Memon Khadija

Third Place Winner - Teens: Fiction - Cornwall Public Library 2015 Annual Writing Contest

The Forgotten One
"We are gathered here today because Carter Bennett has been living a life too painful for him to live.
We will be giving him the elixir of Memory Obliteration," the rector recited by heart.
The Elixir of Memory Obliteration. It was a special drink created to erase your memory of everything
you've been through. All you remember are typical standards. Such as reading, writing, talking, walking,
thinking in complex ways. Still having common sense and your knowledge of right from wrong. You still
had your essential memory. But you forget the pain, and the people. Suicide rates were going up so
high. Hundreds and hundreds of teenagers under stress and committing suicide. Scientists came up with
a way to erase your pain without erasing your existence.
The whole town was gathered here today because it was Carter's last day with us. After getting the Elixir
of Memory Obliteration he was going to be sent off with a different family that was 'adopting him'
because his real one was terrible. That typically didn't happen. They would just relocate the family.
Unless your family was part of your pain. Then you'd get a new one.
l stood near the front off to the side watching Carter who was in the back talking to the principle, Mrs.
Dawson, of our school.
Our school was pretty average. Two floors. It was also from grade nine to twelve. We didn't have the
typical 'popular, emo's, or jocks.' We had a school and everyone knew everyone. Whether it was just
your name, or your life story to the point of knowing your entire family's history. I guess you could say
we live in a pretty small town. 1

"After being given the Memory Of Obliteration Carter will be sent to another family because this one is a
little ... unstable," the rector continued.
Carter Bennett. He is a sixteen year old boy with a tough life. He is your average 'rebellious class
skipping, prank pulling, druggie kind of guy'. He is also my best friend.
Me and him have been best friends for about five years now. I remember when I first met him. I couldn't
stand him. I was new in town and he was asked to show me around. After his tour we didn't really talk.
Although everywhere I went he would somehow appear and smirk at me like he knew a personal secret
about me. One wrong move and the whole school would find out. It made me nervous. He made me
nervous. He hung out with typical 'druggies' which also made me nervous because I've never done drugs
in my life and here he was. Maybe he didn't do it all the time but enough.
He came up beside me and watched my facial expressions as I listened to what was going to happen to
him.
I turned to look at him, "you're going to forget me, '' I frowned.
"I'm also going to forget my pain," he pointed out.
"You're going to forget me," I repeated.
"You're always going to be my best friend Raylyn," he said and hugged me really tight.
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We always did that. When one of us were upset the other would hug the person super tightly and for a
long time. It was our special thing. It was our way of saying "don't have the words to make you feel
better, but I'm not going to let you be upset. I'm here for you'.
"I love you Carter," I whispered in his ear.
"I love you Raylyn," he whispered back. He hugged me tight lifting my feet off the ground slightly and
swaying me a bit.
He released me and stood beside me as the rector continued the explanation of Carters new beginning,
When he was done reciting his explanation he called Carter up.
Carter gave me one of our special hugs for the last time. He hugged me tightly by picking me up and
spinning me around then putting me back firmly on the ground.
He turned and headed up beside the rector who handed him the Memory of Obliteration elixir.
He stared into my eyes and agonizingly slowly brought it up to his lips I wanted to run to him and knock
it out of his hands but instead I clamped my mouth shut and as he started drinking tears slowly started
running down my face. I looked away. I couldn't handle watching my best friend forget about me.
When the rector started speaking again I knew it was done. The ceremony was over. My best friend was
gone and was replaced by an empty shell of what used to be a boy who once held the world inside of
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him.
Despite my better judgment I decided to look at Carter and he looked so happy and full of lite as he was
being introduced to his new family. My heart ached at the sight of him. All our memories. Forgotten. All
of our two AM coffee drives. Forgotten. All his pranks he'd tell me about. Forgotten.
I turned to look at the members of our town. They were standing up and stretching. Carter and his new
family were being led outside and we all followed to see them off. Well actually I was hauled out by the
crowd because there was no room for me to slip out and escape but when we got there I couldn't turn
away. I watched as he got in the car all excited and then his new 'dad' started the car and slowly they
drove out of sight.
One by one. Family by family the town got in their cars and drove home. Almost as if it were normal we
lost another member of our society. Almost as if he didn't matter. Almost as if Carter's ceremony didn't
happen.
But it did.
My mom came and asked me if I wanted to go home and I told her not yet. She understood and told me
to come home before dark then drove home.
I took a few steps before turning around to look at the church. I felt anger bubble up inside of me. I felt
angry because Carter had such a tough life. I felt angry because he couldn't do anything about it. I felt
angry because I couldn't help him. I felt angry at the scientists because they created this stupid elixir. I
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felt angry because I lost my best friend.
I picked up a stone and threw it at a window of the church. It didn't shatter. I grew angry at it for not
shattering. I turned on my heels and ran. I ran into the forest just at the edge of the church area. I ran·
and I ran. I ran until I couldn't take it anymore. By now I had been running for twenty minutes to a half
hour I was tired but still angry. I felt my hand curl in a fist and smack a tree. The burning sensation felt
good. I punched the tree again. The pain felt good too. I punched the tree again. And again. And again. I
punched the tree until my hand was red, raw, and numb. I dropped to my knees and let out a scream
that made the birds flyaway. Before I knew it, it started raining. Hard. Almost as if the earth was crying
out with me. The raindrops represented the tears. The thunder represented my anger. And the
lightening represented my screams. I had collapsed against the ground tear stained, bruised, broken,
and numb. I laid there hoping to be cleansed by the earth but instead feeling one with it.
ONE YEAR LATER
I sat alone in a coffee shop studying for my math test the next day when somebody walked in and sat in
a booth near me.
A few minutes later when they ordered' heard a voice. His voice. My head snapped up and I saw him
sitting across some girl.
He didn't look the same. His once blonde hair was now brown, what used to be dull brown eyes filled
with anger were now full of life and shining. His didn't look stoned, when he walked by there was no
cigarettes smell. He traded in his leather jacket for a sweater. He kept his skinnies though and he added
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a beanie to his look.
I couldn't stop starring. It's like I was hypnotized. He looked over at me and starred. I couldn't look away.
After a minute he still didn't look away. I finally averted my eyes and closed my text book and binder
before shoving them in my bag. I grabbed my coffee and walked out of the shop.
A few months after losing Carter, finishing grade eleven and entering grade twelve my mom got a job
transfer.
We've been in this town about two weeks and I barely left my house unless it was for school. My mom
practically shoved me out the door saying I needed to get fresh air.
So much for fresh air. I felt like I couldn't breathe. It hurt seeing him not being able to say hi, or jump on
him or tell him how my life's been the past year. It hurt knowing he didn't remember me or the crazy
adventures and memories we had. He was Carter but he wasn't really Carter.
The next day at school I saw him by my locker. I ducked my head down and sped walked by him and his
group of friends. As I walked by the girl's washroom I saw him standing there with that same girl from
yesterday. I walked into my English class and saw him in a seat near mine. I didn't even know he was in
my English class.
That went on for two weeks. Everywhere I turned he'd appear but this time he didn't smirk, just stare at
me, and he was always with that girl. We never talked though and he didn't have to give me a tour.
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The not talking to each other officially came to an end when our English teacher had decided that we
were going to write an opinion piece of what we thought of the elixir in partners and mine just so
happened to be Carter.
"50 partner, where do we work?" He asked .
I turned to look at him, "my place, after school. "I`ll meet you at the front," I said as the bell rang. Before
he could speak I packed up my stuff, shoved it in my bag and left without another word.
After school I saw him at the front with that same girl. I hope she's not coming too. I didn't want her
around. I wonder if there dating. Or maybe she's his new best friend. Or maybe a 'cousin' of his not so
new 'family',
I wanted to run away but that wasn't an option unless I wanted to fail. My hands were clammy, my
heart was pounding in my throat and I felt like I was going to be sick as I walked up to him and the girl.
Without thinking I was about to hug him but quickly retracted before he noticed. We're not best friends
anymore I have to remember that.
"I'll see you at home," he told the girl. She nodded and skipped off to her car.
"Ready partner?" He asked.
I nodded, and took off without waiting to see if he was following.
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"So what's your name?" He asked.
I swallowed a lump in my throat, "Raylyn," I spoke softly.
"I'm Carter" He was incredibly cheerful.
I know, I wanted to say. We were best friends. Not that you'd remember.
"Nice to meet you," I choked out.
"Are you okay Ray?" He asked.
"Ray?" I looked up at him shocked.
That was the nickname he'd given me back before we were best friends make me mad.
"Yah," he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, "is that okay?"
I didn't answer as we made it to my house. When we entered I yelled that I had a person over for
homework and my mom yelled back letting me know she heard.
l led him up to my room and dosed the door. After being settled down on the floor with our binders out
for notes I asked what he thought of the elixir.
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"I think it's good," he answered.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because when you think about it. Yes you forget your memories but you also forget your pain you
know? And what is a person without memories? A different person. You can restart your life. You don't
have to end it."
"Yes but," I contradicted, "it's our memories that define us. After getting the elixir you forget who you
are you're not the same. You don't know who you get your characteristics from. What if before drinking
the elixir your dad lashed out on you and then you have to drink it to forget the pain but when you get
kids you end up lashing out too?" I asked, "You forget all the important people in your life. It's like
waking up from a dream but not remembering what happened and you spend your whole life
wondering what kind of a person you were but not knowing because other people think it's to 'painful'
for you to know. That you're not strong enough to handle your own life which I think is total bullshit."
"That's a valid point." He agreed, "however wouldn't you rather re-invent yourself then lose your life
because of a petty problem you can't handle?"
"NO because we are never given problems we can't handle. It's our emotions that set us apart. It's also
our emotions that make situations worse. If we control them we control our life!'
Just then my mom popped in to let us know dinners ready. When she saw Carter her eyes widened. She
looked at me as if to ask 'does he remember you', I shook my head.
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"Can I ask you a question?" Carter asked my mom.
"Sure thing honey."
He explained the assignment we had in English and asked her her opinion.
"I personally don't like it," she answered.
"Why not'?" He asked curiously.
"Because it's taken away too many of the people I love. Wether it's their personality or just in general"
She was talking about her mom, as far as I knew anyway.
"like who? If you don't mind my asking."
My Carter wasn't this polite. He was basically my brother. He'd pop in at the most unexpected times and
take me out for random adventures. He'd sleep over when things at home were getting too bad and
even though he was the towns 'bad boy' my mom loved him.
"My mom and three other people very special to me." My mom said.
"Three people?" I asked.
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She nodded.
"Who?''
She pretended to zip her lips with her fingers and left.
I got up and followed her downstairs with Carter at my heels.
"Mom who?"
''It doesn't matter. I gave you my opinion drop it."

"Raylyn." It was her warning tone which meant one wrong move and you'll be doing all the chores for a
month.
"Why can't I know!"
'' Honey just drop it."
"Actually we could use this for our project." Carter interjected.
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"You two," she sighed.
"Us two?" We both asked at the same time.
"l've never drank the elixir," I said.
"Yes you have/ she sighed, "you were eleven."
"And how come you haven't told me!"
"Because the whole point of this elixir is to forget your pain."
"Us two?" carter repeated.
"You and Raylyn were best friends."
"Did you know that?" Carter asked me.
I looked at him and nodded.
"ls that why you always look so sad when you look at me?" He asked.
"I don't look sad!" I defended myself.

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''Yes you do!"
"Ugh whatever," I turned to my mom, "why did I take that elixir?"
"We'll talk about this later."
"We will not!"
"Because!" She yelled, "I had an affair and when your dad found out he was shattered. He drank the
elixir and moved," her voice grew soft, "when you found out you smashed the man's car and vandalized
his private property." A tiny tear rolled down her cheek.
"No!" I yelled, "No, no, no! You're lying! You told me dad died."
"Honey, when someone drinks the elixir there as good as dead because there not the same."
"You lied!" I shouted.
"I had no choice!" She snapped.
"I hate you!" I screamed, "You took away my dad and part of my life! I will never forgive you!" I ran out
the door and down the street.
My heart was pounding and my head was clouded with thoughts I couldn't sort out. So many questions
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left unanswered. My mother was a liar. I was violent. My father wasn't actually dead. And Carter
couldn't comfort me because he wasn't my Carter from a year ago.
I got to the end of the block and went to cross the street when Carter screamed at me to watch out.
Just as • turned around to look at him' felt something crash into me before a searing pain in my body
then I collapsed and everything went black.
ONE WEEK LATER
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
I groaned but couldn't open my eyes. They felt heavy.
I heard some whispering going on around me but couldn't make out the words.
I groaned louder hoping they would stop talking.
After fighting to open my eyelids for what felt like an eternity they finally opened. I began blinking
rapidly because of the light until my eyes adjusted.
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I looked around the room and saw Carter, my mom, and a doctor.
"Ugh," I groaned, "where am I? ''
"The hospital honey, you got hit by car." My mom explained.
"Oh now I remember."
''Ray I am so sorry! I should have warned you sooner," Carter said frantically.
''lt's okay," I croaked, "not your fault," 1Icut off, "wait Ray?" I asked my heart pounding which made the
heart monitor speed up. How embarrassing.
"What's the problem? It's my nickname for you is it not? I called you that last week whenI came over to
do the project."
"0h right," I felt my heart drop.
"So I did the opinion piece for English and handed it in. I did yours and handed it in. She didn't believe it
was yours because everyone knows you're in the hospital. But she gave you an 'A' anyway."
"But our opinions are opposite?" It came out like a question.
"Yeah, but you explained your opinion. I had plenty to go on."
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"Oh, thank you."
"Your welcome," he winked.
Just then that pretty girl I always saw him with at school came in.
"Carter, you have to come home now. Dinners almost readv."
"Tell mom I'll be there soon."
She nodded and left, "that was my sister, Grace."
"Oh, she's pretty," I didn't know what else to say. Maybe that I was glad they weren't dating. Maybe I
was glad that they weren't best friends. Of course I couldn't say that though so I clamped my mouth
shut.
"Yeah," he shrugged, "I guess so."
Neither of us spoke. You could hear my heart monitor going 'beep' 'beep 'beep'. I hadn't realized during
mine and Carters conversation my mom and the doctor slipped out.
"Look I'm really sorry about the whole elixir thing," Carter broke the silence.
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"It's not your fault. I shouldn't have pressured my mom into telling me. Maybe something's are better
left unknown. Or forgotten. Maybe that's why we don't remember every single detail of our lives."
"Yeah, but sometimes it's better for us to know."
How the tables have turned. I was okay with not knowing and Carter was the one who wanted to know.
Maybe I should tell him were best friends.
"Anyway, I really hope you get better. I dropped by every day after school hoping you'd wake up."
"Thank you," I felt grateful. For a second it almost felt like he was back that my Carter was back but he
wasn't. The sooner I accepted that logic the better.
I decided not to tell him. He had a whole new life. He did drink the elixir to forget his pain. Not
remember.
"I have to go now," he stood up.
"Goodbye Carter," I said.
It felt his ceremony all over again.
"Goodbye Raylyn," he said and walked out.
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Maybe it was a good thing he didn't remember me. Maybe it was a bad thing. All I knew was that I lost
my best friend, my dad, and part of myself because of this elixir. I only know part of my life. But I guess
those are the consequences of wanting to forget. You give up the good memories just to forget the bad
ones. You're never the same.