"The sea! the sea! the open sea! The blue, the fresh, the ever free!"
- Bryan Procter
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My cuts are closing, wounds are healing, bruises are disappearing. It's been almost 2 months and finally I will be discharged from this hospital.
For the past few days, police continued to question me and yet they still couldn't find any lead. They barely found essential evidences aside from the 11 bodies recovered in the mansion and of course me, the only one alive.
I have been given the list of their identity with an attached photo but I couldn't recognize any of them besides my friends.
The investigation made shallow progress. The relationship of people involved is still a puzzle, seemingly they can't find any significant connection among all of us. I tried to think for possible people whom I and my friends are in dispute with, but nothing crossed my mind. My memories are blurry that even I forgot about what happened in the mansion.
Every time I think about it, my head spins and aches so bad. It is like something is blocking my mind and if I push through it, I felt like my head is going to explode. Dr. Mendoza, the Filipino psychologist who evaluated my condition told me that I am suffering a trauma-based memory loss.
He said it was a product of great stress brought by a traumatic incident. This significantly affects both the short and long term memory hence can impact the different areas of the brain, specifically the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala.
These areas are pivotal in our brain's memory function. Prefrontal cortex helps out process working memory- information we need in a daily basis. Hippocampus for storing facts and recognition as well as spatial memories. It also aids in comparing past to present experiences. Lastly, amygdala which associates fear-based memories and is a contributor on the long term memory formation.
However, Dr. Mendoza made clear that trauma-based memory loss may or may not be permanent. A patient can recover one's memory back if the trauma has been overcame. That's why he suggested me to continue therapy sessions to help me cope up with my trauma.
I agreed. I am the strongest link in solving this case. I need to remember...I need to remember what happened in the mansion.
I was cut off with my thoughts when I heard a knock on my door.
"Come on in". I said while fixing myself up.
The door opened and Detective Knight came.
"Good morning Miss Mercadejas". He said with his authoritative yet charming voice.
"Good morning as well detective". I replied with a warm smile.
"Today's your last day here huh? Well, as a celebration I brought you a coffee." He said while raising the cup.
"And this isn't any regular coffee like you always drink on the vending machine." He added.
"I prepare it myself. I'm planning to build a coffee shop so would you like to have a taste?"
My smile got even wider. "Oh yes please, who would resist coffee?"
He laughed. "For a woman like you, I don't think it's possible". He hand over the cup of coffee to me.
"Haha. You know me well. Thank you detective". I said and sips the coffee.
"Woah, did you actually made this yourself? It's delicious". I said in delight while facing him. Then there I saw him in his rarest sweet smile.
For the days I spent in the hospital, he was the only one who visited and checked how I was. Well, what would I expect I lived by my own with no family or close relative aside my friends. My friends who are now on their graves. The thought of them breaks my heart so much.
"What's with the sudden sad face? Does the coffee turned out bad?"
"Oh no, not at all. It's actually really good that...that I remembered my friends. We used to drink a lot of these". I small chuckled escaped my lips.
Deep breath. "And now, I can't share it with them or probably with anyone." My eyes are like building clouds. It's getting heavier and tears are about to fall.
"Hey, I'm here. And...I brought two coffee". He said while raising another cup of coffee.
"You think I'll let you savor coffee alone? Just so you forgot I'm also a heavy coffee drinker myself".
I laughed, wiped of my tears and smile back at him.
He sips his coffee. "Ahw, my masterpiece".
"Indeed, a masterpiece". I said while looking at him.
There was a brief silence and then he spoke.
"Would you like going around for the last time in this hospital before leaving?"
"Oh yeah sure, why not?". I replied and then starts walking with him.
We stroll across the hallway and end up in the garden. My favorite area in the hospital.
With flowers blossoming, birds chirping, butterflies flying free. The trees and grass dancing along with the fresh air. I never expected to found a paradise in the hospital.
"Avery."
I halted and turned around facing him.
"Yes detective?"
"There's something I wanted to say."
"What is it about detective?"
He took a deep breath and asked me to sat on the bench.
"I know you have been through different hell in your life".
I froze in my seat and stared at him as he speaks.
"From what happened in the past and with your recent hell, you surpassed it. You are such a strong woman".
"P-past? What do you know about my past?". I stutter as I spoke.
He sat closer to me. "Avery, I am a detective. I do investigate the crime itself as well as the life of the people involved in my case."
I'm starting to have an anxiety attack. He then holds my hand.
"Avery, there's no need to worry. I just know your past, I'm not judging it nor you".
I stayed still in my seat unable to move.
"Our past, may it be good or bad is important. Without it, there could never be a present, even a future".
"The Velazquez couple..."
Deep breath.
"The Smith family..."
Deep breath.
"Your aunt..."
Deep breath.
"I know they have broken you into fragments but looking in the brighter side of life. They had made you Stronger."
"Stop! You don't know me, you don't... Ugh my head it's aching so bad"
"Avery, are you okay? Avery???"
"I'm not feeling well... Can I please go back to my room".
"O-okay, can you manage to walk? I'll assist you walking towards the room".
"Thank you detective".
They started walking when a loud scream echoed throughout the hall.
A nurse stumbled as she exited on the office of Dr. Mendoza. Fright all over her face emerged as soon as she got out the room.
"Miss are you alright? What happen?". The detective ask in confusion.
The nurse in her shaking hands pointed the office.
"Dead...de-dead. I saw someone blood spilled on the table. He-he wasn't moving". The nurse said in terror and sobs warily.
"Damn! Avery can I leave you here for a second?".
"It's okay detective".
Detective Knight rushed into the office and found a dead man in his table soaked in his own blood. Avery on the other hand, without much thinking followed the detective in the office.
"Dammit Avery, what are you doing here? You don't have to be here".
Avery petrified in her own feet. Then she points out the wall with a message written in blood.
A sin for a sin
Vengeance is ours
Engrave your death
Rebirth will come
You and we
Tears dropped in her cheeks. "I remember it now. They're back...they're back and they're going to get me!".