I gasped, a rush of cold air burning my lungs. I was lying face-down on forest moss. It was dark, and my body ached. God, where am I? I took a second breath, and a third, then through my nose. Earth. Mist. Pine. I know this smell. 

 

Then I flexed my fingers, gripping the moss. I can feel it. I can feel it. I moved the rest of my body as I stirred myself upright on two feet, feeling every bend, stretch, and strain. Only then, when I straightened myself, had I noticed the golden moon hanging above the trees. Strange. I stared at it for a moment before my mind wandered to the sound of trickling water. I followed it, step by awkward step.

 

At the nearby creek, I knelt to wash myself and my clothes. They were oddly cleaner than they should have been. As I rinsed my face, I caught my reflection in the water. That’s me. Me? I know my face, but the name… What’s my name? I tried sifting through the fog in my mind, but I came up empty-handed. Except… The fair. I promised someone. A face flashed before me. I promised her! I stumbled toward a clearing. No, a road. I know this! I followed it, and after a short walk, started to hear music in the distance. That must be it. 

 

I found myself nearing a town. Golden lights were strung between its buildings. People crowded the streets, laughing and dancing as music played. Vendors stood outside their shops, handing out food and drinks. Every storefront seemed open, every window glowing with warmth.

 

I pushed through, letting my feet pull me toward somewhere familiar. I didn’t know where I was going, but each step somehow felt rehearsed. Then, passing between strangers and through the yellow glow, I spotted it—the cinema. I think this is it, I thought, while catching my breath. Now, where is—

 

She stood under the marquee, seemingly waiting for someone. Her! I hurried forward, hoping that I didn’t make her wait too long. 

 

“Hey—” I stopped. What is her name? Oh God. “Uhh… excuse me, are you waiting for someone?”

 

She glanced down the street, then back at me. “Oh, umm… I think I am.”

 

“You think?”

 

She shrugged. “I was supposed to meet someone here. I just… can’t remember who exactly.”

 

I blinked. “Really?”

 

“Yeah.” She nodded. “Do you know?”

 

“Oh no. I’m not sure,” I said, laughing awkwardly. “I was hoping you would.”

 

She chuckled. “Then we’re on the same boat.”

 

“I guess so.” I glanced at the posters behind her. “Were you planning to see a film?”

 

“I was. I don’t remember which one, though.” 

 

“Neither do I.”

 

She turned back, laughing softly. “Well, do you wanna watch one?”

 

“Yeah! Yeah, I think I’d like that.”

 

We chose a film neither of us had heard of, only because its poster looked interesting. As we sat down on our seats, I felt my shoulder press against hers. I didn’t move the entire time, nor did she. When we stepped back outside, the crowd grew larger with the golden moon still high above. We wandered through the fair, trying food from the vendors. I felt the coarse bread of a sandwich on my lips; I tasted the tang of orange juice, leaving a stain on my tongue. I looked at the yellow lights hanging between buildings and squinted when we got too close. The air was cool on my skin. 

 

I drew in a breath, feeling the tingle in my lungs. Alive.

 

We came across a group of buskers, their music spilling across the street while people danced around them. I had an insatiable desire to join them, but she hesitated. So I held out my hand, waiting for her to take it. And she did. We stepped into the crowd, moving awkwardly at first, but soon our movements fell into a familiar rhythm. 

 

My legs grew warm, and my breath quickened. Every step, every bend, every stretch—I felt it. Yet somehow, all I could focus on was her. The warmth of her hand, her scent, the glimmer in her eyes. I still didn’t know her name, but I knew I didn’t want to let go.

 

But the night wouldn’t last forever, and we left the fair, exhausted but happy. We didn’t know where else to go, so we followed a quiet trail out of town, hoping for some peace amidst the celebration. The laughter and music faded as the path opened into a clearing with a lone tree at its center. I approached the tree, running a hand along its rough bark. We’ve been here before… Then I saw two names carved side by side, almost unreadable.

 

My name.

 

And hers.

 

I remember.

 

She stepped closer, running her fingers over the carvings. “That’s… my name. And yours. I remember.”

 

I looked at her. “You do?”

 

She nodded as I looked back at the names, the fog in my mind loosening a bit.

 

“You remember?” She asked. 

 

“Some of it. But not everything.”

 

Do I have to? Tonight, I felt more alive than I had in a long time. I didn’t need to remember everything to know that, especially with her beside me. I glanced at the golden moon; its glow was fading, and it would soon disappear behind the horizon. That made me worried. What was going to happen when the night ended?

 

“The sun’s gonna come soon.” There was tension in her voice.

 

“Yeah.” Not knowing where else to go, we decided to stay by the tree and wait for morning. 

 

“Tonight was strange,” she said. “I feel like I should remember more.”

 

“Me too.”

 

She was quiet for a moment. “Do you wanna watch another film with me next time?”

 

“Yeah. Yeah, I’d like that.” I smiled.

 

She held out her pinky, and I wrapped mine around it. “Promise.”

 

When the morning light came, it found only the remains of a long-abandoned mountain town. Quiet and serene.