Keep calm

The harsh ring of an alarm echoed in Zayn's ears, dragging him from the warm depths of sleep. He groaned, rolled over, and promptly hit snooze, succumbing to the allure of his comfy bed. After ignoring his alarm for the better part of an hour, Zayn decided it was high time to embrace the day. Lazily stretching his muscles, he ambled towards the bathroom to freshen up.

Once presentable, Zayn descended the stairs, his stomach rumbling in anticipation of breakfast. With a plate piled high with scrambled eggs and beans, he scanned the inn's dining room. His gaze landed on the innkeeper from the night before, an elderly man with a white beard, seated alone at a corner table. A thought crossed his mind – maybe this man could provide some useful information about the city or its current events. With this motive in mind, he found himself sauntering towards the innkeeper's table.

"Excuse me, sir," Zayn began, balancing his plate in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, "would you mind if I joined you for breakfast?"

The innkeeper looked up from his plate strangely and gave no reply

The innkeeper gave him a quizzical look but offered no response. The silence hung heavily between them, yet Zayn pressed on, settling into the vacant seat across from the innkeeper. They ate in near silence, the clinking of utensils against plates the only sound between them.

Just as they were nearing the end of their meals, the innkeeper began to speak, his voice soft but heavy. "I had son that was your age. He used to manage this inn together with me and I was going to pass it to him eventually."

The old man started speaking. Truthfully, Zayn only wanted to get some information out of the innkeeper about the city and the events that's been going on. Maybe ask if he knew of any disaster bringing androids or a green humanoid alien looking insect? Or perhaps ask if he heard of a world saviour named Mr. Satan? You know, do some productive investigating before heading out. Instead, Zayn was surprised by the sudden turn of events that's taking place and is currently leaving Zayn speechless.

"When you asked if you could to eat with me, I was reminded by him. He was always so cheerful, so hardworking and to us his parents he was the most dutiful and honouring son any parent could ask for." The old man spoke with reminiscence.

"I see. You have my condolences. I am sorry to hear of this, my heart goes out to you for your loss. If I may ask did an accident perhaps happen to him?" Zayn asked with a hidden motive. While listening to someone's reminiscence about the past maybe a waste of time, Zayn's curiosity was peaked as he started imagining all sort of scenarios for how the child of the innkeeper had died. It could even help him understand learn things about the city and hey the innkeeper seems to need someone to listen to him and get his burden out of his chest so why not.

"My son…no, that child is still alive." The innkeeper said with a tone filled to the brim with loneliness and sorrow.

"I see." Zayn said while slowly nodding. But in actuality:

'No I don't see anything! Why is he speaking like his son is dead?' Confusion washed over Zayn - the innkeeper's narrative had painted a picture of a beloved son lost, not one living.

Zayn didn't comment any further as he felt this conversation will lead him nowhere, but it would seem the innkeeper thinks differently.

"My son; though he is no longer apart of this world, he still lives on every day in my memories."

'Are you serious…' thought Zayn as he now feels like his patience is being tested.

"I have come to a decision." Zayn who was about to excuse himself paused his movement as he heard the innkeeper's determined voice. He spoke with a tone that would leave someone second guessing whether they're about to go on a war or make life or death decision.

"I will no longer be stuck in the past. I will put my son's memories behind me as I embrace his new self."

At this point Zayn knew that the old man in front of him is borderline crazy. Sighing, he decided to ask a final question and maybe try to talk to the old man into undergoing a therapeutic session with a psychologist, subtly of course.

"Sir, I am happy for you overcoming your troubles, but perhaps rather than hanging on the memories of the dead, we must instead move on and not leave them worrying about us in the afterlife. I'm certain that your son will be sad seeing you wallow in despair over his death, wouldn't he?"

The innkeeper gave Zayn a questioning look and spoke

"Why do you keep killing my son, boy!" The innkeeper loudly shouted.

A pen dropping silence ensued the dining hall

'Is he being serious? This is what you say after wasting my time with your nonsense!' Zayn thought as now feels awestruck by what he's hearing.

"Sir calm down plea-" Zayn was quickly cut off as he tried deescalating the situation.

"My son became a daughter! He no longer is my son but my daughter instead now. That is why I said I will embrace his new self and that 'HE' will only be alive in my memories now!"

"...."

Zayn sat in silence, dumbstruck by the twist in the tale. With no words to respond, he stood, leaving his unfinished breakfast behind. His thoughts were in chaos as he made his way to the exit, repeatedly reminding himself, 'Don't lose your cool, Zayn. He's just an old man.'

'Don't punch him. Calm down Zayn. Don't lose your cool, Zayn. He's just an old man!'

Zayn quickly exited the estate with hurried steps. Otherwise, a crime may have taken place right there and then.

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