Chapter 1 — Who Am I
"Gasp—!"
The boy's eyes shot open.
Pain rushed through his head like a sharp crack of lightning.
"My head… why does everything hurt…"
He slowly pushed himself up from the cold wooden floor. The room around him was dark and unfamiliar, dust floating through thin beams of light leaking from a broken window.
His body trembled as he staggered toward the door.
Maybe someone outside could help him.
Maybe someone knew who he was.
He reached for the handle—
Bang!
The door suddenly swung open and knocked into him, sending him stumbling backward.
"Oh my God! I'm sorry!"
A girl about his age rushed inside.
She knelt beside him quickly, worry filling her eyes.
"Are you okay?!"
The boy held his head, wincing.
"I… I think so…"
The girl gently brushed his hair aside and touched the bruised spot on his forehead.
"Here, let me see."
Before he could react, she leaned forward and softly kissed his head.
The boy froze.
His face turned bright red.
"There," she said with a small smile. "Is that better?"
He nodded awkwardly.
"Thanks…"
She stood up and wiped the dust from her hands.
"My name's Lisa," she said cheerfully. "What's yours?"
The boy opened his mouth.
"…Uh…"
Nothing came out.
His mind was empty.
"I… I don't know."
His voice shook.
"I'm sorry."
Lisa blinked in surprise, then her expression softened.
"That's okay."
She crossed her arms, thinking for a moment.
"Then I'll give you one."
The boy looked up at her.
"What is it?"
Lisa grinned.
"Aeron."
"Aeron…?"
"It means a protective and loving king."
She laughed a little.
The boy's cheeks turned red again.
"Oh…"
But then his smile faded.
He looked down at his hands.
"…Do you know who I am, Lisa?"
His voice trembled.
"Where I'm from…"
Tears began to gather in his eyes.
Lisa stepped forward quickly.
"Aeron."
She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug.
"It's okay."
"I'm here."
The boy slowly hugged her back.
And for the first time since waking up—
The pain in his chest felt a little lighter.
---
After that day, they stayed together.
They stole food from small stores when they were hungry.
They searched abandoned buildings for places to sleep.
And no matter how hard the world became—
They stayed by each other's side.