Scattered Memories

Thunders, lightning, and the sound of the heavy rain resonated while darkness embraced the whole room, and the only supposed source of light was the light bulb that was not working, and a window that was slightly open. While darkness was engulfing the whole room, thanks to the lightning that was ceaselessly striking, a silhouette of a young lady gradually emerged from the twilight. She was standing on the left side of the room, near the window. A height that was perfect for her, not too small but not too tall either. It was the ideal height for a young lady who is still in her juvenescence. She had cascading auburn hair that was sprinkled in her arms. Eyes were slightly closed, but her candid, and normally feline pupil was visible. A long pointed nose, and lips with a pleasing round shape, that was thick, succulent and curvy. She had fair skin, but was covered in filth and mud together with her casual clothing. Holding a bunch of papers, she stared at what she got her hands into. A sudden lightning strikes, and it was much more intense than the ones before making the young lady see the subject matter written inside the papers. Her arched imperious eyebrows lined and worry was visible on her face. Her mouth opened agape after seeing what she got herself into making her cover her lower part of the face.  This screams trouble.  Disgruntlement and confusion made the young lady’s hands shake, she then leaned on the laboratory cabinet unaware and was still holding the papers, making the flasks fall and break hence different liquid chemicals scattered and spilled on the floor. Not long after, footsteps and voices started to be heard making the young lady’s heart beat as it pumps blood through her veins and blood rushing to the tips of her fingers. The pulses keep coming through as if it were hot waves making everything else to pulse. And she knew that the only thing she could do is to escape. She knows that but, a certain feeling of bewilderment keeps her to reside. Moments passed by and the young lady eventually calmed down and composed herself. After alleviating herself, she got back to her level-headed characteristic and began thinking of a way to escape. In the end, she had the chance to escape the laboratory and left the papers that she saw scattered on the floor. The young lady started running as though something scary was after her. There were alot of twists and turns that became hard for her to go into, but in the end, she managed to get out of that certain room. Leaving that certain room was already tough for her, but because the estate was so big that the young lady had a tougher time finding where she entered. Thunders still keep roaring, and the heavy rain earlier begins to pour even violently.  Panting, she saw a big tree and decided to linger there until the weather would be calm. As she was waiting for the weather to subside, a sudden thought came onto her, the thing that she read, Was it all true?  Shortly afterwards, all of a sudden, she heard a voice. "Hey, what's the matter?" a voice with a pretty small larynx and vocal cords were kind of thin and small. Her skin tingles and her slightly squinted eyes grew larger revealing fully her candid and normal feline eye color. Sh*t.. Am I busted now? Should I turn around? Or just run for my life?  She thought. After a good minute of deciding what she should do, she looked the other way to unveil who was the voice behind her. After turning her head, still agitated by the voice she heard a while ago, there, the young woman saw a penumbra of something, no, more like, someone. Some of his hair obscured his eyes like a sheepdog and was disheveled. His midnight black hair matched perfectly with the obsidian terrestrial sky. He was wearing a silk navy blue with a touch of white in its sidelines nightwear indicating that he was about to sleep. And his shoes were covered with sludge caused by the heavy rain. The young lad was holding a black umbrella while looking at the girl who was still worried that she’ll be busted and horrification was written all over face. At last, the young lady finally knew who was behind the voice she heard. It was her best friend, Xach. Relieved, she let out a sigh gesturing that she was reassured that it was someone who she knows and her body started to leisurely alleviate. “Oh, it’s you. Thank God it wasn’t someone from your family or I’ll be dead this time.” said by the young lady. Perplexed by what the young lady said, Xach couldn’t help but ask what she was doing in their house at this time of the night and given this grim weather. What's more, she was covered with filth and was distressed just a while ago. “What’re you doing at our house, Rien? And you're covered with filth head to toe!” “Yeah this and that happened. But why are you outside of your house anyway? It’s raining real hard, you know. I went to the main gate earlier but they said they can’t give me permission to go inside so I just sneaked in.” she answered while trying to remove the dirt in her clothes but contradictory to what she was doing, it scattered even further. “Of course you can’t enter, this is a prohibited area to begin with. And also, can’t I be here knowing that this is my house?” replied Xach. “Alright okay. Anyways, are you free right now? I’ve got something to tell you.” Before Xach could even reply, a sudden flash concentrated on the two of them, making the two of them cover their eyes and slightly close it down. It was one of the guards in their house. The heavy rain finally subsided and they didn’t even notice it because they were busy filling each other’s interrogative questions. “The two of you! What are you doing there?! You know this is a prohibited area! Get out of here now before I get the two of you and I’ll be the one to toss you two outside!” Dumbfounded by what the guard said, the two looked at each other and a sudden coldness hit their core. Anxious by this, they started to panic and the young lady finally saw where she entered before. Bingo. But before they parted ways, the young lady said something to Xach. “Xach, I’ll tell you tomorrow. For now, I better get going before that guard catches up to us. See you!”  Xach, who is still breaking a cold sweat and thoughts were disjointed as mind zips from one unrelated thoughts to another, just replied whatever words came onto his mind. “Eh? W-what? Okay! I’ll be waiting at our usual place!” Rien let out a chuckle as she saw Xach being panicky even though this is their house. She then gave Xach a smile after what he said. Year 3042  "It’s about you.." Overhearing that voice again, Xachareus opened his eyes just to find out that it’s another one of his bizarre dreams he’s having these days. It was the voice of his childhood best friend. Xach wakes up his mind from his deep slumber on a table where he routinely creates and invent things. With his mind still inside his mystifying dreams, he finds himself having another neck pain as he rubs his eyes under his classic black glasses.  “Ah, here we go again.” He lifts his head and wanders his eyes around his laboratory and his lips lined as he sees how chaotic and disorganized his laboratory is. Scattered papers were visible wherever your eyes stray in every nook and cranny. Different kinds of chemicals and liquids were dispersed all over his lab. It was full of clutter and mishmash making it hard to find sometimes the things he needs for his inventions. He then gets up while massaging his nape and moves his head into circular motions as he closes his eyes. Fixing his glasses, he walks towards his coffee station. For him, waking up from his sleep inside his laboratory and creating his coffee was how he usually spent his days inside his laboratory. He then gets ice from his mini fridge inside his lab and proceeds on making his coffee. Putting ice in his venti sized cup, he added seven ots of espresso, without adding water to his coffee. It was the perfect coffee for him, at least. While he was waiting for the ice to melt, a sudden thought came into his head. Rien, Anniversary. “Oh yeah. It’s that day again.” his thoughts came out of his mind. Different kinds of emotions came fleeting into him once again. His feelings were full of emotions. Mixed emotions to be precise. Weirdly enough, everytime this day comes, atypical subjective states of what his feelings were come flocking onto him. Before he could even think further and overthink again, a sudden knock ruins his thoughts. “Pardon my intrusion Mr. Aphelion, but the new batch of interns have already arrived.” said by a deep masculine voice behind the door. “I’ll be there in a minute.” replied by Xach still not throwing a glance at the door where the voice came from. Be that as it may, his mind was yet in another deep thought connected to his childhood best friend. Even while getting dressed and getting his unironed lab coat to look more presentable and present authority inside their research institution. Moreover, he will be addressing the new interns inside their institution. Even so, his mind was still stuck in his best friend. Afterwards, grabbing his ice melted coffee, he left his passed-by-a-storm-like-laboratory without glancing back at it. Walking in the corridor of their institution that was full of used and unused scrap is his daily scenery. Maybe that’s also the reason why his laboratory was disorganized and full of scrap. Sipping the coffee that he made a little while ago, he then saw one of his colleagues on one of their ongoing works walking towards him with a binder that was cleaved between his arm and lateral. “I saw the abstract and the framework of the new apparatus. It was good, but I think there’s something missing regarding the abstract. I'm not sure what it is, but can I input it when it comes to mind?” said a man who’s still walking towards Xach while getting the binder between his arms and waving it. “Yes, of course. And please make sure to pass it to the others so they can check it and have a say on the conceptualization and framework.” replied by Xach. They’re now standing right infront of each other and consulting about the new apparatus they’ll be doing. He was approximately the same height as Xach. Visibly, his tawny perfectly layered hair was stiff in front like a cockatoo. A glimpse of spruce colored hair is seen in his bangs, covering some parts of his eyes. His downturned eyes looked at Xach’s eyes as they discussed the apparatus. Making it visible to Xach to catch a glimpse of his battleship gray eyes together with his long curled up lashes. The positions of his nose aligned perfectly with his fine ample lips. His lab coat and his casual wear was ironed out excellently expressing that he’s a neat and fastidious type of person. While talking to each other, another one of his colleagues at work popped out at the back of the man who’s talking to Xach, making them stop talking with each other and Xach starting to be uncomfortable since he’s awkward with people unless it’s about work. He then put his elbow on the man who’s talking to Xach a few minutes ago. “Hey, what’re you two talking about?? Let me join too!” exclaimed by the man giddily. His raven black spiked up hair is the most noticeable about him, together with his slightly thick black eyebrows. He’s also a few centimeters taller than the two. Together with his head and sapphire blue eyes, he looked at the two back and forth making the young man who’s talking to Xach let out a chuckle. “We’re talking about our new project, Connor. Oh and come to think of it, I saw Charisle making something in their lab.” said the man. Connor’s eyes, which is gleeful to begin with, sparkle brighter when he heard Charisle’s name, making him beaming and grinning from ear to ear. “Oh, yeah? Thanks, Matthew! Then I’ll be going now. See ya, Xach!” said Connor, removing his elbow on Matthew’s shoulder and tapping Xach’s shoulder before he departed. And just before Xach thought he could finally be at peace, he got back and faced Xach, “Oh wait, it should be Mr. Aphelion HAHAHA..” he said. Xach gave him a mock-up smile, Connor then waved goodbye at them before finally leaving. Xach let out a heavy sigh beckoning he can finally stop feeling tensed up around people. Matthew, who’s holding his laughter to escape from his mouth by placing his right hand on his lips, looked at Xach and said “You’re still awkward around people, I see.” Xach then gave him a glance and his mock-up smile turned into a frown in a flash as soon as he saw Matthew trying to hold his laugh, even his shoulders were moving together with his hand covering his lips. “It’s still hard for me ever since...” he answered while looking at his index finger that was playing on the lid of his ice-melted coffee. Matthew, who was finally calm, looked at him intently as if he’s observing him. Him and Xach knew each other when Matthew decided to do his research in the facility, and were the only two young people in their institution at that time. And never in his years of working he saw Xach smile nor show an adamantine expression. He then flashed a whipped smile and started preparing to leave. “If you say so. Then I better get going, I still need to help them with something.” You’re still good natured as always. Xach thought as he looked away sipping his ice-melted coffee. “Me too. I need to address the new interns.” replied Xach while eyes were closed and massaging his side temple. Matthew let out a snicker before saying, “Oh, there’ll be a meeting soon who’ll be the one to manage the institution. You better be there.” “Before I forgot, there are two interns we’ll be having this year. Good luck with that.” Matthew stated as he walked up pass to Xach who’s eyes were wide open, surprised by what Matthew said. He didn’t even look at Matthew as he passed by given how shocking the news was for him. It may seem like a small quantity of interns, but for them, who’s working in the institution is quite the great quantity. Who even wants to conduct their experiments and research here? Still perplexed by what Matthew said that seemed fallacious, he started walking towards the main lobby and also where they’re orienting the two new interns.  Aphelion Research Institution Division III. The smallest division of the Aphelion Research Institution and the only independent facility in the country without having the help of the public facilities. Supervised by Xachareus Laurier Aphelion, although he didn’t want to manage it, he became the head of the institution as said by his grandfather. In the few years where he’s been working in their institution, he never expected there’s someone who wants to intern here, not even one intern he thought that there would be people who want to conduct their internship in the facility. As he walks further where Matthew and Xach bumped into each other, the main hall is finally within his sight. By the time he could fully see the whole vestibule, he then saw a tall figure about the same height as Connor who was orienting and talking with the new interns in their institution. Xach walked up to them hoping to give a welcoming address for it’s his job but since the tall young man who’s directing the new interns is still talking, he decided to wait for him at the back of the young lad while trying to remove the dust and other unpleasant things that was stuck on his lab coat. “Since the two of you chose to intern in this insalubrious institution, I just wanna ask why. But since there isn’t any time left, and not like I’m dying to know it, you two can rest up easily after exploring the whole institution together with one of the workers here. They’ll also let you know about other things related to the institution as you tour the whole place...” One of the interns, who was paying attention to what the young man was saying, diverted her attention to the man who was behind him. She examined him as the man was trying to remove the irksome filth on his lab coat. His obsidian hair was disheveled and so was his lab coat. Even though he tried to fix it, it still looked shabby and unsightly. His necktie was loose and it didn't match his unironed and fossil colored buttoned down long sleeve shirt. What a horrible fashion taste he has. She thought.  The young man who was talking to them saw that the lady wasn’t paying attention and that made his black right eyebrow raise and his eyes squinted. He began to tighten his lips as he saw how the lady wasn’t paying attention to what he was saying. “Miss Reinherz, I assume you’re already tired and bored by this orientation. Do you want to leave now?” said the young man. The lady, who was still observing Xach who was behind the young man, was baffled by what the young man said and made her eyes grow larger and her jaw went slack as she redirected her attention towards the man who was talking to her. Ashamed, she bowed her head and said sorry multiple times. The young man who was now being apologized to, looked at the missy from head to toe and rolled his eyes together with his head. He then continued informing the interns and gave them a folder containing the rules and regulations and things that they should know and do within the institution premises.  Meanwhile, Xach who’s still busy minding his own business, was finally done getting rid of the filth in his lab coat and fixed his necktie together with his buttoned down long sleeve shirt. The young male, who also finished in time with the orientation, finally felt the presence of Xach who was behind him.  He then looked at his back making Xach to be stunned in his position and started to be antsy. Xach then looked at his behind out of his mind and looked back at the man who was looking at him. The young man, who was like a replica of Connor, except that his raven black hair was short and soft, looked at Xach with his sapphire blue eyes and a dead-pan look. The young fellow then shook his head out of disbelief and frustration. Eventually, he turned around the interns and introduced Xach to them. He shifts his spot to the side so the interns can fully see their supervisor and gestured his hand towards Xach as he started to introduce him. “He may not look like it, but he’s the one who supervises the institution. Anyways, he’ll be giving you two a welcoming address so be attentive.” He then looked at Miss Reinherz as he emphasized the last word. Xach, who was being antsy, reached the back of his head and scratched it whilst looking at the interns. At that moment, Xach starts to give his speech to the two interns together with the young man by his side. While delivering the thoughts he wanted to say, the lady stared at him as if she was observing him again and was not paying attention to what Xach was saying. As Xach was giving his speech, the two of them locked eyes making them see each other's optic orb. The lady has the same eye color as Rien. It was candid, and is a surprisingly calm feline color. He was startled by what he saw as the reminiscence of his childhood friend started to pop up inside his mind, yet still continuing his speech but overhearing a slight tremble in his voice making the young fellow who is beside Xach look at him with a questioning look. After locking eyes with Reinherz, he delivered his address continually like a professional and never locked eyes with her again as he knows that he’ll just remember his childhood best friend if it continued. At long last, he was finally done and shifted his gaze to the man standing beside him. “Mr. Cameron Liu, you can now continue talking to them. I’ll be leaving the facility now for some personal matters.” Cameron, who looked at him still with a dead-pan and expressionless face only nodded and instructed the interns to sit at the couch and wait for the one who’ll be touring with them around. After seeing the two and giving them a welcoming address, Xach started to prepare for his leave. But after he left, he bid goodbye first to the interns and Cameron. “Then, I’ll be taking my leave. Goodluck with your internship.” Getting out of the car with the sun casting a luminescent glow, Xach took a bouquet of flowers full of hyacinth inside the vehicle before walking towards a crypt. The cypress trees that surrounded the area bathed in the scorching sun. Thin, white sheets of stratus cloud covered a fraction of the sky. It was the perfect day for a visit. As he was getting near the crypt, indescribable feelings of emotions came rushing onto him. Despite the emotions he’s feeling, he continually walked towards the crypt which is only a few steps away. He then stopped walking only a few steps before he’s finally in front of it. Before, his feelings were elusive, as if words weren't enough to say and know the sentiment he’s feeling. Going back here was hard for him. Solicitude and sentiments that he felt for her still lingers within him. And every time he gets back in this very place, those lingering feelings of him triggers a certain liquid inside his body that only the windows of the soul can bring out. But this time, he didn’t cry, nor made a sorrowful expression. After placing the bouquet of hyacinth on top of her grave, he sat down in front of her. Having no desire to move, he sat there with serenity surrounding him. Few minutes went by and he only stared at her tomb with his lifeless sepia colored eyes. He didn't know how many minutes had passed. Neither does he care. The whole time he was looking at her, nothing came to his mind, it was completely void. Moments progressed, and his mind was still empty just like his soul. Staring at her the whole time made Xach's neck stiff, making him look up at the sky. The sun that was just greeting him, and the thin layered clouds that were dancing in the painted deep blue sky earlier emerged themselves to the first cumulus clouds darkening into thunderheads. The place started to be a cool, restful shady place. The sky became lower and a light breeze started whispering on the cypress trees that were bathing in the scorching sun before, now beginning to soak in the whimper of the clouds. Rest In Paradise Fabrienne Jaswinder Verenice February 8, 3012 - ******* **, **** Reading the monument made him take a trip down his memory lane. Peculiarly the night before the incident happened. It was just like now. The weather wasn't happy either that time. What were you supposed to say back then? Will it change the fate you came across to now? He then remembered Rien's face when they accidentally saw each other in their manor. Her face was pale as if she was caught. Her candid, feline eyes were trembling in anticipation that she would be ensnared this time. Mizzles started to pour down one at a time. Lightning started to become visible in the ashen gray clouds. Soon after the mizzles pour down, the heavy rain is preparing for a downfall. He clenched his fist tight as his pessimistic past together with his bizarre dreams flowed on his mind like a downstream river. After a moment of silence, he inhaled deeply with his eyes closed, as though he was getting ready for something that was about to happen. He exhaled and opened his eyes to see her tomb in front of him. "Rien.. I'll soon finally know what you were supposed to say that night. Even if it's something foolish." As he said those words, the rain that was being held back by the clouds, now cascaded in this tranquil place.