There was the sound of a train clattering and thumping. Alice opened her eyes. Her head was stagnant as if she had fallen into a swamp, and her vision was dim.
"…"
Pressing her head, she raised up. It was a familiar train room. In the corner of it, she was lying on a bed.
She forcefully concentrated her hazy thoughts and struggled to recollect what had happened before and after. There, as if struck by an electric shock, Alice recalled the situation concerning Jack and attempted to stand up, flinging off the blanket. However, the rocking of the train caught her footing and she slumped to the ground. Her body had no strength.
–It's Jack.
It was evident that he had done something to her.
Had he injected me with an anesthetic?
By now, how long had it passed since we had that conversation?
One day? Two days? A week…?
She grew pale and stiff as if cold water had been dumped on her heart.
What happened to Jack?
Has the Nightmare killed him?
Leaning against the wall, she crawled to stand up.
"I need to go…" Muttering to herself, she approached the door to the train compartment. "I need to go… to save…"
But another tremor swept her off balance and she toppled to the floor. Her head slammed against the floor and she winced for a while, moaning in pain. Then she remained in the same position, sobbing.
… It was painful.
It was painful.
What's more, I didn't understand.
Whether or not they fought, this world would soon disappear. When that time drew near, what would happen to themselves, the "data" that had no entity? Will they disappear together with…?
That was more horrendous than anything else; it was crueler than everything else.
Win or lose, eventually, she herself shall vanish. Whether protecting or not protecting… She covered her face and wailed like a child.
Right as she was raising her voice and trembling, the door of the train opened and Philrain appeared. She hurried over to the cowering Alice and crouched down.
"Master Alice!"
Clinging to Philrain, Alice squeezed out the words.
"Phil…! Jack is…"
"…"
"What happened to Jack!"
Being yelled in her ear, Philrain gnashed her teeth and gripped Alice by the shoulders. Then looking her straight in the eye, she opened her mouth.
"Listen closely, Master Alice."
"…"
"Master Jack and Lady Iberis stayed behind at the shelter to let you escape. We split up a few hours ago, and this train has departed." To Alice's exasperation, she continued. "We're already hundreds of kilometers away."
"Lies… lies…" Alice wobbled, shivering, and grabbed Philrain's clothes. "Jack… he will die…? Why…? I…"
"Please calm down."
But Philrain quietly said this and stared into Alice's eyes. "Master Jack and the rest have entrusted you with their hope. They created a future for you to advance and eliminate your enemies."
"…"
"Stand, Master Alice. You must push forward."
Alice bit her lip and was silent for a while. Then she removed her hand from Philrain's clothes and lowered her head.
"… Everybody's a selfish one…"
Her lonely murmur faded into the air. Clenching her fists as she gritted her teeth, she shouted at Philrain.
"It's selfish…! Jack… Raffi…. even you! After all, all of you want me to fight. Isn't that right!"
"Master Alice!"
Then Philrain interrupted. At the sight of her face contorted in grief, Alice kept her mouth shut.
"… Did Master Jack say that?"
Being told quietly, Alice came to a halt. Tears flowed raggedly down from her eyes. Covering her face with her hands, she whimpered aloud.
Hugging Alice's head, Philrain gently stroked it. After a while, Philrain spoke up after observing Alice sobbing and gritting her teeth.
"There's another Angel in the shelter we're heading to…"
"Eh…?"
"I've heard that Angel has special powers. She may be able to be of assistance to you…"
Unconfidently, Philrain's voice trailed off and disappeared. Alice looked up at her and began to speak.
"How long until…"
"…"
"How long until we reach there…?"
"… In five hours…"
Alice stared up at the clock on the wall and gnashed her teeth.
–It's my fault.
Because I alone suffered and rejected those around me.
Despair surged in her heart, but Alice forced herself to swallow it down.
"Can Jack and Iberis be contacted…?"
"There's no radio service at this distance. The train can't be stopped. There's a lot of citizens… so we have no option but to head to the destination…"
Alice inhaled and exhaled softly.
I have to help them.
As soon as possible.
But the means to do so are not present.
I can't do it on my own.
"… Phil, I… made a mistake…" Alice said in a small, muffled voice.
"Master Alice…"
"I have to fight." Holding on to her, Alice rose to her feet through clenched teeth. "I have to help Jack and… Iberis. So I need to head back at once…"
"…"
"No one told me to do this… I want to help both of them, by my own will. So…"
Alice grasped Philrain's shoulders and squeezed out a sorrowful voice.
"'Help' me, Phil…!"