Alone

I walk past the first chamber, then the second wondering with each step what has brought these souls to this point.

I am now at chamber 24. The doctor motions for me to step in. I am then given an injection of the amazing fluid which will make it possible for me to survive the freezing process. I feel the cold, it’s getting colder. I feel my consciousness slipping away. The doctor asks for my cross and tells me it will be waiting for me when I wake up. "My instructions are clear?" I ask. "They are Mister Goings" I am told. "You will not be disturbed until the cure for the disease is found.

"Thank you" I said. The chamber door is closed down onto me. The lights are growing dim, as I feel myself succumbing to the cold…slipping away…..

The years pass. One season passes into the next. Spring into summer. Summer into fall. On and on they go. Babies are born, grow up and raise families of their own and pass on. Time keeps marching on……..

"Mister Goings! Mister Goings"

I hear these words being shouted at me. It sounds as if someone is calling to me down a long dark tunnel. I feel warmth and I see light!

"This cannot be" I am thinking to myself. It feels as if I have just laid down in my cold tomb. I am tired and have so many questions. But for now I sleep….

I am now awake. I glance over at the table by my bedside. "My mothers cross!" I thought. "I am sure that this is a good sign!"

I am told that I have been out of the chamber for two weeks and that my progress is great. I will only need a few more days to completely be restored. I am in a Wonderful room. The bed is comfortable there are fresh flowers; the sun is streaming into the windows. It is a beautiful spring day!

The doctor comes into the room to talk to me." So Doctor, tell me how are things in the world?" I asked.

The doctor beckons me to sit, so I do.

"Well, Mister Goings" I have reviewed your chart. Do you know what day and year it is?" He asked. "No I do not. Why you don’t fill me in" I said with gleeful anticipation.

"Well sir it is June the 14th 2160" he replied

"WHAT!" I yelled. "Do you mean to tell me that I have been frozen for 150 years?"

"Yes" the doctor said. Then he went on. "In the year 2060 we had some major upgrades to our systems here." He continued.

"I am afraid that all of the information that we had on you had been lost up until one year ago.

"Well?" I asked "how is the world and, is everything alright? And why did you wait a year to wake me up?"

"The world" he said "Is a much more beautiful place than you remembered"

"Pollution as been eradicated, Disease and hunger are a thing of the past"

"So all disease is gone?" I asked with a look of disbelief.

"Yes, it is" was his reply. "But I have one other thing to tell you. We had no idea what brought you to our company in the first place until one year ago. After we read your files we were not quite sure what to do." He said with a very uncomfortable look.