DAY: III

CHAPTER 2

4.

Another day has started and I'm quite anxious about this day. Something tells me that I should not expect that much. Obviously, my daily routine starts and frankly speaking, I'm quite used to some of this. Probably reading all of these over and over every single day kinda helps me to figure out the whole thought even just merely scanning the words.

Done with breakfast, cleansing teeth, taking a shower, and off I go! Repetitive it may seem but I would argue that my life has way more spice compared to those who entirely forgets. None really strives for something, everyone here just instinctively progresses without an actual goal. Not like me, I have goals. I'm pretty, smart, and with goals.

Just like the previous days, I always check the glowing blue thingy since that's the only massive clue that I've got. I tried assessing other species but no useful data was gained. Now it's time for me to wait once more.

I swear if this fails, it will be the last time that I'll try to awaken someone. This made me extremely anxious and it's not even worth it. I mean it could be easier to find more clues if there is someone you can rely on but you have to convince them first. Gaining their trust is comparably as hard as gaining evidence in this world!

After a few minutes, Xav showed up at the place. At first glance, he has this reaction when we usually meet everyday. The blank yet surprised type of face. That reaction itself kinda made me lose hope, he probably chose to forget, accidentally roam around here just like he used to.

I looked down, disappointed. I can hear him walk closer but I can't face him, I might cry if I do. To be fair, I gave him a choice, I just feel bad since I got my hopes up unintentionally. I should probably just leave.

As soon as I stood up, Xav said "It's amazing, the carved words are gone…" I quickly turned my attention to him and realized that he was not astonished to see me just like the previous times, he was indeed surprised by the reset of this world. Tears started to fall down in my face and I could not even control it.

"wait… wait.. why are you crying? Did I say something Wrong? I'll carve it again if that's what you want" Xav said in panic.

"NO, that's not it! I thought you chose to forget!" I replied while crying.

"Of course not, well to be honest I kinda want to but after assessing the surroundings, it feels wrong to live this way. As if we were just merely designed to live then die without leaving a single trace…" Xav explained.

I wiped my tears and slowly calmed down, "I appreciate your trust" I said.

"To be clear, I will only help you observe, if things go bad I'll stop you from harming yourself" Xav mentioned.

"I know, mr. Worrywart" I responded.

"I have a code name now? Wait, I'll think of one for you…" He said then paused for a while. "If I'm a Worrywart, then you are a curious cat! I feel like your curiosity is the one that will endanger us someday" Xav said.

"WW and CC? Sounds good to me" I replied while genuinely smiling.

As we settle all of the outburst emotions, mostly mine, we proceed to discuss everything that we know in order to catch up. We need to be on the same page first before making our next move.

It took us quite some time to figure out our current situation. I find it odd since it looks like Xav realized something while we are tackling the situation. His expression suggests "Oooh, so that's why…". I personally think that it is a bit unfair since I've been telling what I know, but he seems to not show all of his cards. He trusted me so maybe I should trust him for now.

I showed him the cave that I discovered, and told him to touch the glowing blue thingy. Of course he was hesitant at first, lots of excuses just to not touch it. Eventually he did what I said, probably one of the best decisions in his life, if he ever made one.

His eyes turned blue as well, it's frightening. That was the first time I realized that those who touched it would look like that. I guess the experience is entirely different from the one who is in the position compared to the spectator.

After a minute or so, he is back to normal. It's evident that Xav was mind blown by it.

"How was it?" I curiously asked.

Xav slowly turned his head towards me, then he said "It was…" He paused a bit as his eyebrows met "Godly…"

"Godly? What do you mean?" I questioned.

"The moment I touched it, I felt like I'm not me.. It was the first time I've felt such life force, like everything is connected to the source." He confusedly explained.

"Maybe we slightly have a slightly different interpretation of it, though it's understandable" I replied.

"I.. I.. I'm lost for words.. I want to explain it vividly but I just can't find terms to describe it" Xav argued as he stuttered.

I noticed something strange in his reactions. After he touched that source, he's been looking at me intensely. "Does something matter? Is there something on my face?" I cautiously asked.

"I am sorry, I did mean to stare at you. After touching that thing, looking at you kinda makes me feel… Nostalgic.." Xav said. "I'm sorry, just forget about it, maybe I'm just confused or shocked about all of these" he said as he took back his words.

"Want to take a break?" I worriedly asked, maybe I'm pushing him a bit too far.

"Sounds good, maybe a fresh air will help me process all of these" he quickly replied as he immediately walked out.

While we were sitting outside of the cave, I decided to ask him some questions in order to divert his attention. "Sooo, like what I've said, you've been roaming around here everyday, do you have an actual guess on why you are doing it?"

"When I woke up earlier, I saw this sketchbook on my desk. The scenery was just too good. I feel like there's emotions in each sketch. The first thing that goes to my head is to find those places. My guess is every time I have already found that place, I'll go home and draw something different which I probably saw along the way, then that scenario loops everyday." Xav explained.

"That's possible, I mean you always help me investigate around every time we meet," I replied.

"So you were the one who's dragging me to random places" Xav suddenly realized.

"Hehe…" guilty as charged. "But how do you know that it was your sketches?" I questioned.

"Maybe back then I didn't, but the last sketch was different. There's a note that I should go there, a vivid instruction for myself. Not to mention, drawing feels natural to me, it feels like I just know that I can" Xav answered.

"I guess you did exactly what you said on our deal" I mentioned.

"Plus there's Tanya the Goddess on the tree" he quickly added.

"YOU COULD HAVE JUST NOT MENTIONED IT!" I replied madly.

The discussion did not last that long, but at least I finally know why he keeps on appearing out of nowhere. After our short break, we once again entered the cave to thoroughly investigate the area. Aside from that glowing blue thingy, we did not get any more lead.

Xav and I plotted a more efficient plan this time. We decided to get our own notes, my diary and his sketchbook. Afterwards, we proceed to look into different caves. I admit, we kinda look cute as we both roam and gather data.

5.

Thanks to Xav's drawing skills, he drew our own map. He draws the places while I write down the details. He'll put a cross on each place that did not give any info. We kinda ended up crossing almost everything to be honest… Though on the positive side, we can narrow down the places, it's called the process of elimination!

After a tiring day of endless walking, Xav and I call it a day. It may not be that productive, but I would argue it adds a huge amount of progress.

The next morning, we picked up where we left yesterday. I guess we are fast in terms of navigating the area since I kinda reached every corner of this place. It's not that big if you'll ask me, though Xav probably has a different opinion, he looks like he is always catching his breath.

We already crossed out almost the entire map of this place and I find it odd. Other clues seem nowhere to be found, I guess roaming around would not give us any further leads, we need to change our approach.

"This is getting us nowhere" I suddenly complained.

"What do you mean? I thought you know where we are going?" Xav asked as he misinterpreted my point.

"I'm not referring to our destination, I mean our goal. There is no further clue that leads to our goal" I clarified.

"We managed to cross out the places north to south in 2 days. I also did not notice something that will help us" Xav mentioned.

"What if we changed our strategy?" I asked Xav.

"W… what are you planning?" He worriedly responded. By the tone of his voice, I think he already has a hunch that I'm upto something.

"If it's not about the place, what if we get something from the rules?" I stated with a scheming tone.

"No no no, I don't like where this is going" He immediately answered.

"Wait, listen, maybe we could get something if we broke some rules. It's not like someone will remember if we ever did" I convincingly argued.

"Tanya, rules are meant to be observed. They are created to give us order and probably peace. It's too risky!" Xav defensively replied.

"If that's the case, then explain those adults who are not taking care of new birth?" I questioned.

Xav was stunned in that instant, he does not know that there are some adults that refuse to take a child from the Globules. That scenario results in other adults taking care of more than 1 child. It's not that problematic since the resources are free and unlimited, but it does show there is evidence of violating the order.

"Is… is that true? I never noticed that…" Xav confusedly said.

"It is! Digital nameplate displays our name. When someone turns into an adult, their digital nameplate turns royal blue, unlike ours which is the color sky blue." I explained.

"Maybe they are still waiting for a new birth? I mean you can only take care of a new one if there will be a new spawn right?" He replied.

"Just like the livestock here, there will only be a new birth if someone else dies. At least that's how I observed here in the past years." I mentioned.

"How did you find that out?" He asked while puzzled.

"Well I have a list of names of everyone here, including who are the adults, the pairs, and the young ones" I immediately answered.

"WAIT WHAT? If that's true, who are my adults then?" Xav asked as he tried to test my knowledge.

"Samtha and Dru" I confidently answered.

"Honestly… I don't know if I should be impressed or afraid of you.." Xav said in a low tone.

"WAIT HERE ME OUT, IT'S FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES I SWEAR" I defensively responded as I tried to bring back my respectable image.

"Anyway, what's that have to do with the case?" Xav qustioned.

"The population is exactly 200. I started to formulate this hypothesis when 4 of the fishermen died from an accident then the next morning, 4 new births were in the Globules. Since then I started to look further into it, so far it proves me right. 5 years have passed and the case remains consistent." I answered.

"Because of this list, I can track those who have more than 1 child and those adults who refused to have one. If every adult gets a new birth, then the scenario of having more than 1 child should not exist in the first place" I added.

"Well.. That actually makes sense…" he said as he looked like he was about to be convinced.

"So what do you say? Ready to break some orders?" I optimistically asked, hoping to close out the deal.

"I'm still not convinced that it is entirely safe to be honest. Can we at least observe those adults who are not taking care of new births and others who have more than 1?" Xav replied.

"If we prove that they are still living normally, no punishment or whatsoever, will we break some order?"I persistently negotiated.

"Fine, we will, as long as we are a hundred percent sure with the results" He said as he finally agreed with me. Xav really made me work for it but it is a closed deal! I'll take it!

After having a distinct plan of what we should do, we rushed towards the center of the place while eating some fruits along the way. Xav complained that we don't have to run but it's more fun that way!

6.

It did not take that long before we arrived at our destination. Xav and I immediately spotted Doku, an adult who lives alone. Xav said that we don't really have to intervene, he wants to observe from a distance. It's kinda boring but it does make sense, we cannot catch him off guard if he is cautious, direct confrontation will probably change Doku's movement.

It's been more than an hour of observing, I think I already ate a whole loaf of bread due to boredom. All we ever did was to watch Doku do carpentry. Imagine watching a big muscular man, wearing a tank top, sawing flanks continuously. That's what we are witnessing for more than hour, I know, it's like a torture.

A couple more minutes have passed, and Xav said that we should check the other adults. It looks like he has already taken quite some notes. I was happy to hear that at first but then I suddenly realized that this whole day will bore me to death.

I already forgot how many hours have passed since we started doing this. Watching From Doku's carpentry, to Sami's cooking, to Samuel's baking, to Jung's fishing, to Minso's fruit carving! Actually the last one was entertaining, not gonna lie. All those Adults who are living alone are not that different to those who are living by pair plus a young. I don't know what's going on with Xav's head but that's my personal take.

After having a short break, the next targets are the pairs with more than 1 kid. This one is actually quite hard to review since we have to assess every angle like; are the kids happy? Are the pairs fine with it? Who has the better end in this type of situation? There's a lot to consider, some were not even mentioned.

It is evident that it is way more tiring to have more than 1 kid, the pairs' efforts should be doubled in order to suffice their needs.

"How did you create that list of yours?" Xav suddenly asked.

"I just straight up asked for their digital nameplates, they'll eventually forget that's why no one knows I have this list" I answered.

"Straight up asked… hmm.." Xav replied while probably thinking of something. "Who is the first pair to obtain more than 1 new birth?" he added.

"Brand and Alfy, why?" I curiously asked.

"I'm wondering if we can still get their thought process about their decision as the first pair to pick more than 1 new birth. Though everything resets so I'm kinda skeptical about the idea" Xav answered.

"Then let's straight up ask them, that's the only way to get an answer" I replied.

Xav and I immediately move and go to Brand and Alfy's home. Upon reaching our target place, we rang the bell and Brand opened the door.

"Good morning sir, we are here for an interview!" I greeted.

"What are you doing?" Xav whispered.

"Let me handle this, I already did this countless times" I whispered back.

"Interview for what?" Brand questioned.

"It's part of our surveillance team, to keep the place in check and safe" I confidently responded.

"Oh you must be one of the roaming squad, I'm also part of it. Forgive me, I must have forgotten. Come in, please" Brand replied as both Xav and I went inside of their house.

We comfortably sat down in their dining area while Alfy prepared something for us. "You can ask anything as long as it's for the safety of the neighborhood, I'm willing to cooperate" Brand enthusiastically said.

Without hesitation, I open the conversation with a question "so, how's your family? How's life with more than 1 kid?"

"Honestly it's fun, I still remember the time when my pair Alfy wanted to pick Inky up." Brandy said.

Xav and I were extremely shocked since Brand said he remembered. That was the first time we heard someone say he remembered doing so. Though to be fair this was also the first time we asked something deeply.

"I was against it at first but Alfy was incredibly worried about the new birth, it's been 2 days yet no adults are picking her up. That moment I decided to man up and be there for them, if that's what will make my pair happy" Brand added.

"Wait… You remember?" I questioned.

"Of course, how can I forget the most crucial decision in my life? I mean I was afraid about the idea but I man up" Brand proudly responded.

"Can you remember what you did yesterday?" Xav intervened.

"Hmmm… that's odd, I quite can't remember… Did I do something wrong?" Brand confusedly asked. "Is that the reason for the visit? I'll fix it if I have to" he added.

"I told you to be more careful with your movement, you are a bit clumsy" Alfy commented as she served the snacks. "I also apologize on behalf of my pair, can you tell us what he did wrong?" she worriedly asked me.

"Ahm. Mrs. Alfy, do you also remember the day you insisted on getting Inky?" Xav asked Alfy.

"Of course, it was one the decision that I'll never regret." Alfy softly said.

"But do you remember what you did yesterday?" Xav furtherly interrogated.

"I… I am sorry.. I'll be accountable if I did something wrong…" Alfy said as she stuttered due to confusion.

"Did our kids wreck something? As the adults taking care of them, we will take the responsibility for what they did" Brand said in a worried manner.

At this point, Xav and I were extremely confused. They couldn't remember anything beforehand but they both clearly remember the time they took Inky in.

With that said, I decided to conclude our visit in order to assess the situation, and also to not make it more complicated for them. "We just tried to confirm if you were the adults taking care of Inky and Andy. We got a report that they wandered too far last time so might as well carefully look at them" I said as I fabricated the whole reason.

"Thank you for your concern" Alfy said as she finally breathed freely.

"we're sorry, it was our negligence, it won't happen again" Brand firmly said as he bowed his head.

As we finally calmed the situation in Brand's residence, Xav and I proceeded to our meeting place, the old large tree, where we can discuss our thoughts without worrying if someone might hear us.

We never thought this would be as confusing as it is. The more we try to give logical explanations on what we have found, the more complicated it gets. We spent hours narrowing things down, building hypotheses then nullifying those ideas that are not feasible. Xav and I created tons of speculations but none really have a stronger basis in it. Due to the current situation, we decided to go home and ask our own adults to prove some of our claims.

As soon as I reached our home, I immediately asked Nato. I am sure that I might get something from him, I'll ask Kari later to cross check. I knocked on the door of his room and he told me to come in.

"Have you been standing there? I'm quite focused on fixing this heater, I'm sorry if I did not notice you" Nato said.

"It's fine, I just came here to ask you something" I answered.

"Sure, ask me anything. Is it about machines and stuff?" he replied.

"What is the most important memory that you remember?" I directly asked.

"That's quite odd…" He replied puzzled. "Though to answer your question, it was the time that Kari accepted me as her pair. I'm thin, not that strong, all I have is this thinkery brain of mine. I'm not as manly as the other guys out there but a maiden like Kari accepted me as I am… How could I forget that.." Nato said as he smiled genuinely.

"Besides that memory, can you recall anything else?" I questioned.

"Well ahmm… I sure can? I kinda wonder what else I clearly remember…" Nato said while trying to recall some of his memories. Though just like the others, he cannot remember anything else.

After having a short talk with Nato, I proceed to ask Kari the same questions.

"I clearly remember?" Kari asked. "It was the time I convinced Nato to pick you from the Globules. Back then, your face resembled mine while your physique is like Nato. And now you clearly look like a mixture of us" Kari answered.

The second question went like how the other adults have answered. Now my speculation are; (1)Adults can remember the time they decided something firmly. (2) It doesn't have to be a big time decision in their life as long as it's the most precious one. (3) Out of all their experiences, only one memory they can remember. (4) you have to be an adult first in order to have this opportunity. (5) lastly, having more than 1 child is not related to being able to remember since other adults can still remember theirs.

Some of those speculations could be wrong, and some could be right. We have to figure out this one first. Maybe this will lead into something.

End of Day III-IV