Chapter 10

Ray was reading as she brought Aki to the room, then took both of their hands. Alice urged, “You must forgive each other; I can tell you still love each other.” Aki sighed, “Alice, it's not that easy. We're fighting over you; we only want you to look at one of us.” Ray turned Alice's face to look at him as he responded, “You can’t be so greedy.” Alice countered, “What’s wrong with that? You two are doing the same thing.”

Aki admitted, “It’s just been so long since we talked, so it’s awkward.” Alice presses, “You know I am not picking one of you. It’s the result of dying many times because of your guys' actions. It is taking a toll on both of you.” Ray murmured, “It seems she remembers everything.” Alice then suggested, “I hear a kiss can make things better.” Ray took Aki’s hand and kissed it, noting Alice's slime. Alice was no longer dying; they were happily together now. The pain they had always felt became unimportant to them, as it was all theft had ever known.

Their love for each other would endure if Alice were a man and Ray and Aki were women, or if they were all men, or all women. They remained obsessed with Alice, as a new “game” was now underway, since Alice could always hear people's wishes. However, those wishes never come true because of the self- imposed rules. One day, Alice was playing in the pond, her feet in the water. As she sat on the edge of the pond, looking through a marble, Alice mused, “What is the meaning of a wish?”

Ray and Aki were there. Ray answered first, “A strong desire or hope that is difficult to achieve.” Aki added, “We don't have those; that’s why they don't call us human. It seems humans always have desires, but perhaps it's because of these cures.” Ray stood behind her, holding the red candy jar and pulling one out. Aki walked up to her and hugged her from behind.

“It’s time to have your sweets.” Aki murmured. Ray brought the candy to her lips, knowing this sweet helped her maintain her humanity and sanity. Ray, Aki, and Alice took many pills made by the doctor and scientist, but Alice's pills were made into cube human remains. Alice opens her mouth, and Ray gently places it inside. Each time Alice consumed the candy, she would fall into a deep sleep that would last for a while.