Parasite

Ash is dead. My father is dead. Well, Adam’s father.

My father… Is a whole other issue.

Not goanna think about that…

Ash and Adam’s father… are dead. It doesn’t feel real to me. I’m probably in denial or something.

Ash undeniably died in order to ensure that I could escape. Adam’s father… I’m not sure how he died but–

Pax: Is this all my fault?

The temperature in the silent carriage dropped a few more degrees with that comment. Adam’s mother was shocked back into the present situation.

Mother: O-Of course not Adam. This isn’t your fault in the slightest… The truth is, your father made a lot of enemies with his work. I’m sure that it was one of them who orchestrated this attack.

Hurrying over to my side and embracing me, I could feel Adam’s mother shaking. I see. She’s truly a strong woman. She refuses to break down into tears in front of her own son.

That was a stupid comment I had made. It’s obviously not my fault.

That would be like saying if on September 11th, 2001, a man was planning on calling sick but then his wife convinced him to go to work that day. And then the man went to work at the World Trade Center. You know, obviously it’s not the wife’s fault that her husband is dead –she wasn’t the one that was flying the plane or anything– but if she hadn’t done what she did then her husband would still be alive.

Maybe she is at fault –at least partially. But, she definitely shouldn’t be blamed for it, and she definitely shouldn’t feel guilty about it. Though, it’s hard to imagine that she wouldn’t

Pax: hah…

What an unfunny joke.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I pretended to fall asleep for the rest of the carriage ride out of respect for my “mother”. I guess it was worth it because I could hear muffled crying shortly after closing my eyes.

Eventually we arrived in Guileva. Apparently it’s a town near the western border of Artenia.

Never heard of it before. I should have studied the maps in the mansion better when I had the chance.

…

Mother: Adam, we are going to be staying here for a little while.

It was a shabby looking inn. The walls and ceilings appeared to be made of concrete but there were cracks in it everywhere. Actually, it looked like all the buildings in this town were made of concrete and had cracks in their walls. This whole town looks like it could fall apart at any moment.

After entering the inn, we headed up the stairs, and went into our new room. It looked like shit.

Mother: Okay Adam, leave your stuff here and we’ll go get dinner.

Adam: Uh…

Maid: I’m afraid Adam forgot all of his belongings at the mansion… We did leave in a hurry after all.

Mother: Oh… We’ll have to buy you some new clothes then… For now, lets just get some food.

Adam: …Alright

Honestly, I wasn’t feeling very hungry. Even though I hadn’t had a meal all day and it was approaching sunset, for some reason I didn’t feel like eating. I followed along anyways because I didn’t have the energy to protest.

We found a bar nearby and went inside. The first thing I noticed was that a lot of young men and women were causing a ruckus. That was totally fucking with the ultra-gloomy vibe we previously had going on. The next thing I noticed was that a lot of these people had swords, staffs, and all sorts of weapons.

Could these possibly be the “Adventurers” I’d heard rumors about?

Anyways, we took a table and sat in complete silence. I ended up ordering some soup, while the maid and my mother just ordered some alcohol.

It seems like they are trying to drink their woes away.

Can’t really blame them, but I have no reason to stick around for it.

I left the pub after mother got to her fifth drink. It seems I’m learning a lot about her today.

It’s dark now and the streets are mostly empty except for a few people walking here and there.

For some reason something caught my eye in that moment. There was a little girl just standing there.

…

Okay, maybe my thoughts are trying to run away from all of the serious things.

Well, I feel like she would stand out to most people. I mean it’s a blue haired 13 year old wearing what looks like a karate Gi. Blue hair isn’t that uncommon in this world, but I've never seen that uniform in this world before and kids usually don’t stay out this late. Also, for some reason, it seems like no one else notices her.

Child: Hey there! You can see me?

Before I could call out to her, she decided to go first. I don’t even know when she spotted me.

Pax: Is there something strange about me seeing you? Are you trying to become invisible or something.

Child: hmmmm… It’s a secret. Anyways, my name is Charlotte.

Pax: My name… is Adam. What’s a kid doing out so late Charlotte?

Charlotte seems kind of taken aback by the question, but then she giggles and responds wittily:

Charlotte: A kid huh? I’m pretty sure that you’re the only kid in town –If you can even call yourself that.

Shit–How much does she know? Who is this kid?

Charlotte: You’ve got quite the secrets yourself eh? Kid. Still haven’t figured it out yet? Why no one but you can see me.

Now circling me like a shark about to attack, her tone changes to that of a tiger playing with its prey. But I’m not just going to roll over for her.

Pax: You… You’ve died before haven’t you?

Her face contorts into a wicked smile.

Charlotte: –Bingo

Huh? Since how long has the world been completely dark? What the hell did that bitch do?

Charlotte: Oh? There is something completely off about your soul. Sorry –My bad, I thought you were something else. You’re truly an abomination though.

The world returned back to normal and I fell to the floor gasping for air.

Patting my back, the girl’s demeanor returned to being friendly again.

Pax: What just happened?

Charlotte: Yea, sorry about that. I mistook you for a ghoul and tried to eat you for a minute there.

Pax: What?

Charlotte: Well, only people who have died before can see me, so I just went and assumed that you were a ghoul. Which is a thing that’s kind of like a ghost you know? I mean, there are some exceptions to that but you just kinda looked like one to me. Well, I know that’s not really an excuse to just eat someone or anything so I guess I’m sorry. No, I’m sorry.

Pax: …Alright. Sure I guess. I’ll forgive you almost killing me there, but why did you call me an abomination earlier?

Charlotte: Well… I’ve never really seen anything like you before. What are you?

Pax: Uh. I’m definitely a human though?

Charlotte: Nope. Definitely not. It looks like your soul was a human’s but then something dark and disgusting attached itself to that soul and completely changed it.

She said such while making something of a disgusted face. Wow. I think that’s got to be the worst thing anyone has ever told me.

Finally noticing that what she said could be seen as an insult, Charlotte immediately stammered out an apology:

Charlotte: ah! S-S-Sorry about that. I mean, if you’ve been living as a human all this time then that’s fine. You totally look like a human on the outside! A really hot and attractive human! Yea, there’s nothing to feel bad about!

As I got up, Charlotte continued spitting out apologies one after another. I had stopped listening though.

Ah, why did I even try from the beginning? Why did I just remember now?

Pax: I’m going back home now.

Charlotte: Ah, okay… see you tomorrow.

…

This stairway, has it always been this long? Hah, something feels funny.

I feel like throwing up.

That bitch made me think about things I shouldn’t have.

…

What a useless distraction.

Flopping down onto the shitty bed, I willed myself to turn over onto my back and stare at the ceiling –My first accomplishment of the day.

Ash is dead. Adam’s father is dead. And Pax… died long ago. So what the hell am I?

Shouldn’t Adam be crying for his lost mentor and father?

???: I think you know who you are.

From outside my room’s door, a familiar voice spoke to me.

I could drown in those pretty words of hers –Oh how I missed her.

???: Do you want me to spell it out for you?

Say it. Hurt me more with that loving voice of yours.

???: You. Are. A. Parasite.

Hah. Charlotte mentioned something that sounded like that. I am the “something dark and disgusting” attached to Adam’s soul.

Now on top of me, the woman in the white sundress says to me:

???: Silly boy, you’re being too literal. You are your whole soul. The “something dark and disgusting” and the rest of the soul are both you.

Is that how that works?

???: Separating Adam and Pax will do you no good. The idea that you are only the dark and disgusting part of that soul breaks down when you consider your first life. Weren’t you just as much of a parasite then?

Parasite –What a funny word.

She’s been looking straight into my eyes for a while now. Observing me. After the conversation pauses for a moment, she smiles and goes in for a kiss. Naturally I don’t reject the offer. She tastes so warm and sweet. I could get addicted to such a potent drug.

But then she’s gone. And I’m just left staring up at the plain ceiling.

Pax: Hahahaha. Ahaha –ha

This laughter feels forced. Eventually tears come flowing out of my eyes.

Pax: I’m so glad that I can still cry. Hah

Crawling up into a ball, the bedsheets become moist from the tears.