A New Family

Back in Lydia's house's living room, Alex and Lydia knelt before Jeb and Linda. Jeb sat on the couch cross-armed, his face a mask of obscurity, while Linda's silent laughter filled the room with an unexplainable tension.

What in the world is happening? Alex thought, his mind struggling to make sense of the chaos. Just a few hours ago, they had set out on a simple district tour to help Alex get his bearings. But then, before they could even get anywhere beyond their front door, the community leaders had converged on them, each vying to recruit Alex with an enthusiasm that quickly spiralled into violence. The fight with Scarface had been brutal. Scarface's sneer, the crowd's shouts, and the adrenaline pumping through Alex's veins all replayed in his mind. But Alex had emerged victorious, bloodied but standing. Instead of backing off, the leaders became even more desperate to claim him.

Lydia, in a courageous attempt to protect Alex, had engaged in a heated confrontation with the leaders, steadfastly advocating for his stay with her family. Then, in a breathtaking display of her devotion, she kissed Alex, a kiss that sent shockwaves through the audience, and subsequently boldly declared that she would give herself to him. The implications were clear and needed no further explanation. Alex's heart raced as he realised Lydia was offering more than just protection—she was offering herself as a lifelong partner, and with that kiss, their world had been turned upside down, and their story had taken a dramatic, unexpected twist.

However, the reason they were kneeling in the living room before Jeb and Linda was still shrouded in mystery, though Alex had a sinking feeling he knew exactly why. Lydia, the family's cherished daughter, had just declared to everyone that she would give herself to him—a stranger they had taken in barely two days ago. If Alex were in their position, he'd also want a serious conversation with everyone involved. Unfortunately, he was the one under scrutiny, and the weight of their gaze was almost unbearable.

"Lydia…" Jeb began, trying to start the conversation, but Lydia quickly cut him off.

"I'm not taking back anything I said. I'm giving myself to Alex, and that's final."

"Urgh!" Jeb winced, a massive headache coming on, while Linda burst out laughing. "Oh, my dear girl! I didn't expect you to be so spontaneous. You've barely known Alex for days, and now suddenly, you're his wife!"

"A-ah, that's really what it means…" Alex mumbled, the word 'wife' erasing any remaining doubt about the implications of Lydia's statement.

"What else could it have meant?" Jeb groaned, holding his face in complete shock and frustration while Linda continued to chuckle.

Lydia turned to Alex, her eyes locking onto his with unwavering sincerity. "Alex, I know this is sudden, and I haven't asked your opinion, so I'll ask now. Will you take me as your wife?"

Alex swallowed hard, feeling the weight of everyone's expectations. The room fell silent, the air thick with anticipation. He could feel Jeb's piercing stare, Linda's amused curiosity, and Lydia's earnest hope all pressing down on him.

Before he could answer, Alex blurted out the question that had been gnawing at him. "L-Lydia, why are you willing to go so far for me?" He stared into Lydia's eyes, searching for any hint of an answer, hoping to sense a sincerity that would ease his anxiety. "We've only known each other for a short time…for maybe hours if we're specific. You…barely know who I am. I…barely know who I am," Alex reasoned cautiously, careful not to hurt her feelings or imply something he didn't mean.

Lydia stared back into Alex's eyes, her expression softening. She was silent for a while, turning away in thought. Then, with a serious tone, she answered, "I don't really know."

Turning back to Alex, she held his hands tightly, gazing into his eyes with earnestness. "But from the moment we met, I've felt connected to you in a way I can't explain. It's like I've known you forever." She placed a hand on his face, smiling serenely. "When Grandpa yelled at you, I felt the need to protect you. When you called me a fairy, I felt like I was so happy I could fly. When you woke up and cried, I felt the need, no, wanted to comfort you. When Aoi got close to you, I felt so jealous, to the point that I didn't know what to do with myself. When you were fighting Scarface, I was terrified you'd get hurt. I felt frustrated when I argued with Aoi and couldn't answer what I could give you compared to everyone else. But when I realised that giving myself to you was not only the best answer in that situation, I also realised that it was something I truly wanted from the core. Most importantly…it felt like the best way to show that I cared about you and wanted to be by your side." She stroked Alex's face, a small tear welling up in her eyes. "I don't fully understand it either, but right now, it…just feels like…I'd regret it if I didn't make it clear now."

Alex looked into Lydia's teary eyes, seeing the depth of her conviction and sincerity. The weight of her words settled over him, providing a strange sense of comfort amidst the confusion and anxiety. "Is it really…alright with you? Are you really okay with someone…like me?" he asked, feeling something like a crack in his chest, hoping with all his might that Lydia was speaking the truth. As he spoke, tears welled in his eyes.

Since waking in the lab with fragmented memories of his life, he could only remember the worst parts: the bullying, the loneliness, the desperation to know if someone cared for him. He couldn't recall if he ever had family who loved him or friends who cared. Since Sarah and James betrayed him, James shot him in the head, and he woke up in the grim dumpsite; he screamed in his soul for someone to give him hope that someone in this unfamiliar world would care for him. And now, this enchantingly beautiful and kind girl was proposing to be his wife without knowing his origins or the potential misery his past could bring.

Lydia's unwavering gaze held his, her eyes filled with determination and love. "Yes, Alex. It's alright with me. I want to care for you, and I want to be with you, no matter what anyone says."

Overwhelmed, Alex let his tears fall, feeling Lydia's warm embrace. Soon, he felt another pair of arms around them—Linda's. Alex and Lydia looked up to see Linda's teary, smiling face.

"It's alright," Linda said softly. "If Lydia's happy with this, I'm happy too. Welcome to the family, Alex. I've always wanted a son, and now I do." She turned to Jeb and added, "You too, Father, come on."

Jeb sat on the couch, his face still a mask of conflicting emotions. Lydia sensed his unease and spoke up, "Grandpa, I understand your reluctance, but I know what I'm saying. Alex can be—"

"Trusted. I know." Jeb completed her sentence. He looked at Alex, sighed deeply, and approached the family. He knelt and placed a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Alex, I know this is all very overwhelming, so I won't go into all the details of this arrangement now, but…" His serious façade broke into a big smile. "I trust that you will do your very best to take care of my granddaughter. You've shown that to me today. That's why…" Jeb held Alex's head in a grandfatherly manner. "Welcome to the family, Alex."

Unable to hold back his emotions any longer, Alex hugged everyone tightly, his tears flowing freely. Amidst his muffled crying and babbling, he thanked them repeatedly, "Thank you. Thank you so much. I love you guys so much."

Linda chuckled through her tears, holding him close. Lydia beamed with joy, and even Jeb's stern expression softened as he embraced Alex.

At that moment, Alex felt an overwhelming sense of belonging, a deep yearning he had longed for all this time and all his intact life, finally fulfilled. He knew that from this moment on, his new life in this new world had truly begun. With resolve in his heart, he vowed to do his very best—for himself, for Lydia, and for this new family.

…

Unbeknownst to Alex and his newfound family, a sinister presence lurked in the faraway shadows, its form obscured by darkness. In a decrepit room filled with the remnants of forgotten machinery and broken dreams, a figure cloaked in darkness sat upon a rusted, creaking chair. Their eyes gleamed with malice as they watched the emotional union unfold through a cracked monitor screen, every moment meticulously observed.

"Haha. Hahaha. Oh, Alex, you beautiful thing," the figure chuckled, a sinister echo resonating through the desolate chamber. "So capable of emotions and bonds. You're becoming more perfect than I ever intended you to be."

Rising from the chair, the figure approached the flickering screen, their touch sending shivers down Alex's digital image. Crimson eyes glowed with malevolence as a twisted grin contorted their scarred lips, revealing jagged teeth gleaming in the dim light.

"It would be a tragedy if someone in that family were to get hurt, wouldn't it, Alex? Heh heh. Heheh haha. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

The darkness began to weave around them, its tendrils creeping like silent harbingers of impending doom. The screens flickered erratically, their focus narrowing in on Alex and the family, capturing every detail in a vile dance of shadows and light…