My legs were wobbling for some strange reason and I could feel a sharp pain shooting through my heart, however it was waning after each step. Different faces passed through my clouded mind until all I could feel was numbness. I crossed the road, that was soon getting crowded with slow-moving cars.
I finally made it to the other side and stared at the freshly cropped bushes lining the pavement in a soothing way. My heart and brain were engaged in a battle against each other, pressuring the opponent to recall something; anything.
Where am I?
Why did I cross this road?
Why can't I remember anything?
Who am I?
Where did I come from?
As the last question surfaced above the others and secured the first position on my worry list, I instinctively turned to look at the opposite road to have the slightest clue of where I came from. Did I suddenly suffer from some rare Alzheimer's disease where I forgot my identity while walking on the highway?
It was difficult to get a decent view, considering how jammed the road was; however, I could see a particular car which was turned upside down and the street light made a perfect incision through the front glass. Whoever was on the car was definitely dead and to back up my theory, there was blood splattered all over the white surface of the automobile. Yup, definitely dead.
People were gathering all around the car and because of the accident, the traffic were slowed down to a snail's pace. I could hear sirens wailing from a distance and it was approaching from the left side.
After a few minutes of watching the commotion taking place in front of me, I saw a Police car approaching the now secured zone. A middle aged woman, who almost looked unconscious, got out of the car with the help of a grey haired man. On seeing the sight in front of them, the woman screamed loud enough to put any truck honk to shame and collapsed right then and there. She must be a family.
Social security officers were trying their best to get the body out of the car, however it was not easy since the street light loved its position so much that it barely moved.
The woman was carried to a nearby ambulance and the man never left her side, although he himself was not in a good shape. Even though I tried my very best to move from the lamenting sight, my legs were rooted to the spot. I kept staring at the supposed old couple and my mind was doing everything it can to recollect who I was.
I gazed down at myself, and the clothing I wore was very conservative and plain white. It was a loose pant and knee length shirt, which could very well fit another person of my size other than me. I looked really awkward and out of the place, yet no one even gave me a second glance while passing my hilarious appearance.
In fact, now that I think of it, no one was even looking at me. I tried making eye contact with several passersby, but they looked straight through me, as if I was just a transparent object. At first, I felt a little objectified; they don't have to avoid me just because I can't dress properly. But then I told myself that they might be shocked by the accident and out of respect towards the dead, they didn't mock at my style and create a scene; the thought put me at peace immediately and a smile graced my lips.
I was once again pulled back to the chaos by some random people in blue uniforms, probably mechanics, who got out of a mini van, with their hands heavy with large tools. From the looks of it, they were going to cut the street lamp and take the body out of the car. I might have watched the scenario for another fifteen minutes when I felt a movement beside me.
I turned, expecting another stranger who will totally avoid me, but was surprised when a man wearing a Hawaiian shirt and beige colored cotton shorts stared at me with a wide grin. He was actually looking at me, and for some reason, his angelic face made me gawk at him in awe. He was really handsome and my eyes kept on roaming at his toned chest that was insanely exposed. His dressing style was clearly not suitable for the current environment, especially when the cold breeze was adamant in making its presence known, but I was too occupied by his beauty to actually acknowledge them.
"Thought I lost you. Good thing you didn't roam around. I am sorry I am late. It was my friend who should be on duty today, but something came up for him. So I was called back from my vacation."
Seeing that I was not responding to his apology, the Hawaiian Prince coughed apologetically and took out a clipboard from his beach bag.
"Let's check the basics, alright? Would you mind if I hold your hand?"
I was even ready to give my heart if he asked me the same way he just did and without even knowing I extended both my arms to him.
"Okay. I am going to hold your wrist."
His long fingers encircled my cold hand and the temperature in my body immediately jumped up to a couple of degree Celsius. He closed his eyes, looking serene, while my eyes roamed around his features. How the hell can someone be so perfect? It's like as if he was manufactured with high-quality products and the owner took special attention in packaging, if that even makes any sense.
"Great."
My Prince released my hand faster than I liked and ticked the boxes that were printed on the paper.
"Now, shall we?"
He gestured me to follow him and, as an obedient child, I did as asked. My mind nagged at me to turn back and throw a last glance at the accident site, but for some unexplainable reason, I didn't bother.
I dragged my exhausted feet behind his broad back and had my concentration fixated on him such that the changing scenery didn't divert my attention at all. One second I was walking alongside the highway filled with automobiles and suit clad people, and the next I was in the middle of a corn field.
"What in the world?"
I halted midway as the large green leaves and yellow corns filled my vision. I did a 360° turn and there was no sign of the city I have just been. Is that even possible? Maybe I have actually lost my mind and I am hallucinating now.
"Don't worry. It's common to get confused right now. Follow me and I will explain everything to you."
All this while, I have been enchanted by this handsome man, but right now, I couldn't understand why I was so smitten by him. He looks normal enough or even a little crazy with the irregular dressing; although I am in no position to judge.
"Why the hell should I follow you? Are you a trickster? A magician? Or worse, a siren?"
His eyes widened a little, as if he was not used to people going against his words.
"I knew you were a practical one from your past life memories, but I never thought you were this practical."
Right then, I was certain that either one of us was definitely insane. I couldn't understand anything this stranger said and nor was he explaining his actions.
I carefully took two steps away from him and before he could process what was happening, I sprinted through the corn field, making zigzags so that he would lose my track. My legs were extremely tired and after three minutes, I was ready to pass out. I hid myself among the greenery and prayed that he wouldn't find me. Other than the rustling of the leaves because of the wind, my surrounding was unnaturally calm and silent.
He was nowhere to be seen, and the fact that he could have easily caught up with me made me uneasy. What if he was a psycho killer who finds pleasure in toying with his victims? And he may have injected some medication into her body, which is why she keeps forgetting and hallucinating. It makes total sense.
I was ready to run even on the slightest movement beside me and patted the ground to find something sharp or heavy that could be used as a weapon.
A stone with a pointed edge was extended to me from my peripheral vision, and I accepted it wholeheartedly.
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
The gratitude in my face turned to horror as I recalled the past minute and I would have greeted the ground if it hadn't been for his strong arms encircling my trembling body.
"You are practical, but a little slow."
His laugh echoed throughout the field and, strangely, it soothed my racing heart. His eyes were not that of a predator's instead, it resembled a puppy.
"It has been two hundred years since someone broke free from my trance, but you were much challenging than him. Thank God, this is my territory. Otherwise it would have been time consuming to find you in the human realm."
I placed my arms between our extremely close bodies and pushed him slightly with the little energy I had.
"Do you know English?"
He laughed again at my serious question and let go of me slowly, so that I won't stumble again.
"I understand your confusion. Let me make it clear to you. Do you remember the accident a while ago? The one you were staring at?"
So I wasn't hallucinating? That would have been much logical, though.
"Yes."
I nodded my head, trying to match the dots.
"The person inside that car was you. It was an instant death because of the street lamb that went straight through your chest. Now you are on your way to the afterlife realm and I am your guide, Alberto."
The so called guide finished his sentence with an award winning smile, while I stood there dumbfounded.
"What???"
..........