On this day, I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. My mind was a blank slate, devoid of name, face, or past. I panicked as I scanned my surroundings – a sterile room with no windows.

 A small note on the bedside table caught my attention: 'You're safe. For now. I tried to study the handwriting - neat, yet hurried. 

Who wrote this? What do they mean by for now? This doesn't look like safety, but I can't even remember what safety looks like anymore.

My gaze swept the room, searching for clues. The bed, a rectangular shape with a crisp white sheet. The table, a slab of pale wood. The chair, a contoured outline with no cushions. Everything seemed to lack purpose, like my own existence.

_I glanced down at myself, seeking answers. My clothes were plain, gray scrubs. No labels, no tags. My skin was unblemished, no scars or tattoos. My hands, soft and uncalloused. What had I done before this?_

_The note's words echoed in my mind: "You're safe. For now." Safe from what? From whom? The ambiguity fueled my anxiety. I crumpled the paper, then smoothed it out, desperate for any hint.

As I scanned the room again, my gaze caught on a small almost imperceptible seam in the wall. A hidden door? A secret passage? A lifeline or trap? My heart quickened.

I stared long at the steam. Suddenly, I stood in a cozy kitchen. A man's laughter echoed, warm and inviting. "Babe?" I called out, but he vanished. The kitchen dissolved, replaced by the sterile room.

__I blinked, disoriented, my hands were trembling. The seam in the wall seemed to pulse, as if beckoning me closer. My mind replayed the kitchen scene – the warmth, the laughter, the sudden disappearance, the man.

Memories flooded back, fragmented but vivid. He was 6 feet tall, dark, hairy, lanky, and sweet. His smile creased the corners of his eyes. His hands, gentle and strong, held mine. Our laughter intertwined. I remembered his name: Williams.

"Hey, sunshine," he'd say, his voice low and smooth, "what's on your mind?"

We'd lie in bed, talking about our dreams and he'd listen with such intensity, making me feel seen and heard.

He was my favourite person.

My heart ached, longing for his presence._

_But why was he in my memories, yet absent now? Where was he? Did he leave me here? The questions swirled, maddening. I pressed my palms against the wall, seeking stability._

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I recalled our loud nights. Williams' presence had been my sanctuary. Now, this sterile room felt like a desertion. I pushed away from the wall, pacing the small space.

_"Where are you, Williams?" I whispered, my voice cracking. The silence swallowed my words, leaving only echoes of memories. Our laughter, our conversations, our whispers in the dark._

This room, with its antiseptic smell and harsh lights, was a cruel reality check.

Suddenly, the lights flickered. The journey down memory lane was interrupted by the hum of machinery. A low voice, mechanical and detached, spoke: "Subject 404, memory retrieval successful. Preparation for further questioning initiated, Please cooperate."_

Who are you?" I demanded, my voice shaking. "What do you want from me?"_

_The machine hummed, unperturbed. "Subject 404, identification and purpose not relevant. Your memories are required for further analysis."_

_My memories? Required? A spark of defiance ignited within me. I thought of Williams, of our laughter, our whispers. Those memories were mine, not theirs to claim._

_"No," I whispered, my resolve growing. "I won't cooperate."_

_I stood firm, refusing to cooperate, sparking a chain reaction._

"The machine hummed, processing my defiance. 'Subject 404, non-compliance detected. Initiating protocol—'"

_I interrupted, "I won't answer anything until you tell me who I am and why I'm here."_

The machine paused, then responded, "Identity classification: confidential. Purpose of detention: memory extraction."

_I pressed on, "What memories? Why are they important?"_

The machine faltered, "Unauthorized access. Clearance required."

_As I pushed for answers, memories began to resurface:_

To be continued...