skin which resembled her own skin color. She was surprised how similar they looked, it was as if they could be sisters. But the one thing that truly fascinated her was the girl’s eyes, which bore an emerald green tint. Emmeline guessed that she noticed her surprise as she smiled at her.

“Who are you?” Emmeline asked with a confused look on her face.

“Well, that’s the fun part. That’s for you to find out,” the girl replied, still wearing that wholesome smile on her small face.

“What I need to find out? I don’t understand,” Emmeline asked, “What’s the point in finding out your identity when you can just tell me who you are? But more importantly, where am I?”

The girl’s smile began to fade, and she did not answer. Rather, she sat in silence for a few moments as if deep in thought. Then, she spoke,

“I can see that you are wondering where you are, why you are here, and who I am. I can’t give you the answers, but I promise you will know the answers to these questions. Do you trust me?”

“How can I when I don’t even know your name?” answered Emmeline, visibly frustrated, “Why does it have to be so complicated?”

“Isn’t life complicated?” the mysterious girl remarked.

Emmeline had no answer.

After a moment, the girl began to speak, “In my possession I have three items which correlate to certain memories in your past. Through these objects, you will be able to find out the truth.”

“The truth?”

“Yes, the truth. All your questions will be answered.”

“Oh really? Like these three items are going to magically solve this puzzle?”

The girl was not offended, but merely laughed, “Well, it doesn’t hurt to try. It’s not like there’s any other option. The door is locked. Plus, I’m stuck here too. Now have some faith in me so we can both get out of this mess.”

Emmeline scoffed, unamused at the girl’s feeble attempt at humor, “Fine, I trust you. Just please stop the whole unserious thing.”

“I can’t promise that,” the girl smirked as she began to set down the three objects on the white marble floor. Emmeline examined the three items. One of them was a vibrant red journal, with the words sprawled in sharpie, “property of Emmeline Thomas.” The second item was a ballet style, sparkly shoe with a green hue. The final object was a blue umbrella, obviously worn from multiple uses. Emmeline wondered how these random items could potentially get her out of this situation. She sighed as she began to feel hopeless.

The girl put a hand on her shoulder, “Don’t worry, Emmeline. You will get out of this situation. You just have to listen to me.”

Emmeline turned her head toward her and nodded. For some strange reason she found herself wanting to put her hand next to her own, but she did not act on her impulse.

The girl began, “So, what you need to do is quite simple, but the results might be a bit intimidating.”

“What do you mean?” Emmeline asked, puzzled.

“It might be hard to comprehend,” the girl passed her the journal, the first object. “First, you need to have a firm grasp on the object. Then, as you’re holding the object, you must close your eyes. As you’re doing so, try to imagine what this piece of memorabilia means to you. Once you’ve established your connection to the object, you will begin to see the truth.”

“By ‘truth,’ you mean I’ll start to remember why I’m here?”

“Yes, that’s correct,” answered the girl with a faint smile on her face.

Emmeline wondered what she was thinking as she explained her instructions, and if she genuinely cared about her well-being. She reached towards the journal, her two hands now firmly placed on each edge. Then, she slowly closed her eyes, taking in the newfound darkness which heavily contrasted her bright environment. She breathed slowly, trying to calm herself. She needed to find the answers; She needed to find the truth. Emmeline began to think about the object and its significance towards her own life. It was a journal with her name clearly written on the front, so it certainly must be her own journal, right? And that’s when it hit her. She quickly opened her eyes, encompassed by the feelings of shock which emanated through her. But, once her eyes were open, she saw the most magical spectacle happening around her. All around her body she would see fragments of memories which correlated to the specific object. These memories were so vivid, it was almost as if she was reliving them once again in her mind. Emmeline began to remember. She remembered her hometown, Nova, with its flat grass lands, long highways which went so high they resembled a rollercoaster, and its industrial buildings which towered throughout the city. Then she remembered her suburban home with her family inside. She remembered her mother’s warm smile, her father’s knack for fixing things, her dog, jumping on her to welcome her home. She remembered all these things she had previously forgotten just from this journal. She was amazed. But this was when Emmeline began to remember the things she wished she did not remember. She started to remember her high school. Emmeline remembered the loneliness she felt there, the isolation, how she could not fit in any one category, yet in this world you were somehow required to do so. She remembered how she began to isolate herself just to protect herself from getting hurt. She remembered writing these experiences in her journal to keep herself sane in such a horrible environment. She was about to set the journal down until one sentence scribbled began to appear in her mind, “But then there was this girl, and she changed my life forever.” She released the journal.

“This person must have been very important to you,” the girl said, deep in thought.

Emmeline nodded, though she could not remember why she had written that in her journal.

“How are you feeling? Did the memories appear successfully? I hope they weren’t too intense.”

“No, it was fine, really. I just wish I knew why I wrote that message.”

“You will find out, you just have to keep trying,” the girl assured her, “Now the second object.”

Emmeline looked at the green, sparkly flat shoe and began the process all over again. She held on to the shoe, closed her eyes, and tried to remember what this object could have meant to her in her life. Then, the vivid, movie-like memories formulated in her mind. She remembered being gifted those sparkly green shoes days before her mother tragically died from cancer. Emmeline could recall that she wore them to school in honor of her mother, and that she deeply treasured these gifted shoes because of this fact. Then, that’s when she remembered being attacked by a group of male students, being pinned against the wall, being taunted with words that clung to her like an unending curse. She could remember that this happened many times before, because of her small frame and social isolation. These individuals snatched her green shoes and kept them like a trophy. That’s when she remembered something else. She remembered heading towards her car until this girl stopped her. This unknown woman held her green, shiny shoes and gave them back to her. Emmeline could remember the confusion she felt as to why this stranger would do something so nice for her. But, nonetheless, she was surely grateful. Emmeline tried to concentrate on the woman’s features, but no matter how hard she tried, the memory would not come.

“Well, do you remember who the girl is who changed your life?” the girl asked.

“No… I tried, but I can’t remember what they looked like, not even their name.”

The girl smiled, “Don’t worry, you still have one more item left. You will find out this girl’s identity. I know you will. You’re strong-willed.”

Emmeline felt strangely reassured by this mysterious girl’s presence. She breathed deeply and grabbed the last item, the blue umbrella. She closed her eyes, envisioning the memories which were unfolding around her. She remembered all those lovely memories as they played around her like a cinematic film. She could recall after school, receiving a note in her locker.

“Dear Emmaline, meet me in Amaria. Love, Alyx.”

A feeling of sheer excitement enveloped within her.

“That’s the name of the girl, isn’t it?” Emmaline exclaimed with joy, “the girl who changed my life?”

The girl nodded, “Yes, it is. However, there is more you need to see.”

Emmeline nodded in agreement and went back to concentrating on her memories. She remembered sneaking out of her parent’s house late at night and driving to Amaria, a popular park within her neighborhood. As she parked in the driveway, she was ecstatic when she found Alyx sitting on a bench in her characteristically ungirly fashion, waiting for her to arrive. Once Emmeline got out of the car, her and Alyx locked eyes. That was the beginning of a blissful, beautiful night which Emmeline had sadly forgotten. She watched this unimaginably amazing memory. Emmeline saw herself joining Alyx on the bench, sharing personal and impersonal stories, laughing and holding each other as they watched the sun set. The trees were multicolored as the fall season showed its true colors, furthering the beauty of the scenery surrounding them. The natural beauty cemented this perfect moment. Then, a strange instance occurred. Emmeline could almost feel what she was feeling in her memory, as a tear slowly slipped down her face. But she wasn’t crying. Rather rain drops had started to slowly pour down, until it erupted into a shower. Emmeline remembered Alyx retrieving her blue umbrella, opening it up and holding it over their heads. That’s when it happened. Alyx looked into her eyes and kissed her. Emmeline could feel the joyous and curious sensations she felt that day. She could feel the pleasure, the confusion, the curiosity, and the excitement all at once. It was strange yet beautiful. That’s when she could finally recognize this mysterious girl’s appearance. Emmeline could now clearly see Alyx’s wavy brown, disheveled hair, her tomboyish attire, her gorgeous tan skin and her beautiful green eyes. Then it came to her that this girl had not been away from her, but had merely been with her this entire time. Emmeline dropped the umbrella.

“Alyx, it’s you! I can’t believe I had forgotten you.”

Alyx smiled, “It’s no big deal. You’re in your own prison, after all.”

“My own prison…” Emmeline trailed off.

“Yes, for you have punished yourself for something that is beyond your own control. You see, after that night I was killed in a car crash. You took the burden and blamed yourself for my death.”

“No, this can’t be true. You couldn’t be gone…”

“I’m sorry, Emmeline, but it’s the truth. But I came back, just to see you one last time.” Alyx moved closer to her and locked her in an embrace.

Emmeline could not control the tears that were now pouring down her face, “But you were my everything.”

“I know, Emmeline. But I promise you there’s a whole world out there waiting for you. You can’t stay trapped in this prison forever.”

“But I don’t want to leave. I want to be with you forever.”

Alyx released herself from the embrace and shook her head, “I’m sorry, but now is not your time. You’ve got so much life to live, and so much knowledge to learn. Just as you have accepted your mother’s death, you can accept my own. Please, don’t give up.”

“But I can’t lose you,” Emmeline choked through her tears.

“You’ll never lose me. I will be right here, waiting for you. But now you must let yourself out of this prison and return to the real world,” Alyx grabbed Emmeline’s hand, “Listen, I know it will be hard for you. Every day will be an internal struggle. Some days will be better than others. But promise me that you will not give up on your life.”

Emmeline sat in silence for a moment, unsure how to react. But, she finally relented. Alyx was correct, she needed to keep living in this insanity, for she had a lot to offer the world.

“I promise,” Emmeline replied, “But you have to promise to never forget me.”

Alyx smiled, “Oh, I can definitely promise you that.”

They both looked into each other’s eyes, crying and they held each other’s hands as the brightness began to encompass the entire room. Emmeline was transported once again. But this realm was very familiar to her. She was outside her backyard, resting beside a tree. She could feel the breeze of the wind, and the warmth of the sunlight upon her face. As she looked at her house in the distance, she finally felt at peace. For the first time in a long time, she smiled.