Frozen Memories

Hidden Scars....A Panic of Escape

“Are you certain we should wear bathing suits?” I asked.

    “The cave’s climate is different than, well, out here.” Laura explained. “The temperature is warmer.”

    “Interesting.”

    “Oh, what Mina, don’t tell me you’re afraid to show a little skin.” Dustin teased, watching me through his front mirror.

    “I am not afraid.” I corrected. “Admittedly, I am nervous though.” I murmured.

    “Why?” Laura asked.

    “Yea! Cuz’ I’m sure you got a body for days.” Dustin said, winking at me.

    I had no idea what that meant, so I just hesitantly smiled and looked away. 

There were scars that I had not been entirely ready for anyone to see. And until this moment I had not thought of the notion that they would be very visible without clothing. “It’s nothing.” I lied. Glancing Max’s way however, I knew that she could see through my fib.

    I knew that we were closer to our destination when we turned off into a dirt road in the woods. I looked out of the window, ignoring current conversation as the outside scenery seemed to captivate. 

We finally came to a stop when I saw the woods full with parked cars outside of a large grove like opening. I got out of the car and stood at the threshold of the cave, the outside, just a stone opening enveloped in greenery. The entrance had quite the noticeable feeling of a different temperature from where I stood.

    Some part of me thought to wait for the others but my curiosity felt otherwise when my legs started moving forward to enter the cave. The aged hardened rock surrounding into an archway of darkness, held a natural glow of what seemed a dancing hue of a faded and still serene blue; though, dim it was. I immediately felt the further rise in temperature; not muggy but oddly warm; comfortable even.

    The damp smell of rock mixed with plant life and dirt was weirdly pleasing to me as I continued to descend into the cave. I found my hand running across the hardened damp barrier of the cave wall, when I felt a dip in the ground. Caught off guard, I jumped back, bumping into someone.

    “I thought you were going to wait.” Max said, grabbing my arm.

    “I was-but then I got curious.”

    “Oh-I thought it was about what happened in the car.” Max said suddenly. I could sense the hesitance in her approaching the subject.

    “Of course not.”

    “So what are you nervous about?” she asked.

    I did not want to dwell on the negatives of the scars adorning my body. And I knew that in telling Max of my concerns of people seeing them that she would only attempt to guard me from having to deal with the potential ordeal that would result from it.

    “I’ve never been in a setting such as this before is all.”

    “Well, that’s exactly why we’re here.” Max grinned, taking my arm. “Come on!” she exclaimed, leading me further down into the cave.

    Laura, Dustin and Clyde eventually caught up when we reached an opening of what was almost another world entirely. In the opening was a large body of cerulean water surrounded in an area of stone and rocks garnished, naturally in greenery. 

Large trees wrapped in vines, masked the area and small peeps of what looked to be red Hollyhocks, paired with vibrant Columbines. The yellow butter weeds seemed to make various appearances surrounding the grove with their vibrant butter like yellow; along with the common Monkeyflowers and Fiddlenecks; which were just as vibrant and beautiful. There was, however, one that was the rarest of them, one brighter than them all. One that, I was surprised to have noticed, as it seemed the hoard of youths before me had not.

    Because it was so far above every other beautiful form of plant life, I knew it was probably most important. Something in me told me that this unbloomed flower was rare in itself. What was even odder still, was just I had unconsciously known every name to the plant life in this cave I also, somehow knew the name of this one as well. Though, even with taking all of that into consideration, this was not the reason as to why I was so infatuated with this beautiful rarity. No, something about this flower seemed so familiar to me.

“Pretty right?”

    My eyes still caught on the beautiful plant. “Yes.” I answered Max.

    “No one’s ever seen it bloom.” Max returned. “And no one even knows what it is.”

    “Wijayakusuma.” I found myself saying before I realized it. “Also known as the Moon Flower. Some even have referred to it as the queen of the night.” I smiled. “You may never see it bloom. It only blooms one night out of the year and for only two precious hours. Its awakening is unpredictable but there is a reason behind it. A story that-” My words seemed mechanical almost; as if such information was trained into my head until a mental block, unknown to me, shut me out..

    “H-how do you know that?” Max asked.

    I looked at her, suddenly of myself again before I shrugged. “I do not know.” I chuckled haphazardly before my attention returned to the Moon Flower. “Maybe my past was in love with flowers.” I attempted to tease.

    “Yea, maybe.” Max scoffed.

    “This, is a beautiful place.” The words escaped my lips in wonder.

    “I know right?” Max started as she began to strip off her clothes and lead me to do the same.

    It almost seemed that as soon as it was time for me to take off my clothing, stares developed. Anxiety took over and I found myself backing away. “I cannot do this.” I mumbled.

    Max looked at me incredulously. “Mina, what’s wrong?”

    “You alright, Mina?” Laura inquired.

    I looked away. “There are scars that I’d prefer not-“

    Max cursed under breath. “That’s why.” She hissed. “Look, we can leave if you-”

    “No! Of course not!” I quickly dismissed. “I do not wish to leave.”

    “I’m so sorry, Mina.” Laura returned. “I had no idea that was the reason why you were so nervous! We should not have joked abou-”

I took Laura’s hand. “Do not fret.” I smiled. “I am in no way offended. I just do not have the patience for the ensuing questions.” Laura nodded in understanding. “Go have fun.” I encouraged.

    When Laura hesitantly walked away, Max turned to me. “No way I’m leaving you to just stand here!”

    “I am not going to just stand here, Max.” I returned. “Go have fun.” I said to her.

    “Hey, Mina! Take those clothes off!” Clyde yelled.

    “Yea! Take em off, Frost!” Dustin further instigated, both he and Clyde now in the water.

    “Back off you two!” Max spat before turning back to me, eyes widened in the newfound realization of my true discomfort. “Are you sure?”

    “I’ll be fine Max. Besides, you know me and bodies of water-” I returned before I smiled and walked away. There were far better things to do than get half naked and get into the water.

    I walked the perimeter of the water, ignoring the cat calls and further pressuring to remove my clothing and get in. Eventually, I ended up on a shallower side where there seemed to be considerably less people around; though inappropriate they were. 

Removing myself farther away until I considered myself alone, I sat down next to the blue water, and ran my fingers through the surface of the small and subtle waves.

    “Hey, you alright?”

    I looked up to see Max inches away from my hand, staring at me with concern. I did not stop wavering my hand through the warm water. “I am fine, Max.” I returned. “Just thinking.”

    I heard her sigh. “Mina, you don’t look like you’re having fun. And if you’re not having fun then-”

    “Max! Come over here!” Dustin called in the distance of the other side.

    I looked at Max with a grin. “I think he is fond of you.”

    “Whatever.” Max rolled her eyes in amusement. “I know a subject change when I hear one.”

    “Well then take the hint.” I teased.

    Max hesitated. “Are you sure?”

    “Max we talked about this overprotective thing.”

    Max then sucked her teeth and cut her eyes. “Fine.” She said in a hesitant manner. “I’m coming back to check in on you.” She said as she began to back away before turning around and making her way over to the deep end. As she walked away, I noticed how seemingly more vibrant her red hair became when it was wet.

I could not help but wonder if anyone else noticed it too. How interesting, I thought to myself.

    Returning to my own thoughts, I closed my eyes and continued to enjoy the simple surroundings.

    “Hello beautiful.”

    Quickly, I snatched my hand out of the water, splashing the young man in the face. “I am-so sorry.” I apologized in embarrassment as the water that I unintentionally splashed all over his face started to drip from his chin.

    He responded with a small grin. “It was bound to happen eventually, right? I mean I am in water, and you-well I did catch you off guard.”

    I chuckled timidly, feeling my cheeks warm within themselves. I had not been so close to a shirtless man before.

    He continuously stared at me, presenting unease. He did not speak for a moment before he inquired. “What’s your name?”

    “I-Mina.” I answered. “You can-call me Mina.”

    “Why are you not in your bathing suit, Mina?”

    I shrugged. “Insecurities.” I returned.

    His eyes broadened at my response. “Insecure? You’re joking right?”

    Curiously, I looked at him and shook my head. “No.”

    He scoffed. “You’ve got to be the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen in this place, ever! And I’m speaking logically, trust me. You’re generating stares like crazy. So-wh-I don’t get it.”

    I looked around, figuring, he is definitely being melodramatic about his take on my beauty; however, it did surprise me to see some of the odd stares that would sift my way. “That is unsettling.”

    “Yea, I figured it would be.” He laughed. “But anyway. I came over here, because I wanted to experience you up close and personal.”

    “I assure you there is-” I paused as he got out of the water and sat next to me. “nothing to experience up close an-”

    “How old are you, Mina?”

    “I am-” pausing, I recalled that I did not know how old I was. “Well I am in high school. If that-means anything.” I mumbled the last part, realizing that it probably did not.

    He apparently found my comment amusing. “What grade?”

    “I have 11th and 12th grade classes.” I returned.

    “So both then.”

    “I never thought of it that way.” I replied. “I guess so.”

    “Well, that’s fine with me.” He grinned, inching closer to me.

    I could not help hazarding a guess that regardless of my age, he would not have averted his attention nor intentions. In an attempt to avoid being too near him, I got up from where I sat.

    “I’m a sophomore.”

    “Sophomore?” I recalled hearing that defined as a youth taking 10th grade classes. “You are in high school as well?”

    He laughed at my question. I felt foolish when he answered no. “I’m in college.”

    College, from what I understood made more sense than my own assumption, considering how mature he looked physically. Then too, a lot of the guys at high school were just as physically competent.

    “That-makes sense.” I murmured.

    “So, you’re not from here, I take it-judging from the accent.” I heard him say. The nearness of his voice informed that he’d noticed how far I’d began to drift from him. Not because he annoyed or offended me; it just happened.

    “No.” I turned around to face him. “I am not.”

    “Where are you from?”

    “Overseas.” I replied. I’d come to a realization that it really was not pertinent for people to know exactly where I was from.

    “Ha, mystery girl.” He smirked. “I can dig that.” When silence took over, I noticed him nearing me further.

    “I did not catch your name.” I suddenly said, hoping to lighten the one sided tension.

“Keith.” He shortly answered. “So tell me, Mina; are you single?”

    Feeling the mugginess of his damp body near me, I could not gather my words as fast as I wished. “Si-single?”

    “Do you have a man?”

    “A man? No, I do not have a man.” I answered, as unless the question held some underlying meaning, I was sure that my answer was correct.

    “Good.” He grinned, the tips of his fingers nearing my waist, causing me to flinch slightly. “You are very attractive, Mina. Even with your clothes on.”

    I nodded. “Well, I should go.” I started away when his hand tugged at my dress.

    “Wait!” he pulled me back and turned me to him. “Oh, you’re skin is cold!” he chuckled as he brushed my hand. It was almost as if he did not register the fact that my skin holding this chill in such a humid atmosphere was odd. “Let me warm you up.”

    “I am afraid that would be an exercise in futility.” I returned. “Excuse me.” I said walking away when he drug me back, more aggressively this time knocking me into a large boulder blindsiding the deeper half of the body of water and most everyone in it.

    Trying to catch myself on the large rock, I lost my footing and fell into the water. Immediate panic took over my body, my mind going in and out of darkness…. “

Mommy!”  I hear in an abrupt flash when deafness filled my ears again followed by a blur…. “The butterflies are awake!”  I hear once again, distantly. Only it was not me saying those words. Was it? I could not gather a full thought before my mind blacked out again and returned to a blur….. Sir!? Her pulse! It……”  the voice of a man echoed through my head before my eyes shot open in a panic of escape!