[Hello! Thank you for reading! It's my first ever writing project I've done so constructive criticism would be appreciated! I'm very sorry for any grammatical errors or incoherences, English isn't my native language but beside that, please enjoy!]
"Hey?..."
A close voice sparked among the blowing wind, a delicate and calm but with a hint of nervousness.
He lifted up his head swiftly into the direction of the strange voice, he thought he was completely alone, yet, it was no surprise that hearing a tender voice really had sparked a shift in his mind. The voice sounded genuine.
He looked in the direction and saw her, a girl, who seemed to be his age who sat next to him on the bench. They instantly clashed gazes, holding it for a few seconds. He had never been this close to someone, even less with a girl, the labs had him isolated at all times, only being spoken to through speakers or behind glass windows.
She stared at him for long seconds, she seemed to be as puzzled as him, not believing each other's presence. She slightly tilted her head, trying to make a better angle of his confused face. His expression felt unsecured yet, comforting.
She shook her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts and break eye contact, she retracted back to the edge of the bench, feeling watched as his gaze persisted on her until he finally realized, jolting in realization.
"Oh! Sorry... I didn't mean to-" Said him, retracting himself to his side and looking away out of nervousness.
She stood in place as she took quick glances at him, mesmerized by his soft looking eyes, she had never seen anything so... authentic.
"Oh no- no! It's nothing! Really!..."
She replies with the little courage she had.
"Are... you too lost?"
The girl tries to ease up the tension between them, not wanting to distance herself from the only person she had found.
"What do you mean? You're lost too?"
He said, relieved from hearing he's not alone in his confusion.
"I've never seen anyone here..."
The girl said softly, not really knowing how to properly behave.
"I just woke up, do you know this place?"
"I don't, I've never seen this place... and it scares me..."
She curled up on the bench, putting her knees to her chest as she stared blankly into the never ending horizon, the orange colored sky of the sunset covered everything, the subtle wind blowing her hair.
A deep silence reigned over them, the two sat on their side of the bench, he stared at the ground, looking at his shoes, this place felt real, lived in, it was almost calming, for him at least.
This new environment was something I had never experienced, the slow hum of the monitors slowly felt distant. Somehow, all those years I remember being locked away felt, forgiven.
I was now here.
He raised his gaze up then faced the girl, who seemed plunged in her thoughts, looking at her hands holding her knees.
"What's your name?"
In an attempt to get closer.
"Me? I... l... don't remember hehe..."
"What?! You don't remember your name?!"
"I think my stress has affected me too much... I've been unable to think straight for the last couple of... wait how long have I been here?...."
The girl was oblivious of her instance, not remembering her name or— anything, it almost felt like she appeared out of thin air. He had to do something about how to address her, for now.
"Uhhh... maybe you suffered from amnesia?"
"Mmmm... I don't think so- but, what's amnesia?"
He was really puzzled by her mysterious nature, she seemed out of this world. Either way, the boy wanted to help her in some type of way, somehow...
"Uhhh... how about I help you out remembering things huh? I'll have to call you something for the meantime, you know what I mean?"
The girl nodded, being thankful for him being so considerate and understanding of her mysterious condition.
"How about... uhh..."
The boy looks at the floating clouds sky, brainstorming for a name to call her, until...
"Anna."
"Anna?"
"Yeah!"
"Uh... I like it! Annaaaaa~"
She rolled her letters as she pronounced her new name, her mood seemed to have brightened up as well as her eyes.
"Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kindness- uhhh... and you are?"
"Name's... my name is..."
"You forgot too?"
She giggled softly to the absurdity of the situation, neither of them remembered their names, it felt strange and yet amusing, all at once.
She looked at him for a brief second and then turned her gaze back into the mellow sunset rising down in front of them. The orange hued radiance danced around the surrounding trees, refracting everywhere, the softness of the clouded skies turned redder as the light faded into night.
"Oh man... how did I forget my nam-"
"Ray."
Said Anna, as she kept her gaze into the setting sun. Her shiny grey eyes glowing with the bright light developing them.
"Hm?"
"You'll be Ray! You like it?"
She wanted to reciprocate his kindness.
"Oh! I- you really think it's a good name for me?"
"Mhm! I think it suits you!"
"Oh- okay! Yeah I like it!"
She warmly smiled at Ray, each other's presence made their confusion disappear, suddenly being just the two of them didn't seemed so bad.
"Well... it's nice to meet you Ray!"
"Yeah... nice to meet you too, Anna..."
They looked into each other, then Anna extended her arm for a gentle handshake but Ray just stood there. he didn't knew that was he supposed to be doing.
"What's that?"
He looked down at her delicate hand extended forward, her hand was untouched with a soft pink hue on her fingertips.
"My hand?" Her stood there, floating in the air.
"Why are you giving me your hand?" He asked.
"For a handshake?" Answered in a playful tone.
"What's that?"
"You really don't kno- oh... don't worry, I'll teach you how to do a handshake alright?"
Anna swiftly stood up and grabbed him by the wrist, lifting him from the bench. The remaining lights of the sun set seemed to fall down, inviting the dark night to settle in.
"Come on! Let's go somewhere else!"
I followed along, we ran on the small pavement way, heading wherever it lead to.
Anantanerophine.
The same drug they injected in me to decompress my muscles and kill excessive neural impulses.