Submission

"Think Autumn, think!" There was no escaping the reality of her conditions. Trapped within the confines of the safety hatch within the restricted chamber, her mind raced furiously for answers. Why was it so important to come here? What indescribable draw of magnetism came from this room that she simply couldn't ignore? What fate awaited her if she was caught? And worst of all, what if she was never found? Everything seemed to culminate as hopelessness and fear began to encapsulate her psyche.

The world as previously known had long ceased to exist. After the great pandemic wiped most of earth's species out, the remaining who were either rich or lucky enough lived within the habitable zone. This place was far less desirable than history books that described a planet full of life just 20 years before. Vast rainforests. A unique array of life indigenous to earth. Billions of people. None of this existed in the world she knew today; a reminder that all great things could come to an end in the blink of an eye.

The past was somewhat of a blur to those too young to remember earth's final days of normality. Nobody spoke of those times aside from in history lessons taught in structured classes. The thought of a much less rigid system of living was often too emotionally draining a topic for those who had enjoyed the freedoms of life prior to the tragic events of humanity's fall. Autumn continued to shuffle through her thoughts for answers. The only distinct memories she carried with her were of a nameless and faceless best friend, and a gift he left her. One of those two things, if not both meant something dear to her. Well dear enough to sneak into the restricted area of her main quadrant pod. This place contained statistical data and artifacts relative to the past world. Information that could give her answers she desperately needed. Everyone was either enamored by or scared into the status quo. Autumn knew she was different, and for that she was willing to risk unspeakable consequence for the answers she desperately craved.

Opening the rusty vent door released an eerie screeching sound that echoed throughout the empty quad are. "You've gotta be fudging kidding me" she muttered, checking to see if the coast was clear. "Stealing a restricted access key? Sneaking inside and hiding during the shift change? Or was it laying uncomfortably for hours waiting for the room to shut down and clear out?" She posited what task was harder, and which offense carried the heaviest weight. Slowly releasing herself to the floor of the quiet, desolate room she flipped on her flashlight and looked for clues. There were security channeled rooms monitoring the citizens activities in each quadrant. A history library that seemed to go on forever detailed monumental events dating back centuries instantly grabbed her attention, as she was quite the avid reader. "Snap out of it! I know it's not that complicated. I'll know it when I feel it." Her best friend's voice and figure flashed in her mind once more. "Take this." Autumn froze in fear. This was the first time anything other than those two clues appeared to her. She breathed for a moment, slowly collecting her thoughts. "He gave something to me" she whispered. "He gave something to me and it's in this room. I know it!"

The search began to frantically intensify. Room after room yielded nothing but her resolve remained firm. "Three clues, one gift". She kept on muttering to herself and she opened door upon door hoping to feel something. Then finally it came. A glass door labeled "Memory Bank" stood right in her face. It looked like any normal security deposit box room, but contained the names and identification numbers of what seemed to be millions, if not billions of people. She figured that the only logical way to get an answer would be to take a risk. Taking a deep breath she swiped her I.D card against the scanner at the front table. A box with a slot presumably for the owner's identification card was shuttled to her through the tubes connected to the bank. "This is it" she thought slowly and carefully entering her card. The box clicked, and she opened herself to a world of confusion.

Inside the box lay a tiny locket. It was heart shaped and rose gold. An inscription lay on the back but the contents startled her more. A picture of her and a man laid tucked inside. He was dark with curly hair. Dimples. A wide smile with his arms around a beautiful girl with eyes full of life. This girl was Autumn. Confused and surprisingly angry she wondered who this man was to her and why he had left her alone. The inscription on the back read "As long as we have each other's back I will always find you." So where was he now? Had she forgotten this man who she looked so happy with in this picture? Did he die? Who was he? Thoughts continued to race as tears streamed down her face. "I don't know who you are, but please help me", she sobbed while wondering why she couldn't control the tears. Reflexively she reached for the locket and held it. Hoping for one final answer she decided to try her luck. Tucking her hair back into a ponytail she tried it on.

A world of memories and emotions rushed to her like a river bearing rapidly towards its inevitable drop at the precipice of its waterfall. Her relationship, her life prior to this destitute reality. Love, comfort, security, fear, strength, hurt, hope. It appeared so quickly that it surprised her. She immediately took the locket off, gasping for air. As her thoughts realigned she composed herself. Her best friend/ boyfriend gave this to her. She was someone dear to another's heart. He wasn't here though. For as long as she could remember, she was alone and different from everyone else. None of this made sense but it made sense considering the only memories she had were of this nameless man and his gift. There was no logical reason for her to just be flushed with memories that never existed before. "What's going on? I don't understand a thing!" A clap thundered through the room that sent chills down Autumn's spine. She stayed frozen in fear. She knew the risks and potential of getting caught, but the reality hit her like a tonne of bricks that instantly gave her a migraine. "You can't expect to have a fragment of your memory restored and make any of this make sense now can you doll?" Her shoulders relaxed, but her tears began to flow uncontrollably. "Bri?" She stuttered? How she knew his name was of no matter at this point. It was him. The man from the dreams. The man in the locket with her. She was finally found. He walked confidently towards her and held her in the warmest embrace she had remembered feeling ever. The assuring feel of security that would never leave was captured in a hug that seemed like it lasted for days in the mere minute it happened. He released her and straightened up with a smile on his face. That same smile from the picture in the locket that ignited her feelings. That same smile that eluded the faceless character prior to her finding the locket warmed her heart to no end. "I've missed you so much baby doll. I know you have a lot of questions but you're now the second person to break the law and retain their memories of life before living here. Welcome to the club! We're now officially a reunited fugitive couple! Bonnie and Clyde no less."

His voice remained calm throughout the joke but she could tell he was being serious. She could feel his every emotion. "Can you please tell me what's going on?" Autumn tried to remain calm but she was visibly shaken. The last 7 minutes had marked a dramatic change in her life and understanding of who she was and now she was a criminal? There had to be some logic to all of this. "Well we definitely have to run, like literally, but I can tell you two things: first of all we don't age in these pods. I've been waiting on you for 12 years." He then looked as stern and serious as her memories could ever serve to remember. He drew her closely. "And secondly, the moment you put and keep your locket on, the rest will all make sense." He turned to the glass door and pointed to a dark corridor. "Beyond the confines of our quadrants is a world where we can be free. Somewhere where we can grow old and have a family like we planned before everything happened." Autumn looked at him wildly. "You're not making any sense right now." He smiled softly and unexpectedly kissed her on the forehead. "Nothing made sense until I found my locket and remembered you and my past. I know one thing though; you've always felt me, and I've always felt you." His smile shifted. It didn't fade, but concern clearly loomed over his face. "I've waited so long to see you again. I know this is all confusing but if you feel me deep in your soul, and you trust me please put the locket on. It's time for us to blow this popsicle stick." She laughed. So unexpectedly that it startled him. "I'm sorry. Nobody gets my humor so when you said that I knew that I could trust what you said." She shifted her gaze upon him. She smiled and beckoned for him to come closer. "One last hug before I meet you again?". He smiled with warmth in his eyes. "You just don't know how much I've missed this level of cuteness." He hugged her for what seemed to be an eternity; putting what seemed to be the weight of all his love and burden on her shoulders. Surprisingly she loved the pressure. "OK let's blow this popsicle stick!" She took one last deep breath and handed him the locket to put around her neck. All that remained was answers, and the future.

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