My feet are numb. I feel so tired, and I’m bruised all over. I’ve been running for more than an hour, but it seems that this forest has no end. Where am I? It’s dark and dense. I wanted to rest but a voice inside me echoed in my ears to keep on running. But why? Why do I have to run?

I stumbled into a huge branch and fell. I tried to stand up, but my ankle seems broken. I wanted to cry but my instinct says I have to be quiet. The voice in my head also said to not look back and to keep my mouth shut. I found a small branch and used it as a cane. I can’t run but I must try to walk faster. I stood up and tried to step forward. Damn! It hurts. My whole body hurts so bad. I felt something flowing from my left eyebrow, I touched it and saw blood. I cut myself when I fell so my left eye is now getting blurry.

“Snap.” I looked around. My heart is pounding non-stop. I’m scared. It sounded like a branch of a tree was cracked. Someone is following me. But who? I gained my strength and started to walk. I can feel the pain in every step I make. It doesn’t matter, I must ignore it for now. I have to get out of this forest.

I can hear someone running behind me. And it’s getting closer. I can’t look back. I have to keep going.

The sound of someone running is getting louder and it’s coming from different directions. I thought there was only one person following but I guess not. I tried to walk faster but I’m so exhausted. I looked around to see if there’s a place where I can hide. There’s a huge tree with a cut in the middle. I walked closer to check if I can fit in. Wait! I looked at my hands and my feet. They’re small. I’m small. Is this me when I was younger?

“It’s your fault! If you don’t fall asleep, that girl won’t get away! Boss will definitely kill us if one of them escapes!” It sounded like a man talking to someone. He said one of them. Are there other kids like me? Where are they now? Am I the only one who escaped?

I know they’re really close now so I tried to squeeze myself into the tree. I didn’t think there were any insects or snakes inside, I just had to hide from the people following me. I guess it’s better to be eaten by animals than getting caught by humans.

I covered my mouth when I saw two of them in front of the tree. I can’t see their faces where I’m hiding but I saw a tattoo from the left hand of one of them, a skull with an arrow nailed into the eye. The other one looks like a woman because of her painted nails.

“Do you think she already got out of this forest?” the woman asked.

“I think not. She’s wounded and if she won’t show herself. We’ll kill the kid.” Then the man yelled loud enough so I can hear him. “You heard that, princess? If you won’t come out, we’ll kill your friend! Come back to the cabin before sunrise if you want to save him.” Then they left.

I came out of the tree and sit there leaning my back on the huge trunk. I was panting. There’s not enough air inside the tree and I have to cover my mouth so I feel like I’m losing my breath.

They said before sunrise. He’s talking about another kid. He said he’ll kill him. Who’s that? I can’t remember. Who’s that man? Plus, the lady’s voice. I think I heard her somewhere. Wait, is this a dream? Whose dream is this? It looks real to me. Is this a memory?

“Hey, you! Why did you forget about me? It’s your fault I was forgotten. Why did you leave me in the dark? You’re selfish! You forgot about your friends! What are you running away from?” It’s the kid. The small version of me. She’s talking to me. Her eyes seem scared but full of hatred.

“Me? What did I do? Friends? Who are they? Who did I forget?” I started to yell at the girl.

“You can’t remember because you’re weak and self-centered. We’re here because of you. You chose to forget your friends. I hate you! You have no right to be happy!” Then the girl started walking towards me. I saw a knife in his hands full of blood. I walked backwards and fell on the ground. Then the girl jumped and attacked me with the knife.

“No! Stop! I don’t know you! Who are you? Luke! Where are you?” I tried to scream but no one can hear me. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“Miss, wake up! Wake up!” I opened my eyes and saw Krista with a worried face. I looked around. I’m in the library. I went here earlier to check the documents of Hoseki. I was tired because I came home directly from school. I guess I fell asleep.

“Miss, here’s some water. Are you having a dream?” Krista gave me a glass of water and handed me a towel. I realized I’m sweating.

“More like a nightmare. Can you please keep this a secret from Luke? I don’t want him to get worried.” I know Krista has been reporting everything to Luke. I don’t mind. I understand he wanted to know everything and it’s the same for me.

Krista nodded before leaving me alone in the library. I’m still thinking about the dream. The girl was obviously me when I was little. But why does she have so many bruises? And she said I forgot about her and my friends. Is this connected to the accident?

6 months before I graduated from primary school, I woke up inside my room with IV fluids inserted in my arms. There are machines that looks like it’s used to monitor my heart rate and other vital signs. I can’t remember why I was like that.

When I asked my parents about it, they said I had an accident and was in a coma for a half year. They were shocked when they realized I can’t remember anything. The doctor said I have selective amnesia. Maybe I forgot about the accident because it’s too painful for me to remember. At first, I tried to remember what happened because I felt that I forgot something precious. But every time I tried to bring back my lost memories, my head hurts so much to the point that I can’t breathe.

They said I have PTSD – post traumatic stress disorder. A mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event and occurred to people who either experienced or witnessed it. My brothers and sister said that I should just forget about it if it pains me. And so, I did. In my mind, I was scared. I don’t want to remember anything about the accident. At the same time, I chose to close my heart to anyone. I feel like I should never open my heart and allow anyone to touch it because of those memories I left behind.

I think there’s something more about my dream. I opened my laptop and searched for something on the internet. Something about the accident of Alora Smith. Zero.

It should be on the news since our family is popular. Why can’t I find anything? I tried another keyword to search but still nothing.

I took my phone and texted Peggy. His family owns the largest investigation and security agency in the country. They are well known to solve every client’s request. I asked her to meet me at Preston Cafe near Northbay. I wanted to ask her for help.

Luke has a business meeting with Andrew Cross and will be back later tonight. I sent a message that I’ll be hanging out with Peggy. He texted back to tell me to bring bodyguards, so I brought 2 of them.

“Alora, what’s the rush? You said it’s urgent, so I asked Emily and Nina to come as well.” The three of them are truly my friends. They looked worried.

I asked the waitress for a private room and guided as to the third floor. The cafe is known to have private rooms for short meetings and events.

“First, this is just a secret between us. I don’t want Luke to know about this. I want to do this on my own, without his help. He might stop me from doing this because he’s worried and overprotective.” Then I started to tell them about the dream and the zero result of searching. The three were in deep thought when Nina suddenly suggested something.

“How about we start looking for the hospital or the doctor who treated you? And if it’s an accident or whatever, don’t you think someone big handled the investigation?” Then she suddenly stared at Peggy.