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Amazing colors painted the sky above my tiny corner of the universe. By description 'breathtaking' was inadequate, but the view did indeed take my breath away. As I sat there, I was reminded again to be grateful. I was lucky. It didn't matter I had no memory, or that I was stranded. Regardless of where I came from or what I had done before, in this moment I could escape all the questions, all the wondering. I could forget that I had forgotten.
I retreated to this cove every evening to sit with my feet curled under me, winding down after another lonely day while the fish jumped their almost synchronized routine. Out of all the beautiful spots on this deserted island, this is the one that called to me. Perhaps because life as I knew it began in this very spot. It was here that I opened my eyes to find my face in the sand and the sound of water splashing in the distance; and here, that I returned with every sunset to nourish my body while everything around me nourished my soul.
Bravo! Again! Again!
As I applauded the aquatic shenanigans and shouted my praise with glee, I laughed at my own words. I'm not sure when I began talking to myself, but it was becoming increasingly more frequent.
The first many days of silence weren't really silent at all. There was a constant running commentary in my head, like I was on the outside watching myself and journaling everything I happened to see or think. Perhaps it was my subconscious working on overtime, looking for a way to put all the pieces together. Then, one day, the thoughts just began spilling out of my mouth. Now I talked to myself, the trees, the fish... to everything and to nothing.
The longer I remained here, the more difficult it became to tell the voices apart. Was I thinking it or did I say it out loud? It was only when the sound of my audible voice startled me that I knew the difference for certain.
How long have I been here now?
I had no answer to that question. Except for small differences and the changes in the weather, every day was like the last. Upon my arrival I had been so disoriented, it never occurred to me to keep track; and now, it seemed pointless to begin.
I later decided to mark my time with accomplishments, not sunsets. Although I had no personal memories, I made many discoveries of hidden knowledge. As I looked at an object, a plant, a random piece of wood, I saw visions of how to use them to my advantage. Since my arrival, I had built many small structures around the island. Balancing fallen limbs in just the right order and covering them with large leaves and growing vines came easily. I could see the design in my head, the specifics of how to make it sound and sturdy as if I had done the task many times before... and yet, I didn't know my name.
I rarely used these builds as personal shelter, but the occasional unexpected rainstorm made me thankful for a nearby roof over my head. Mostly I used them to house items I found. Sometimes I didn't even know why I collected them. I would see a rock of a particular size and shape, a piece of metal that washed up on one of the many beaches, or a rare group of seashells and I would say to myself, I might need that.
I also collected fruit about to fall off the vine or branch. If I couldn't carry it all, I would store it there for the next jaunt in that direction. Perhaps all of this was unnecessary, since further up the beach from where I sat there were small caves that provided safety; and, while hoarding food was something I would admit to, food grew all around me in abundance. Things could be much worse. Yes, I was very lucky.
The only thing that interrupted my full acceptance of this blissful island, besides the constant isolation, was the nightmares. Maybe that is why I worked so hard during the day, preparing for a hardship that may never arrive. It was an unadmitted quest for exhaustion. I longed for a single night of restful sleep.
Here in this tropical paradise, the nightmares were my only enemy. They were persistent, disturbing, and never-ending.
**It's about to rain! Better head to the cave. Click Chapter 2 on the controller to continue the experience.**
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Sandboxed Novel - Virtual Trailer
TESTIMONIALS from READERS
Linda Henson - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Wonderful Read "This book is brilliant and captivating. As I read it there were many "AH HA!" moments as things came together and fell into place. I was astonished at how the author was able to draw me in and hold my attention. I haven't enjoyed reading this much in years. I couldn't put it down. I was able to get the kindle version and couldn't believe my luck that I got that much entertainment for such a small price. I WILL be reading all the other books by this author."
A Hoot - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Fantastic! "Lost between certainty and illusion, her life’s work pillaged and leveraged against her, finally, a thought- provoking captivating techno sci-fi narrative with a refreshingly new intriguing plot. I was held spellbound and fascinated at the turning of every page. Thank you, Yvonne DeBandi, for absconding me and depositing me into the realm of a synaptic optical sanctuary."
Terri Helton - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Wonderful!!! "Great read!! This book will make you say "I didn't see that coming!" You wont be able to put it down!!"
Watcher64 - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Captivating "... if you think you have it figured out, just keep reading ...."
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SANDBOXED: Paradise or Prison
a Novel by Yvonne DeBandi
A Virtual Novel Experience
INSTRUCTIONS
Use the HUD buttons on the top right of your screen to change chapters. Each chapter provides a virtual immersion, audio reading and text reading. Explore to find the chapter number for the full experience.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
SANDBOXED PARADISE... or PRISON
Naked. Face down in the sand. Stranded on an island paradise. That was my first memory. I was completely alone… or was I?
Join a cast of characters that keep you guessing about the life of our mysterious Jane Doe: a handsome neurologist in over his head, a software engineer that can’t let go of the past, a greedy corporate president that will do whatever it takes to win, a conniving shrew that plays people like a game of chess, a pithy computer programmer not afraid to break the rules, a man in love that gets his hands dirty, and many other surprising character twists we won’t spoil for you.
What do readers say the most about SANDBOXED?
“Woah, I did not see that coming!”
LEARN MORE - GET PAPERBACK or KINDLE
Learn More or Purchase the entire thriller/mystery/suspense novel here: YvonneDeBandi.com
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I counted the water drops falling from the tiny cave entrance, surpassing the numbers that usually led me to slumber. I preferred to sleep outside, but tonight it smelled like rain. Truth is, I was restless. Every noise seemed magnified and the conversations in my head were louder than normal.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
I closed my eyes and continued counting, ignoring the voice that had grown louder over the last many days. I was alone, utterly and completely alone. Is this all there would ever be? Me, trudging across the island searching for treasures and exhaustion?
Drip. Drip. Drip.
The storm had arrived and as moisture grew on the cave walls, a tiny stream of droplets collected over my head. As they spilled upon my face it was refreshing; but, the moment of cool sensation faded. It was replaced by panic when I realized that I couldn’t move away. I felt nothing, nothing but the moisture falling across my forehead and the fear growing within me.
The light from the moon disappeared like the howling wind had carried it away. Engulfed by absolute darkness, I felt the cave walls closing in, surrounding me like a coffin. I pleaded with my limbs to push at the solid surfaces, to make an escape, but they wouldn’t respond. A mind-numbing pain then seared through every cell of my lifeless body, eliciting a blood-curdling scream as knives I couldn’t see stabbed me from the inside out.
Suddenly, a blinding white light appeared. Dazed and confused I saw silhouetted movement, figures circling around me. I frantically searched for something familiar, something to focus upon as spiraled into the blackness of nothing. I fought to keep the light in sight, certain when the light faded, my life would also be extinguished.
It was only when exhaustion conquered my determination that a single figure stepped in front of the light, calming my heartbeat, providing a momentary feeling of safety. He towered over me, but gazed with the kindest eyes I could ever imagine. While the seconds that passed were literally the amount required to draw breath only once, he saved me. With one look he provided hope. I would find the strength to survive.
He reached out with comforting intent; but suddenly, and without warning, another being interrupted his actions. Pushed back into the blinding light beyond my vision, my would-be savior was gone. In his place, I found black eyes filled with hatred that glared.
The frightening stare ended with a slap of fury, a brute force that pushed me off the rock ledge that imprisoned me. Falling onto the cavern floor, I hit my head on a sharp rock that should have knocked me out; but instead, startled me awake.
And so, with blood dripping down my face, the nightmare ended and another day began.
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Sandboxed Novel - Virtual Trailer
TESTIMONIALS from READERS
Linda Henson - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Wonderful Read "This book is brilliant and captivating. As I read it there were many "AH HA!" moments as things came together and fell into place. I was astonished at how the author was able to draw me in and hold my attention. I haven't enjoyed reading this much in years. I couldn't put it down. I was able to get the kindle version and couldn't believe my luck that I got that much entertainment for such a small price. I WILL be reading all the other books by this author."
A Hoot - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Fantastic! "Lost between certainty and illusion, her life’s work pillaged and leveraged against her, finally, a thought- provoking captivating techno sci-fi narrative with a refreshingly new intriguing plot. I was held spellbound and fascinated at the turning of every page. Thank you, Yvonne DeBandi, for absconding me and depositing me into the realm of a synaptic optical sanctuary."
Terri Helton - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Wonderful!!! "Great read!! This book will make you say "I didn't see that coming!" You wont be able to put it down!!"
Watcher64 - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Captivating "... if you think you have it figured out, just keep reading ...."
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Sandboxed Novel - Virtual Trailer
TESTIMONIALS from READERS
Linda Henson - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Wonderful Read "This book is brilliant and captivating. As I read it there were many "AH HA!" moments as things came together and fell into place. I was astonished at how the author was able to draw me in and hold my attention. I haven't enjoyed reading this much in years. I couldn't put it down. I was able to get the kindle version and couldn't believe my luck that I got that much entertainment for such a small price. I WILL be reading all the other books by this author."
A Hoot - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Fantastic! "Lost between certainty and illusion, her life’s work pillaged and leveraged against her, finally, a thought- provoking captivating techno sci-fi narrative with a refreshingly new intriguing plot. I was held spellbound and fascinated at the turning of every page. Thank you, Yvonne DeBandi, for absconding me and depositing me into the realm of a synaptic optical sanctuary."
Terri Helton - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Wonderful!!! "Great read!! This book will make you say "I didn't see that coming!" You wont be able to put it down!!"
Watcher64 - 5.0 out of 5 stars - Captivating "... if you think you have it figured out, just keep reading ...."
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After tending my wound, I relaxed on the beach. My feet floated in the water while head and shoulders remained rooted in the sand. It was time to take a day off.
What does it matter? Today? Tomorrow? What does it matter?
Despite my nonchalant sarcasm, I couldn't help but recognize the nightmares were getting worse. It was also becoming more difficult to ignore my growing boredom.
I am missing something.
That thought spun my mind into a merry-go-round of ideas. Not knowing how I had spent my time before, what was there to miss?
The head throbbing was relentless. As I reached to press the swollen area, eyes rested upon the inner side of my left wrist. It was the only clue, and yet it meant nothing to me. Tattooed there was JD291183.
What does that mean?
On many a day I asked myself that question. Only one fantasy persisted: It was a prison tattoo. I had done something so awful I blocked all personal memories and given myself amnesia. Maybe I was still a prisoner and this island was more than a lost paradise. Either way, it felt like a prison.
As the sun moved across the sky, thoughts spun out of control. It was the slowest day I remembered and yet it was almost done. The fish would soon begin their dance. I would have to face yet another night of terror; dreams that repeatedly raped my soul and now threatened me with physical harm.
Ouch! What the --?
Something unrelenting was brushing against my body, keeping in time with the slow, mesmerizing wash of the tide. Many small things had washed up on the island beaches, but never something like this fully intact wooden crate.
In truth, I didn't care what was inside the floating box. It was different, a distraction from the current normal. I pulled the crate onto the sand and quickly gathered my hand-crafted tools. Fifteen minutes later I was still struggling with the unrelenting slats.
Dammit! The harder it was to open, the more I wanted to see inside. As a last resort, I decided to roll it over. Perhaps I would have more success with the soaked bottom. To my great surprise, stenciled on the wet wood and standing out like a bright shining beacon was ‘JD291183,’ the exact sequence burned into my wrist. Intrigue grew into overwhelming adrenaline as I pounded my sharp stone into a crack and pried off the first board.
Did these items belong to me?
Drenched in sweat, I threw the broken board to the ground and attacked the crate like a starving person fighting a coconut. I finally pulled out the first treasure as the sun began to fall in the sky.
I had no memories of opening gifts; but, the idea of unwrapping this item concealed in cloth and held together by a bow, filled me with the same glee I must have experienced as a child. Relishing the moment, I sat down with my first present and slowly pulled the faded string. I peeked under the layers of fabric to find a dirty hand mirror with a crack running jaggedly across the center.
Surprised, I let it sit in my lap for many moments. This was certainly unnerving. Except for my blurred, watery reflection, this would be the first time seeing my face.
Will seeing my reflection bring back any memories? And if it does, do I really want to know?
Finding the courage and the gumption just as the fish started to dance in the bay, I wrapped my fingers around the handle and gazed upon myself. The eyes that stared back at me belonged to a complete stranger. No matter which angle I chose, there was not an ounce of recognition. Just some woman with blue eyes and a heart-shaped face framed by long black hair, curly tendrils blowing freely in the breeze. Tucking the hair behind small ears exposed one was slightly higher than the other. Full lips and rosy cheeks accented dark skin, evidence of many days in the sun. All of it was topped off by a huge knot and colorful bruise on the tall forehead.
What do you think? Late twenties? Early thirties?
I stared at myself for a long time and got no additional answers, but as I moved to put the mirror down and continue my rummage, something odd happened. For just an instant, my mirror image distorted as years and color faded away; and, even more startling… the reflection blinked when I didn’t.