Ben's POV
*Have you ever heard of the destiny trade?*
Huh?
*Ever swapped fates with someone?*
Who is speaking?
Alex?
This was the first time I was seeing any of this. The play teleporting me to a new place, being able to see characters in action, even interact with some fodder characters, they didn't even seem like they were made up. They had real thoughts, real feelings and strangely, real hierarchy too, just like the real world.
The fact that I entered this weird world is so strange. It has no beginning, no end, just me floating across its extremes, like a wanderer in cosmos.
The only memories I have are of that moment of the last day of highschool, when everything changed for me.
Just like any other day, I returned home on my last day with bittersweet memories, only to be met with that scene which still haunts me.
My frail and weak mom was holding dad in her arms, as he was fighting for his life, surrounded by people. I decided to stay back and observe the situation before reacting.
"Please spare him, you can't really take him away!" She yelled at the inspectors dressed in dark grey suits.
"We have no choice but an obligation as per the Fate Convention," one of them stepped forward, and sat down, seeing her at eye-level.
He took out a clear screen from his pocket, scanning her and my dad from top to the bottom. The screen flashed red with numbers on it, with my mom dropping all her expressions in disappointment, while the guard remained stoic.
"You both have doomed fates together... It's impossible with your destiny compatibility for you all to be happy together." His voice had a streak of compassion.
My mom looked at him, with tears welled in her eyes, "Is fate really everything? What about... Love?" Her voice choked.
"Ah, that 'Love' is the reason why that man is dying in your arms." He stood up, clearing his voice, "if you don't let him go to his fated partner, he won't survive."
My mom gripped on my dad tightly, as if she wished for the universe to wrap the strings of fate around herself. What could a person even do when a helpless thing like love takes over their mind and soul?
She hung her head down, with tear drops began to harbor on her chin. My dad was unconscious by now.
"Melissa, you have two choices, the lead guard said as he began to pack up their tools, "either he lives with someone else or he dies here."
Contrary to what I expected her to choose him over anything, my mom let go of my dad, even pushing him away. She looked up, with her face red and nose puffed up, "you promise me he survives, and I want to get timely news about him," her voice was calm and imperative.
"Okay, but you avoid him at ANY COSTS," the guard stressed. She nodded in compliance.
He instructed the other guards to carry my dad to their vehicle, after which, he picked up the brief case he had got and stared straight at me.
"Fate IS everything," he said, pointing with his chin towards me.
My mom looked at me, with her eyebrows folded together, almost as if she was sorry. I nodded my head in disapproval.
He walked towards me at the foyer but didn't look at me. Instead he looked behind his shoulder and said one sentence that I still can't forget,
"Love is the problem, Fear is the solution."
Before walking away with a very distinct laugh.
After that incident, I never saw my dad again, neither my mom wished to dig old wounds. Due to the immense shock, my memories after any of that are as trustworthy as a businessman seeking friendship.
It was only when I was stopped by a strange looking creature on a random day, called Franxis to join their mission, whose details they couldn't really disclose. They had promised me they'll give me a purpose to live, which I did find when I met this strange guy.
Alex.
This was the name that echoed when I first joined here, three months ago.
"Alex! We need to get the auditions going!" I could hear someone shout from across the stage, but it was loud enough to reach the hallway outside the auditorium.
'Maybe he can help me?'
I had researched about theatre and had read that theatre people love extra-loud personalities, given the nature of their job. All I had to do was be super loud and I would get in.
They called us backstage and I walked along with the other actors, awaiting my turn. Once people were done, it was finally my turn.
I walked to the stage, which was a wooden one that made creaking sounds when stepped up on, it was heavily foamed on the sides, to reduce the echo and there was a light facing directly at my eyes, which I was trying to dodge with my hands. Through that light, I saw him sitting next to two other people.
He was glowing that day. Slicked back hair, tanned skin and the black rimmed glasses hiding his deep brown eyes, with casual outfits, I guess this is what people pampered by life get.
With great pressure in my mind, bells were going off as to the final outcome. I took a comfortable spot, took a deep breath, exhaled out and said my audition dialogue.
Which I believe was one of my best performances yet.
But he seemed to disagree.
He wasn't sure of me, his lips were upturned and his eyes darting at me, almost as if he wanted me to disappear.
I started to get more curious about him.
After the auditions, I tried to talk to him but he was simply too agitated by my presence, and even said I was not good at acting, but the other judges seemed to disagree.
Once I left the room, disappointed, I crossed paths with Margie.
She was a middle aged woman with a very noticeable presence. Her eyes were deep, dark honey skin, the unique smile, she was hard to forget.
She led me to her office, I followed.
Her office was very fancy. Matching carpet sets, expensive wood and organised keyboards, she was a woman of great organisation skills.
She gestured me to sit on a chair with her hands.
I sat down and tried to relax a little.
She was typing something on the computer, glasses on and she glanced at me.
"So you're here for a troop member role?" She asked as she fixed her hair into a bun.
"Actor, yes but anything is okay," I said, placing my hands on the table, she looked down at my hand, and I pulled them back.
She pulled out a table whip from her purse, "sorry, I just cleaned it," she said, wiping it off.
"Since you're recommended by someone I know, I'll keep you around as long as you wish."
"What would it be?" I raised my eyebrows.
"Become a distraction."
"Huh?"
"Don't let Alex write more plays, we are cutting short," she immediately added.