Magical Particles

Episode 2: Life

2. Live

“Normal is subjective. There are seven billion versions of Normal in this planet!”-Matt Haig

“ALICE!”

Alvian opened his eyes and immediately woke up sitting from his sleep. His breath roared quickly as if chased by monsters. He wiped the sweat that flooded his temple. His head felt dizzy as he realized that he was in bed.

Eh? The dreams?

The man looked around and found that there was no one in his room. Then he threw himself back. His body temperature increased when he remembered that he had a fever. He deserved to have a very bad dream.

Alvian also glanced at the calendar on the room table. Winter, December 1, 2043. It has not been two years since he escaped from VI.

Alvian stared blankly at the ceiling of the room. Suddenly their brains were reworked, recalling the suffering they had suffered for so many years in region VI. How the people shouted at them, swore and told them to die.

“Basic cursed child! Because you guys are ... all because you are―!”

“*Death is a prompt reply for you!”

"WHO DO YOU THINK THIS INCIDENT IS BECAUSE OF!? DIA*—"

Oh, dearGod. Alvian's so sick of it. Why did he have to be affected until now?

Alvian groaned and tightly closed both ears. Until the sound of knocking on the door resuscitated him.

“Vian? I'm in, huh?” a girl's voice sounded from behind the door. That's Alice, her twin sister.

Alvian got up when the door opened slowly. Alice came with a bowl of hot porridge in hand and let out a warm smile. Alvian returned the smile.

“How are you doing? Still feeling dizzy?” alice asked quietly as she put the bowl on the table. Then he moved to sit on the bed.

“It seems to have been quieter than last night,” replied Alvian while touching his forehead which still feels hot. Then he smiled. “Thank you, Alice.”

“Not a problem. Besides, I was wondering, why do you get sick in early winter, anyway? Though your power is indirectly related,” grumbled Alice.

“Haha, I don't know. I'm just confused, Lice,” Alvian sniffed his shoulder resignedly.

This is the second time Alvian has had a fever in early winter since he was in region VII. I don't know what caused it that way and the fever will lead him back to the past that he always wanted to forget.

“You must have run out of nightmares again, huh?” ask Alice slowly. Catching Alvian's surprised look, the girl gave a small smile. “Your face is easy to guess. I also have a hunch.”

“I dream we are running from region VI again,” muttered Alvian slowly. Unknowingly, he began to tell how his dream happened and when attacked by four wolf monsters to culminate in something terrible. “In the end, I dreamt I couldn't save you. Until finally, I lost control.”

“It was just a dream, Vian. After all the ends don't end that way, right?” Alice looked at Alvian meaningfully. The girl smiled slightly as her twin sister gulped. “You know best that night, Vian.”

Momentary pause. Memories of two years ago reappear. They were running at the time. But don't keep running like in Alvian's dream. In fact, they accidentally met with an inter-regional delivery boy and were offered a ride. Unfortunately, on the way, they were attacked by a pack of wolves. Not only four, but ten and all of them were infected with the virus.

It was clear who was targeted at that time‒ was none other than Alvian and Alice. Instead of wanting to run away with the deliveryman, they were both pushed out and left alone. Until finally, fighting became the last road right then and there.

“You watched it yourself, Alvian. Ending from that night and your dreams are different,” Alice smiled bitterly.

True, Alvian still remembers clearly. Although he is dying, but in the end the lost control is not Alvian‒ but Alice. The girl's emotions were uncontrollable. In one second, his most beloved figure turned into the most terrifying murder weapon.

“Alice .. sorry―”

Yes, Alice is right. This is no longer a region VI that is full of pressure, condemnation, and suffering. The people who kept him locked up thought they were both dead. There should be nothing more to fear, other than a herd of monsters that can act at any time.

Alvian finally took the bowl of porridge. Although it tastes bitter on the tongue and sore throat when swallowing, he still eats it until it runs out. While his mind kept trying to think positively on what he had experienced during his stay here.

“But this region seems to be the most vulnerable anyway with monsters,” said Alice suddenly. In response to Alvian's confused look, he continued, “Last-lately there's a monster that's appeared by itself. He said the evolution of animals infected with the virus.”

“Hah? Since when?”

“A few weeks ago. But the news is still trending until now. How strange. Though all animals that enter here are in accordance with health protocol.”

“Hmm, it doesn't seem like a coincidence,” Alvian said as he placed an empty bowl on the table. He looked at Alice who was showing the news on the hologram screen of the smartwatch. “Or is there someone who intentionally?”

“Entahlah. It could also be because the technology is less sophisticated. You know this region whose castles are the lowest among all regions?”

Is correct. Region VII is the lowest caste among the seven regions. The population is mostly among the lower middle to lower middle economies. Even a fool can live quietly here.

But that's why Alvian feels safer living in this region. In addition to its inhabitants who were mostly former slaves and ordinary farmers, on average they had a similar fate to leave behind wounds in the past.

“It's okay. As long as it's just an ordinary monster we can handle it with our own hands, right?” ask Alvian sure. He clenched his hands and a strong feeling slit into his chest. Alvian always felt confident in the power he had.

“Iya .. possible.” Alice nodded slowly and turned her eyes. Unlike Alvian, Alice did not have great courage. Although their powers seemed to be related, but Alice knew that the reality was not like that. The power of water and ice; it was not as easy as he had always thought.

“Lice, auh―”

Just now Alvian wanted to say back, a sense of dizziness came back to him. She held her forehead and moaned until Alice helped her to lie down again.

“Rest. I'm gonna go out for a while and go to work at the bakery. Aunt Jeny has changed my shift,” said Alice as she wrapped Alvian back in limp.

The deg!

At once, Alvian felt that something bad was about to happen. He grabbed Alice's wrist before the girl stood up.

“Holiday aja.”

“Hah? You're crazy, aren't you?" cananda Alice's.

"Today I can, right?"

"No. Don't spoil my dong ka-kak,” said Alice with great emphasis on the last word. He was about to get sucked up, but was stopped when he saw Alvian's serious face.

“It looks like there will be a storm,” said Alvian slowly. He turned his gaze out the window and gulped. “My gut is bad.”

"Vian, I know we did get the nickname cursed boy a long time ago. But that doesn't mean we're really wreaking havoc" Alice murmured softly.

"That's not what I mean, Alice," Alvian looked at him sharply. He rubbed his dizzy forehead back. "Calling those words is not a funny joke."

“Iya, yes. I will be careful,” Alice said at the end. He took a deep breath and stepped foot into the door. But his steps came to a halt when his hand reached the doorknob. “I also have no intention of using this power, really. You take it easy.”

Alice disappeared from Alvian's sight. Meanwhile, Alvian again looked out the window from his bed. He sighed and closed his eyes to dispel that feeling.

Well, after all, a hunch is just a hunch. I don't know what will happen to her twin sister.