The Memory Auction

A fine drizzle hung in the air on a dark night when a man of average height walked into the bar. There wasn’t a door - so the frigid cold air would constantly blow in. The bar was packed with people, the conversations filled the room to the brim. The man, however, didn’t mind, nor cared. The floor creaked with each step the man took. Of course - no one paid him any attention (he wasn't the attention seeker kind of person), as he wasn't here for the drinks, but for something else. Something in particular that not nearly everyone knows in this kingdom. A swift stride of his feet later, he reached the desk of the bar. The attendant looked over his shoulders, as he was preparing a drink for another customer. He wiped his hands on a white cloth and turned to face the man. It was said that night that no one heard their conversation. 

***

Two days later, the man who walked into the bar was sleep deprived. His eyes seemed somewhere off - and his arms sagged to the side with no energy at all. It was around midnight, as the bright full moon showed in the night sky, plenty of stars elaborating on that shine. He wasn't ready for what was to come. But it was a must - a need. It was for his sister. A dying sister. She has been in the hospital for nearly two months now, each day growing worse. The man clutched his head as a sting of memories of his sister - all fine and well - shot through him. People stared at the man who stopped in the road and grabbed his head. Is he fine? Some would say. Maybe a headache, others replied, and moved on. The man stood there for a while, kneeling on the ground. The cold and sharp concrete floor stung him and ripped through his jeans. He couldn’t care any less - it wasn’t the right time to. Slowly awakening, he stood up and wobbled. Almost there, he thought. Just a few more miles. That man walked for hours in the middle of the night to reach what seemed like an old cave. He was out of the kingdom, for sure, as he left the gates a mile back. His stomach churned, and his mind screeched at him not to go. The trees surrounding him didn’t make him feel any better either. Don’t! But he must. He stepped on a tree twig. He stopped in his tracks, the books he read and the stories his sister told him - all had this iconic scene. Classic, isn’t it? He expected a bear to jump at him - or a wizard to cast a spell - or maybe even for lightning to strike him down. Nothing happened. A sigh of relief and anxiety was let out. He walked up to the mouth of the cave - sharp spikes covering the top. It’s going to eat you alive! Stop! Don’t go nearer! He walked inside. Water dripped from parts of the ceiling, an echo of the drips rang through the cave. He kept on moving, daring to not make a sound. A small breeze drifted in the cave, and the man jerked his head back. Nothing. Slowly, he started moving again. This cave was cold, giving him shivers, and the eerie sound of water couldn't be any less quiet. His sister was the only motivation he needed to continue. There were many steep descends, as small rocks kept falling under his foot. Don’t look back. A small door was ahead. It was made of wood - seemingly centuries old. There wasn’t a knob or keypad, but he knew the passcode. His fists clenched and banged his knuckles against the wood three times in an orderly fashion. He waited a moment, and a paper slid under the door. A list of names was written down vertically. A pen was then slid under too. He found his name and put a check next to it, and hurriedly slid the paper and pen back. The door creaked open after a few seconds. The atmosphere inside was warmer, but full of murderous intent. Murderous? No. That can’t be right. He walked in, nevertheless and found a seat in the auditorium. There was a stage in front, with a small table and crystal orb. Many people were already seated, but deadly silent. He tapped his foot on the cold cobble ground, waiting for the big moment to come. The man next to him suddenly stood up - a bathroom break? No. He was walking towards the stage. A sudden blast of wind blew in the cave, a whirlwind of sounds blasted in his ear. He stood up instantly, covering his ears and kneeled down on the ground. He looked around the stadium. No one - but the unmoving man who stood dead center on the stage. All the soft lights suddenly turned dim, the environment turned gloomy. The man on the stage had black hair, taller than average. His eyes were small - but deadly. His smile that was wiped on his face was full of bloodlust. He slowly walked down the stage, the small whirlwind still going on around him. He wasn’t affected - nor was his hair. It was only him. The man stopped. The whirlwind seemed to slow down, leaves, rocks, and small dust particles slowly set down on the ground. The kneeling man was now slowly staggering up - to see him and his family, all alive and well. In the background, the man who walked off the stage was now holding his hand up, his palm facing his face, and snapped. 

***

I dropped down. My hands. They were normal. What? What am I thinking? I turned my hands around. There were small indents of the rocks that grudged deep into my palms. I wiped them off on my shirt. I wobbled upright, and took a scan of my surroundings. I was in a dark, rocky room. What was that called again? A small shine of yellow came through a small hole from the other side of the room. I coughed, still looking around to find anything of comfort or I can use. No - it was nothing - just a small room with a small shine through a hole. I assume I walk towards the - the. My foot stepped on a black duffel bag. I looked down, a bag filled with - with - paper. I bent down again and grabbed a piece. A jolt shot through my brain. I gave a small cry. Deep breaths. Right. I’m in a cave with a bag full of money. I’ve got to reach the hospital quickly to save my sister. My - what? I stood up without thinking a word. No thoughts reached my mind as I grabbed on the duffel bag. There was a small white logo on the side of the bag - a small circle with four lines that intersect at the center. I walked through the hole. A small piece of wood was chipped inside a rock by the entrance of the hole. I wonder what this was for? I stumbled upon rock after rock. My journey starts - to where? 

***

How long has it been? I’m sure that I’ve walked a decent amount. The forest of green and the path of brown kept me going.. I’m sure to follow this path. The yellow ball up - up - is now almost a shade of orange. What is it called? A clock? I don't recall. Nevertheless, I kept walking with no aim or purpose. A while goes by. The top seems to have become black now. I’ve also learned a new feeling. I don’t know what it’s called. My heart seems to race when I hear a sound, and my head keeps turning back, but my feet keep going. At last - I reached an opening. The greens are gone, and the brown turns into a hard, grey color. Two huge doors block my way. Four creatures walk towards me. I step back, my heart racing. The four creatures started moving, two sticks - legs - were closing onto me. I dropped my bag and bent down, arms draped over my head. I sob. One of the things reached out a five stick - stick - item. I looked down on my own. I have the same. What’s it called? It took me a minute. Hand. Right. He smiled, looking at the symbol of my bag. 

“Hello. That’s a greeting in this world.” He said. My sight seemed to stop, and everything started swirling. The man in front of me became two - and sounds of a bustling city depleted. I was - dead? 

***

“Jonas.” A voice said. I sat upright. My sight turned on. I can hear again. Instinctively, I turned to that word. Another - creature - layed in a bed. Bed? I looked down at my hands. Right. Hands. A white sheet covered half of my body. My duffel bag was gone. A stutter started coming out - a twitch, but a word nonetheless. 

“Amelia.”

By Chris Shao - 7th Grade 06-10-2025