Chapter 09: Recollections

I can't remember much from my past. Ever since I got on this planet, my memories started to fade until I slowly forget where I came from and who I used to be. Despite this, I held on to a memory and I do my very best to not let it fade away.

"Hehehehe," a baby's cheerful giggling can be heard.

"Aww look honey, she's giggling," a female voice said. I tried to look at her face but I can't make anything out of it because it's a blur.

"She looks so cute just like you," a male voice answered. Just like the woman, his face also appeared to be a blur.

"Oh you stop it," the female voice chuckled, "She's such a little ray of sunshine, isn't she?"

"She sure is," the male voice replied "I hope no matter what happens, that smile on her face won't fade."

There was silence after that.

"Yeah," the female responded with a subdued voice.

***

"Just hold on to me," the female voice said sweetly.

I looked at my hands, they're both so tiny! My tiny hands held onto the hands of the female as I try to advance my feet one at a time. My tiny hands are holding on tightly to the woman's warm hands. I feel like if I let go of them, I'd fall.

"You can do it!" the male voice cheered on which made the woman laugh.

I was successfully taking my very first steps with no problems until the woman let go of my hand. I try to continue walking but I began to lose balance. There was nothing for me to hold on to so I sat down and hit my butt on the floor.

It hurt so I cried loudly.

The man quickly came to me examining my butt, "Are you okay, sweetie? Does it hurt?"

I stopped crying and looked at him. Then I cried again.

"What did you do that for? She must have hurt her butt!" the man worriedly yelled at the woman.

The woman wasn't affected and laughed at his reaction. "You worry too much dear, have you forgotten the floor is covered with soft and fluffy floor mats. She'll be fine."

The woman picked me up and cradled me in her arms. I felt cozy when I'm in her arms so I stopped crying. This cozy feeling made me sleepy so I let out a yawn before closing my eyes.

My eyes were closed but I can still feel the woman's warm embrace.

***

"Boom!" my eyes opened upon hearing a loud explosion. I can hear very loud noises with screams of people panicking outside. I can also smell something burning from outside and smoke is starting to come inside of the room I am in.

"Mom! Dad!" I called out with a shaky voice.

No one answered me.

I quickly got up from bed to search for them. The place I am in is quite small but is divided into quarters. It wouldn't take me long to search for them. I checked for every possible place that they may be in but I really couldn't see them anywhere.

I repeated, "Mom? Dad?" No response from them again.

I sat down trying to calm myself. I felt restless. The noises from outside grew louder and louder so I covered my ears. I am so scared, I have no idea of what is happening outside. The people whom I most comfortable and safe with are nowhere to be seen, just as when I needed them the most.

I'm all alone, what should I do?

While in a state of distress, suddenly there came a tapping on the door from the outside. My almost tearful eyes brightened with joy. Could it be my Mom and Dad?

I quickly ran towards the door and just as when I was about to turn the knob, a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me towards it. I was about to scream but another hand covered my mouth. It was dark so I couldn't see who was holding me.

I scrambled to get myself out of their hold until I heard a sweet voice.

"Hush child," the female whispered sweetly.

Upon hearing her voice, the fear and anxiety I felt inside vanished. It was dark and cold at that small spot but her embrace gave me warmth. The same warmth I always felt back when I was still very young.

"Where's dad?" I asked.

"I'm here, don't worry sweetie," the man whispered back.

"What's happening?" I inquired out of curiosity.

"Sssh honey quiet down," the female covered my mouth.

There was silence, but this did not make me feel uncomfortable. The warmth of the female's embrace and their presence is enough to make me feel safe.

"How about we play a game?" the male broke the silence.

"Game?" the female replied.

"Yes a game, would you like to play sweetie?" the male asked me.

"I do! Let's play!" I whispered with a hint of excitement.

"It's dark in this place so why don't we play hide and seek" the male started, "The rules are you have to close your eyes and cover your ears while I and your Mom hide. Do you understand?"

"I understand! Let's do it!" I tried to keep my voice down even if I felt excited.

"Go cover your ears and close your eyes now sweetie," the male instructed me.

I did what I was told and I covered my ears and closed my eyes. He led me towards somewhere. It was about a minute or so and we were still walking. I wanted to take a peek at where we were heading but I stopped myself so I wouldn't ruin the excitement.

As soon as we stopped walking I started counting down from 20.

19...18...17...16...15...

I wonder how I would be able to look for them. It is quite dark wherever we were in.

14...13...12...11...10...

Something feels like shaking under my feet. It is just a small shake but it is noticeable, maybe I'm just tired.

9...8...7...6...5...

The shaking began to intensify. I am sure that isn't just me, it might be an earthquake. I opened my eyes and stopped covering my ears. If this was an earthquake, we were playing hide and seek at a very wrong time. I must find mom and dad quickly!

I turned around and ran, that's when I bumped into something. I felt the object, it seemed like a wall. I tried to find the doorknob but I couldn't find it anywhere. The shaking intensified more and I started to feel very dizzy. I want to sit down but can't give up now, I must find them quickly.

I kept knocking on the wall, "Mom! Dad!"

A light illuminated from outside and I started to see my surroundings a bit better. The object that seemed to be a wall that I was banging was a window. I looked outside it and saw that the light was coming from below the room I was in.

As more light illuminated the room, I realized what was going on. I was inside a spacecraft, and this spacecraft has just begun to take off.

"No," I mumbled to myself, "Mom? Dad? Where are you?" I looked around inside the spacecraft but I can't see them anywhere. Please don't tell me they're down there. Tears began to fall as I realized I was in this spacecraft alone.

I may have no idea of what is happening and why I am here but please, just allow me to see them again. I want to see them again.

I looked outside the window, roaming my eyes down to where they might be.

My eyes widened as I saw both of them being held down by muscular men. They were both bleeding because of being beaten up but upon seeing me, they tried to smile even if they were under so much pain.

I wanted to save them but I'm way too up. If I did get out of here I might die when I hit the ground.

I sat down weakly on the floor and let my tears flow. I can't do anything else right now but cry. I wish I could do something, but I can't. I hate this.

I lay on the cold metal floor of the aircraft. I wanted to cry but no more tears would come out. My eyes began to feel heavy from exhaustion. My thoughts drifted into the man and woman as my eyes slowly closed. Why did they have to stay behind?