Whispers of the Whale
Fictional short story
Fictional short story
The sun was shining through the window, casting a warm glow on the room as Sarah sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes.
She looked around the room, trying to remember where she was, but everything looked unfamiliar. Getting out of bed and walking over to the window, she gazed outside at the beautiful garden, studded with flowers of every color, and was startled to realize that she had no idea where she was or how she had got there.
Slowly, Sarah gingerly shuffled to the door. She opened the door and peeked out of it, seeing a long hallway. She walked out of the room and she was immediately confronted by a large woman walking towards her, smiling.
“Good morning,” the woman said.
“Good morning,” Sarah replied in a sleepy voice “Can you tell me where I am?”
“You’re at the Elsewhere Sanctuary,” said the large lady in a jovial manner
“The Elsewhere Sanctuary?” Sarah repeated.
“Yes, it’s a place for people who have lost their memories.”
“Lost their memories?” Sarah asked, repeating the words, in a stilted voice.
“Of course,” the woman said. “Everyone here has forgotten something important from their past.”
A wave of panic suddenly engulfed her. She couldn’t remember anything about her life before this moment.
“What did I forget?” Sarah asked, her voice trembling.
The woman’s smile was gentle.
“That’s something you’ll have to discover for yourself, but don’t worry. You’ll remember soon enough.”
The next few days were spent exploring the Elsewhere Sanctuary meeting others who had lost their memories and listening to their stories. In this diverse community, individuals from various walks of life had forgotten the names of their loved ones, while others had no recollection of their careers or life achievements. Very quickly, Sarah learned that despite their shared predicament, the residents had formed close bonds and supported each other in their quest to unlock their past.
Time passed slowly, until one fateful morning, while wandering through the garden, Sarah stumbled upon a curious sight.
Amid vibrant flowers and lush greenery, in a little bush-covered cove, stood a miniature whale skeleton, with a plaque that bore an inscription of one word that sent shivers down her spine.
The one word inscribed was:
“Remember.”
After many days spent in a comforting dazed state, Sarah suddenly responded to this.
The cryptic message seemed to resonate with her, stirring a sense of urgency.
She was feeling a jolt of recognition. She knew that she had to remember something important, but she didn’t know what it was, and from then on the garden’s serenity was laced with a newfound restlessness that stirred within her.
The following night, Sarah couldn’t sleep. The haunting words on the whale skeleton weighed heavily on her mind and she decided to seek answers. Rising from the bed, she made her way quietly to the office of one of the scientists who worked at the sanctuary and found him still working.
She had always found this middle-aged man approachable, with his friendly demeanor, and he welcomed her into his cluttered office.
“Is there something troubling you, Sarah?” he asked, noticing the uncertainty in her eyes.
Sarah hesitated but then blurted out, “I saw a whale skeleton in the garden with the word ‘Remember’ carved into it. What does it mean?”
His eyes widened for a moment before he composed himself.
“That’s an ancient artifact we found years ago. It’s a reminder to all of us here who are striving to help people regain their lost memories.”
Sarah felt a surge of hope mixed with trepidation.
“Can you help me remember my past?”
Slowly, leaning back in his chair he sighed.
“We’re developing a groundbreaking procedure but it’s risky, and the results can be unpredictable. Are you willing to take that chance?”
Sarah didn’t need to think twice. She had to know.
“Yes, please. I have to remember.”
The following day, the staff prepared her for the memory restoration procedure. Strapped to a chair with electrodes attached to her temples, she couldn’t help but feel anxious, while the room was filled with the low hum of machinery as the scientists worked diligently.
The procedure began, and Sarah felt a jolt of electricity surge through her body.
Vision blurred, and the world around her faded into darkness. Suddenly, flashes of memories filled Sarah’s mind and she saw and felt fragments of her childhood, her daughter's laughter, the warmth of her husband’s embrace, and the serenity of their family vacations.
Memories cascaded like a waterfall, overwhelming her senses, and she suddenly remembered the fateful car accident that had shattered her world.
The images of the wreckage, the paramedics, and the hospital rushed back into her consciousness as tears welled up in her eyes, as she relived the painful moments she had tried so hard to forget.
With a gasp, Sarah found herself back in the sterile room, surrounded by the bustling medical staff. She was shaking, her face streaked with tears.
The friendly older man who had conducted the procedure approached her, his eyes filled with concern.
“Are you all right, Sarah?”
Sarah nodded, her voice quivering.
“I remembered. I lost my husband and daughter in a car accident. I was so devastated that I tried to end my own life.”
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m truly sorry for your pain, Sarah, but you’ve faced your past. Now, you have a second chance at life.”
Realizing that the Elsewhere Sanctuary was not just a place for forgotten memories; it became clear to her that it was a place of healing and rediscovery, and she was not alone in her journey to confront the painful aspects of her past and find a path forward.
In the days that followed, Sarah found solace in the supportive community of the Elsewhere Sanctuary.
She attended therapy sessions to process her trauma and learned to appreciate the second chance she had been granted. And the garden, once mysterious and foreboding, became a place of reflection and renewal.
As time passed, she began to volunteer at the sanctuary, helping others on their journey to recover their lost memories, sharing her story, and offering a shoulder to lean on for those who still struggled with their painful pasts. The whale skeleton with its haunting message remained a symbol of hope, encouraging residents to remember and heal.
In the end, Sarah realized that while the past could be painful, it was also a part of her journey.
The Elsewhere Sanctuary had given her a second chance at life, and she was determined to make the most of it, cherishing both the memories she had regained and the new ones she was creating with her newfound friends and her community.