Perfect Memory

He slowly opened his eyes. He was lying on the wooden floor, in an entryway, next to a dark brown door. The sunlight began creeping in from the side rooms.

He had no clue where he was. Or who he was.

A pit formed in his stomach. His body suddenly felt cold as a shiver trickled down his spine. He couldn't remember anything. It was all black. Nothing. There was nothing before his awakening. But there must have been.

He strained to lift his torso up to a sitting position. His body ached and groaned as he moved. His stomach was sore and his head throbbed painfully with each beat of his heart.

"Hello?" He said. His voice was scratchy and deep as it softly echoed down the hall.

No answer.

"Hello!?" He tried again, bringing his voice to a yell.

Still nothing.

Fear prickled his skin. The blood was swimming uncomfortably in his head. He shook and rested his head in his hands. Trying to breathe slowly. In and out. In and out. But it wasn't working. It didn't help.

His hand found a note in his jacket pocket. A handwritten note.

“Harle,” The note read. Interestingly he was not surprised that he knew how to read. The message continued; “Run! The Feds are on their way. If they catch you, you’ll be prone to interminable torture and possible death. I was able to buy you a new life, free from memories, free from your past. Now run.”

He crumpled the note and quickly stood. His heart now beating quickly. His hand rested on the doorknob. He paused, waiting for the courage to come.

A phone rang throughout the apartment building.

He froze. Unsure. Half afraid, half relaxed. He let go of the doorknob and began walking slowly towards the sound. A light flashed with each ring coming from the second side room. He cautiously entered the room. It rang twice more. A computer monitor flashed the words “Feds Calling… Feds Calling” and then dimmed. The ringing stopped.

The monitor changed to show a face of dark haired woman in a black suit. The words “Recording message…” blinked a bright red at the bottom of the screen.

“Harle Jhons Steveson IV” The woman said. “We received a distress signal from your smart phone stating that you have been forced against your will to participate in an illegal procedure. The Feds are on their way. You will be protected from said illegal activity. Please stay calm and stay put for debriefing.”

The screen went blank. His hands were shaking, still grasping onto the note.