Frozen Memories

Skyscrapers and the Weather

My eyes rushed open the following morning, realizing the finality of Lisa Jones’ words last night. I was about to be released from the hospital; into a world I had no experience nor recollection of. Sleep escaped me the night before as fear overtook every ounce of my mind.

    When I heard the door opening, I quickly averted my attention from my thoughts to see Dr. Byrne entering my room alone, a solemn look taking the place of her smile. She seemed to realize that I was already aware of what the day held in store for me.

    “Lisa told you.” She immediately assumed.

    I answered with a simple gesture of my head. “She did not come to say goodbye?”

    Dr. Byrne chuckled subtly at my words and sat next to me. “Seems you have grown on her. Hard to say goodbye to someone you are fond of.”

    I smiled at her use of words. “Considering, she was forced to be assigned here, she probably didn’t have much of a choice, in the first place, I guess.”  

    The doctor seemed to find amusement in my comment before she decided to respond. “Funny thing is, she asked to be assigned here indefinitely.”

    Needless to say, I was surprised to hear this; I’m sure my expression depicted as much. I was very curious as to the reason Lisa Jones made such a request. “Why?” I asked.

    To that inquiry, Dr. Byrne shrugged her shoulders. “Well admittedly, we both knew that it would have probably taken you a little longer to calmly adjust to your surroundings had we scheduled different nurses to come in and out of your room every day. Then too, I also think she didn’t want anyone else prejudging you based solely off of your…different, but beautiful appearance.” I could tell she added the last part to let me know that she meant no harm in her words.

    “As she did.” I added.

    Dr. Byrne gave me a curious glance. “What makes you think she did?”

I laughed at her question. She knew that I was correct in my assumption of Lisa Jones’ prejudgment. I was sure she only wished to understand what gave it away.

    “Aside your use of terms,” I said to her. “I noticed her reaction the first day she laid eyes on me.” Half-heartedly, I chuckle. “Yeah, she nearly jumped out of her skin.” I added. “Probably would have done the same had I been in her shoes.”

    Both our thoughts lingered in silence after our conversation, knowing that there was not much else that could be said that would make better for discussion in consideration of the circumstances.`

    “Oh, yes! I almost forgot.” Dr. Byrne suddenly said.

Startled, I nearly fell off of the bed from her quick action. Feeling my heart slow itself, I watched her as she continued doing whatever it was she was doing, not realizing that she’d nearly given me a heart attack.

    Dr. Byrne grabbed a bag that was sitting on a chair near the door. She turned back around. “I have a daughter about the same size as you. Give or take a few pounds.” She teases, referring to the weight I’d gained since I becoming able enough to. “Lisa also donated and bought you a couple pair of pants and shirts here. I think more sweatpants than anything.” She joked. Both were well aware that sweatpants were an extreme comfort of mine.

    I took the bag and looked at the numerous articles of clothing. Most of them in hues of gray, black and deep purple. There were a few white long-sleeved t-shirts there that I particularly liked as well. “Lovely.”

    “There should be a few pair of sneakers in there as well.” She added, bringing a pair of black and gray athletic like shoes to my attention. Behind them were a an all black pair, a two toned blue and a pair of boots. “They’re pretty popular shoes. All the kids wear them.”

    “Are you sure that your daughter is alright with relinquishing these?”

    “She’s fine.” She assured me. “And I also got you another pair of shoes; just black-you know, just in case. But Lisa slipped a pair or two in there as well. I hope it’ll be enough to tide you over.”

    In case of what, I didn’t really know, but either way, my gratitude was incomprehensible. “Thank you.” I said. “Thi-this is more-more than enough! Thank you so much!”

    “Wilhelmina Frost.”

    Gesturing in understanding, my gaze shifted to the floor in thought of something else that was on my mind. “Do you know what will happen to me?”

    Dr. Byrne seemed speechless for the moment. “Don’t worry, Mina.” She said. “Authorities along with a government appointed psychologist will be handling and assisting you from here. And I have been assured that they will do all that they can concerning your safety.”

    The saddest part of those words, was that she actually believed them. This era was new to me and no, I don't remember my past; but one thing that I felt was certain was that no one could ever truly be safe. Nonetheless, I nodded, feigning confirmed reassurance. Taking in a deep breath, I take a few articles of clothing with me into the bathroom and shower to prepare myself for departure.

When I returned, Dr. Byrne loosely braided my hair in the usual fishtail braid and walked with me out of the room.

    Stepping out of the room, I couldn’t resist turning to look at it one more time. That room kept me safe for the last past month-it was where I became learned to the world around me. Where I met the nurse Lisa Jones and Dr. Byrne. Even where I met the mysterious Dr. Grey. Oh, how I wished I could stay in that room forever but I knew that I couldn’t. I sighed, finally turning away, continuing down the bright hallway into a nameless future.

    We started into an opening door full of buttons that led to what Dr. Byrne called the ground floor. I wanted to be excited, being in the elevator. I’d only been on it twice since being at the hospital but the odd feeling that it gave in the pit of my stomach always intrigued me. My mind was too full of concern, to enjoy the ride this time, however.

    When Dr. Byrne stepped out of the elevating door we soon saw a large sign ignited over top another glass door that seemed to open and shut on its own. I watched as a pair approached the door and it opened mechanically. “How does it know that people are approaching?”

    “Motion sensor.” Dr. Byrne explained.

    “Motion sensor?” Yet another curious word that defined another advancement that this generation came up with. The more I learned, the older I felt.

    “It senses when someone is attempting to leave and opens for them. Basically, an easier and germ free way of entering and exiting the hospital.” She added.

    Though still slightly curious, I decided that there were more pressing things that my mind needed to process. I finally stepped outside to see a large elongated and beautifully advanced vehicle. Fortunately, for me, Lisa Jones introduced me to the advancement of transportation, so it wasn’t completely new to me, though wise, at least. Still, the comparison of seeing it in person was much more exciting.

Standing in front of it, waiting, was a man dressed in dark hues of gray and black. At this defining moment, I made the decision not to acknowledge Dr. Byrne for the last time; I needed to get my mind off of what I was used to and focus on what was to come. No matter how hard it was for me.

    “Mina, wait!” I hear the doctor call as I step in front of the moving doors. I tear my gaze from the intelligent moving doors to give her my attention. “One last thing.” She said, handing me a device, similar to the one she carried.

    “Is this your-”

    “No.” she intervened. “It’s yours; so you can keep in contact.” She smiled. “My number is in there, and the phone is just like mine, so you are familiar with how to use it.” Her last sentence sounded more a silent request of reassurance from me. I looked at the fancy looking thing and nodded my yes. “Good. I have a case and screen protector over it so it won’t break.”

“Thank you.” I said in gratification. Tears threatened to form once she embraced me.

So much for staying strong. In one last attempt to detach myself from her comfort I released and backed away from Dr. Byrne.

    “Take care of yourself.” She called to me as I left through the doors.

Turning away from Dr. Byrne-not seeing Lisa Jones nor being able to say goodbye seemed so final and not in the best way. I knew that I’d see them again but the thought of having to take this next step, for the most part, without them frightened me if I were being honest with myself.

As I attempt to encourage myself to keep walking, a gust of wind sounds through the air, whipping past me along with the naturally sweet scent that the wet droplets of rain produced; averting my mind from my worries for the moment. I inhaled deeply, appreciating nature’s perfume, enjoying the simple feel of it all. It was almost as if something in my mind clicked; so suddenly, I was enticingly lost in nature’s allure.

“Miss Frost?” I hear my name, and I look up at the man that is staring at me with curious seeming eyes. “Come along. It’s time to go.” He beckoned, walking towards me.

Coming to a stop in front of me, he held a small thing in his hand. No sooner he pressed the button it shot up into a long stick with a wide covering over it. I believed Lisa called this an umbrella. I’d seen them plenty of times in the magazines and other sorts of literature that Lisa Jones and Dr.Byrne would bring me. However, seeing such a thing up close was a very much extraordinary oddity to me. 

“Are you alright?” The man asked me, as I had apparently been staring at the thing for what normal people would consider an abnormally long time.

I smile, and simply nodded my head as I followed him to the car underneath the umbrella. It was an amazing sight to see how this umbrella retracted the rain from me and onto the ground, all the while allowing the soothing sound of small pitter pattering as it fell.

The man opened the vehicle door for me, holding the umbrella contraption, awaiting for me to enter vehicle. I looked inside the large thing, another big smile upon my face as I realized, yet another exciting adventure awaited me. But before I stepped into the vehicle, I reached past the umbrella to allow the rain to reach its target before getting into the car. The wet droplet danced against my skin, causing a giggle to escape. I looked at the man who watched me with a curious gaze yet again.

“Thank you for saving me from the rain.” I said before getting into the vehicle. Though, I was sure, he probably thought it counterproductive of me getting my hand wet after the fact.

I took comfort in the backseat of the vehicle. Its constant motion caused nausea at first, disabling me to really look around and admire the extraordinary thing up close. However, the wonders of what stood outside of the window eventually took over my attention anyway.

    I pressed a button accidentally when I placed my arm onto the panel of the door, and the window began to move on its own. Needless to say, I was surprised at this small spectacle. I quickly turned to the man that sat next to me; he glanced over to me momentarily before returning his attention back to the paperwork that was in his lap.

    Coming to the conclusion that I had apparently done no wrong, I placed my hand out of the window, feeling the pitter-patter of the droplets of water coming down from the pale blue sky.

    This scent of the rain seemed to continuously call to me. I couldn’t get enough of it; it returned an unfamiliar pleasure to me. A pleasure, while unknown, was still comforting. And before I could restrain myself, my head was out of the window, the falling water touching my face.

    My eyes closed momentarily, to take in the feel of such inclination. Then I realized that it was the feeling that allowed me to see, hear and smell so vividly, the beauty of the nature surrounding me.

    I opened my eyes again to see the sky scraping buildings; some seeming random whilst still holding a look of importance to them. But one in particular stood out to me.

    Looking up, the blaring of a vehicle that was speeding past, startled me causing me to push back when I realized that my body is farther out of the window than I originally thought.

    “Miss Frost?” the older man’s voice said, knocking me out of my wonder. “Would you please refrain from sticking your body out of the window please?” he stoically asked. “    We don’t need anymore harm coming to you.” He muttered that last part; I heard him nonetheless, though.

I sat back down in my seat, hair and face wet from the raindrops that were pouring from the sky. He reached over and pressed a button on the panel, putting my window back in its place while my eyes still lay on the building. “What is that building called?”

    “That, is the space needle.” The man answered me.

    I glanced back at him in credit of his answer and turned around to once again admire the tall, oddly and still beautifully formed building.

    Numerous times while I was in the hospital, Lisa Jones would open the curtains to allow light into my room and from time to time I would acknowledge the beauty of the scenery outside. But the comparison to being so close to it all at that moment is none to compare

    After passing this space needle, I turned around; for the first time noticing the awkward shift in the officer’s gaze. He seemed uncomfortable, as if he had been caught in something of shame.

    Nevertheless, I shrugged it off and attempted conversation as, thanks to Dr. Byrne and Nurse Lisa I learned that all human beings were not dangerous; and the ones that were, seemed to be nowhere near at the moment. Still, even so, I feared my curiosity would still betray me in initiating conversation to the most dangerous of criminals, eventually.

    There was a lot to be learned in the smallest of conversations, as far as I was concerned. Besides, because this man was escorting me, I felt that he was not so entirely precarious.

    “Have you ever been there?” I asked him

    He glanced my way momentarily. “Where?” Before I could answer, he seemed to realize what place I was referring to and clumsily replied. “Wh-I, yes...I have.”

    I moved closer in curiosity. “It must have been amazing, yes?”

    Where his gaze adjusted away from me at one point, he reverted back to me for only a flinching moment before looking away again. It was then that I was reminded of how unsettling my features were.

    “I am sorry. Did I alarm you?” I asked.

    He looked up at me looking confounded for a moment before he quickly looked away again, shaking his head. “Just caught me off guard is all.” He clarified. “It’s a really nice place.” He answered after a long pause.

I smiled at his response to my question. “I hope to go there one day.” I replied and scooted back over to the window to continue watching the small rifts of water fall down the length of my window.

    Following our small conversation, I found myself catching the man staring at me every so often as if something was unwillingly noticeable to him. That is, until we reached the place that I assumed was considered my new resident.

    When the vehicle stopped, the older man stepped out and proceeded to the curb on the side where I was sitting. I watched him open the door for me and thanked him just as I looked past the man, at the large brick place that stood behind the detective.

As I took this place in, I realized...this is it. This is the place where I start something of a new life. And it was quite terrifying.