I quickly passed through town proper, passing by the homes, markets, and parks without worries.
Given the time, adults were still working, if they had a job, and kids were still in school. The residents of town proper had a better income than most in the Lower District, leaving the streets desolate of wanderers, but occupied by swift passers-by with places to be.
Cutting through town took about twenty minutes, leaving me in the funnel between town proper and the rest of the Lower District.
There were a few suspicious sort around, here and there, but the walk was uneventful.
By an hour into the walk, I finally reached the forest with plots of land for homes. With this area of the forest constantly patrolled for safety, I was greeted by a few skeptical guards about why I was wandering the path at this time. But a simple explanation and display of my work permit was all I needed to stay out of trouble.
By two hours into the walk, I was out of the forest and into the plains of the Lower District, where most schools are located and a few smaller towns. The plains being 16 square kilometers, more wide than long, it'll take another hour to walk through.
Another half-hour and school ended. The flow of cheerful kids rushing to get home for dinner filled the air.
The peaceful silence that once filled the space was replaced with loud conversations between friends. The tense quiet I appreciated was gone, but I didn't miss it. For some reason, the discussions of others my age brought a form of joy. One that I thought I no longer had. I began to reminisce about the times I spent in classes, barely paying attention, staring out the window, wishing to leave. Searching for something I didn't think I could find in the room. But, now that I'm gone, I find myself staring at the buildings as I walk by, wondering what it would be like to be back inside.
Getting caught in the river of students walking home, I blended in with the crowd. The clamor of feet shuffling along the ground and the crunching of boots on snow was a sound that brought back long forgotten memories. Walking by myself has become regular, and the quiet atmosphere has become the norm. It's been a while since I walked with others, even if I'm not really with them.
The convenient part was the snow becoming flat and mushy. Enough so I didn't have to raise my leg for every step. The walk was physically relaxing for once.
By the third hour, I was back in the forest, the general forest I considered my home. The students had all long departed, and I was once again left alone.
The wind rushed by, and the trees and bushes swayed and shook with graceful violence. Without realizing it, I checked the bushes at every turn for unnatural shaking that didn't seem to follow the wind. Another reminder of the Domain. A sense I couldn't dismiss made me think I was being watched.
By the fourth hour, I was home. Standing on the front steps of my house, the wind swirled, foreboding the violence to come. Reaching for the doorknob, I slowly turned my hand and pushed open the door. The familiar screeching brought a smile to my face.
The shutters of the windows flapping around in the wind drowned out the sound of the door. Walking a bit farther into the house, I saw my sister studying on the kitchen table, and my mother making a stew for dinner over the stove heating artifact.
The fire pit in the connecting living room was lit, but poorly managed. Nearing the end of its fuel, the wood completely charred. My mother was facing away from me, her face hidden. My sister bore a mournful and heavy face, and from the way my mother carried herself, I knew she felt the same.
"Mom, I can't focus." My sister said, dropping her quill, shoulders slumping. Her familiar short white hair fell to cover her face. The light of the fire reflected off it, making it sparkle.
"Just try your best, honey. Just… always try your best." My mother was slowly stirring the pot, her mind elsewhere. Her thick, long, black hair swayed with the rotation of her arm.
I stepped farther into the kitchen, my sister looking up from the movement, "What's for dinner? It smells good."
My sister jumped up from her chair, almost tripping over the table leg. "Rin?!"
My mother turned her head. "Rin?"
Processing my entrance, she fully turned her body towards me, covering her mouth with her hands.
My sister ran over to me in a jump, still stumbling over her legs, and wrapped her arms around me in a hug, practically falling to her knees. "Where have you been? We thought you had…"
My sister lets out a weep, tears welling up in her deep grey eyes. I embrace her hug before patting her head. Looking up at my mom, she slowly walks over, tears already falling down her hands and the sides of her face.
"I'm sorry, Mom," I said, my voice and face unusually neutral.
My sister pulls away from me, backing up. "You're weirdly cold." She gives a shiver in exaggeration. "Are you okay?"
I bent about half a foot to be at the same level as her. "I'm fine. And I'm sorry to you too, Rose. I never meant to be gone for so long."
I go to wipe the tears from her eyes. When the back of my finger touched her face, she instantly backed her head away from the cold. Her tears froze on my finger.
"You're freezing! Geez, go stand by the fire before you die…"
Rose looked away, my mother shooting her a sharp look. "I…I didn't mean it… like that."
"I'm fine." I reassure her. Walking over to my mom, she takes her arms away from her face and opens them.
I do the same, and we share an extended embrace.
"I didn't know… where you had gone, or what had happened…" Struggling through each word, tears reformed in her eyes.
"I'm sorry. But you were okay, right?"
"We were fine. Just worried." She pushes me away slightly, looking right into my eyes. A smile appears on her face. "My boy…" A slight laugh escapes her lips through the tears. Looking me up and down, her face is a mix of concern and curiosity. "…You are cold, go stand by the fire while I finish dinner."
When my sister and mother both got over their shock, they began to talk like normal. Sitting by the fire pit, I toss a few logs into the embers, bringing it back to life. Once I had settled in, I asked both of them to tell me about the two weeks I'd been gone, while eating dinner at the table.
My sister, being 14 and almost graduated from intermediate school with exceptional grades, has the chance to earn a Decent Will provided by the school she attends during the Bonding Ceremony.
My mother received a small pay increase at her job, allowing us to save a bit more each week. Knowing money is an issue, I gave her all the zen Leo Gimwald gave to me.
"Where did you get all this?" My mother called out worriedly.
Blurting out before she thinks the wrong thing, "I-I didn't steal it!"
"Rin. Where did you get the zen?"
I don't want to tell her about Leo, which would just lead to more questions I don't want to answer.
I realize I've put myself in a corner. Quickly thinking of a way out, I just replaced Leo's words. "Think of it as a show of good faith, o-or advanced pay. Asher said he has a special job for me."
"Okay, that's good."
I handed her the money, and she swiftly put it away for safekeeping. Upon returning, she came rushing in. "I'm so, so sorry, Rin. All we've done is talk about us this whole time. Please, tell me what happened. What took you so long to come back?"
Not wanting to sound suspicious or worry them, I kept my lie up using Asher. "Asher needed extra help. A co-worker quit without warning, and he asked me to stay longer.
"So that's it then?" Suddenly, she stood up in fury, slamming her hands on the table. "That's it! You had me worried sick! In two weeks, you couldn't send home a letter, or a damn messenger?! By the Monarchs, you are lucky I don't end you right now!"
Crap, bad lie.
My sister looked down, trying to stay out of the conversation. But I could tell she agreed with my mom.
"Ah… sorry. I didn't… think about that." I said slowly, each word making me second-guess the rationality.
I guess it's better than telling her the truth.
My mother breathed a disappointed sigh. "Didn't think about it? You're telling me you don't think about us?" Her words made me sink lower in my chair. "It takes 2 bronze zen for a letter, 5 for a messenger. I know we only make about 30 a day, but if it's important, tell us!"
Bringing money into this, I opened my mouth to retort, but she spoke again, to herself this time, "Calm down, Evelyn, he's only a dumb kid." Taking a deep breath.
I got up from my chair, but she put her hand up, open palm facing towards me, demanding my silence. "Don't say anything. I know your intentions. It's just… It's been a long two weeks, I'm… I'm going to bed early tonight."
Swiftly walking around the corner, she left for her room. Rose and I stared at the hallway watching her go, then at each other, and back at the empty hallway. Hearing the slam of a door shut, I turned to Rose, intending to finish catching up with her.
But before I could speak, our mom came rushing back to the room, poking her head out from the hallway wall. "Have a good night, you two! I'm glad you're home safe, Rin." She gave a loving smile before leaving again.
"Love you, Mom!" Rose called out.
I reciprocated her smile and watched her leave before sitting back down.
Rose and I talked for a bit more before she went back to doing her homework. Asking for help here and there, but I had to remind her that I hadn't been to school in three years and had no idea what the curriculum was about. She tried to explain it, breaking down the study of the science behind the creation of Artifacts and its history. But even after simplifying it the best she could, it left me more confused than enlightened.
After about an hour, my eyelids grew heavy, and I left to go to bed. "When do you plan on sleeping, Rose? After your homework?"
She nodded in agreement. "Mhmm. It's the weekend, so I'll be up late." She said in her usual cheery voice.
It seems she's doing better now.
"Alright, see you in the morning. Good night."
"Good night, Rin." Looking up from her textbook, "And… I'm glad you're back home safe, too."
I rubbed her head, flashing a light smile before leaving.
I was exhausted after the undesirably eventful day. Even after being in a coma for a week.
Does Integration even count as sleep? Either way, as I made my way to bed, I could feel my eyelids getting heavier.
But as the storm outside grew stronger, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Like my Will was reacting to the gales of the wind. I could faintly feel the swirling and swaying of the snow and frost, my Will lightly tracking their movements. I couldn't get it under control. Forced to sense the winds, sleep was fitful.
Like nights of excitement, when sleep was the last thing on your mind; or nights of worry, when external commitments rob you of peace; even nights of discomfort, when your body feels stiff no matter how much you toss and turn. The storm outside brought the feeling of physical exhaustion and an uneasy mind.