As he sunk into the world of dreams once more, Albert found himself back in that mystical landscape. Looking around, he could see the crimson skies, the bubble of water encasing the ball of green and the large tree at the center of it all. Albert took in a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"...This is not how this world is supposed to be." He sighed.
And with that sigh, the world crumbled apart. The fire dissipated and the water returned to nothingless. As the ball of grass collapsed along with the tree, the message engraved upon disappeared too.
When he opened his eyes again, Albert found himself in a world of black. It was a stark contrast to the brightness and magical world of before but within this darkness, Albert found peace. It was quiet and comforting, as if he was back in his mother's womb.
"Al…" It was a whisper so soft, one would have missed it if not for the lack of any other sound within this world. Within this one syllable utter, indescribable emotions flowed out. Sorrow? Joy? Fear? Albert did not know. All he knew was that he had finally found what he had been looking for.
Laying across him on the ground was a boy who looked identical to him. He had the same hair, same eyes, same nose, same everything. However, hovering over the child was a glowing white symbol of a lock.
Albert walked over to the sleeping child and knelt down to touch his face.
"Al." He called out once again. The fingers that traced his cheek trembled slightly as a wretched smile surfaced on his face. "I missed you…"
"I'm so sorry-" Tears fell upon the sleeping Al's face. Like a waterfall, they streamed down Albert's face unceasingly as the boy broke down and sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.
_____
"Albert!" Mum's voice rang out as she scoldingly yelled our name. "I told you not to sit so close to the TV like that! It's not good for your eyes."
"Bert wanted to look closer. It wasn't me~!" Al complained with a pout.
Mum raised an eyebrow and huffed. "Tell Bert that he needs to follow the rules too. If you want to watch TV, you watch from the couch."
"Okay, Mum." Al puffed his chest out and imitated Mum. "Bert, you heard her right? You have to sit on the couch!"
"Well? What was Bert's reply?"
"He said 'fineeeeeee'." Al imitated cheekily. I hadn't said it that way, at least, that's not how I had remembered it. Back then, I was more obedient towards Mum than I was later on.
"Alright then, good kids get presents." Mum patted our head and grinned. "Mum cut some watermelons, want to have some while you watch TV? What do you and Bert think?"
"Yayyyyy!!" Al cheered with his arms in the air. "Bert wants it too!"
"No sitting close to the TV, okay?"
"Yes~~" Al replied in a sing-song voice as he hopped up and down in excitement in front of the kitchen island. Mum chuckled and swiftly handed him the bowl of the sweet fruit. As soon as he obtained the goods, Al dashed away and jumped onto the couch, almost dropping the watermelons.
"Ah~" Chomp! Al bit into the crunchy red fruits, each bite releasing a refreshing juice.
'I want some too!' I complained impatiently.
Before I could say anything else, Al shut his eyes and when they opened again, I was the one outside. Gingerly, I picked up the fork and chowed down on the watermelon cubes.
'Hehe, we can take turns eating.' Al said from the inside.
"Yeah!" I replied while sneakily eating another cube. It was a little annoying going in and out at fast succession but for the sake of the food, I was willing to sit through it over and over again.
'Ack! That's unfair! It's my turn now.'
"Hehehe." I snickered and let Al go to the outside while I went back inside.
"No more sneaking bites, ok?" Al chided as he poked at the bowl.
'Yes, yes.' I chimed. I considered doing again but decided that it wasn't worth getting Al angry.
After I had the final bite, I let out a mighty burp and smirk victoriously. In the end, because I had stolen that bite, I was able to eat more than Al. Satisfied, I called out from the living room, "Mum, we're done eating!"
"Oh, already?" Mum walked into the living room a little surprised. "Did you and Bert like it?"
"Mum, I'm Bert right now." I was a little upset but let it go since it was hard to tell the difference between me and Al anyways. If there was a difference, I would say that Al is a little nicer? Like the older brothers in the cartoons kind of.
There was a strange pause before Mum smiled and took the bowl from me, whilst asking again. "Well then, did you and Al enjoy it, Bert?"
"Yes! It was yummy!"
"I see, that's good."
"Mum, Al says thank you too."
"Ufufu, you're very welcome."
"Ah! Ice Cream Warrior is on!" I dashed back to the couch and snatched the remote in my hands. "Hey, hey, Mum. Ice Cream Warrior is Kurt and Ice Cream Warrior, so what is Mum?"
"Pardon?"
"Is Mum just Mum?"
"Pfttttt-" I didn't know why Mum was laughing so I just tilted my head to the side. "Mum's name is Katelyn, Mum is just who I am, just like how Dad calls you Son sometimes."
"Ohhhh, so Mum is Katelyn, just like how we are Albert." I nodded to myself. "Then are you Kate or Lyn?"
This was my mistake. I hadn't known then, that we weren't normal.
"Do you mean my nickname? Lots of people like to call me Kate."
"So the other Mum is called Lyn?"
"...Other Mum?" Mum's voice tensed unconsciously. I wonder what she was thinking back then. Did she suspect Dad was cheating on her? Well, whatever it was, it would have never prepared her for what was going to happen next.
"Yeah! The other person inside you!" I answered cheerfully. "Ah-! Does the other Mum have another name? Me and Al just split our name but did Mum make new ones?"
Mum dropped the bowl. It made a clear clang as it collided against the hard tiles and broke into pieces.
Poor Mum. She had finally realised that her only child was a monster with two souls.