10 Chapter 10

As I woke up, I somehow feel happy because I know it is Winter. I opened my eyes to see his half-naked body. My hand automatically pushed him. He whispered some curses. Then I realized I still wear my last night's clothes.

"I'm sorry," I said looking down

"Is that how you thank a man who saved you?" he shouted and walked away

Why is he so irritated? I don't get his mood. Is he mad because he didn't expect that Life's plan will be way earlier than expected? Is he how do I explain this? Oh! I remembered what Heat said. Is he jealous? I ran to our kitchen to see him making his coffee.

"Hey!" I said

He didn't answer. He's really mad.

"What do you want for breakfast? I'll cook!" I insisted

He left me. I have this stingy feeling in my chest and it is so painful. I want to know why. A knock brought me back to reality.

"Papa Bear!" I shouted and hugged him

It feels like I didn't saw him for years. He smiled and combed my hair by his hands. I somehow felt guilty that I called him Papa Bear the first time I saw him. You know, it is quite disturbing that what if the girl he'll fall in love with rejected him because of his name. I know this was just like an alias but...

"You've been forgetting about me," he said but smiled

"I'm sorry, this past few days I've been busy" I apologized

"Don't worry! I know... How's your life?" he asked

"Fine... Well, not today though" I replied

"Why?" he asked again

"I think I made Winter so mad. I want to do something for him, but my cooking for him is no good at all. He doesn't appreciate it at all" I sighed and Papa Bear laughed

"Winter is just afraid of trusting. With your progress right now, I believe whatever you did, he is just doing his best not to hurt you or himself" he replied

"Then what's this pain inside my chest? It somehow forcing me to cry, but no tears volunteered to fell" I said that made him laugh

"Too young, innocent child... Too young" he responded

Those words were kind of familiar. Where did I hear that? We have a few conversations and then he left. I went to the Fall area and there's Autumn.

"The heaven cried,

It screamed and died,

The soul is wrecked,

Grim gripping my neck."

he said

"A bird flew above the tree,

He thought it would make him free,

Just to sing and dance by the wind,

He's shot to death by an unknown enemy."

he added

"Why were your verses all about betrayal and pain?" I asked

"It's tearing me inside" he replied without looking

"Tell me, I am your beautiful little sister, right?" I teased to relieve the heaviness of the atmosphere

He gave me a weak smile. He opened his arms inviting me to hug him and I did. I felt something wet on my shoulder and I started comforting him. Is he crying? Why is it so silent? We stayed like that for almost a while until he calmed down and then he smiled again.

"What's wrong, Autumn?" I asked

"What if you trusted someone and then suddenly he betrayed you?" he asked me another question

"I will forgive him depending on his betrayal. My mother told me that people aren't that bad. She said, there's always a reason behind the nasty things they did" I replied

"What if it will cost your life?" he asked

"If my life can save a hundred or a thousand people, I will gladly offer it. Father said, if you do kindness among others, you will live happily" I smiled

"Then what if I tell you, I'm going to kill you now?" he asked

"I won't believe you. No killers will tell their prey that they are hunted" I responded

"What if I have a knife now?" he asked

"Haha, Autumn, why am I interrogated here? Of course, it is not true, if you have, you've lost the chance when you let go our hug" I answered

"You're smart but too naive," he said and smiled

"Autumn, tell me what's happening?" I told him

"You're not part of this so don't get involved anymore. You can stay here if you want. I love to be accompanied by my beautiful little sister" he said and invited me for a walk

"Autumn, why do people cheat their loved ones?" I asked him

"Because they love them" he answered

"When you love someone, you sacrifice. You might feel the pain, but as long as the other one is happy, you are willing to let go. Love made a person so foolish. It made them do things they thought out of love, then, later on, it is an obsession" he explained

"Did you ever feel the obsession?" I asked

"Obsession is not true love, Wind. I love and let go to avoid hurting her more" he said

"What? Rain might not be here but I believe she loves you so much" I said

"You know nothing at all," he replied

I know nothing? How come?

"Do you want to know Winter more?" he asked

"Yes!" I said excitedly

Maybe this information will help me to make peace with him.

"Winter is the reason why this world is in chaos," he said and then vanished

Where's Autumn? How did he fade away?

"Wind? What are you doing here? Everyone gathered on the assembly" Sunlight pointed out

"Why?" I asked

"You've been not attending our ceremonies and it made me worry too. Come, let's go. It's Winter's time right now" she said

What? Does she mean that it is Winter's birthday today and it is also my first year here? Why so fast? I didn't get it at all. These past few days I've been having broken memories and it's so disturbing.

"My cold Winter, tell me your wish" Master said

"Make Wind's time here slower" Winter replied

What did he mean by making my time slower?

Everyone looked at me. They were stunned. What is happening? I found Winter looking at me.

"What's happening?" I asked

They didn't answer and looked away. Does this mean that they do not want me to go home at all? My tears fell. Winter tried to go to my area, but a strong punch threw him.

"That's for being a coward" Heat said

"Then this one is more making her cry right now" he added and punched Winter

Winter laughed bitterly.

"Look who's talking. Trying to seduce my woman while his own is with another man" he said

"Don't look down on Sunlight!" Heat shouted

The Master just watched the twins and didn't bother stopping them. Leaf tried to stop them, but Autumn pulled him. Leaf's hand became brownish. Rain shouted and everyone was in shock. Leaf is withering.

"LEAF!" Life shouted and ran towards his wife

"No, no," he said

"Don't worry, it's far from my heart" Leaf smiled

Autumn stepped backward and was about to run away when Life punched him. Rain and Sunlight assisted in curing Leaf. What do I do? They are all fighting. The Master.

"Master! Please, stop them" I pleaded

"I can only grant one wish and Winter used it. I can not grant your wish, right now. Can I fulfill it next time?" he asked

"Don't be ridiculous! Your place is in mess right now" I shouted at him

"Oh? Not really" he responded and drank his tea

"STOP!" I shouted yet nobody heard.

How can I stop them? What do I do? How to stop them from hurting one another. I was suddenly moved by my subconscious mind when I saw Winter's situation. He's sweating while both hair and eyes of heat were burning red.

I pushed Heat away and looked after Winter. He's unconscious. My heart beats faster and I do not know what to do. I laid him in front of the Master.

"Tell me, what do I do?" I asked

"Nothing" he replied

"Winter will die!" I shouted and pulled his collar

"So what? He's just one of them. It's already lucky for him to have the privilege and stay here this long" he explained

"Will he also die in the real world?" I asked

"When you accepted the invitation, your whole life ceased to exist. That only means that he's dead a long time ago to your real-world where he never even existed" Master said and stood up

"I guess this can't be helped. I will bring guests if the two were dead. Such pity, they're both representatives" he said

"How many years did he added in my timeline?" I asked the Master

"You know how this world work, isn't it?" he responded and vanished

How this world work... Right, I have to have some fun. I need to love this place, but how? How can I enjoy living here? My tears fell and I just hugged Winter's cold body. Leaf withered by half and Life assisted her home. Papa bear carried Winter to our house and comforted me.

"Will he die?" I asked him

"Maybe yes," he said

"There's no assurance in maybe" I cried

"Because death happens unexpectedly" he replied

"I don't want him to die! I want to be with him and make him smile and laugh more than I ever counted" I whispered

"I believe the Master is strong enough to fight this time" he replied

"The Master? I swear in my life that if Winter dies, he'll die at the same time" I said

"Don't say such words. It is inappropriate for a lady to speak that way" he said

"How come he turned a blind eye on everything?" I asked

"Everything has a reason"

Papa Bear left me a few more arguments. I looked at the sleeping Winter.

"Please wake up soon. I am not mad... I just need some explanations" I whispered and didn't remember when I slept.

The next morning, the whole place is silent. Autumn locked himself and didn't eat. Rain and Sunlight stayed in the Spring area to help Leaf recuperate. Life never leaves Leaf's side but she's unconscious. Her regeneration is slower than usual, at least she's getting better. I didn't go to the Summer area because I do not know how to face Master Heat. I need to build my emotions and calm myself down.

I do not understand why am I mad with Master Heat when all he did was to care for me. I know he hit Winter because of his wish, but why can't I just get mad with Winter like before? I cooked food if ever Winter woke up, hopefully. I brought some for Autumn, too. I just entered their house and knocked in his door room.

"Hey" I greeted

"I'm sorry Wind, can you come back next time?" he asked

"I'm fine staying here for a while" I replied

"No one is there for Winter" he responded

"Papa Bear is there," I said

"Leaf is now better, she's regenerating" I added

"Thank you" he replied

"I brought some lunch, eat it while still hot," I said

"I'm full" he answered

"Then who will eat my food?" I asked

Autumn opened the door and I pushed the container near his hand. He didn't want to be seen. He looked in the small space between the door. He widely opens it and hugged me.

"I'm sorry! Can we stay like this for a while?" he asked

"Of course, you are my big brother after all," I said and hugged him back

"Now I know his feelings, I pity him even more. I had my reflections and what if I killed Leaf?" he whispered

"They're not dead. It's fine Autumn. I believe they will be fine, you must hope so too" I said

"You are now more mature than before. I should be the one comforting you right now" he laughed

"It's fine, I can still find this as you comforting me" I answered and hugged him tighter

I can't stop my tears anymore and so I let it fell. I think just today, let me break down, then I can stand again and fight for Winter. I know I can find a cure. I know.