"Well, that we share a class is good. That means we can study better. They'll have to like that. We're sharing extracurricular activities. We're so compatible. Oh, we'll just knock them over with so many good reasons we should be roommates." Bala took out a pad and paper and listed items as each girl mentioned them.

Of course, the school would likely want the two girls to room together. But for a much more sinister reason. Since neither one remembered, nor would remember, that she had been attacked by the island's less friendly denizens, the administration would likely prefer that the two room with each other rather than someone else. For all we know, they want these two innocents together.

But neither Bala nor Ishtar worried about such sinister things. They were both too occupied with the joy of hanging out together. The island might be a terrible place. But both girls were happy for the moment.

Sounds good to me. I think we have a pretty good chance of making this work. It seems to me we have a lot in common and a lot of reasons to be roommates. I see you like to take alot notes, that is funny because I like to do the same.

Ishtar smiled as she enjoyed the moment. She didn't realize why the island was so dangerous, and why she was selected to the be on the island. But for now at least, thing were going well and Ishtar couldn't be happier.

"Yes. I noticed your note-taking earlier. For me, it helps to organize things when I see them on paper. I suppose you do it for the same reason" Bala smiled at her friend, not realising that she had broached a touchy subject. The pair had put together an excellent presentation to convince the administration that they should share a room. Bala was certain they would be roommates in only a couple of days.

Ishtar looked down as Bala mentioned the note taken. Ishtar signed a bit, as she thought it about in her head. After a moment of silence, Ishtar decided that her new roommate is going to find out eventually anyways, so Ishtar should tell her now. About that. I take notes for a completely different reason. It so I can remember things that happened earlier in the day. I can't really remember things on my own unless I repeat them alot or I am very familiar with them. The doctors say it is anterograde amnesia.

"I'm so terribly sorry, Ishtar." Bala reaches out and holds Ishtar's hand to console her. "That must be hard. I can't say I know how you feel. But I think I have a taste of what you go through." She stands to look her new friend in the eyes.

"I have what I guess you can call panic attacks. Sometimes they get really bad. So bad that I have a medication to calm me down. One of the side effects of that medication is anterograde amnesia. My doctor thinks that it's a good side effect because if I remember what caused the attack, I often have another one. I keep a pad and paper by the bed and I count how many pills I have when I go to bed. That tells me how many I've taken during the day." Bala gave Ishtar a smile. "Being here is actually helping me because I haven't taken them as often as I did back home. Maybe that's because there aren't as many of those stimuli here."

Bala looked at Ishtar then hugged her. She was partly consoling the girl and partly consoling herself. She finished her explanation with, "I have gaps in what I remember. I know that every gap is when something bad happened. I don't even try to remember because I know that will just cause another attack and, ultimately, another gap in my memory."

Ishtar could feel Bala's hand reach out to console here. It was a nice gesture from her soon to be roommate. Then Bala reveiled her dark secret.

She too had anterograde amnesia. However, hers were due to side effects from medication. Medication for panic attacks, panic attacks for something that was really bad. The pills not only help through whatever it was, but helps her forget completely about it. At least being at campus seems to help a little.

Ishtar embraced Bala's hug, I'm sorry to her that. If it will help at least one person you know who at least understands what you are going through. And at the very least, I can take comfort in that.

Bala squeezes Ishatar even tighter. She never thought coming to this island would bring such good fortune. Bala loosens her hold on her friend, sniffs and wipes a tear, and says with a smile, "we're amnesia sisters. Coming to Shokushu has helped me. Maybe it will help you too. It would be for a different reason. But maybe this island has a healing power."

She hugs Ishtar tightly again. Bala chuckles and says, "I never expected to find such a good friend so far away from home."

Neither did I. But I guess you find good friends where they would at least expect them. Ishtar smiled at her new friend. I hope it does heal me, but at least I have someone who knows what I am going through, and for that I am grateful to have met you, Bala. You are an amazing person.