"But why?" Floyd's voice cracked, and he cleared his throat, with
limited success. "We're alive. We have families to return to. Why
soil our lives with... this?"
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
"You have a family to return to. I can't remember
anything about myself, my family, or my home. Besides, if we don't
stop him, who will? Clearly this all stayed secret considering we
never got out until now, so we're the only ones who know, and no
one would believe a bunch of teens and young adults who no one
knows about one of the most well-liked people being secretly evil.
You might be able to move on, return to your family, maybe start
one of your own, and forget all this happened, but this is all I
even know about my life. Moving on, making a new life, I won't be
able to do that. I don't even have an education, an ID, I don't
know my name, don't know anyone, starting a new life is nearly
impossible for me."
Floyd looked down at his hands. They were shaking. Then he looked
up, and met Zuzu's eyes. "We'd... take you in." But this time, his
voice cracked with uncertainty. He looked down again. "Do you
really... want your life to stay this way? Forever?"
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
"I'm not sure if it's a choice. I'd still need to make up for years
of missed education not to mention identification to get a job,
education, and basically everything life. I could try, but
identification would be the main issue. Imagine explaining to a
hirer, 'Hey, I don't know anything about myself including my name
and age, plus I have zero identification.' it's not like you can
just google Missing kids and look through the pictures until you
find yourself. The only thing I can think of is going through some
of Zhao's files and hoping he put my name somewhere, not to mention
i'd have to find a missing child of unknown age with a name that,
for all I know, could be extremely common. Worth a shot, but i'm
not gonna get my hopes up."
"You're right." Floyd blinked a couple times. He was frowning.
"It'd... be impossible. To try and go back to your old life, even
now. So much has been taken from you." He looked down and wrung his
hands together. "Everything... but I still have so much..."
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
I just stood there in silence, shocked at how easily my emotions
spilled out. "I- I guess I can still check Zhao's records, maybe
find my name and work from there." I had put back on my usual mask
of snarky confidence, but the sentence had an air of uncertainty,
like a question that would never be answered.
"Maybe you're right, though." Floyd glanced up. There was a bit of
a sharpness to his eyes now as they fixed on a spot past Zuzu.
"Maybe there isn't anything for you in the outside now. Maybe...
the only thing you can do is stop Zhao."
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
"Ooh, or maybe I can live in the forest, be one of those urban
legends of witches." I managed to fully mask my worry and get back
to my usual self, and started to formulate some plans. THOUGHTS:
If I go through his test records and other files, I might be able
to make a list of locations he'd stop by. Once I track him long
enough to find a pattern, I can get one step ahead of him and
ambush him. Imprison him. Maybe I can interrogate him, find out who
I am.
Floyd stared at Zuzu for a few seconds. When no response came, he
began to drag the sole of his shoe across the ground, scratching
out a face in the dust. He gazed down at it, then rubbed his foot
overtop it, wiping it away.
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
"I guess for now I just... umm... i'm not sure. I could track Zhao
down and question him, try to find out my identity, but honestly,
what I feel right now isn't really grief, or anger, or sadness, i'm
just confused and tired. I don't know what to do next, I don't
really have any commitments or constants in my life."
"Heh, yeah. I guess if I want a normal life with some dependable
constants, I should pick up where I left off as a kid. I can't
really see myself with a buncha kindergarteners in a classroom,
maybe I could get a tutor? We'd need a pretty convincing lie to get
them to tutor basic math to a who-knows-how-old teen or adult.
Also, we'll need to find a way to get me an ID, y'know, without
breaking the law."
Floyd laughed a bit. "Not breaking the law? Where's the fun in
that?" He ruffled their hair affectionately. "You have quite a bit
to learn about the world, Zuzu. Luckily, I'm here to teach you."
to be aesthetic or not to be aesthetic
that is not a question because I am not aesthetic at all and nor is
this signature
"Guide me in your ways, O' Wise Master." I laughed louder than
expected and jumped when my hand turned aflame. Maybe I don't
need revenge. Maybe I can just live normally. "I'm starting to
see a connection here."