9

Zecheng and Aubrey meet at the pond. The moon was shinning above them the skies are clear and the stars are twinkling. Zecheng was smiling seeing the approaching serious Aubrey. Zecheng was hiding the thing on his back with a hard clenched wishing 'May she like the gift '. As they were faced to each other the wind blew and Aubrey's hair carries and touching her checks. It made her look like a goddess saving a man.

Zecheng smiled and tried to confess something."Aubrey, I-" but it wasn't finished cause Aubrey stops him from saying it by inserting.

"Where is Simon? we have to live." She said that sounded like she cared for him that much. Zecheng froze and numb. He thinks to far that he only knows, he doesn't exist on her real world. He then clasp the bracelet made with unique roots found only on the hidden cage's village.

"What?" Aubrey ask after seeing the mysterious expression Zecheng made.

Zecheng shakes his head and slightly smile.

"Ahh... You have something to say and wants gave right?" Aubrey asked after remembering it. "What is it?"

"It's nothing, I just want to invite you to watched the night sky from these world."

Aubrey was about to look at the sky but they both heard ladies screaming and smoke's fragrance can be smelled. They both look at the smokes direction and found it was from the ladies cottage where Rushelle and Myrtle are staying. So instead they both head back and the Aubrey missed to witnessed the beautiful scenery of the night.

(Outside the cottage)

Myrtle seeing Aubrey and Zecheng arrived approached them with a message.

"Zecheng it's good that your here. Rushelle was inside. She said, we should live now cause we would be transformed into one of the minions here if we stay. She burn the cottage so everyone won't find out we live while they were in chaos."

"What about Rushelle?" Aubrey asked.

"She can't leave the village cause she is already bond into it." Zecheng explained.

Now Zecheng finally understand the reason why he feels something is off. Because the village they were in was the so called Reverse Sexuality. A village where they transform man into woman and woman to a man. These was a coursed village only can be passed by their generation. And today was the last day Rushelle would live like a woman cause on the next day they will be the new version of themselves. And as for the outsiders, they will be represented as a sacrifice for the transformation ritual.

"We have to live." Zecheng said and held Aubrey's hand out of the scene before others would see them. The three of them run towards the grassy place and after they cross the creek. All the way Aubrey was unwilling to runaway with them.

"Are we leaving Simon in there!" She madly said.

Then they stop from after they have cross the creek. Aubrey forcely let's go on Zecheng's grasp and look at him angrily.

"I have to protect you. Your safety first before the others don't worry I promise I'll go back and save him." Zecheng defends. He only wants Aubrey to stay away from the village so she could still live back home where she belongs. Aubrey calms down hearing what Zecheng promised. Zecheng take her hand made her wear the bracelet he made. "I promise I'll return. And promise me you'll stay safe and wait on the caves entrance." Zecheng seriously asked. Aubrey wonders why but from that moment she felt nervous more nervous that being around on the dangers thay faced.

Zecheng on the other hand who knows the ritual would begun cause the time has passed 12. He only has an hour to save the captive Simon. Although he knew he has nothing to do with Simon and Aubrey's peers in reality. He must save Simon too cause it might affect Aubrey's living in reality, and he has given a role as the savior in the eye of Author. Before living he hug Aubrey so tight and gave her a kiss. Then runs back to the village as he had promised.

Aubrey was shocked at everything that had just happened. Even Myrtle too who was the witness was broke witnessing it. Although it was just a short and moves fast, it felt long to all the three characters who were there. They then separate ways after the slow motioned moment.

On the way to the cave entrance where they come from Aubrey who was once worrying her best friend suddenly change her focus. What can you expect on the dream, even emotions can be easily replaced.

She kept on thinking was the kiss real. And it's her first kiss after all.

"Myrtle do you think these was a dream?" She asked. Myrtle's eyes widend. The she became defensive. "No! No! Of course not. These world is real." She said looking fishily. Then Aubrey smiled cause she can't expect Zecheng is that kind of romantic man. And it makes her heart melt.

Meanwhile, Myrtle saw the the little cave where the famous Forgotten pool. So Aubrey who has no idea on anything that would happen next doesn't bother asking why the direction seems unfamiliar. When they get inside the cave they already admire everything it has. Even the sparkling clear water could already trick you to forget your purpose on everything. Your only bond to adored and forced to take a bath with it. Aubrey wasn't that mesmerized on its uniqueness. Myrtle who seems hypnotize almost fall for her own trap on the pool. Luckily Aubrey manage to opened her sense from the surroundings by babbling too much.

"These pool is weird Myrtle. And the cave is not the cave we entered before. How did we get here?" Aubrey asked as he examines and look around.

"I don't know it's like our feet was being led in here." Myrtle lied. Then she added another lie by shouting "Look! Someone was on the pool save him!" And just like what she thought Aubrey really fall for it, she jumps there with no hesitation. Realizing Myrtle was lying she was mad at it. When she gets out of the water Myrtle evily laughs and speak.

"Now it's my chance to erase you in these existence. Aubrey please forget these memory." Then gave a scheming smile. She suddenly feels the water was flushing and sipping her under. She could lastly see the image of the leaving Myrtle on the pool. She then understand the hunch she felt and it was that moment. Then a memory of Zecheng flashed where he invited her to look at the moon, but she was unable to look at it cause a tragedy happened that lead them at that moment. Then she promised she would comeback alive and they would both look at the moon together. That's the only thing she wished and remembered after she closed her eyes and sink leaving a floating tear.