02 : Alice

The sun completely faded. The night comes. Without clouds in the sky, the million of stars can be seen. It's beautiful and fascinating how the starlight keeps the earth illuminated.

"We're here." Alin stopped the bike.

The place is surrounded by a fence wrapped by wires. It was one block building, and near the gate, there's a small camp with limited electricity. Just by looking, anyone can tell that it was just a temporary shelter.

The girl gets off from the Alin's bike. She looked around. It seems there's less than one hundred people live here, that was her prediction.

The fence height's the same as Alin's height. It must be for protection from the Outsiders but looks useless. Even C rank can breakthrough by force. Cameras are installed around the fence. Two big guys that act as guard appreached Alin. They use a black jacket with a lot pockets.

"Alin, you're back already? And who's that girl? I am sure you should've known our situation right now!" said one of the guys. He's a bald brown man with big muscle. He brings a big gun.

An expedition team usually take one or two days when exploring the area. Alin's group just left this morning.

"Ugh … we make a contact with S-rank Outsiders, so everyone separated. When I am hiding … they left me!" Alin eyes become bigger with a dissatisfied face. "And for the girl. It's kinda hard to explain, but I found her when I am exploring the place. Ooh, and … there's this underground secret lab that has been abandoned."

"Uuh, okay …"

"I know it's hard to believe, but I am not lying. Well, actually … whatever. I will report it myself. Can I pass?"

"Alin, you know the rule, right?" replied the other guy. His eyes sharp with a serious expression. Shorter than the bald man, but looks smarter. He brings the same gun.

It's a deep silence. The place to stay is very big. Everyone usually used the building around them to sleep. There's no problem for the girl to stay there, except for the food. It's not just about the rules, but also everyone who live there.

Alin glanced over the girl, then his eyes returned to the guards.

"I will ask White. If she doesn't agree, then I will share my food with her."

"It's still not good either Alin! We can't just let you do that. You're part of the expedition team. You should already know how hard it's for even for us."

"You guys are annoying. Just let me pass and I will ask it myself!"

"That's too bad boy." The girl closed her eyes, then turn back. "Seems no one welcome me here."

The girl slowly walked away. Alin looked at the girl, the guard, and then back to the girl again. He confused.

"Wai-!" his words stopped. "Huh?"

The girl also stopped walking, but not because Alin. She felt another presence coming from behind the guards. A strong aura that can't be ignored. She turned away to look who is it.

"Alin, you surprised me by brought a beautiful girl like her here!"

"White?" spoke Alin surprised.

Long silver hair reached her back. She wore a black jacket with a white shirt inside. Her tiny smile made her looks friendly, except both eyes are sharp that's kinda hard to guess when she's joking or no.

"I will take it from here. You two can leave," said White to the guards.

Both of them seem unsure, but if it's an order, then that's it. So, they two left without complain.

"You are …"

"A face that I will never forget. You look very messy. What are you doing here?" asked White

Alin listened. They both seem to know each other, but not like friends.

"White, do you know her?"

Alin showed his curiosity. The girl never said anything about herself. He tought, she has amnesia. So, if there's someone who know her, it would make things easy.

"Yes, we've met before. I don't remember when tho."

"Then, you shold know her name."

"You don't know? Well, her name is Neil. She's part of OFD in Indonesia. And, not just an ordinary agent."

Neil, the girl who seals her lips standing still. She never likes that name. More importantly, White said something weird. She doesn't remember when they meet each other. For how long has she slept?

"You look gloomy? Why is that? And, I've got an information about you being lost for several years." White folded her hands on her chest. "Did they lock and hide you? Or, you're tired and running away?"

"I am not like you."

White ignored Neil answer and turn to Alin.

"Alin, where did you find her?"

"Uhm … I found an underground lab when I got separated from the others. I know it's hard to believe, but she was inside a big capsule filled with water. Ooh, and that place seems to have electricity too. We better check it tomorrow!"

"A hidden lab, huh? Yup, that's kinda hard to believe. But, the fact she's here I guess, you're not lying."

"Oh, never expected you to believe me that easy!" Alin showed his doubt. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. We saw an S-Rank Outsider too. It's lucky, we're still alive."

"S rank? I don't remember for that one."

"I think the code name is Electro Deer. The one with a horse body and deer head. It has huge antlers too."

As expected, White reminds herself. She shrugged. "Electro Deer is an A-Rank Outsider, Alin. Well, if you're with Neil, there's no need to worry. Anyway, it's enough. Go back and rest early. Tomorrow we will go hunt. You will be our guide tomorrow."

"How about Neil?"

White and Neil seem to know each other well from his perspective. Also, both of them seems have a complicated relationship. Just want to make sure White not gonna abandon Neil.

"Alin!"

Alin sighed. He drives the bike passing the fence, leave Neil and White alone.

"You slept, huh?"

It's impossible for a normal human to do that. From Neil perspective, it's like she comes to the future. A lot of happened. A lot has changed.

"What year it is now?"

"2030."

That simple answer made her mind clear that she is already awake. She's been unconcious for more than seven years.

"What will you do now, Neil?"

"Stop calling me Neil! I am not her." She turned her head.

White saw Neil's red blood eyes. It's her identity that she's not a normal human.

"I see. You're her other side." White disappointed. "Then, I have more reason to know what will you do."

It was silence until White come with more questions.

"Let's change the question. Where's Neil?"

"I don't know!"

White expression didn't change, but it's very obvious she's shocked. They both always together, they both share the same body. If the other side is here, then Neil should be here too.

"Without Neil… you're just an outsider. No one is watching you and that's the reason you're dangerous."

"For someone who don't know about me, you talk too much."

"That's true." White paused. "Anyway, follow me. Leaving you alone is a bad idea. I feel bad letting you walking around using something like that."

White turned around. She walked for a moment, but then stopped.

"What do you want from me?"

"You share the same brain with her, so of course you're smart too. Just a little help. I am sure you will like it."

"Electro Deer isn't it? Why? As long you didn't disturb it, it will not berserk."

"I just don't want to take the risk for this one. Every day, people die. Outsiders keeps appearing around here. I am not trying to be strong here, so if I can get any help, I will appreciate it. Especially, from someone like you."

Something similar happened. It was an S-Rank. When they try to kill it, someone will die. Also someone will die too, if they do nothing.

"Just this once."

If she's Neil, that must be her answer.

"Isn't Neil the one who usually decide anything?"

White's not wrong. Neil other side rarely appeared. Even if she appeared, it was the time when Neil's on the edge of death. Neil's the one who thinks, and the other side is the support. That's why both of them are perfect.

"From now on, call me Alice!"