TTRIA 11

“Ah, damn it. Why of all times, now….”

No matter how bad its condition was, he thought it would last for at least a day. At this rate, there was no point in having gone through the trouble of acquiring it, even paying an extra fee. Jeff, who had cursed under his breath, checked his surroundings. The forest after the rain was different from how it had looked in the early dawn. Having lost the guiding light, it was difficult to even gauge his direction.

“Hah….”

If he had known it would be like this, he should have just brought a lantern. Finding the annex was a secondary concern for now; to begin with, if he could not shine a light, there was no reason to confront an Ego. It would be difficult to check for a shadow, after all. It would be better to go back than to engage in a meaningless struggle, but the regret of giving up the opportunity of the full moon like this was great.

“…Still, at least the rain has stopped.”

Even if he returned to the mansion, it was uncertain if he could come out again while avoiding the warden’s eyes. He had no choice but to wait for the dark clouds to clear and the full moon to be revealed, or to hope for a light from the annex. Jeff, who had roughly wiped his face, wet with sweat and humidity, started to walk.

His eyes, which had quickly grown accustomed to the darkness, gradually began to distinguish the shapes of the space. Jeff carefully advanced, surveying his surroundings within the damp air that enveloped his entire body. It was after he had walked for some time like that.

A strong scent drifted on the humid breeze. It was similar to the fragrance of the small glass bottle in his pocket, but it carried a much more intense concentration. It was closer to the scent from yesterday than the one he had sent today, and it offered a sensation more rapturous and captivating than that. The familiar yet strange sensation stimulated his sense of smell.

Jeff followed the scent as if he were possessed.

There was no more wandering off the path. It was because the guiding scent, which had replaced the light, was leading Jeff. Finally breaking free from the forest’s curtain, Jeff came face to face with a building engulfed in darkness, without a single point of light.

It was the annex.

“……”

Jeff stopped in his tracks. A faint shape was sticking out from beyond the half-open main entrance. It was a snow-white foot that looked as if it had been thrown down, unable to cross the threshold. It was sullied with muddy water as if it had trudged through the forest, but the skin that was briefly revealed was excessively pale.

Just like a corpse.

“……”

Holding his breath, Jeff took a step forward. As the distance closed, the scent stimulating his nose grew stronger. He knew at once. The scent that had served as his guide through the forest originated from the shape before his eyes. When the distance to the long trail of scent had shrunk to barely a step away.

Jeff realized that the human figure, draped in a darkness deeper than the darkness itself, was somehow familiar. It was an instinctive realization.

“…Wayne Gray?”

The identity of the corpse, which had collapsed, curled up tightly, was the head of the family. For a moment, his entire body froze, but there was no time to hesitate. He hastily knelt and gripped his shoulder with a trembling hand. The warmth of skin was transmitted through the soaked shirt. Far from being cool, it was so hot that his hand felt as if it would be burned.

Only then did Jeff let out the breath he had been holding. It was not a corpse. He had only lost consciousness; he was alive.

“Mr. Wayne, Mr. Wayne? Hey, Wayne! Snap out of it!”

But no matter how much he shook him, Wayne did not open his eyes. He only trembled, his body a ball of fire, and let out intermittent breaths.

“Damn it, what is this scent…!”

The scent that pricked his nose momentarily grew even thicker. It was as if he had spilled perfume all over his body while making it; a suffocatingly intense smell vibrated in the air. No matter how captivating a scent, it becomes noxious when it is excessive. A headache, as if his brain were being stabbed with a sharp needle, assailed him.

Jeff hurriedly covered his nose and kicked the half-closed door with his foot. As the door opened slightly, the humid forest wind rushed in fiercely. The cool dawn air swirled in, covering the excessive scent. Only then did it feel as if he could breathe a little. Jeff lowered his body, filling his lungs with a large gulp of air.

“Hey, Wayne. Are you okay?”

He slapped Wayne’s cheek, checking for consciousness. Through their touching skin, he could feel Wayne’s eyelid twitch, however faintly.

“…First, let’s go inside for now.”

The trembling of his body intensified, as if the wind were causing chills. Jeff, who pulled the pathetically curled up body into an embrace and helped him up, entered the annex. The inside was darker than the outside. The moment he cautiously took a step, the door slammed shut with a clang, and a heavy silence descended. The wind was cut off in an instant. The scent originating from Wayne quickly filled the space.

Fortunately, he had grown used to the scent in the meantime, so it was not as agonizing as before. The problem, however, was the darkness. Jeff, who surveyed his surroundings with his nerves on edge, carefully set Wayne down. It was too dangerous to move while supporting him in this darkness. He had to turn on a light, if only to find a bedroom. Jeff fumbled along the wall and barely managed to find the switch. But no matter how many times he flicked it, the light did not respond.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. What the hell is this….”

He pressed it again several times with his fingertips, but it was still pitch black. Frustration surged.

“Hello? Hello! Is anyone here?”

As if even the servants were away, the only thing echoing in the annex was Jeff’s voice. How on earth were they managing the annex for it to be in this state? Giving up on the light, he moved about, searching blindly for the in-house telephone to call the main building, but this too was fruitless. The telephone line was dead, and the machine did not even react.

If only the flashlight he had brought was working, he would not be in such a bind. Frustrated, Jeff roughly ruffled his hair.

“Hey, is there really no one here? Sierra? Sierra Parkes! Are you not here either? If you are, come out! I need your help!”

He called out the missing child’s name with a sliver of hope, but no answer returned. He had to admit it now. He and Wayne were the only ones here.

A sigh escaped him. Jeff, who wiped his sweat-drenched face along with a faint curse, stared at his own unseen hand. His skin tingled. The skin that had absorbed Wayne’s body temperature still held the heat. The heat remaining on his skin did not cool easily, to the point where he wondered if this was how intense the moment of contact had been. He felt that if he was left like this, his brain might just cook.

“…This won’t do.”

Even if he finds a bedroom, he cannot check on Wayne’s condition in this pitch darkness. It seemed better to go to the main building, even if he had to carry him on his back. His footprints would still be left in the muddy forest, so he would not wander for long. Jeff approached Wayne and covered him with his own gown. Although it was soaked in sweat, it would be at least a little helpful in soothing the chills.

“Just hold on a little longer.”

He whispered quietly as he brushed back the wet strands of hair. Then, he carefully pulled Wayne’s upper body into an embrace. Just as he was about to have him lean against him and support him with an arm behind his knees.

“…Wayne?”

Thud! A hot and firm hand gripped his wrist. A strong grip tightened around his skin. He felt the illusion of an ember burning into him.

“Wayne, are you awake? Damn it, loosen your grip a little….”

“…Jeff, Lowell?”

A painfully cracked voice flowed from Wayne, who had buried his face in his shoulder.

“That’s right. Are you coming to your senses now? Can you possibly move?”

Wayne took a deep breath.

“Haah….”

He slowly pulled their closely pressed bodies apart. But even that movement seemed to be a struggle. Jeff reached out a hand to support him, but Wayne refused the touch. As he strenuously raised his body and created distance, a thick, rich scent rushed in strongly.

The moment he inhaled it helplessly, with no time to avoid the scent, Jeff felt his mind grow hazy.

“Hk…!”

He hurriedly pinched his nose, but the lingering scent he had already inhaled felt as if it were rummaging through his brain. His mind went blank, as if a hot hand were sweeping through his lungs and brain. For a moment, his vision blurred and his balance wavered. While Jeff staggered without realizing it, Wayne was slowly backing away. His sense of hearing, sharpened to replace his blocked vision and sense of smell, tracked Wayne’s movements.

Wayne’s minute movements. The sound of his heels scraping the floor. Even the sound of the damp air seeping into the hem of his clothes.

Jeff pressed down on his throbbing forehead and raised his head, following the sound. He could sense Wayne’s silhouette in the deep darkness. His instincts were telling him so, but he could not be certain if that shape was truly Wayne’s. The darkness that had settled all around was that severe.

“……”

Ah, had he ever faced such a vast darkness in his life? Amid the scent that rummaged through his brain and his confused vision, the pounding of his heart beat against his eardrums. The darkness was approaching like black smoke, enveloping his entire body. He was being consumed by a severe darkness that made even his physical form ambiguous. As he realized that,

Fear came in an instant.

“……”

Wayne. Where is Wayne?

If he could just confirm that heat in this cold darkness, it felt like the confusion would subside a little. It was when Jeff instinctively reached out his hand in search of the scent and warmth.

“Why are you here?”

A sharp voice was heard from the darkness. Only then did it feel as if he could breathe. As the tension eased, his vision, which had been so hazy, became clearer. He could faintly see Wayne’s silhouette. The scent enveloping him and his slow breaths. And he could feel the body heat he had left behind from his grip. Jeff, who had carefully withdrawn his hand, opened his mouth.

“…I’m the one who wants to ask that. Why was the head of the family collapsed in a place like this? Are you aware that your whole body is a ball of fire right now….”

“I believe I asked the question first, Jeff Lowell.”

Wayne cut him off. His voice was as sharp as if it had been honed on a blade.

“Why are you….”

He paused for a moment and then muttered as if to himself.

“Ah… sleepwalking. Right, you had symptoms of sleepwalking.”

Soon, his gaze turned to Jeff.

“But for someone with that, you seem perfectly lucid, so why are you here?”

“Ah, that’s….”

The gentle demeanor he had shown at their first meeting was nowhere to be found. Whether it was because he was sick, Wayne showed a sensitive and nervous air. Momentarily flustered, Jeff calmly chose his words. Regardless of his intention to help, the fact that he was an intruder in the annex remained unchanged. It was not as if he could not understand why he was showing such a sharp attitude.

“I woke up in the forest. I ended up here while wandering, and you happened to be collapsed. Your fever was high, so I couldn’t just pass by.”

When he explained it like that, Wayne spoke in a somewhat softened tone.

“…I see. Thank you for helping me. I am fine now, so you should head back.”

“You’re fine?”

The heat transmitted to his skin had been so hot. The sensation left on his gripped wrist was still so vivid.

“Yes. This is on the mild side. Don’t worry about me and hurry back. It’s late.”

“……”

Was it because he could not see his complete form even though they were facing each other? It felt like he was having a conversation with a ghost. The blurry silhouette, the suppressed breaths, and the thick scent. And Jeff, who was mulling over the deeply hoarse and cracked voice, opened his mouth.

“You’re not going back with me?”

“I can rest here.”

“I checked and the lights are out. You’re saying you’ll rest alone in this dark place without any servants?”

“Yes. That is what I wanted.”

What he wanted? Before Jeff, who had narrowed his brow, could ask again, Wayne continued.

“After I finish my work, I need time alone. I don’t need light, or sound, or servants. What I want is time completely to myself. So….”

Wayne, who held his breath for a moment, added in a low voice.

“Please go back now. And erase what happened today from your mind. I will do the same.”

His voice spread as if gliding through the darkness. It was a low and quiet voice. While he seemed to be trying hard to maintain his composure, there was a subtle sense of detachment within it. Jeff silently looked at the figure in the darkness. It seemed as if it were buried in the endless blackness, trying to push away a strange intruder. Was that what he truly meant, or was it because there was something he wanted to hide?

“…If you put it that way, I have no choice. I understand.”

But since the person himself was firmly insisting, there was no reason to persist any longer.

“Then I will be on my way. Please take good care of yourself.”

Jeff, who had gotten up, walked toward the door. Even as he walked away with his back turned, he could feel a gaze flowing down the nape of his neck. Jeff was curious what kind of expression he was looking at him with, but he did not turn around.

“Jeff.”

If it had not been for the voice calling him to a halt, he certainly would have kept going.

“I don’t know how you know Sierra, but.”

“……”

“That child has returned to her original place, so there’s no use in looking for her.”

Jeff’s steps stopped. His stiffened heart began to beat once more.

“…You were conscious.”

“How could I not wake up when you were shouting like that.”

Wayne added, as if whispering. With a hint of laughter that one would not notice without listening closely. Jeff, who parted his lips, continued his words.

“Seeing the child was a coincidence. I wanted to pretend not to know since you seemed to be hiding her, but I was in a state of panic earlier.”

“It’s true I was keeping her for a while due to certain circumstances. There was no reason for me to tell that to Jeff.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Since I’ve resolved your curiosity, there’s one thing I’d like you to observe.”

Jeff quietly inhaled and answered.

“Please speak.”

“Forget what happened today.”

What returned was a monotone voice.

“If you can’t forget it completely, then at least pretend you have.”

“……”

“Because I will.”

Jeff silently looked at the figure in the darkness. He wanted to uncover his expression. But he still could not see anything. Only the scent was transmitted.

“What is the reason I have to forget?”

“Because forgetting will be better for you.”

“Will something bad happen if I don’t forget?”

“Probably.”

Jeff let out a scoff.

“For someone who spoke as if you were certain that forgetting would be for the best, isn’t that too irresponsible of an answer?”

“Don’t waste your energy picking at my words. This isn’t a situation for you to be racking your brain. You know the answer is already set.”

“Is this, by any chance, a warning?”

A moment of silence passed, and Wayne answered.

“Perhaps.”

“It makes me curious whether it’s a warning about the test, or a warning about my own safety.”

“It could be both.”

Jeff let out a faint laugh.

“I see. I will be careful.”

Finishing the conversation like that, he turned his body. He walked forward as if cutting through the darkness and opened the door. The forest he faced again was still dark. The rain that had stopped was falling again. The humidity that drifted on the desolate breeze dug into his skin. Jeff, who was holding his breath and looking at the gloomy scenery, opened his mouth.

“You said just a moment ago. That Sierra returned to her original place.”

There was no reaction from inside, but Jeff could tell that Wayne was listening.

“Does ‘original place’ mean the arms of her guardian?”

To those words, a low answer returned.

“Yes. That child returned to the arms of her ‘grandfather’.”

“I see. Thank you for answering.”

Jeff nodded his head. He was finally relieved by the answer of ‘grandfather’.

“I hope you get well soon.”

After offering a perfunctory greeting, he left the annex as it was. Jeff, who was heading into the forest in the direction of the main building, suddenly turned back. The annex, buried in darkness, could be seen. Unlike its beautiful exterior, its interior, with its broken lights, was devoid of a single point of light and exuded a closed-off atmosphere.

“…I thought it was a harmonious family’s nest.”

A space where the child has returned to her original place, the muse who should be guarding the annex is nowhere to be seen, and only the master of the mansion, who everyone adored, is collapsed pathetically. With not even an Ego to be wary of intruders, it is a good situation to check Wayne Gray’s shadow, but…. Far from checking, he felt as if he had been dragged into his shadow.

“Forget what happened today.”

Now that he had even heard such a warning, showing up again would only heighten his vigilance. It was a shame, but for now, it would be better to lay low. Jeff turned his body again. He escaped the forest without difficulty, as if his body remembered the way.

“Oh my goodness, Mr. Lowell!”

Just as he reached the front of the main building, a pale-faced servant was running out. Faced with the sight of him looking like a drowned rat, he made a crying face with a mix of shock and relief. Shh, Jeff brought a finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet, and calmed the servant down.

“I woke up midway and came back. Nothing happened, so let’s just let it pass quietly today.”

“B-but….”

The servant looked on with a troubled face, watching his expression. Jeff continued in a low voice.

“I’m not telling you not to report it. I’m telling you to act naturally. The way you look right now, anyone can tell you dozed off and came running out. Does anyone else know that I came out?”

“No, for now, it’s just me….”

Pat, pat, Jeff patted the warden’s shoulder and started walking.

“That’s good. Act naturally. As if you’ve been watching by my side all along. It’s not pleasant for me either if you get reprimanded because of me.”

“Th-thank you.”

“Let’s go in now. I want to warm myself up.”

The warden, who noticed he did not have his gown, hurriedly supported Jeff’s body. With a build that barely reached his shoulder, it was more of a nuisance than a help, but he did not bother to show it.

Once the full moon passed, Collie returned to sunny weather. The children, who had met their families and returned to the mansion, also showed more vitality than before.

On the returning day off, he headed to the village. It was to purchase a new flashlight and a lighter. They were items he could easily obtain by asking a servant, but he did not want to explain their necessity to them. The mansion always maintained sufficient lighting to ask for a flashlight, and Jeff was not a smoker to ask for a lighter. An unclear request would only invite unnecessary suspicion.

After buying the items, Jeff looked around the village instead of returning to the mansion. Whenever he saw a new shop, he asked for news of the old man and the child. It was because he could not completely trust Wayne’s words. Fortunately, he was able to hear news of them at an art supply store he happened to visit.

“If you mean Mr. Parkes, he left Collie with his granddaughter. The missing child returned dramatically, you see.”

The owner, who regularly associated with the old man, said he had personally shared final goodbyes, so it seemed he could finally rest easy. There was no longer a need to worry about the child’s whereabouts.

After that, Jeff sent a letter to the orphanage. At the mansion he returned to after completing all his planned tasks, an unexpected person greeted him.

“Jeff! Have you been well?”

A familiar voice echoed. Jeff stopped in his tracks and raised his gaze.

“Hugo?”

“Haha! My friend, I missed you!”

Hugo strode over and pulled Jeff into a hug. The fierce embrace was suffocating. Jeff, who let out a hollow laugh, pushed Hugo’s body away.

“What happened all of a sudden? You’ve been out of touch all this time.”

“I arrived before lunch. I wanted to surprise you, but you have no idea how disappointed I was that you weren’t here. Why are you only here now? It seems you enjoyed sightseeing in the village quite a bit, huh?”

“Well, sure. It’s a beautiful village.”

When he gave a light shrug, Hugo smiled as if pleased.