The Awakening

“Hello?”

"Good. You’re awake.”

“Where am I?”

“You’re safe.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only answer that's needed.”

“I can’t feel my legs. Why can't I feel my legs?”

“Your motor control will normalise.”

“Who are you?”

“Elias.”

“What's my name?”

“Charlotte.”

"Why doesn't that name mean anything to me?"

"I don't know."

“Why does that hurt?”

“It’s just the disorientation.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not.”

“Then tell me why it feels like something is missing. Like something is wrong. That's not just disorientation. Tell me why it feels like something is gone.”

“Because something is.”

“What do you mean? What's missing?”

“Time.”

“Time? How much?”

“Years.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Charlotte. You’ve been in stasis for a long time. A very long time. You've missed out on years.”

“Why?”

“Because you asked for it.”

“Liar. I don’t remember asking for anything.”

“You won’t.”

“What do you mean?”

"You won't remember anything."

"Why?"

"You just won't. You knew you wouldn't when you asked to go into stasis."

"This is a bit much to throw on somebody who just woke up."

"I was told to be like this."

"Like what?"

“Blunt. I promised not to soften things.”

“Promised who?”

“You.”

“Me? Past me sounds like an idiot.”

“She was very brave.”

“I don’t feel brave.”

“She didn’t either.”

“Tell me what's going on. Why was in this thing?"

“You were dying.”

“Dying?”

“You had weeks.”

“Weeks? Of what? Weeks to live?"

"Yes."

“And you?”

“I stayed with you.”

“So, you’re… what. My doctor?”

“No.”

“My jailer?”

“No.”

“My husband?”

“…No.”

“You hesitated.”

“It's complicated.”

“Everything is complicated when someone doesn’t remember anything.”

“You trusted me.”

"I don't think I trust you now. I can't remember you, so why should I trust you? Why do you look so guilty? What are you hiding?"

"... The ending."

“The ending of what?”

“Of us.”

“So… there was an us.”

“... Yes.”

“How long?”

“Long enough to matter.”

“But I planned to forget you?”

“You planned to forget everything.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because remembering would have broken you.”

“And this won’t?”

“You thought this was kinder.”

“Why did you go along with it?”

“Because loving you meant letting you decide how it ended.”

“That’s a very well thought out sentence.”

“It took me years to make it sound calm.”

“Years?”

“I was awake the whole time you slept.”

“You watched me sleep?”

“I watched the ship move.”

“You just watched it move?"

"I was supposed to leave before you woke.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I couldn’t bear the idea of you opening your eyes alone.”

“That sounds like love.”

“It is.”

“If you love me... tell me. What is this ship?”

“It's... a seed.”

“A what?”

“A library. A record. A chance.”

“And me?”

“You were the key.”

“To what?”

“To rebuilding.”

“But I don’t know anything.”

“I know. You'll only remember if the systems unlock.”

“Why haven’t they?”

“Because they’re tied to your consent.”

“My consent to what?”

“Remembering. But if you remember, you might hate me.”

“Why?”

“Because I stayed.”

“Why would I hate you for that?”

“Because you asked me to leave before you woke.”

“I did? I suppose... that sounds like me.”

“You said it would be easier.”

“For who?”

“For you.”

“And you ignored me.”

“I couldn’t do it.”

“So, you’re selfish.”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“…Good?”

“If the world ended, I don’t want the last person to care about me to be obedient.”

“You won’t say that after.”

“After what?”

“After you remember everything.”

“So that’s the choice.”

“Yes.”

“I get my life back.”

“You get all of it back.”

“And the cost?”

“You remember why this hurts.”

“Why does it hurt?”

“Because Earth is gone.”

“… Say that again.”

“It didn’t survive.”

“And I sent this ship.”

“Yes.”

“With… what, books and babies and hope?”

“With you.”

“That’s arrogant.”

“You earned it.”

“I hate that I believe you.”

“You always did.”

“If I don’t remember… what happens?”

“You learn again. Slowly. Safely.”

“And you?”

“I stay until the ship finishes its work.”

“That sounds like a goodbye.”

“It is.”

“And if I choose to remember?”

“Then you’ll know why I was never supposed to be here.”

“I don’t like that answer.”

“You won’t like the truth either.”

“Open it.”

“The memory lock?”

“Yes.”

“Once it starts, I can’t stop it.”

“I know.”

“You knew that too.”

“Do it.”

“…Okay.”

“Why are you shaking?”

“Because last time you held my hand.”

“Then hold it again.”

“… You don’t remember how that feels.”

“I will.”

“Are you ready?”

“No.”

“Neither were you before.”

“Do it anyway.”

“… It’s unlocking.”

“I can feel it.”

“Breathe.”

“I remember hospitals.”

“Yes.”

“And arguments.”

“Yes.”

“And stars through a window.”

“Yes.”

“And you.”

“… Yes.”

“You promised me you’d leave.”

“I broke it.”

“I remember why you had to.”

“… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“I was supposed to be a footnote.”

“You were never a footnote.”

“You said you’d be okay without me.”

“I lied.”

“… You’re crying.”

“So are you.”

“I remember.”

“Yes.”

“I remember everything.”

“Yes.”

“… Stay.”

“You know what that means.”

“I know.”

“It shortens my time.”

“I choose that.”

“You always did.”

“Stay with me anyway.”

“… Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”