ZEKE
Here it is again, a new dawn, a fresh challenge. Amidst all the misfortunes that befall me, I still don't understand why I wake up so peacefully, as if I'm not going through anything. I suppose, in some way, a hint of luck still clings to me.
I gaze at the light streaming through the small and narrow window while savoring the fresh morning breeze. How I wish my feelings were as fresh as the air now, or that the days to come would be as invigorating as this breeze. I couldn't help but close my eyes and take a deep breath.
My precious moment of rest and contemplation shattered when a tiny being rushed towards me.
"Zeke! You're awake!" he greeted, with a broad and hearty smile. It's early, but this child's energy soars high. A far cry from his quiet sister and clever brother. Little Ace helped me tidy up my humble bedding.
"Let's have a meal, Zeke! Grandma has cooked your favorite rice porridge!" he informed me while pulling me out of the small room. I found Ash engrossed in a book, while Grandma Sue was busy preparing food.
"Well, Zeke, this is perfect timing. Let's eat here. Did you have a restful sleep?" she asked with a wide smile as she handed me a delicious bowl of rice porridge. The three of us sat down next to Ash at the small table.
"Yes, Grandma Sue. I had a very restful sleep," I happily acknowledged, and it was indeed true. Despite staying with Grandma Sue multiple times, the warmth of their acceptance never wavered, even though we weren't related by blood.
Four years ago, I decided to live independently from the person who I've known and lived since childhood. My real parents were gone when I was just a baby. Since then, I've been taken in by a kind and well-known individual. Everything I needed in life was provided for as I grew up, something I'm eternally grateful for. When I turned 18, I realized I couldn't rely on him anymore, and I needed to start searching and discovering life on my own. I'm thankful for the care I received because, despite his reluctance, he let me go.
And here I am now, an aimless individual with no direction and no place to own. No job, no money. In short, a living failure - for now.
"Grandma Sue, where's Avi?" I suddenly inquired, noticing that their elder sibling was absent again this morning.
"Well, what do you think? Most likely in town, collecting wood and metal to sell. So early in the morning, the thought of helping is already on her mind. That child is really something, but it's pitiful because at your age, you should be in school, not working. If only my body were still strong, we wouldn't be in this situation." I could feel the sadness in Grandma Sue's words. Ash immediately looked at Grandma Sue, while little Ace embraced her.
"Don't worry, Grandma Sue. It's okay. It's not your fault. You took care of us for many years, and now it's our turn to do something for ourselves," Ash said, smiling at Grandma Sue. I still wasn't used to Ash's newfound quietness, considering that Ash and Ace used to be equally lively and noisy.
"Love you, Grandma Sue!" Ace shouted cutely while still hugging Grandma Sue. This child is truly adorable.
I couldn't help but smile with a touch of bitterness at what Grandma Sue said. It's heartwarming to see the siblings helping at such a young age, but it's not the life they deserve. We are here in the Golden Lake of Clima Province, one of the most deprived and poorest zone capitals. Like many others, Grandma Sue and her grandchildren work hard and endure the hardships of this province just to get by each day.
Life here in Zone 6 has never been fair, considering my experiences since childhood, especially after I decided to live independently. To be honest, my life was comfortable and luxurious before I left, thanks to him who took me in. However, seeing the difference in my life compared to the people I encounter every day, I feel that I don't deserve my current status, especially if it weren't for the kindness of him.
That is the reason why I left. Besides my desire and need for independence, I also wanted to understand why Zone 6 was in such a dire state. I wanted to help my fellow citizens to the best of my ability, and Grandma Sue's family is part of that commitment.
"Don't worry, Grandma Sue. I won't give up every day just to provide you with the life you deserve. You all are always a part of my dreams," I said, and Grandma Sue teared up slightly. It's true, even if I've had my share of bad luck in recent years, I won't give up on my goals, for Grandma Sue's family, and for myself.
"All right, don't make me cry here. Let's eat. Ash, you can read later; eat your breakfast first. And Ace, don't wait for your sister Avi because she'll probably come back later." Ace's energy dropped when Grandma Sue mentioned this. When his older brother Ash noticed, he immediately changed the subject to Ace's favorite topic.
"Hey, Ace, want to know the origin of superpowers?" Ash intriguingly asked Ace while eating.
"Oh yes! Please! That's my favorite!" he exclaimed with his spoon held high.
I was delighted to see this. Ash has been intelligent since he was a child. He loves to read and watch various things, and he proudly shares his knowledge with Grandma Sue and me. It's heartwarming, but also sad that it's because they couldn't attend school that Ash developed this hobby due to poverty. Every time their sister Avi leaves, she brings back a new book for Ash to read.
Avi, on the other hand, is my age, 21 years old. It's through her that I got to know Grandma Sue and her siblings. Unlike Ash, who wants to study, Avi started working right away to help their family. Avi is a hardworking daughter and sister, to the point where her siblings and Grandma have to force her to take a break. Avi is a friend I consider as well, even though she often has mood swings due to her exhaustion.
And here's Ace, a mischievous 4-year-old who's always pestering his older brother about superpowers. It's great to revisit the time when you were a child, with no worries and only fantasies far from the realities of life.
"The superpowers you see on television in town are called 'cores.' Everyone here in Chrome develops a core ability when they turn 18. Just like me, Ace, I turned 18 last month, didn't I? That's why your older brother has a core ability," Ash explained, and Ace listened in amazement with his mouth wide open.
"Wow! Is that the memory-thingy?" Ace asked excitedly, and both Grandma Sue and I were now fully invested in Ash's lessons.
"Exactly, my core ability is Photographic Memory. I can quickly remember things even if I've just seen or read them for a split second. Pretty cool, right, Ace?" Ace was genuinely surprised when Ash mentioned it, even though he already knew about it.
"Super cool, big brother Ash! That's why you got all quiet when you turned 18 because you've been reading books all the time. It's because of your core!" Ace had a cute realization and pouted. Ash just laughed and continued talking.
"We already have core genes from birth, Ace, but they're only activated when we turn 18 because of the hormonal changes in our bodies. That's why everyone in Chrome develops a core when they reach 18. There's no recorded person here who didn't get a core. So you'll have one when you grow up, Ace!" I felt a bit uneasy when Ash mentioned it. Grandma Sue looked at me too.
"I'm excited to grow up! But wait, what's this Chrome you're talking about? I don't know what that means."
"Chrome is the world we live in, Ace. Chrome is composed of 12 Zones shaped like a clock. Look at this," Ash pointed to the watch Avi had given him on his 18th birthday.
"Do you see these numbers? Each number represents the location of each zone. We're at number 6, Ace. Clima Province, Zone 6. We're part of the Southern Quadrant of Chrome. And the one at the center of all the zones is called the Origin. That's where you find the wealthiest and most powerful people and families. You see that huge mountain and hills at the endpoints of each zone? Everyone in each zone has a view of that massive mountain and hills."
My smile completely faded when I heard those words. Ash was right, the lives of those in the Origin were opulent and luxurious, while the majority of people live in the flatlands and suffer. I knew all the things Ash mentioned because I learned about them when I was still in the care of him. But even now, I couldn't help but feel sad and empathize with the people who continues to suffer due to the injustice that was prevalent in every zone, especially in Clima Province.
"Really? Is that the big mountain we can see, all lit up at night?" Ace asked eagerly, despite being filled with lots of information for his age.
"Yes, that's it, Ace. The name of the Origin is Ancestral Hill. It's believed that before Chrome was divided into the 12 Zones, it all began in the vast land at the center, where the Origin stands."
Ash stopped his teaching when Grandma Sue noticed that he hadn't eaten due to explaining things to Ace, and also Ace, who was still listening with his mouth wide open. They finally began eating.
After minutes of eating, we cleared our plates. Grandma Sue started peeling potatoes to sell, and Ace helped her, still full of energy. While I was washing the dishes, I had deep thoughts, and Ash suddenly approached me with a book in his hand.
"Zeke, I'm sorry for earlier. I didn't realize, I was being insensitive to you," he began while looking at the dishes I was washing, not at me.
"Huh? Why? When?" I was surprised by his sudden apology.
"You know... the core part." This time he looked at me with a sad expression.
"Ah, that. It's okay, Ash. Don't worry about it. You were just teaching Ace about cores, and what you told him was correct," I replied to Ash while giving him an assuring smile. Don't you worry, Ash. I won't give up looking for it.
Yes, I'm 21 years old, but I don't have my core.
Maybe, not yet.