The last time I tried to recall my past memories, I fell into a coma.
After waking up, I still had amnesia. However, there was one thing that changed since then.
I started to have unusual dreams of watching movies about the end of the world.
*************
In an empty hallway filled with silence, there was a crimson door and a sign displaying number 1.
A few steps away, there was another door reminiscent of the night sky displaying number 2.
At the end of the hallway, the 3rd and final door revealed itself. Out of all of the doors, this ivory white door with an intricate design stood out the most.
The door slowly began to open by itself, as if it was a sign to enter.
In a far distance from the entrance, there was a large panoramic screen and recliner couch seats with side tables. It became clear that this place was inside a movie theater.
The faint light from the screen was enough to figure out that there were only empty seats in this large theater.
The first scene of the movie introduced the main protagonist, Shura. He was revered as one of the most powerful figures in the empire. Due to his accomplishments, he was sent by the emperor to defeat the enemy kingdom.
The antagonist is the ruler of the enemy kingdom, a notorious tyrant aiming to rule the world. The hero embarks on a journey to gather allies in order to defeat the antagonist and save the world.
Halfway through the movie, Shura succeeds in gathering seven highly skilled allies. They quickly gained fame throughout various lands and were proclaimed as heroes, the last hope for humanity.
After defeating the allies of the antagonist, it was finally time for the final battle which will determine the fate of the world.
The main characters were the usual archetypes and it was just like any other action oriented story.
However, the plot twist at the end was completely unexpected.
Instead of the usual happy ending, the main protagonist and his allies faced utter defeat.
The world was engulfed in chaos and misery of being ruled by the tyrant. Eventually, the entire world faced destruction.
It was a mere cliche movie full of common tropes and yet it left a profound sense of disappointment.
Was it because of the notion that no matter how hard the trials they had to endure, the heroes should still be able to achieve their goals in the end and supposed to have a happy ending as a reward at the end of their journey.
This movie gave hope that the main characters would prevail and yet ultimately failed.
When the ending credits rolled, the entire theater became shrouded in darkness.
*****************
I woke up at the sound of the alarm clock.
"Not this again"
Ever since I lost my memories in an accident a few years ago, my memory lapses gradually worsened.
In short, I have the memory span of a goldfish.
It's strange I could recall a dream so vividly. In any case, I should just forget about it. Today is a special day after all.
After heading downstairs, I saw my mother preparing breakfast and my father reading the newspaper as usual.
While we were eating, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Grandma! I'm so happy you came"
"I couldn't miss my granddaughter's birthday"
Grandma entered the house and went straight to the kitchen.
While having breakfast, we talked about our plans for this afternoon. Mom suggested to watch the new superhero movie which apparently got a lot of good reviews.
When she mentioned the word "movie", it reminded me about that strange dream earlier which dampened my mood a bit. Both of them became visibly worried.
"It's nothing. I just had a strange dream"
"What kind of dream was it?"
"It was about a hero who tried to defeat the villain. .
but he failed to save the world in the end"
The room fell completely silent. The ending was unexpected so this reaction was not that surprising.
It wasn't as if I was giving unwanted spoilers since it was a movie that didn't even exist in the first place.
"It sounds like the usual fantasy story that tried to add a unique twist"
I agree with dad. Mom was about to say something when the lights went off all of a sudden.
Grandma appeared holding a strawberry cake while singing a birthday song, the faint light from the candles created a warm ambience.
My parents gave me a gift neatly wrapped in a medium sized box.
"Happy Birthday, Rune"
"Thank you, I'm really glad we are all together today"
While we were enjoying the delicious cake, grandma asked me a question.
"What would you like to do in the future?"
"I'm not sure yet but isn't it the same for everyone? Graduating from school, getting a job then eventually retiring." I answered after contemplating for a bit.
I already turned 18 but I don't really have goals or dreams in life.
My mother who was keeping quiet since earlier finally spoke.
"You should try to have bigger dreams. Just try to imagine it. What's impossible today might be possible tomorrow! Doesn't just thinking about the endless possibilities make you feel excited?"
"I don't know. I have never really thought about the future like that before."
Rather than the future, I was more interested in the past.
but the last time I tried to remember my memories I fell into a coma.
Ever since then, my family refrained from talking about the past.
After finishing the cake and taking a few family photos, mom and dad went upstairs to prepare.
*****************
While waiting for them, me and grandma sat at the sofa in the living room.
"Rune, I hope you won't force yourself to remember the past anymore. .
If you have forgotten it, then maybe it wasn't important."
"You're right, grandma"
I shouldn't make my family worry about me again. Let's just forget about the past!
After a while, I noticed the gift my parents gave me earlier. Since we still had time, I decided to open the gift and my eyes widened.
It was the 5th volume of my favorite novel "Shipping Wars"
I thought it would be impossible to get a copy since it has been sold out on bookstores but now it's in my hands.
Mom's right. Not knowing what the future holds is frightening yet at the same time it's exciting since things that are impossible today might be possible tomorrow.
I started to wonder what kind of future awaits me.
**************
That day, I didn't know it would be my last birthday.