|Location: wasteland, camping site|
-ZERO-
I had just finished changing into the clothes Nuk had given me. The fabric was soft against my skin, clean and unfamiliar, almost like a promise of a fresh start. Stepping out of the tent, I scanned the quiet surroundings for Nuk, but the space inside was empty. My eyes caught him instead, sitting alone near the edge of the hill where his tent stood. A dim lamp flickered beside him, casting weak shadows across his tense features.
Nuk's gaze was fixed on the enormous bonfire burning in the distance. Around it, a crowd of people laughed, danced, and shouted, their voices weaving together into a tapestry of joy and celebration. But despite the warmth and life from the fire, Nuk's expression was somber, weighed down by something I couldn't quite understand. His eyes reflected the flames, but there was no joy in them—only a cold, distant fire burning silently within.
The night air was thick with the scent of smoke and pine, the crackling fire sending sparks spiraling upward into the dark sky. The murmurs and laughter from the crowd drifted through the trees, mixing with the rustle of leaves overhead. Yet, here where Nuk sat, the sounds seemed distant, almost muted—as if he was separated from the world around him by an invisible wall.
Suddenly, the light tread of footsteps pierced through the noise. I turned to see Hansel approaching. Our eyes met briefly, but he quickly looked away, his gaze sliding past me to settle on Nuk. There was a flicker of something sharp—suspicion, maybe even disdain—in his eyes as they passed over me. A cold shiver ran down my spine. Why did Hansel look at me like that? Was he wary, or was his mind elsewhere?
I swallowed the uneasy feeling and tried to let it go. It was only a fleeting moment, after all. Yet, as Hansel ran past me toward Nuk, a bright smile stretched across his face—too bright, almost forced. Something about it didn't sit right with me.
"You'll set everyone on fire if you keep this up," Hansel teased, tackling Nuk from behind without warning.
"Hansel, what—just—" Nuk tried to push him off, but Hansel held on tightly, grinning like a mischievous child.
I watched quietly from a few steps back, bitterness rising in my chest. Then, deliberately, I stepped on a dry twig. The sharp snap echoed loudly in the stillness, announcing my presence.
Nuk turned, his eyes immediately locking onto mine. He stood quickly and strode toward me. "Zero, you're done!"
He studied me from head to toe, his gaze inspecting the clothes as if making sure they fit not just my body but my spirit.
"It seems to be a perfect fit," Nuk said softly.
Hansel came to stand beside him. "Since Zero's here, let's go." His voice was casual, but I caught a slight hesitation in his throat and the quick glance he cast my way. "Ah! Nuk 'Uncle' has asked for you."
Nuk's expression grew serious. "There's no point in avoiding it. I have to meet him."
The firelight danced in Nuk's eyes, reflecting not the warmth of the flames, but a fierce, burning determination. The longing I'd seen earlier was gone, replaced by a hard edge—like a blade sharpened by years of struggle.
Hansel nodded and stepped back. "Alright… I see."
I slid into place beside Nuk, my heart pounding in my chest. The tension between those two spoke of secrets I wasn't yet privy to, and the air around us seemed charged, thick with unspoken words.
"Are we going over there?" I asked quietly, nesting close to Nuk's side.
"Yes," Nuk replied, his voice low. "Don't wander too far."
His presence was a balm to my nerves. Somehow, having him near steadied my racing thoughts. I smiled faintly, relief washing over me.
My mind flitted to the crowd ahead—the faces, the energy, the unknown stories—and excitement fluttered in my chest. My eyes sparkled as I imagined meeting new people, hearing new voices.
"Oh! I can meet more—" I started, but a cold memory slammed into me. The cold looks, the sharp glances, the clear dislike from earlier. "No! They didn't seem to like me before."
Nuk's hand came up to gently rub my head. "That's why you shouldn't stray."
I pushed him away lightly, embarrassed by my own childishness. "Well, they didn't like your arrival either, Nuk."
His eyes darkened, his voice low and heavy with bitter acceptance. "It's nothing new."
His words echoed the weight I'd felt since we arrived. The question lingered between us, unresolved. Why were we treated this way?
Before I could press for answers, a strange growl cut through the night—a deep, soft, muffled sound unlike anything I'd heard before. My head whipped around, senses alert, but I saw nothing.
"What was that?" I whispered, curiosity sharpening my senses.
Nuk chuckled quietly behind me. "That was Hansel saying he's hungry." He patted my head affectionately.
I turned to see Hansel's flushed face, and then a sudden rumbling noise came from his abdomen.
[NOTICE: Borborygmus—stomach rumbling.]
A flood of knowledge surged into my mind. I blinked in awe. "Cool!" I exclaimed, eyes wide with wonder. Every new discovery felt like a gift, a treasure. Maybe leaving that dessert behind was the best choice I'd ever made—otherwise, I might never have had moments like this.
Nuk looked puzzled. "How is that cool?"
Before I could explain, Hansel interrupted, clearly embarrassed. "Let's save that for later, like Nuk said." His ears twitched as another loud rumble escaped. "I'm hungry."
Hansel hurried away, and we followed, laughter bubbling out of Nuk and me. I couldn't help but join in, the tension easing, if only for a moment.
"Ah, is this what they call stating the obvious?" I teased.
"They?" Hansel muttered, making me wonder—who was 'they'?
We followed a path lined with lanterns, their soft golden light casting long shadows on the forest floor. The air smelled of earth and wood smoke, cool and fresh. My attention snagged on the lanterns themselves—they were intricate, with strange mechanisms inside, seemingly absorbing something invisible. They reminded me of Nuk's lantern but were clearly more advanced.
I wanted to ask SAI about them, but the fire's glow ahead kept pulling my gaze. I decided to save my questions for later.
Nuk seemed to guess my thoughts. "That lantern has a regulator inside. It's safer than mine."
I bit back a bitter retort and stayed silent.
We soon reached the bonfire. Standing close, the heat washed over me in waves, warming my face and hands. The flames roared, bright and fierce, casting dancing shadows in every direction.
But my eyes adjusted quickly, dimming the light automatically. I wished SAI wouldn't do that—I wanted to drink in every flicker, every ember.
Suddenly, a voice sliced through the night, sharp and irritating.
"Look who's here for their rations."
Fred's smug face appeared, twisted with disdain. His eyes bore into us like daggers.
He shoved two small wrapped packages toward us with a sneer. "Here. Take this and go."
My fists clenched tightly, barely holding back the urge to lash out. Fred turned to walk away, but a sudden, sharp kick caught him in the legs. He stumbled, falling face-first onto the ground.
"Maybe try being more polite before I roast your head over there," Dia's fierce voice rang out as she stepped forward.
Fred spat angrily, wiping the dirt from his face. "Can't even take a joke now?" He shot a venomous glance at Nuk. "Your eldest sister was more sensible than you."
"Shut it," Dia snapped, launching a punch that Hansel caught just in time.
Fred smirked and leaned closer, voice rising. "Whoa! Now I wonder—where did your temper come from? Did you and Nuk have the same father or something?"
Hansel shoved him back firmly. "Hey! That's going too far!"
Fred's smirk only widened. "I see you're just a hypocrite." His eyes flicked to me, a cruel smile curling his lips. "Look! It's the short ears I told you about."
His words were loud and harsh, like a crow's caw piercing the night. The laughter around us died instantly, replaced by whispers that rippled through the crowd like a dark tide.
Their eyes burned with hatred as they fixed on me and Nuk. Nuk stood rigid, fists clenched, teeth grinding silently.
The weight of their gaze pressed down on me, invisible but unbearable. I felt myself shrinking, suffocated by the silence and the crowd's whispers. Panic rose hot and fierce. I closed my eyes tight, willing the voices away.
"SAI, shut them up. Please…" I whispered desperately.
But no response came.
The silence was deafening.
I realized then—I was alone.
Alone.
The word echoed inside me like a cold void. My chest tightened, breath caught in my throat. I never wanted to feel that again. Never.
Suddenly, a warm hand gripped mine firmly, pulling me back from the edge of my spiraling thoughts.
"Zero! Calm down. Let him go."