Wouldn’t Hurt To See

June was seated inside a luxurious Transporter, available only to the very esteemed classes of society.

Unlike cars, Transporters were powered from pure Essence rather than fuel, with an unlimited supply of it.

June didn't know exactly how that was possible, but it was the least of his concerns.

Winston was driving, and June was seated just beside him, leaning to the side and staring out the window.

Due to New Year's, people were out strolling and celebrating with their friends or family. 

It was like a festival outside.

Children were running around on the sidewalk, laughing and having a good time under the pleasing snow. Distant fireworks could be seen shining in the darkness of the starry sky, with more whistling before erupting soon after, creating a romantic scene for the couples who walked with their arms linked together. 

Several open boutiques and food stands were inviting civilians that roamed the streets, the smoke of fresh food reaching their nostrils, permeating the air.

All while the lights of the shops illuminated the city, creating a festive kind of environment for those roaming about.

It was just oddly weird how life operated.

Everyone lived within one realm, on the same Earth. Yet, everywhere, there was a different world being lived.

Clearing his throat, June peered away from the bustling streets and took a look ahead.

The traffic wasn't anything crazy; it was more so the pedestrians that Winston had to look out for. Occasionally, a careless kid would run out into the middle of the street as if it was a part of his playground, not realizing that there was a Transporter trying to drive past.

Anyway… it has been about ten or so minutes since they left the Carecenter, and in that short time, June learned a few things about Winston.

Firstly, the man worked directly under a branch of Government.

Of course, he couldn't disclose to June the inner workings of such a branch, but he explained that he was the overseer of Breaching incidents.

He was the main man that reported any incident concerning the breaches that would commonly appear within the Mortal Realm, creating chaos and destruction in its wake.

He also made it clear that June's situation was a rare occurrence he had only encountered a few times.

And by a few, he meant only once before.

In fact, June was the second human to awaken from a Breach. 

The first was a girl by the name of Ava. She was sort of a myth now, though.

Winston went on to explain that Breaches appear because the energies from the Mortal Realm collide with the energies of the Ark, creating a ripple which tears through the fabric of both realities. 

This typically results in either creatures from within the Ark escaping, destroying the nearby surroundings and spreading energies through the space, or sucking people in, killing them right then and there.

Of course, June already knew that last part.

He also knew who was responsible for the Breach itself.

Anyway, Winston was a renowned figure. He was quite famous, in fact.

He didn't flaunt at June, flexing his fame and glory, of course. He was a very calm and humble guy.

June hadn't known Winston for long, but he could tell the man was both dignified and respectful. Honestly, he made June rethink his view on the people that served the Government and Districts.

In any case, Winston made it clear to June that he was in good hands.

He also had gone out of his way to keep the information regarding his awakening a secret, at least from the media and any outside third party.

"June, I'm sure you've been through a lot. Given your age and background as well as the rare situation itself, I thought I'd wait it out…"

Winston spoke, keeping his eyes on the road as he continued:

"… But how did you manage to awaken under such freakish circumstances?"

June could tell Winston was genuinely curious.

Obviously, he couldn't tell Winston the real events that had transpired, or the existence of Dusk and the Heritage either.

So, he made something up, saying:

"It just happened so fast. One second I was in the orphanage, the next in the Ark. After that, I heard a voice give me a task saying: find an escape. Luckily, and through a miracle, I did."

June finished, sighing as he pretended as if the weight of his ordeals still clung to him.

Which they did, at least the true memories.

He could never really forget what happened… ever. The Heritage was a reminder of that.

Winston thought of what June said for a bit before eventually replying:

"The voice… it's called the Entity, actually."

June already knew that, he had heard it from Dusk after all. But he feigned ignorance to act like a clueless little boy who had miraculously escaped the wretches of the Ark.

"Your situation seems less complicated than Ava's… you see, she described it as a true nightmare. And yet, she still went on to challenge the Ark once more due to the responsibilities and expectations that were required of her."

He spoke of Ava as if she was some kind of tragic hero. Earlier on, he mentioned her and said she had been lost within the Ark, never to be heard of again.

In fact, over the last six years, there were a lot of other Challengers and Ascenders who had gone missing.

Likely dead, to be honest.

There was no such thing as missing in the Ark. If one didn't return after a year… well, then they were pronounced dead.

Six years was far too long for someone to still be alive within that godforsaken world.

"Looks like we're here…"

Suddenly, June's ears perked up as he took a look out the window.

They were slowly parking next to the curb, with his side facing the house.

In front of him, a fairly large built house stood tall.

Bright decorative lights were hanging perfectly on the frame, illuminating the wet greenery that had sprinkles of snow lying on its surface. The inside was also visible through two windows on each side of the main door, but no one was present.

The neighborhood itself was packed with kids running around and enjoying time under the snow. Giggling and yelling as they chased each other.

June couldn't help but gulp as he prepared himself. A heavy feeling overtook his heart, making it hard for him to think straight.

He had been abandoned when he was exactly twelve… he was sixteen now.

Four years had passed since he last saw his parents.

What he saw next, though, made his heart ache.

He was a fool to think it wouldn't hurt to see.