"No, this is not my kid."
Exios' voice carried a hint of irritation as he responded to the man's sudden remark.
Then, turning to me, his tone softened. "Are you okay?"
I stared at him for a moment, then nodded.
"Who is she? Whose kid is that?" someone else asked.
Without answering, Exios stepped closer, wrapping his arms around me before lifting me into his hold.
"I don't know. I found her wandering alone, so I decided to help." His voice was steady, but for some reason, he chose to leave something out.
He didn't mention the part where he had saved me.
I wondered why.
"She hasn't said much since she got here. Maybe she just needs time to adjust."
"Oh! Maybe we can help. We could put up flyers all over town, yeah?" someone offered.
"That'd be helpful. I'll call on you guys when I have enough information about her. Thanks."
"Will she be staying here in the meantime?"
Exios let out a heavy sigh. "Since I found her, yes. I'll take care of her until her parents show up."
"Well, Exios, if you ever need help, we're here. We could babysit her or take her out to play with our kids. HAHA!"
A few of them chuckled, raising their drinks, while others simply nodded in agreement.
"Alright, turn the music back on!"
And just like that, the tavern snapped back to life.
The drunken shouts, the chaotic laughter, the clinking of glasses—it was as if nothing had ever interrupted them.
I leaned my head against Exios' shoulder, feeling the warmth of his embrace.
"Do you want to go back inside, or stay here?" he asked, his voice gentle. "We'll talk once I'm done working, okay?"
"I want to stay."
The thought of being alone in a quiet room unsettled me more than the rowdy, drunken crowd.
He patted my back a few times before setting me down on a chair near where he was working.
A brief glance, a small smile—then he turned back to his tasks.
I sat there in silence, watching as he moved behind the counter, pouring drinks for the noisy patrons. Occasionally, my gaze drifted to the men drinking, laughing, shouting. Their faces were flushed, their movements exaggerated.
At one point, Exios handed me a refreshment—iced tea.
Cautious at first, I took a small sip. The coolness spread across my tongue, the sweetness light yet pleasant. I took another sip, then another. Slowly, I realized—I liked it.
Time slipped by. An hour or two, maybe more.
Then, one by one, the customers began leaving.
"See you tomorrow, Exios!" a man slurred as he staggered toward the door.
"Take care, kid!" another called out.
I only nodded in response.
They kept saying their goodbyes until, eventually, the tavern emptied.
The noise faded.
Silence settled.
Well, not complete silence.
I remained in my seat, finishing the last of my iced tea, crunching the ice in my glass. Exios moved around the kitchen, tidying up.
"You feeling alright, kid?" he asked while scrubbing a wooden counter.
"Yeah."
"Do you remember anything?"
I paused.
Images flickered in my mind—an endless field of violet flowers, a crystal lake reflecting the sky, the sensation of falling, the strong arms that caught me.
"I… woke up in a meadow filled with purple flowers. There was a lake, clear like glass."
A lake that reflected everything above it.
"Then I fell off the cliff… and you caught me."
Exios stopped wiping the counter, turning to face me fully.
"Okay…" He crossed his arms. "What about before that? Were your parents with you? Or were you alone?"
The question lingered in the air.
I stared at the ice melting in my glass.
Nothing came to mind.
Just emptiness.
Slowly, I shook my head. "I don't know. I don't remember."
Exios sighed but didn't seem surprised. "Alright. That's okay, kid. I'll do my best to help you out." He offered a small smile.
"…You don't remember your name, right?"
I shook my head again.
"Well, I guess I'll have to keep calling you 'kid' until you do." He smirked.
"You can call me whatever you want, sir."
For a moment, he studied me, a curious look in his eyes.
"Are you always this… emotionless?" He tilted his head. "From the moment I saved you, you've had the same expression."
I hadn't thought about it before.
"I don't know."
Have I always been like this?
Nothing seemed to move me—not sadness, not excitement.
I was just… existing.
Exios hummed thoughtfully. "Huh… Can memory loss wipe out feelings too?"
He caught himself and quickly waved the thought away.
"Ah! Haha, don't worry, kid. It's probably just temporary memory loss. Nothing serious!" His tone was light, as if trying to reassure me.
I wasn't particularly worried.
"It's okay. I also think I lost my memories." The words left my mouth without any weight. Just a simple fact.
He paused briefly.
"You know… I'm glad you're alright. But you seem really mature for your age." He ruffled his hair. "I'd guess you're around ten."
I remained quiet as he placed his hands on his waist, thinking.
"I'll bring a doctor in a few days. In the meantime, rest upstairs and make yourself at home. Don't be shy to ask me for anything, alright?"
I stood from my chair, setting my empty glass on the counter. "Alright. Thank you for the drink, Sir Exios." I bowed slightly.
He chuckled, placing a hand on my head. "Go upstairs, get changed, and rest. There are clothes in the wardrobe."
I did as I was told.
As he cleaned, I wandered the tavern, taking in its details. The warm glow of lanterns overhead, the faint scent of something sweet in the air.
Then, a set of picture frames caught my eye.
They sat on a tall table, arranged neatly.
I recognized the woman from the other photos, but here, she looked different. She wore a long green dress, hands cradling her swollen belly.
The next image showed the same child from before, holding the woman's hand.
But something was missing.
Or rather—someone.
Sir Exios wasn't in any of these pictures.
'Oh. He must have been the one taking them.'
I glanced at the empty tavern, watching Exios as he worked.
Where are they?
---
I woke to the sound of birds chirping, voices drifting in from outside.
Sunlight streamed through the two windows beside my bed.
I had changed into the clothes Exios provided, though I quickly realized they were all meant for boys.
It didn't bother me. They were comfortable.
After washing my face, I glanced at the mirror.
'Ah. So this is what I look like.'
Long black hair, wispy bangs framing my face. Ivory skin.
And eyes—so dark it was hard to see the pupils.
I stared at my reflection, something familiar stirring inside me.
But from where?
From when?
'This feeling again…'
Something I couldn't name.
Something just out of reach.
I sighed, looking away.
Whether I recover my memories or not… I have a feeling that whatever happened before I woke up—
—wasn't good.