Memories

A Story by Justice Saldana

I remember when I saw her for the first time, she was in the produce section at the supermarket, getting a bag of Granny Smith apples and I was working register eleven. She started to approach me for checkout and I saw my whole world stop for what seemed like ages. I could still hear the pitter-patter of her Converse against the tile, her skirt swayed with each graceful step she took. She was angelic but still had some sins her mind kept from the rest of the world. But what do I know? She could be an escaped felon just picking up a snack before her next adventure to another temporary stop on her way. Her skin was like porcelain, as if someone would touch it and she'd shatter. Before I knew it, I heard my name repeatedly. "Sid. Sid. Sid!" I snapped out of it. "Huh?" I asked shocked yet annoyed. “You have a customer, man.” Johnny said. Johnnys my big, junkie of a brother but somehow he still got a job. To this day, I still can't wrap my brain around that, but I try not to, I don't want to get a headache. I look up, my eyes meeting beautiful hazel orbs. She flashes a smile, her teeth white as snow, one dimple making an appearance. I grab the apples, dragging them across the scanning machine, the deep beep echoing as the other registers rung up an item. “Y-your total is 2.50. W-would you like a bag?” I stammered. “Oh! Yes please.” she smiled softly. Oh god, there was that smile again.”Paper or plastic?” I asked more calmly. “Paper, love” she responded. My heart skipped a beat as soon as “love” graced my ears. I started feeling so warm as if she was a protective blanket and I wanted to be wrapped in it for forever. I could feel my cheeks getting dangerously red. I tried to avert my gaze, the bagging process becoming suddenly interesting. I held up the bag for her over the counter, giving it to her. “Thank you, come again.” I smiled. “Will do.” She answered. Oh, I hoped & prayed, I’d see that face again. I eventually did see her again and we started hanging out. I guess you could say we were inseparable. One sunny day, we were walking back home. To my surprise I found out she lived right next to me, the only thing blocking us was a white picket fence. And I know what you're thinking, “White picket fence, really?” Yes really. We finally got to the entrance of my gate, and that's when I finally had the courage to ask her out. To my surprise, she said yes! It was June 3rd, 1985 when that life changing question came out of my mouth. It was July 17, 1985 when we decided to venture into the unknown that all the towns people were terrified of. The forest was quite the talk. But we were determined to find out what exactly goes on this mysterious, tree covered place. We walked to the entrance of the woods near our little but simple town, she was putting on mosquito spray as if her life depended on it. Well, you could say it did with all the diseases those pesky little winged vermin spread. She was wearing the appropriate attire for the occasion. Hiking boots, denim shorts, a yellow shirt (I’ll never forgot that bright pleasant hue.) and lastly, a light blue backpack that was covered in all sorts of patches and pins. After she was done drenching herself in mosquito spray, she turned around and flashed that heavenly yet sarcastic smile, saying, “Sid, so you're just going to get eaten alive?” her hand on her hip, with the bug spray in her hand, gesturing towards me. I walked towards her, the rocks crunching under my feet with every step I took. “Well, we wouldn't want that now would we?” I retorted. She laughed softly, the sound warming my heart. I put on the sticky dispersed liquid onto my body, hating the feeling of it on my skin. I handed it back to her, she grabbed it and put it in her bag. “Shall we?” I asked, holding out my hand towards her. She gently took it as we started to walk down the trail, the trees towering above us. As we walked, talking about anything and everything, time passed by in what seemed like seconds. Before we knew it, it was getting dark. “We should had back.” I said concerned. “Oh, don't be such a wuss. We’re fine.” Her curiously daring side coming to life. You know, I loved every side of her, and believe me, she had a lot. But this side, made me weary of her. “Alright. But are you sure I shouldn't get the bread out and make a crumb trail?” I said trying to lighten the mood of my growing concern. She laughed, grabbing my arm and leaning against me. The warm feeling of her hand, somewhat put me at ease but I couldn't shake the bad energy these howling winds gave me. It was like they were trying to tell me something but I couldn't put my finger on it. The moaning echoes stirred in my ears, not letting me go. It was quite haunting in a way. “W-we should get going.” I stammered for the second time. “Oh, come on, we’re never gonna explore if you keep letting your fears get in the way.” she said quite annoyed. I sighed as we ventured on. I heard leaves crunching behind me, the fear tightening in my chest, growing with every noise I heard. I stopped, turning my head, looking behind me. Her hand slips away from mine, the warmness quickly turning into coldness. I turn back quickly, my eyes gazing upon her absence. Fear quickly spread through me as I panicked, not caring about the time anymore. I rushed into the woods, going off path. My breath quickening as I ran the fastest I could. A million thoughts crossed my mind all at once as they flooded my mind. “Is she okay?” , “Oh god, please let her be safe.” , “Where is she?”. I ran and ran, for what seemed like forever. Until I finally came upon this house. I gazed upon it, as the porch light flickered. Something told me I needed to go inside that house. I knew someone was home, I could hear the comforting yet eerie sound of a record player doing what it does best, playing music. I approached the ghostly house cautiously, my muscles tensing up every few steps. I walked up the two creaking stairs, as I was faced with a wooden, element damaged door. I braced myself as I raised my fist to door, knocking three times. I waited anxiously, looking up at the web infested roof. I heard the knob turn, catching my attention, I’m met with an old woman. “Hello, i’m Sid. My girlfriend and I were walking on the trail and now I can't seem to find her. Have you seen her coming by here by any chance?” I hand a picture of her and I to the old woman gently. “Oh, she’s beautiful. But I’m sorry sweetie, nobody has come into these woods in over 20 years as far as I know.” She says softly. “May I please come in?” I asked, hoping she’d accept my request. “Why of course dear, you seem rather tired.” She shifted to side to let me through, gesturing with her hand to come in. Relief washes over me as I step inside, hearing the door close. I turn around as she passes me to go to what I assume is her kitchen. She gets the screaming tea kettle off of the stove, pouring two cups. She walks over to the living room and puts the cups on the table. She sits in the chair she was sitting in prior to my random interruption. I go ahead, following her into the heavily decorated room. I sit on the couch right beside her chair as she sips her tea with a content, “Mmm.” I ask her, “So ma’am, why hasn't anybody been in these woods for 20 years?” She sets her tea back down as she sits back and puts her hands into her lap, saying, “Please call me Olive. And because these woods are consumed with a dark evil.” I laugh nervously, looking at her, thinking, “How the hell do I respond to that?” She begins again, “I know what you’re thinking, “This woman is a crazy forest hermit.” But I assure you i’m not. My husband & I came in here when we were around your age, going further and further into the dark unknown. Next thing I knew, he was out of my sight, he had vanished. These woods know when you’re distracted, one second you’re with the love of your life then all of sudden they’re gone in a heartbeat.” My eyes grew wide as I took in everything she said, a deep sigh coming from me. I finally spoke, “Did you ever see him again?” She closed her eyes, sighing, “Sadly, I have not. Oh, how I miss my Harold. He was a good man.” A lone tear falling down her cheek as she spoke. “I’m so terribly sorry, Olive..” I said as I leaned over and wiped the tear away. “I sure do hope you find her. If you do, never let her out of your sight again. Let this be a lesson to you, never let the most important thing to you slip through your fingers, or you’ll only have memories to look back on.” And from that day on, I’m still searching for her. I’ll never give up until I hear that laugh or feel those lips against mine again. It is now 1991, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about her. I’ll have you in my arms again Meadow, just hang tight darlin’. I love you. I wipe the tears away from my eyes as the cameras shut off, the silence was the result of immersion in my warning of a life changing story. I got up from my chair, taking the mic off my shirt. I walked into what looked like a break room. I spotted the restroom, walking into it. I picked up my sleeves, ready to wash my face. As soon as I turned on the faucet, everything happened in slow motion. I felt my legs go out, falling to the floor as my eyes took in everything slowly. I was dying, I knew it from the moment i got up from my seat. I felt my head bounce up from the ground then go back down again. I lay there, my vision fading as I see my brother, Johnny rush into the restroom with a crowd behind him. He’s yelling my name, “Sid! Sid! Sid!” My vision fades to black, and I am gone with nothing but memories.