"No... I still remember... that place... The fragments of my memories are piecing themselves together little by little... That warm look... on both their faces... made me... feel at ease... I left everything behind... to forget my pain... But... ever since I opened that door... I felt... as if that scene... had repeated itself..."
Perhaps it was her doing, but now, he felt as if she... wanted to help me...
******
The room was quiet and dark, despite the sunlight filtering in. I didn't feel tense or afraid. The warm blanket covered my body, and the soft mattress seemed... like a dream.
Zero heard a knock on the door, waking her from her deep sleep.
"(Yawn)... Is it morning...~" Zero said, tired and weary.
Zero got up from her bed, turned on the lamp, and then turned towards the door.
"Someone's at the door." Zero headed towards the door and opened it, looking left and right, but she didn't find anyone there.
'Is anyone here...' Zero closed the door, feeling something smooth under her foot. She looked down to find a small blue slip of paper under the door.
Zero bent down, picking it up from the floor with curiosity: 'A blue slip... ah... the one Gel told me about.' Zero turned the slip over and found a word written on it: 'The Storeroom.'
'The storeroom... I'll ask Shi about it,' Zero said, turning towards the desk in confusion.
'What about... should I really tell her?'
*******
"This means you have a task in the storeroom," Shi told Zero.
"A task?" Zero asked, puzzled.
"Didn't Sunny tell you... well... in the shelter... we live according to two specific conditions."
"Two conditions...?"
"Yes... The first is that we respect some general rules... The second is that we perform specific duties assigned to us... like this one... It seems you'll be helping me today..."
"It says 'storeroom'... but there are several storerooms..." Zero inquired.
"The color blue is for the fourth-floor food storeroom... Each color represents the floor number and the specific place of work... I'll send you the list later... but before that... we must finish our work here."
"Okay... 'This is bad... I wanted to get my staff back as soon as possible... but I didn't expect... these duties'... So... what do I have to do?"
"Go to the storeroom... and bring me these ingredients," Shi said, handing her a list.
******
Zero opened the storeroom door and switched on the lights. It was a large place, filled with boxes and shelves. Zero noticed numbers arranged on each of them.
'The place is huge... I need to finish this task quickly... to look for my staff... All I need is... some vegetables... Potatoes are in boxes five and ten... Tomatoes, carrots, and meat are in the cold room... As for the radishes and mushrooms, they're on the sixteenth shelf... The onions are in the fourth box... plus a pot of water...' Zero read the list with surprise and disappointment.
"I have to hurry..." Zero said and began to work. It took her more than half an hour to gather all the ingredients, despite some trouble, but in the end, she brought them all.
****
"Shi... I brought the pot of water..." Zero said, carrying the pot with difficulty.
"Alright... hand me the green spice box," Shi said as she chopped vegetables hastily.
"What's wrong...?" Zero asked with concern, handing Shi the box.
"I'm late preparing breakfast... plus the milk and bread have run out..." Shi said, quickly putting the chopped potatoes into the pot.
"Let me help you chop the vegetables..." Zero said, taking a knife.
"No... I'll take care of it-"
"Don't worry... I know how to use a knife," Zero said, and began to quickly peel the carrots, then cut them into small triangles. Shi was surprised by Zero's speed, saying: "You're not bad... if you insist."
Shi lit the stove, placed the pot on it, and Zero handed her the carrots. Shi added them with the potatoes, then put in oil and salt. "Are you done with the mushrooms?"
Shi turned to find Zero handing her the mushrooms, and she added them with the other ingredients.
"Okay... Shi... where is the grater?" Zero said, handing Shi the radish with the garlic.
"I'll cut the onion... It's in the first drawer..." Shi said, taking the knife.
Zero opened the drawer, took the grater, and started to cut and grate the tomatoes, putting them in the pot.
Shi added the onion and meat to the pot and closed the lid.
"Okay... we'll wait half an hour... I've tired you out... I'm sorry..." Shi said apologetically.
"No need to apologize... it's one of my duties after all," Zero replied, tired.
Shi stood up and started setting out the plates and spoons, so Zero got up to help her.
"Rest for a bit..." Shi said.
"I like this kind of work... I prefer we finish it together," Zero said happily, and Shi smiled, saying: "You're right."
Zero turned to Shi, and an image from her past surfaced in her mind. The scene was enough to make her see her mother, as if the past was repeating itself. She glanced at her reflection on the pot with a gentle look, almost making her disfigured eyes well up with tears.
Zero felt a fondness for that past as she held the copper plates in her hands, smiling. 'I wish... those memories would last... forever.'
"I hope I'm not late," Zero heard this voice from behind her. She turned to find Ness nearby.
"Oh... good morning," Ness said. Shi turned: "Good morning... you're late today," Shi said, annoyed.
"I got tired carrying those bags with Leere... (turning towards Zero)... Oh... you're that girl from yesterday... the one who got lost." Ness said playfully.
"Wait... you got lost yesterday?" Shi asked in surprise, turning to Zero.
"It's a long story," Zero said shyly.
"Anyway... we have a small problem... we've run out of milk and bread," Shi said.
"Huh?... I moved the flour sacks with Leere yesterday... impossible."
"Maybe the delivery was late..." Zero suggested.
"No... Ness... inform the supervisors that the milk and bread on the fourth floor have run out," Shi ordered.
"Alright..." Ness said and quickly left the kitchen.
Zero turned to the sink and saw some dirty dishes: "There are still some dishes..."
"I haven't finished washing the dishes..." Shi said, surprised.
Shi rushed towards Zero and quickly turned on the water tap. At that moment, Shi felt a shock in her hand and quickly pulled it away.
"Shi... what happened... are you okay?" Zero rushed towards Shi with concern.
"No... don't worry... I'm just stressed... we have to hurry." At that moment, Zero stopped Shi, saying: "I'll wash the dishes... you get the plates ready for breakfast... I'm sure they won't be late."
Shi calmed down for a moment, looking at Zero's smile, and began to prepare the plates: "Okay... I hope so."
*******
Shi opened the pot to find the food ready.
"The food is ready... (turning to Zero)... only the milk and bread are left."
"Great... but... Ness is late."
"She should have been here a while ago..." Shi said, puzzled.
"You're right... it looks like we're changing the breakfast menu today," Zero said.
"It'll be time for distribution soon... we can't wait any longer... I hope you're ready."
"(Chuckle)... 'Am I that much of a child'..." Zero thought to herself with hidden annoyance.
At that moment, Zero heard a knock on the door. Shi opened it to find Moan and Lost, carrying two full bags.
"Good morning..." Moan said.
"We brought the bread you asked for..." Lost added.
"Oh... thank you both... Where's Ness?" Shi asked, puzzled.
"She couldn't find the required amount of milk... so she went down to the second and third floors," Lost explained.
"She also told us that Zero is here," Moan said excitedly.
"Yes... I'll help you carry them." Shi took a bag, moving it to the storeroom. Moan and Lost entered, carrying the second bag to the storeroom.
"Oh... Moan... Lost... good morning," Zero said, turning to them.
"Hi... Zero... good morning... How was your first night?" Moan asked enthusiastically.
"Good morning," said Lost.
"I slept deeply last night," Zero replied.
"What does your room look like... do you have a roommate?" Moan asked.
"No... End asked the supervisor for a single room for me in the fifth section."
"End continues to interfere... I hope his meanness doesn't bother you," Lost said, annoyed.
"Stop talking about our friend that way... Lost," Moan said with displeasure.
"Heh... 'I hope he doesn't hear you'... He actually helped me..." Zero said with a smile that hid her sadness.
"Don't forget he's the one who defended Zero in front of Geist," Moan said, provoking Lost.
"No need to remind me, Moan," Lost said, annoyed.
"Anyway... where is Rêve?" Zero inquired.
"Rêve is arranging the library today... she won't be able to have breakfast with us because the library is huge," Lost explained.
"So she might miss breakfast... we took her share into account before it runs out," Moan added.
Lost and Moan turned to Zero, seeing the look of astonishment on her face. She said in shock: "Did you say... a library?"
"Uh... yes... why?" Lost asked, puzzled.
Suddenly, Zero's expression changed from astonishment to admiration and joy. She rushed towards Lost, saying with great excitement: "Tell me where that library is... is it really a big library... does it have history or science books... tell me!"
"Slow down a bit... Zero," Lost said, stepping back.
"I didn't expect her to be this excited," Moan said in a low voice, surprised.
At that moment, Ness opened the door excitedly, carrying cartons of milk, and was surprised by Zero's strange enthusiasm.
"Uh... did I miss something?" Ness asked, puzzled.
"Nothing important, Ness... Zero... let's finish distributing the food and tidying the storeroom first."
"Sorry for the mess..."
"...You can ask Sunny about the library later... I'm sure she'll let you go," Shi said, grabbing the milk cartons. Zero picked one up, saying, "Thank you."
*******
Zero took a plate, filled it with vegetable soup, and passed it to Shi, adding a slice of bread and a glass of milk.
Children started entering the kitchen one by one, taking their morning breakfast with happiness and laughter. Then it was Zero's turn to distribute the food. She carried the food and passed it to its owner, until the last plate.
"Today's work was tough..." Shi said as she washed the pot.
"'How do you do this all the time...?'" Zero wondered to herself in amazement and confusion.
Zero sat on a chair, leaning on the table, tired and exhausted. Ness patted her on the shoulder, saying: "Thanks for your effort, Zero..."
"You're welcome..." Zero replied, giving a thumbs-up with difficulty.
"Oh... I almost forgot..." Ness said. Zero turned to her, and Ness handed her the task schedule, saying: "Here you go... End, the boy in brown, asked me to give this to you..."
Zero was surprised, taking it with astonishment. "Ah... thanks... (looking at it)... 'The schedule looks packed... I won't be able to look for you, my staff... damn it'..." Zero thought with great frustration.
"It's okay... we've all been through this shock," Ness said, consoling Zero.
"Zero... can you do me a favor?" Shi turned to the two girls. Zero raised her head, saying: "What is it?"
Shi passed the food to Zero, saying: "Please... take Sunny's share to her room... she didn't come for the meal... she's busy with many tasks."
"Huh... '...Wait... this is my chance to talk to her face to face... and maybe I can ask her about the library... or even about the staff'... where is her room?" Zero asked with excitement.
*****
Zero was walking down the corridors carrying Sunny's portion. She turned to one of the doors. It was a wooden door with light cracks; it was Sunny's designated room.
Zero felt a slight anxiety, swallowing slowly as she knocked on the door. Her disfigured, dull gaze was enough to convey her fear, synchronized with those unknown footsteps behind the door.
Sunny opened the door to find Zero in front of her: "Good morning... come in."
Sunny said that as if nothing had happened. Zero entered the room, saying: "Shi asked me to bring you your food..."
"That's kind of you... come..." Sunny said, closing the door.
It was a room with a very transparent pink paint. In front of her was a window overlooking the backyard. The worn red wooden furniture, her tidy bed, and her dilapidated locked wardrobe. Zero placed the food on her desk.
Sunny sat on the chair and asked: "You had a comfortable night... didn't you?"
"Yes... I haven't had a deep sleep in a while... thank you for your effort," Zero said with a gentle smile.
"That's good," she took a sip from her glass of milk, saying: "I hope you get used to this place... we are very happy to have you help us... It's hard to get used to a new place."
"I'm used to moving from one place to another." Sunny turned to Zero in surprise, saying: "Really?"
"It's a long story... the place seems nice..." Zero looked at the window with a hopelessly smiling face, then turned to her, saying in a firm tone: "I finished my work in the storeroom today... I wanted to see the library... Please allow me to enter it... just for once."
Sunny was surprised by Zero's request and laughed, saying: "Usually, children avoid the library... I didn't expect to find a child who loves it this much."
"Heh... a strange request... '...I'm ten years old... not six...'" Zero thought to herself, annoyed.
"So..." Sunny opened her desk drawer and handed Zero a black card, saying: "Take this... the library is on the third floor... Give the card to the supervisor."
"Really?" Zero said, surprised.
"It serves as a permit... it allows you to enter the other floors."
'So that's why they had black cards...' Zero said to herself, having noticed those cards in Moan's and Lost's hands.
"The supervisor will let you in daily... take advantage of the opportunity," Sunny said.
"Thank you, Sunny..." Zero said with great excitement, turning to leave the room: "Goodbye."
Zero grabbed the doorknob, opening it, but Sunny interrupted her, saying: "Oh... I almost forgot..."
Zero stopped, turning to her with a puzzled look: "Did you forget something?"
"I was thinking... I hope the tree branches... didn't scare you last night," Sunny said in a strange tone, with a smile.
Zero was perplexed, saying confusedly: "Tree branches?... Good one." Zero left the room, closing the door. Sunny smiled, taking a spoonful of the hot soup.
"I know you understood... Zero..." Sunny's unnatural reaction hinted at a strange memory about the tree branches. Her odd tone was enough to expose everything, yet from someone else's perspective, there was nothing to note.
Zero closed the door and headed silently towards her room. She ran into Shi, who said: "Oh... you're here... I wanted to thank you for your help... go and rest... Ness will take care of the cleaning (turning to Zero, she was suddenly surprised)... Zero... did she refuse?"
"No... I have to rest... goodbye," Zero continued on her way, the tone of her voice extremely heavy.
******
Zero closed the room door, went straight, and fell onto her bed, weakly holding the black card. She turned towards her desk drawer with dead eyes.
'Damn it... damn it... damn it... damn it... how... how did she know... about it chasing me...' Zero said to herself, confusion seizing her heart. Zero was sure that Sunny hadn't noticed her.
Zero didn't understand what happened. Those deep words were enough to deliver the threat. She was well aware of the seriousness of the situation. She turned towards the drawer again, got up with heavy, inaudible steps, and opened it.
Her vacant eyes stared at the distorted map. She closed it, turning to the window. She climbed onto her bed and opened the window.
'I don't know... what I have to do... I just... have to keep acting... I must find my purpose in this shelter... before I am completely exposed... But... I have one chance... pretending and acting are the only ways... for me to find Regret... but... I must know... who was able to expose me...'
Determination and resolve to stay and bury regret, amidst those frightening eyes, haunting with silence and manipulation. A strange darkness hides the light of the matter, gradually dissipating under the weight of Zero's light.
Zero... there is no room for retreat...