SARAH’S mind was burdened with conflicting thoughts, and the closer Jared got to her through her family, the worse it became for her.
Sitting by the riverside one late afternoon watching the sunset, she thought, “I wish there was somewhere far I could go away from everyone for a while.”

She sighed, feeling despondent for she was beginning to lose enthusiasm for everything she loved to do. What she did not realise then was how real that wish would be.
The summer holidays began, and Sarah’s time was spent at church and doing activities for the children. This year, though, brought two new events: a gospel concert at the stadium and a visit by a small group of church members from the United Kingdom. They wanted to tour a few regions to experience the country’s rich eco-system and do some community work whilst spreading the word of God. Sarah was thrilled with the upcoming events and that lifted her spirits.

“I guess it’s an adventure I need,” she expressed, feeling quite excited.
The long drive along the trail, bordered by green forest foliage, spotting different species of birds and the vehicle getting stuck for almost an hour were all part of the adventure. The real adventures, though, were the nature walks, bathing under the many waterfalls, boat rides along the river and spending time with the native people in their communities. The different places visited in Regions 7 and 8 were like little paradises. Before returning to the coastland, their last tour was to Kanapang, boating up the Cuyuni River through a rapid. Sarah wasn’t so sure about that, but the rest of the group wanted to make the trip.

“We are here to spread the word of God,” they reassured her, “Have no fear, my child.”
That was the scariest trip of her life as the powerful boat sped through the rapids, but disaster struck when they hit a stronger current that rocked the boat. The captain shouted to them to hold on strong, that they would soon reach less rough waters, but the current became stronger, the water rougher, and they rocked the boat.

Sarah’s hands were growing tired and she couldn’t seem to hold strong anymore, so when the boat heaved one more time, she and the pastor’s son fell overboard. He reacted quickly and managed to grab on to the boat but the water caught her. She gasped, the rough water crashing over her head, her arms flailing to stop herself from being swept away with the strong current. There were desperate shouts from the others on the boat, but no one could do anything about it. The captain radioed for another boat to try and pick her up, for the life jacket would keep her afloat.

The water was crashing over her head, almost suffocating her and with all the strength she could find, she kept her head above water, but worse was to come when she felt something hit her head and she could feel the bleeding. As dizziness overcame her and the fear now that she may not be rescued in time rushed through her mind and, she cried, “Is this where I die, dear Lord?”
She did not know how long she floated and how far the current had taken her but as darkness stepped in, she felt hands pulling her up and she lost consciousness.

Sarah opened her eyes slowly; everything seemed blurred and her head was throbbing. She gasped weakly, trying to call for someone but no sound came from her lips. She closed her eyes and reopened them a few minutes later, her vision a little clearer. She was in a strange place and heard voices that seemed to come from afar, strange voices and soft, drifting laughter of children. Then, an image appeared, a man with rugged good looks, brown hair and grey eyes.
“No, this can’t be,” she heard herself crying, “Where am I?”

She drifted off and awoke again with warm sunshine streaming through the window, cool refreshing air, and twittering birds and different sounds. She turned her head a little, grimacing with pain and saw a vase filled with fresh wild flowers by the bedside and a pretty little native girl sitting there, looking at her.
“Where am I?”
The door opened, interrupting her thoughts and a native woman entered, a motherly smile on her face.

“Good morning, you’re awake,” she said in perfect English, and looking up at the heavens, she muttered something in her native tongue.
She helped Sarah gently into a comfortable position, went out of the room and came back with a cup of fresh herbal tea.
“Sip it slowly,” she advised her, “It’s strong, and it will boost your system.”
Sarah nodded her head in thanks and tried to smile at the little girl standing by the bedside.

“Just relax,” the native woman said to her, “I’ll get Mr. Nathan.”
The door reopened a few minutes later and Sarah saw the man she had seen last night, standing there as real as ever.
“Oh, Lord,” she said silently, “Is this really happening?”
A warm feeling pulsed through her body, and she couldn’t be sure if it was from the tea or from seeing him.
“Hi,” he greeted her, a smile of relief on his face, “It’s good to see you’re back.”

He spoke with an English accent and she tried to say something but couldn’t, tears gathering in her eyes.
“No, no, don’t cry,” he said hastily, concern in his eyes, “You’re in good hands, the doctor who was here attending to you will be back soon. Maria will make for you a herbal soup then she’ll give you her special bath.”
She nodded and he left her in the care of the native woman and her little girl. The soup rejuvenated her, filling her body with warmth and bringing some colour back to her cheeks. A little later, two other native women helped her to a bath tub in what she now recognised was a cabin and she relaxed for a good while in the petal-fragranced water.

“I wonder what’s this place and who is the man who came to see me.”
He came back when the doctor arrived and she was told she apparently had a boating accident and had hit her head on a rock whilst being swept away by the rough water. The scratches and bruises on other parts of her body would heal over time. The injury on her head was not too deep but the loss of blood and trauma had caused her to lose consciousness.
“How did I get here?” she asked.

“I was coming back with two of my workers from another area,” Nathan answered her, “When I saw you floating and pulled you out of the water.”
She looked at him and said, tears in her eyes, “You saved my life, thank you.”
He smiled, “It’s all in God’s will.”
She inhaled slowly, those words giving her a happy feeling and she asked the doctor, “Am I going to be okay?”

“Yes, you will, just some medication for the pain and lots of rest.”
“And when you feel well enough to talk,” Nathan said to her, “You can tell us what happened and where you’re from so we can inform your family.”
A perplexed look crossed her face and she muttered, “What happened? Where I’m from?”
There was a long pause, and then she said, with a tremor in her voice, “I don’t know.”

Nathan and the doctor exchanged looks of concern.
“And your name?” the doctor asked.
“I-I don’t know.”
The realisation that she had lost her memory due to the hit on her head caused her to break down in tears and Maria held her, comforting her. The doctor gave her an injection to sedate her, and he said to Nathan, “This does occur sometimes; hopefully, she recovers soon. She needs to rest. In the meanwhile, you can send scouts out to find out where the accident happened and who she was with.”

When the doctor left, Nathan returned to the cabin and stood by the bedside, looking at her. She was so young and beautiful, and it touched his heart that she was in such a predicament. He brushed back gently a strand of hair that had fallen over her face and said quietly, “Hope you get better soon.”

To be continued