Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:55 am
Thanks again for the FB.
Behrlyliz, I think your question should be partly answered in this post. But of course, I can't give too much away just yet, we still have quite a way to go ... oh, and thanks for the well-wishes (she writes as she has yet another coughing fit.)
Book Two
1
Beep … beep … beep …
Loud, unfamiliar noises filled my head, which pounded as though it had been hit with a sledgehammer. My brow creased, trying unsuccessfully to shut the noises out.
“Liz?” I heard an unfamiliar voice to my right. “I think she’s awake.”
“I’ll get the doctor.” Said another to my left.
With effort, I managed to open my eyes a crack, only to be blinded by bright fluorescent lights. Another minute after my eyes had adjusted to the light, I opened them further and saw two strange people standing by my bed.
“Honey, oh thank God you’re awake.” The woman said. “You had your father and I so worried.”
Okay, what the-? My parents? I didn’t even recognise these people. I tried to lift my head up, but it felt so heavy and my head hurt so much.
“Relax honey. Don’t try to sit up, wait for the doctor.”
Doctor? Where was I? I glanced around the room which was completely unfamiliar. I had never seen a place like this.
A man came over dressed in a white coat, and began to examine me.
“Liz? How do you feel?” The man said.
“Who’s Liz?” I managed to whisper, my throat was so sore and dry.
“That’s your name. Don’t you remember?” He asked, looking at me with concern.
I frowned and whispered “No.” I was so confused.
“Do you remember the accident?” He asked. Accident?
“I remember …” I began, when a man standing behind the doctor caught my attention. There was something about him that was familiar - his eyes.
“I remember … Zan.” I said before drifting out of consciousness again.
* * * * *
“Akira?” I heard a voice whisper.
My eyes fluttered open. The voice was familiar, but the man by my bed wasn’t. He had Zan’s eyes but was older, with dark hair.
“Who are you?” I whispered, my throat still so sore.
“It’s me, Zan.” He replied.
“You’re not Zan, you don’t look like Zan.”
“I am, let me show you.” He said as he touched my hand. Immediately I saw images of Zan and I dancing at the Tibulka. I had never told anyone else about that day, and the only other person who knew I had been there was Kivar.
“No, you’re not Zan, you’re Kivar.” I said, panicking and snatching my hand away. I had to get out of this bed but my legs were too weak to move.
“I’m not.” He replied, grabbing my hand again. This time I saw images of us kissing in the forest, the day that I had told him I was going to Meteraen. No one else had been there that day, he had to be telling the truth.
“Zan?” I looked at him in disbelief. “But, how?”
“I’ll explain everything. Just tell me, what is the last thing you remember?”
“ I remember the army … my parents … they killed my parents! And you, they were going to find us but you led them away so I could escape. What happened? Did they catch us, is that why we are here?” I asked.
“There’s a lot to explain, and you are too tired to hear it all tonight. Someone will probably be coming in to check on you soon, and I shouldn’t be here. But I will tell you a little…”
And Zan went on to explain the pods; the fact we were on earth; that I was known as Liz to my ‘parents’ and friends. I had had an accident and was injured. I had lost my memory of this life that I had led for the past sixteen and a half years.
“What about Sean?” I asked when Zan was finished. “Did he make it?”
“Sean is here. He has been anxious to see you since he was told you were awake. He may come in tomorrow. You’re parents don’t know about him though so it is a bit awkward.”
“What about you? My parents know you?”
“Yeah, I’m an old friend of the family. My name is James. But you should also know that this is not the only form I take. I also take the form of a sixteen year old boy, named Max.”
“How?” I asked confused.
“I don’t have time to explain, it’s just important that you know. You should also know that Sean doesn’t know me in this form now, he only knows me as Max.”
“Why haven’t you told him?” I asked.
“Let’s just say I have trust issues when it comes to Sean.”
“Well at least some things don’t change.” I replied, but then quickly changed the subject so we wouldn’t get into an argument. “So my parents, do they know all about where I’m from?”
“No, no one knows but Sean. Your friends and family just know you as Liz, a regular human girl. And Akira … it’s important that it stays that way. There’s something else you should know…”
“What?” I asked apprehensively. I really didn’t think I could take in any more for one night.
“We think there may be more of us down here … and there is a strong possibility they are not on our side.”
“What? How do you know?”
“Because Kivar has threatened you recently.”
“Kivar knows where I am?” I asked. Was I a sitting duck lying in this hospital room?
“He knows you went to Earth, but I don’t think he knows exactly who you are. We think he has sent some people to hunt you down, to make sure you don’t live to return home and fulfil the prophecy.”
“How do you know this?” I questioned.
“Again, I don’t have time to explain, but I promise I will. I just wanted you to know so you would be careful. As long as you wear your necklace, and are careful what you say and do, they shouldn’t be able to find you.”
“What necklace?” I asked, not feeling anything around my neck.
“They must have taken it off you when they brought you in to the hospital. I’ll find it, don’t worry. Now get some sleep, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay. Thanks Zan.”
“No problem.” He replied, giving my hand a quick squeeze before walking out of the room.
It had been a lot to take in, especially when my head was still so fragile. Did I believe everything that Zan was telling me? I wasn’t sure, but I guess I would soon find out. Over the next few days things should become clearer. I was hoping that I would get my memories back sooner rather than later. Of course I always held out the hope that this was all a bad dream and I would wake up tomorrow back in my bed in the palace.
2
When I woke the next morning, the first thing I saw was my necklace, wrapped around my wrist a few times. The cross pendant had the sign of the royal seal. Zan had given it to me for my thirteenth birthday. He had made it himself, and when he gave it to me he had told me that it would protect me when he couldn’t be with me.
I had stopped wearing it after Zan and I had a fight at the party to celebrate my engagement to Sean. I had been so mad at him that night. Not just because he had been telling lies about seeing Sean with another woman, but because he had denied his love for me. I had given him one more chance to tell me the truth before I married someone else, but he couldn’t do it. He let his fear of what could be get in the way of the truth.
The morning of the attack was the first time I had worn the necklace again. I guess it was because, the night before, Zan had finally told me the truth.
‘Akira?’ Zan said hesitantly. I had been walking through the gardens of the palace, deep in thought about my upcoming marriage to Sean, when Zan came up tentatively behind me.
‘Zan. What are you doing here? I thought you were busy with my father this morning?’
‘I am … I mean, I was … I just saw you walking out here and had to come and talk to you about something.’
‘What is it?’ I asked. It had been a month since my engagement party, and Zan and I had barely spoken in that time. The fact that he had sought me out especially to speak to me must have meant it was important.
‘I’ve been thinking about what you said … at the party. And, you’re right. I’ve been lying to you. The reason I haven’t been supportive of you and Sean, is not just that I don’t trust him. It’s because I am in love with you. I always have been.’ Zan admitted.
I couldn’t say anything. Of course I already knew how he felt, but as long as he had been too afraid to admit it, it meant I that I didn’t have to admit anything either.
‘I know you are getting married to Sean in less than a week, but I couldn’t let you do that without telling you how I feel. I know it probably won’t change anything, and I can live with that. I just wanted you to know that I have loved you since the first day I met you. You are my best friend, my confidant, my inspiration. I know I have denied it, and I’ve been scared of what it might mean for our friendship, but right now I feel as though I have lost that anyway. If we are going to be apart, I would rather it was with no secrets between us.’
When I didn’t reply, Zan cupped his hand on the back of my neck and drew me towards him. I didn’t protest, having not realised until that moment how much I had missed his touch. When he realised I wasn’t resisting, he slowly brought his lips to mine, kissing me gently at first, and then with the passion of someone who has held back for far too long. I got caught up in the kiss, remembering the kiss we had shared so long ago, before Sean, and before Zan’s fear had broken us apart.
‘Marry me. Leave Sean and marry me instead.’ Zan begged, after the kiss had ended, but we hadn’t pulled away from each other, our forehead’s resting together.
As I looked at the necklace I smiled, imagining how Zan had managed to delicately place it on my wrist last night without waking me.
“How are you feeling today?” The doctor said as he studied my chart. I turned to the other side of my bed and saw that my earth parents were there as well.
“Ummm … okay I guess.” I answered.
“That’s good.” He said as he shone the light from his torch in my eyes. “No headaches?”
“Yeah, a little.”
“I’ll get a nurse to bring you some medication for that. What about dizziness?”
“No.” I said as I tried to sit up some more, “Oh, yes.” I corrected, clutching my head, and laying back down again.
“Just relax. You had a very serious head injury so it is to be expected. You are healing very quickly though, so I think you will be up and around in no time.” The doctor said, taking my pulse.
“Can she come home soon Doctor?” The woman, my mother, asked.
“We’ll wait another couple of days I think before we decide. I would like to do a few more tests, and keep her in for observation.”
I could have kissed the doctor at that moment. Although I didn’t like being here very much, I was not looking forward to going home with these people that I didn’t know.
“Now, Liz.” The doctor began, taking a seat on the edge of my hospital bed. “We need to talk about that head injury. It seems that it has caused a condition known as amnesia. Do you know what that is?”
“No.” It’s when you wake up to find you are in a completely different solar system, living a life that you don’t remember, not knowing how you managed to escape alive from your last life, with aliens hunting you down to make sure you don’t escape alive from this one.
“It’s a condition where you lose some of your memories. It occurs when the head has suffered a trauma, either a physical injury or severe stress. The amnesia can be selective, only targeting certain memories, or it can be total. Now in most cases, the memory returns quite quickly, but sometimes it can be permanent. We are hopeful that in your case it will be the former, but only time will tell. Now it is important that you get as much rest as you can, and avoid stress.” He then turned to my parents. “It is very important that you don’t try to overload her too much with new information. She is more likely to start remembering things on her own. I would recommend limiting her visitors. You can notify the nursing staff who will be allowed to visit her.”
“We will Doctor.” My father replied. “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” He answered, and then turned to me, “Have one of the nurses page me if you need anything. I’ll come by to check on you later this morning.”
When he had left the room, my parents turned their attention back to me.
“Can we get you anything, honey?” My mother said, grasping my hand. I tried not to flinch at the strange woman’s touch, but she must have felt me pull away because she quickly let go of my hand.
“I’m sorry…” I began to apologise, seeing how my reaction had upset her.
“No, it’s fine dear. I know this must be hard on you. You just concentrate on getting better, okay?”
“I’ll come by later this afternoon to check on you.” My father said, putting his hands on my mother’s shoulders, encouraging her to leave the seat by my bed.
“Bye honey.” My mother said, wiping a stray tear that had begun to trail down her cheek. I felt so terrible that I had made her cry. They must really love me a lot, and I couldn’t even remember their names.
“Thank you.” I said, giving them a weak smile.
* * * * *
Later that morning, after I had tasted the hospital food and decided that there was no possible way I was staying on this planet if that was the kind of food there was to eat, there was a quiet knock at the door. It opened, and in stepped a girl, who I assumed was probably around sixteen years old. She was quite pretty, but her eyes were red from crying, and her face deathly pale and I thought she looked as though she needed the hospital bed more than I did. I noticed how nervous she looked, but then chastised myself that anyone would feel nervous with me scrutinising them like I was.
“Hi.” The girl said timidly.
“Hi.” I replied, trying unsuccessfully to sound as though I knew who she was. Was this the way it was going to be from now on? Passing people and not knowing whether I should be saying hello like an old friend, or nodding politely to a stranger?
“I spoke to your parents. They told me that you have amnesia.” The girl continued, taking another step into the room.
“That’s what they tell me. Do you want to have a seat?” I offered politely.
The girl walked over to my bed and took a seat on the closest chair.
“So I guess you don’t remember who I am.” She said quietly.
I shook my head and feebly apologised.
“I’m Maria.” The girl said.
“Hi Maria. I think my name is Liz.”
“Yeah, it is.” Maria replied, still looking nervous.
“So, I take it we know each other.” I said.
“We were best friends.”
“Were?”
“I mean, are. We are best friends.” Maria corrected.
“Well you seem like the kind of person that I would be friends with.” I said thinking it would make her feel better.
“Really?” She smiled.
“Really.” I replied, but who was I kidding, I didn’t remember anything about her so how would I know?
“Do you remember the accident?” Maria asked.
“No. Was it bad?” I asked. No one had really told me what had happened.
“Yeah. We weren’t sure if you were going to make it.”
“We?”
“Yeah, well, me, your parents; James and well … your ex.”
“My ex?” I asked confused.
“Yeah, your ex-boyfriend.” Maria said looking flustered.
“So I don’t currently have a boyfriend?” I asked. This kind of information is probably important so I am prepared for strange guys visiting me and wanting to get all touchy-feely.
“Not right now. You and he only broke up recently.”
“How recently?”
“Less than a week ago.” Maria replied.
Less than a week is going to mean there are unresolved issues. Great, that’s all I need right now.
“He’s actually here and is desperate to see you. Can I let him in?” Maria asked nervously.
“Yeah, I guess. But can I just ask you one thing first? Who broke up with whom?”
“Um, you did. You broke up with him.”
“Ok, thanks.” I replied. At least knowing that I would know how I was supposed to behave.
Maria opened the door, and a gorgeous blond haired bombshell walked through the door. What on earth was I thinking breaking up with this heartthrob? Then I studied him closer, and my eyes lit up. It was Sean, it had to be; I’d remember those eyes anywhere. The memory of them were forever burned into my soul.
“Do you remember Sean?” Maria asked, obviously noticing my reaction at the sight of him.
“Uh, no.” I lied. “But if I have any other friends who look this gorgeous please feel free to show them in immediately.”
“Thanks, I’ll take that as a compliment.” Sean grinned.
“I should probably leave you two alone.” Maria said, looking very uncomfortable.
“Okay. Will you come back and visit me?” I asked.
“I’d love too.” Maria replied, looking very relieved. “See you later then.”
When I was sure Maria had left the room I looked back at Sean.
“Sean?” I asked.
“You remember me?”
“Of course I remember you. I remember everything from that life. Unfortunately I don’t remember anything of this one.”
“So it is true, you have lost your memories.”
“Yeah. The last thing I remember is leaving Antar in the pods. I remember it as though it was yesterday, not sixteen years ago. But what happened? I heard the gunfire. How did you escape?” I asked, clutching his hand as though I was afraid he was going to disappear on me again.
“I got lucky. Their shots missed. They decided to take me prisoner instead, and I managed to escape and get to the pods.”
“Thank goodness you’re okay. I was so scared I had lost you.” I pulled him into the tightest hug I could manage without ripping out the tube that was attached to my arm.
“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Sean grinned.
“Maria told me we broke up.” I stated, pulling back a little. I was desperate to know exactly where we stood with each other.
“We didn’t… not technically anyway.” He must have noticed the confused look on my face so he quickly continued. “Maria didn’t approve of us, and she gave you an ultimatum to either break up with me, or to find yourself a new best friend.”
“What? Why?”
“I think she just felt left out. You had suddenly made some new friends and she was upset.”
“Well, no wonder she looked so uncomfortable when you came in to see me.” I thought aloud.
“Yeah, so you told her that we had broken up, when we hadn’t. We just made sure she didn’t see us together.”
“That must have been hard.”
“Yeah, it was driving me crazy not being able to see you. And now with your parents hanging around the hospital so much I thought it was going to be impossible to get in here.”
“They’re not my parents. My parents are dead.” I said, breaking down in tears when it dawned on me what had happened. I hadn’t had a chance to mourn them yet. Sixteen years on and I had not mourned their death. What kind of daughter was I?
“Hey, hey, don’t cry.” Sean said pulling me back into a hug.
“I’m so scared.” I sobbed on his shoulder. I didn’t want to be here, I just wanted to go home. Back to Antar, back to my parents, back to my comfortable life in the palace where everything was normal. Not here on this strange planet with no memories.
“It’s going to be okay.” Sean comforted me. “Besides, it’s not so bad here you know.”
“The food sucks.” I replied, sniffling.
“Hospital food does suck, I have to agree with you there.” He replied, glancing at my uneaten plate of mush. “But just wait till you get out of here and try some real food.”
“Did someone mention food?” I heard a voice from the door. There was a boy their holding a white paper bag, and I could already smell the aroma of its contents wafting over to our side of the room. Sean pulled out of our hug and stood up defensively.
“Zan.” Sean said in acknowledgment. I looked at the boy closer, and saw that he definitely had Zan’s eyes.
“Sean.” Zan replied matching Sean’s tone, before taking the seat on the other side of the bed from where Sean was standing.
“Akira, I have brought you a present. One cheeseburger with extra pickles and a strawberry milkshake - your favourites.”
“Thanks.” I replied, pulling the burger out of the paper wrapping and taking a huge bite.
“What do you think?” Zan asked, grinning.
“Ohhh, this is good.” I replied with a mouthful of food. Okay, so not all earth food was that bad. Maybe I would hang around for a while.
“So I take it you two have spoken since Akira woke up yesterday.” Sean asked Zan.
“Yeah, briefly.”
“I didn’t see you around the hospital yesterday.” Sean said accusingly. “As a matter of fact I haven’t seen you around the hospital at all since the accident.”
“And your point is?” Zan replied defensively.
“That maybe Akira is not high enough on your agenda.”
“You don’t know what the hell you are talking about.” Zan stood up defensively.
“I’m just making observations.” Sean said smugly.
“Cut it out you two.” I interjected. “Sixteen years on and you still can’t get along.”
“Sorry babe. He just pushes my buttons.” Sean said, sitting back down next to me and taking my hand.
“You do your fair share of button-pushing.” I replied, knowing that Zan had been at the hospital since the accident. “And I have enough to worry about without having to play referee.”
“Sorry Akira.” Zan apologised as well.
“Okay, so what happens now?” I said once I had finished my burger and had moved onto the milkshake.
“Now you need to get better so you can get out of this hospital.” Zan replied.
“No, I mean what happens now, as in when do we go home.” I clarified by pointing towards the sky.
“It’s not time.” Zan said.
“What do you mean it’s not time. We left sixteen years ago and for sixteen years Kivar has had free reign over Antar. All those people suffering, depending on me to save them. I think we’ve waited long enough.”
“You’re not strong enough.” Zan replied.
“I’m a fast healer.”
“You haven’t been training.”
“To me I only left yesterday, which means I trained yesterday. I remember everything.” I replied smugly.
“What about physically?” Zan countered.
“Okay, this body may not be completely up to scratch, but it’s not that bad.” I replied. “A couple of weeks and I will be as fit as I used to be.”
“Why don’t you just worry about getting well enough to get out of this hospital, and then we can think about your exercise regime.”
“Fine.” I replied, suddenly feeling fatigued. Maybe Zan was right, I needed to get strong before I tried to fight Kivar.
At that moment the door opened and the doctor walked in.
“How are you- Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t realise you had visitors.” The doctor began.
“That’s okay. These are some friends from school… I think.” I replied, remembering I wasn’t supposed to know who they were.
“Yeah, we’re from school. We heard she was awake and just wanted to check in on her.”
“And saving her from the dreaded hospital food I see.” The doctor smiled, glancing at my milkshake cup and burger crumbs. “I don’t blame you. I try not to eat here either. Just don’t overdo it, okay?”
“Okay.” I agreed.
“How are you feeling?” He asked, stepping between Sean and I to take my pulse.
“Okay. A little tired.”
“You need to rest. I think you may have had too many visitors today.” The doctor said obviously trying to give a strong hint to Sean and Zan who were still hovering.
“We’ll go.” Zan replied, nudging Sean to follow him. “We’ll come by and see you again.”
“Okay, thanks for coming.” I replied, trying to sound like my world wasn’t breaking because they were leaving me here in this hospital alone. It was comforting to have them with me. When they closed the door the doctor continued his examination.
“Headaches still?” He asked.
“A little.”
“Dizziness?”
“It comes and goes.”
“I’d really like to run some tests to make sure there isn’t any other damage to that head of yours.”
“What kind of tests?” I asked concerned.
“It’s called an MRI. It’s a special machine that will x-ray your brain, among other things, and show us if there is any abnormalities. It’s very safe.”
“So you think this is what’s causing the memory loss, these abnormalities?”
“It’s possible. As I told you before, the reason is either from an injury, or from stress. At this stage it is too difficult to test because you have suffered from both. That’s why I think this test will help.”
“When do you want to do it?”
“I’ll book you in for tomorrow morning. Is that okay?”
“I guess. I don’t remember if I had anything else planned.” I smiled.
“Well, at least you still have your sense of humour.” The doctor grinned. “I’ll see you in the morning… Oh, and I’ll tell the nursing staff not to let any other visitors in so you can get some rest.”
“Thanks.” I replied gratefully, too tired to deal with any other friends or relatives who wanted to descend upon me.
Behrlyliz, I think your question should be partly answered in this post. But of course, I can't give too much away just yet, we still have quite a way to go ... oh, and thanks for the well-wishes (she writes as she has yet another coughing fit.)
Book Two
1
Beep … beep … beep …
Loud, unfamiliar noises filled my head, which pounded as though it had been hit with a sledgehammer. My brow creased, trying unsuccessfully to shut the noises out.
“Liz?” I heard an unfamiliar voice to my right. “I think she’s awake.”
“I’ll get the doctor.” Said another to my left.
With effort, I managed to open my eyes a crack, only to be blinded by bright fluorescent lights. Another minute after my eyes had adjusted to the light, I opened them further and saw two strange people standing by my bed.
“Honey, oh thank God you’re awake.” The woman said. “You had your father and I so worried.”
Okay, what the-? My parents? I didn’t even recognise these people. I tried to lift my head up, but it felt so heavy and my head hurt so much.
“Relax honey. Don’t try to sit up, wait for the doctor.”
Doctor? Where was I? I glanced around the room which was completely unfamiliar. I had never seen a place like this.
A man came over dressed in a white coat, and began to examine me.
“Liz? How do you feel?” The man said.
“Who’s Liz?” I managed to whisper, my throat was so sore and dry.
“That’s your name. Don’t you remember?” He asked, looking at me with concern.
I frowned and whispered “No.” I was so confused.
“Do you remember the accident?” He asked. Accident?
“I remember …” I began, when a man standing behind the doctor caught my attention. There was something about him that was familiar - his eyes.
“I remember … Zan.” I said before drifting out of consciousness again.
* * * * *
“Akira?” I heard a voice whisper.
My eyes fluttered open. The voice was familiar, but the man by my bed wasn’t. He had Zan’s eyes but was older, with dark hair.
“Who are you?” I whispered, my throat still so sore.
“It’s me, Zan.” He replied.
“You’re not Zan, you don’t look like Zan.”
“I am, let me show you.” He said as he touched my hand. Immediately I saw images of Zan and I dancing at the Tibulka. I had never told anyone else about that day, and the only other person who knew I had been there was Kivar.
“No, you’re not Zan, you’re Kivar.” I said, panicking and snatching my hand away. I had to get out of this bed but my legs were too weak to move.
“I’m not.” He replied, grabbing my hand again. This time I saw images of us kissing in the forest, the day that I had told him I was going to Meteraen. No one else had been there that day, he had to be telling the truth.
“Zan?” I looked at him in disbelief. “But, how?”
“I’ll explain everything. Just tell me, what is the last thing you remember?”
“ I remember the army … my parents … they killed my parents! And you, they were going to find us but you led them away so I could escape. What happened? Did they catch us, is that why we are here?” I asked.
“There’s a lot to explain, and you are too tired to hear it all tonight. Someone will probably be coming in to check on you soon, and I shouldn’t be here. But I will tell you a little…”
And Zan went on to explain the pods; the fact we were on earth; that I was known as Liz to my ‘parents’ and friends. I had had an accident and was injured. I had lost my memory of this life that I had led for the past sixteen and a half years.
“What about Sean?” I asked when Zan was finished. “Did he make it?”
“Sean is here. He has been anxious to see you since he was told you were awake. He may come in tomorrow. You’re parents don’t know about him though so it is a bit awkward.”
“What about you? My parents know you?”
“Yeah, I’m an old friend of the family. My name is James. But you should also know that this is not the only form I take. I also take the form of a sixteen year old boy, named Max.”
“How?” I asked confused.
“I don’t have time to explain, it’s just important that you know. You should also know that Sean doesn’t know me in this form now, he only knows me as Max.”
“Why haven’t you told him?” I asked.
“Let’s just say I have trust issues when it comes to Sean.”
“Well at least some things don’t change.” I replied, but then quickly changed the subject so we wouldn’t get into an argument. “So my parents, do they know all about where I’m from?”
“No, no one knows but Sean. Your friends and family just know you as Liz, a regular human girl. And Akira … it’s important that it stays that way. There’s something else you should know…”
“What?” I asked apprehensively. I really didn’t think I could take in any more for one night.
“We think there may be more of us down here … and there is a strong possibility they are not on our side.”
“What? How do you know?”
“Because Kivar has threatened you recently.”
“Kivar knows where I am?” I asked. Was I a sitting duck lying in this hospital room?
“He knows you went to Earth, but I don’t think he knows exactly who you are. We think he has sent some people to hunt you down, to make sure you don’t live to return home and fulfil the prophecy.”
“How do you know this?” I questioned.
“Again, I don’t have time to explain, but I promise I will. I just wanted you to know so you would be careful. As long as you wear your necklace, and are careful what you say and do, they shouldn’t be able to find you.”
“What necklace?” I asked, not feeling anything around my neck.
“They must have taken it off you when they brought you in to the hospital. I’ll find it, don’t worry. Now get some sleep, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay. Thanks Zan.”
“No problem.” He replied, giving my hand a quick squeeze before walking out of the room.
It had been a lot to take in, especially when my head was still so fragile. Did I believe everything that Zan was telling me? I wasn’t sure, but I guess I would soon find out. Over the next few days things should become clearer. I was hoping that I would get my memories back sooner rather than later. Of course I always held out the hope that this was all a bad dream and I would wake up tomorrow back in my bed in the palace.
2
When I woke the next morning, the first thing I saw was my necklace, wrapped around my wrist a few times. The cross pendant had the sign of the royal seal. Zan had given it to me for my thirteenth birthday. He had made it himself, and when he gave it to me he had told me that it would protect me when he couldn’t be with me.
I had stopped wearing it after Zan and I had a fight at the party to celebrate my engagement to Sean. I had been so mad at him that night. Not just because he had been telling lies about seeing Sean with another woman, but because he had denied his love for me. I had given him one more chance to tell me the truth before I married someone else, but he couldn’t do it. He let his fear of what could be get in the way of the truth.
The morning of the attack was the first time I had worn the necklace again. I guess it was because, the night before, Zan had finally told me the truth.
‘Akira?’ Zan said hesitantly. I had been walking through the gardens of the palace, deep in thought about my upcoming marriage to Sean, when Zan came up tentatively behind me.
‘Zan. What are you doing here? I thought you were busy with my father this morning?’
‘I am … I mean, I was … I just saw you walking out here and had to come and talk to you about something.’
‘What is it?’ I asked. It had been a month since my engagement party, and Zan and I had barely spoken in that time. The fact that he had sought me out especially to speak to me must have meant it was important.
‘I’ve been thinking about what you said … at the party. And, you’re right. I’ve been lying to you. The reason I haven’t been supportive of you and Sean, is not just that I don’t trust him. It’s because I am in love with you. I always have been.’ Zan admitted.
I couldn’t say anything. Of course I already knew how he felt, but as long as he had been too afraid to admit it, it meant I that I didn’t have to admit anything either.
‘I know you are getting married to Sean in less than a week, but I couldn’t let you do that without telling you how I feel. I know it probably won’t change anything, and I can live with that. I just wanted you to know that I have loved you since the first day I met you. You are my best friend, my confidant, my inspiration. I know I have denied it, and I’ve been scared of what it might mean for our friendship, but right now I feel as though I have lost that anyway. If we are going to be apart, I would rather it was with no secrets between us.’
When I didn’t reply, Zan cupped his hand on the back of my neck and drew me towards him. I didn’t protest, having not realised until that moment how much I had missed his touch. When he realised I wasn’t resisting, he slowly brought his lips to mine, kissing me gently at first, and then with the passion of someone who has held back for far too long. I got caught up in the kiss, remembering the kiss we had shared so long ago, before Sean, and before Zan’s fear had broken us apart.
‘Marry me. Leave Sean and marry me instead.’ Zan begged, after the kiss had ended, but we hadn’t pulled away from each other, our forehead’s resting together.
As I looked at the necklace I smiled, imagining how Zan had managed to delicately place it on my wrist last night without waking me.
“How are you feeling today?” The doctor said as he studied my chart. I turned to the other side of my bed and saw that my earth parents were there as well.
“Ummm … okay I guess.” I answered.
“That’s good.” He said as he shone the light from his torch in my eyes. “No headaches?”
“Yeah, a little.”
“I’ll get a nurse to bring you some medication for that. What about dizziness?”
“No.” I said as I tried to sit up some more, “Oh, yes.” I corrected, clutching my head, and laying back down again.
“Just relax. You had a very serious head injury so it is to be expected. You are healing very quickly though, so I think you will be up and around in no time.” The doctor said, taking my pulse.
“Can she come home soon Doctor?” The woman, my mother, asked.
“We’ll wait another couple of days I think before we decide. I would like to do a few more tests, and keep her in for observation.”
I could have kissed the doctor at that moment. Although I didn’t like being here very much, I was not looking forward to going home with these people that I didn’t know.
“Now, Liz.” The doctor began, taking a seat on the edge of my hospital bed. “We need to talk about that head injury. It seems that it has caused a condition known as amnesia. Do you know what that is?”
“No.” It’s when you wake up to find you are in a completely different solar system, living a life that you don’t remember, not knowing how you managed to escape alive from your last life, with aliens hunting you down to make sure you don’t escape alive from this one.
“It’s a condition where you lose some of your memories. It occurs when the head has suffered a trauma, either a physical injury or severe stress. The amnesia can be selective, only targeting certain memories, or it can be total. Now in most cases, the memory returns quite quickly, but sometimes it can be permanent. We are hopeful that in your case it will be the former, but only time will tell. Now it is important that you get as much rest as you can, and avoid stress.” He then turned to my parents. “It is very important that you don’t try to overload her too much with new information. She is more likely to start remembering things on her own. I would recommend limiting her visitors. You can notify the nursing staff who will be allowed to visit her.”
“We will Doctor.” My father replied. “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” He answered, and then turned to me, “Have one of the nurses page me if you need anything. I’ll come by to check on you later this morning.”
When he had left the room, my parents turned their attention back to me.
“Can we get you anything, honey?” My mother said, grasping my hand. I tried not to flinch at the strange woman’s touch, but she must have felt me pull away because she quickly let go of my hand.
“I’m sorry…” I began to apologise, seeing how my reaction had upset her.
“No, it’s fine dear. I know this must be hard on you. You just concentrate on getting better, okay?”
“I’ll come by later this afternoon to check on you.” My father said, putting his hands on my mother’s shoulders, encouraging her to leave the seat by my bed.
“Bye honey.” My mother said, wiping a stray tear that had begun to trail down her cheek. I felt so terrible that I had made her cry. They must really love me a lot, and I couldn’t even remember their names.
“Thank you.” I said, giving them a weak smile.
* * * * *
Later that morning, after I had tasted the hospital food and decided that there was no possible way I was staying on this planet if that was the kind of food there was to eat, there was a quiet knock at the door. It opened, and in stepped a girl, who I assumed was probably around sixteen years old. She was quite pretty, but her eyes were red from crying, and her face deathly pale and I thought she looked as though she needed the hospital bed more than I did. I noticed how nervous she looked, but then chastised myself that anyone would feel nervous with me scrutinising them like I was.
“Hi.” The girl said timidly.
“Hi.” I replied, trying unsuccessfully to sound as though I knew who she was. Was this the way it was going to be from now on? Passing people and not knowing whether I should be saying hello like an old friend, or nodding politely to a stranger?
“I spoke to your parents. They told me that you have amnesia.” The girl continued, taking another step into the room.
“That’s what they tell me. Do you want to have a seat?” I offered politely.
The girl walked over to my bed and took a seat on the closest chair.
“So I guess you don’t remember who I am.” She said quietly.
I shook my head and feebly apologised.
“I’m Maria.” The girl said.
“Hi Maria. I think my name is Liz.”
“Yeah, it is.” Maria replied, still looking nervous.
“So, I take it we know each other.” I said.
“We were best friends.”
“Were?”
“I mean, are. We are best friends.” Maria corrected.
“Well you seem like the kind of person that I would be friends with.” I said thinking it would make her feel better.
“Really?” She smiled.
“Really.” I replied, but who was I kidding, I didn’t remember anything about her so how would I know?
“Do you remember the accident?” Maria asked.
“No. Was it bad?” I asked. No one had really told me what had happened.
“Yeah. We weren’t sure if you were going to make it.”
“We?”
“Yeah, well, me, your parents; James and well … your ex.”
“My ex?” I asked confused.
“Yeah, your ex-boyfriend.” Maria said looking flustered.
“So I don’t currently have a boyfriend?” I asked. This kind of information is probably important so I am prepared for strange guys visiting me and wanting to get all touchy-feely.
“Not right now. You and he only broke up recently.”
“How recently?”
“Less than a week ago.” Maria replied.
Less than a week is going to mean there are unresolved issues. Great, that’s all I need right now.
“He’s actually here and is desperate to see you. Can I let him in?” Maria asked nervously.
“Yeah, I guess. But can I just ask you one thing first? Who broke up with whom?”
“Um, you did. You broke up with him.”
“Ok, thanks.” I replied. At least knowing that I would know how I was supposed to behave.
Maria opened the door, and a gorgeous blond haired bombshell walked through the door. What on earth was I thinking breaking up with this heartthrob? Then I studied him closer, and my eyes lit up. It was Sean, it had to be; I’d remember those eyes anywhere. The memory of them were forever burned into my soul.
“Do you remember Sean?” Maria asked, obviously noticing my reaction at the sight of him.
“Uh, no.” I lied. “But if I have any other friends who look this gorgeous please feel free to show them in immediately.”
“Thanks, I’ll take that as a compliment.” Sean grinned.
“I should probably leave you two alone.” Maria said, looking very uncomfortable.
“Okay. Will you come back and visit me?” I asked.
“I’d love too.” Maria replied, looking very relieved. “See you later then.”
When I was sure Maria had left the room I looked back at Sean.
“Sean?” I asked.
“You remember me?”
“Of course I remember you. I remember everything from that life. Unfortunately I don’t remember anything of this one.”
“So it is true, you have lost your memories.”
“Yeah. The last thing I remember is leaving Antar in the pods. I remember it as though it was yesterday, not sixteen years ago. But what happened? I heard the gunfire. How did you escape?” I asked, clutching his hand as though I was afraid he was going to disappear on me again.
“I got lucky. Their shots missed. They decided to take me prisoner instead, and I managed to escape and get to the pods.”
“Thank goodness you’re okay. I was so scared I had lost you.” I pulled him into the tightest hug I could manage without ripping out the tube that was attached to my arm.
“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Sean grinned.
“Maria told me we broke up.” I stated, pulling back a little. I was desperate to know exactly where we stood with each other.
“We didn’t… not technically anyway.” He must have noticed the confused look on my face so he quickly continued. “Maria didn’t approve of us, and she gave you an ultimatum to either break up with me, or to find yourself a new best friend.”
“What? Why?”
“I think she just felt left out. You had suddenly made some new friends and she was upset.”
“Well, no wonder she looked so uncomfortable when you came in to see me.” I thought aloud.
“Yeah, so you told her that we had broken up, when we hadn’t. We just made sure she didn’t see us together.”
“That must have been hard.”
“Yeah, it was driving me crazy not being able to see you. And now with your parents hanging around the hospital so much I thought it was going to be impossible to get in here.”
“They’re not my parents. My parents are dead.” I said, breaking down in tears when it dawned on me what had happened. I hadn’t had a chance to mourn them yet. Sixteen years on and I had not mourned their death. What kind of daughter was I?
“Hey, hey, don’t cry.” Sean said pulling me back into a hug.
“I’m so scared.” I sobbed on his shoulder. I didn’t want to be here, I just wanted to go home. Back to Antar, back to my parents, back to my comfortable life in the palace where everything was normal. Not here on this strange planet with no memories.
“It’s going to be okay.” Sean comforted me. “Besides, it’s not so bad here you know.”
“The food sucks.” I replied, sniffling.
“Hospital food does suck, I have to agree with you there.” He replied, glancing at my uneaten plate of mush. “But just wait till you get out of here and try some real food.”
“Did someone mention food?” I heard a voice from the door. There was a boy their holding a white paper bag, and I could already smell the aroma of its contents wafting over to our side of the room. Sean pulled out of our hug and stood up defensively.
“Zan.” Sean said in acknowledgment. I looked at the boy closer, and saw that he definitely had Zan’s eyes.
“Sean.” Zan replied matching Sean’s tone, before taking the seat on the other side of the bed from where Sean was standing.
“Akira, I have brought you a present. One cheeseburger with extra pickles and a strawberry milkshake - your favourites.”
“Thanks.” I replied, pulling the burger out of the paper wrapping and taking a huge bite.
“What do you think?” Zan asked, grinning.
“Ohhh, this is good.” I replied with a mouthful of food. Okay, so not all earth food was that bad. Maybe I would hang around for a while.
“So I take it you two have spoken since Akira woke up yesterday.” Sean asked Zan.
“Yeah, briefly.”
“I didn’t see you around the hospital yesterday.” Sean said accusingly. “As a matter of fact I haven’t seen you around the hospital at all since the accident.”
“And your point is?” Zan replied defensively.
“That maybe Akira is not high enough on your agenda.”
“You don’t know what the hell you are talking about.” Zan stood up defensively.
“I’m just making observations.” Sean said smugly.
“Cut it out you two.” I interjected. “Sixteen years on and you still can’t get along.”
“Sorry babe. He just pushes my buttons.” Sean said, sitting back down next to me and taking my hand.
“You do your fair share of button-pushing.” I replied, knowing that Zan had been at the hospital since the accident. “And I have enough to worry about without having to play referee.”
“Sorry Akira.” Zan apologised as well.
“Okay, so what happens now?” I said once I had finished my burger and had moved onto the milkshake.
“Now you need to get better so you can get out of this hospital.” Zan replied.
“No, I mean what happens now, as in when do we go home.” I clarified by pointing towards the sky.
“It’s not time.” Zan said.
“What do you mean it’s not time. We left sixteen years ago and for sixteen years Kivar has had free reign over Antar. All those people suffering, depending on me to save them. I think we’ve waited long enough.”
“You’re not strong enough.” Zan replied.
“I’m a fast healer.”
“You haven’t been training.”
“To me I only left yesterday, which means I trained yesterday. I remember everything.” I replied smugly.
“What about physically?” Zan countered.
“Okay, this body may not be completely up to scratch, but it’s not that bad.” I replied. “A couple of weeks and I will be as fit as I used to be.”
“Why don’t you just worry about getting well enough to get out of this hospital, and then we can think about your exercise regime.”
“Fine.” I replied, suddenly feeling fatigued. Maybe Zan was right, I needed to get strong before I tried to fight Kivar.
At that moment the door opened and the doctor walked in.
“How are you- Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t realise you had visitors.” The doctor began.
“That’s okay. These are some friends from school… I think.” I replied, remembering I wasn’t supposed to know who they were.
“Yeah, we’re from school. We heard she was awake and just wanted to check in on her.”
“And saving her from the dreaded hospital food I see.” The doctor smiled, glancing at my milkshake cup and burger crumbs. “I don’t blame you. I try not to eat here either. Just don’t overdo it, okay?”
“Okay.” I agreed.
“How are you feeling?” He asked, stepping between Sean and I to take my pulse.
“Okay. A little tired.”
“You need to rest. I think you may have had too many visitors today.” The doctor said obviously trying to give a strong hint to Sean and Zan who were still hovering.
“We’ll go.” Zan replied, nudging Sean to follow him. “We’ll come by and see you again.”
“Okay, thanks for coming.” I replied, trying to sound like my world wasn’t breaking because they were leaving me here in this hospital alone. It was comforting to have them with me. When they closed the door the doctor continued his examination.
“Headaches still?” He asked.
“A little.”
“Dizziness?”
“It comes and goes.”
“I’d really like to run some tests to make sure there isn’t any other damage to that head of yours.”
“What kind of tests?” I asked concerned.
“It’s called an MRI. It’s a special machine that will x-ray your brain, among other things, and show us if there is any abnormalities. It’s very safe.”
“So you think this is what’s causing the memory loss, these abnormalities?”
“It’s possible. As I told you before, the reason is either from an injury, or from stress. At this stage it is too difficult to test because you have suffered from both. That’s why I think this test will help.”
“When do you want to do it?”
“I’ll book you in for tomorrow morning. Is that okay?”
“I guess. I don’t remember if I had anything else planned.” I smiled.
“Well, at least you still have your sense of humour.” The doctor grinned. “I’ll see you in the morning… Oh, and I’ll tell the nursing staff not to let any other visitors in so you can get some rest.”
“Thanks.” I replied gratefully, too tired to deal with any other friends or relatives who wanted to descend upon me.