Awakenings – Part One of Two

It had taken almost twenty four hours for Zack to come out of the coma he’d been in. Nothing Doctor Hancock tried could break the trance; Zack had re-awakened on his own. As soon as he did, he asked how Shara was and after being assured that she’s suffered no ill after-effects, he allowed the Doctor to examine him.

An hour later, Zack was declared fit and the questioning started. By then Shara had returned to the medical centre and the three of them were now sat in Will’s office.

“I remember everything.” Shara remarked. “Memories that I never knew I had are coming back to me, my parents, my uncle and the visits you made to Laconia II. Until yesterday I never knew we’d actually met, but today I know who you are.”

“I don’t fully understand it myself.” Zack remarked. “I knew that my parents had taken me to Laconia II on several occasions when I was a child, but like you until now I thought we’d never met before.”

“Interesting.” Will mused. “A kind of group amnesia, it’s as if both your memories were altered and it’s only when the two of you were brought together that the amnesia was broken.”

“The difference is that I remember actually going to Laconia II, whereas Shara has no recollection of my visits.” Zack remarked. “If we both had our memories altered, surely we’d both have the same memories.”

“That’s true.” Will answered. “But I may have another answer. Whilst you were linked telepathically with Shara, your neural scans went into some kind of synchronised wave pattern, similar to what’s happened to Rahel and Karissa. You were of one mind; therefore you shared each others thoughts. Maybe somewhere along the way something was triggered that brought back the memories.”

“It’s possible.” Zack stated. “But if that was true, then Rahel and Karissa are going through a similar ordeal, sharing memories.”

“And the strongest memories they both had are of the lab fire.” Shara added. “They could be suffering terrific mental damage.”

“The scans show no signs of either of them being in distress.” Will remarked. “Zack, can you get through to them in the same way that you did with Shara.”

“I heard a cry for help, that’s what brought me here.” Zack stated. “But I’m not sure I can break this link, however I will try.”

“I’d suggest you go get something to eat and maybe some rest.” Will suggested. “You’ve been through an ordeal with Shara already and another few hours won’t make much difference.”

Zack suddenly felt extremely drained. “Maybe you’re right, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said.

He left the medical bay and headed for the temporary quarters he’d arranged.

“Do you think he can get through to them ?” Shara asked Will.

“He maybe their only hope.” Will admitted. “But I’m not sure whether any of them will survive.”