Memory:Reset

Fleeting Memory

"Attention, passengers. Flight 246 is now boarding," the announcement echoed through the bustling airport terminal. And so, the grand tale of the extraordinary lemmings began, I mused as my gaze shifted upward, catching sight of the snaking line. The anticipation buzzed in the air. So many individuals meandered toward the gate, oblivious to the fact that their boarding time was still a mere matter of minutes away.

But the act of boarding held little significance for me. The throng would crowd the aisles, wrestling with their bags, causing the line to grind to an abrupt halt at each ill-fated bottleneck. Not a fate for me. No, my destiny depended on beating the next boss on my handheld. Queuing could wait, as this quest required my full commitment.

As time slipped away, the crowd dwindled, succumbing to the allure of the last call for my flight that resounded through the speakers. The timing could not have been more perfect. With no one else in line, I had finally reached a save point. Victory enough.

Gathering my belongings, I approached the check-in booth armed with a digital ticket displayed on my phone. Efficiency was my mantra; engaging in small talk seemed an unnecessary distraction. My intention was simple: check-in swiftly, secure my seat, and promptly return to the captivating world of gaming. Alas, as I stood there, ticket in hand, awaiting acknowledgment from the attendant, an unexpected pause disrupted the flow.

"David," her voice sliced through the air, capturing my attention.

Startled, I raised my phone higher. "Yes, that's me," I responded, stealing a glance toward the boarding gate. Rule number one of avoiding needless conversations: evade eye contact. If that did not work, the next step would involve a heavy sigh. Be prepared.

"David," she repeated, her voice persistent.

A sigh escaped me, heavy with disapproval. I detested it when things deviated from the plan.

"Yes?" I replied, my discontent evident, until my gaze settled upon hers, and in an instant, I froze. Not out of fear, but captivated by a sense of wonder. Her appearance remained unassuming, resembling any other woman navigating the bustling airport. She stood petite, sporting a bob of sleek black hair, exuding an air of foreign allure—perhaps European? The only noticeable feature she possessed was a sprinkling of delicate freckles adorning her cheeks.

Ordinarily, I would not have paid much attention to such details about a person, let alone engage in conversation with them. Why bother interacting with an NPC? It would yield nothing more than scripted responses and purposeless chatter. "How's the weather?" As if my interpretation of clouds would be more accurate than a quick google. Even worse were the banal "How are you?" exchanges. No one genuinely cared about a stranger's response. Yet, as I stared at her, it became difficult to label her as a stranger. If she was in a crowd, I could single her out like the elusive Waldo. But how could that be? We had never crossed paths—or so I believed. Perhaps she was a celebrity?

Attempting to dismiss the intrigue, I mustered a question, stumbling slightly over my words. "You seem familiar. Have you, by any chance, been on television?" I inwardly cringed at the possibility of sounding like a mediocre pickup artist.

A mischievous smirk graced her lips as she retorted, "Well, I'm not just another extra on a set or an NPC, that's for sure."

Suppressing a chuckle, I felt relieved at the shared sense of humor. Yet, my amusement faltered as my eyes caught sight of her name tag, freezing me in place. "Not another NPC," I muttered as I read it, disbelief lacing my words. We were in an airport teeming with watchful eyes and stringent security. Joke or not, it would hardly fly here.

Confusion writhed within me, enveloping my thoughts in a haze of uncertainty. What the hell was going on? Was this a dream, a surreal concoction of my mind? The light flickered eerily, my phone heavy in my quivering grip.