A strange sound, amidst the void of a terrifying nightmare, seeks the echo of my feelings. A strange melody slips from my thoughts. Something… is chasing me~
The sound of footsteps fills an endless echo, in the depths of the nightmare. A lost soul, searching for a glimmer of hope, amidst the darkness of the void, striving for a new dream. Alice, the melody of her pain still follows her, like a shadow hiding behind its owner.
*******
Alice ran as fast as she could, a group of silver knives hurtling towards her. She lunged to her right, falling to the ground to avoid them.
"Alice… Alice…" Otto calls from the void.
"Can't you see I'm trying to survive-" Alice grumbled, scrambling back to her feet and fleeing.
"Listen… Alice… Don't let Pain hit you… Find the door-"
"What door are you talking about?" Alice asked, engrossed.
"The Threshold…"
"You should have said that from the beginning. 'My threshold isn't a door… weird…'… But… I don't see any threshold."
"What…?" Otto asked in astonishment.
Alice looked around her. Suddenly, silence fell. Alice braced herself for any surprise attack from Pain.
"Otto… I don't like this," Alice said with concern.
Alice looked at her fingers, her pale fingertips touching her forehead. She suddenly felt a jolt. Alice felt as if she had seen human faces, and shock washed over her.
"Alice… Be strong…"
"How could you-" Alice said with disgust and anger.
"Listen to me… Alice…"
*****
"Otto…" Alice said.
"Alice… This thing that weighs on your heart… your thoughts… it's all just a burden… that Pain feeds on," Otto said, putting on a helmet with a crimson needle.
"What… does that mean-" Alice said with fear.
"This is what makes it worse… Listen… Listen to me-"
******
In that moment, Alice looked around her nervously.
"No… Forget Pain… Forget this place… Forget this void… Just listen to my voice."
Alice looked down, a look of hidden pain and sadness on her face. Her hands touched her forehead again, and that black mold trickled down. 'This fear in my heart… is what weakens me more… but-'
Alice looked up, a dead smile forming on her face, as she asked, "Otto… I know the time is not right… but… may I ask you something..?"
******
"Later, Alice… we have to find-" Otto said with concern.
"Wait… Otto… (turning to the screen)… Let her ask…" Mike said.
"Why?" Robert asked.
Otto didn't say a word. He turned to the screen and said, "It's okay… Ask…"
Mike looked at Alice's body, then got up from his seat and left the room. Robert, surprised, quickly followed Mike, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"Mike… Tell me… What's wrong with you today?" Robert asked.
Mike looked at Otto with a resentful gaze, then continued walking, leaving Robert behind.
******
"It's okay… Ask."
"Otto… (inhales and exhales)… Will Eve like what I'm doing now?"
"Alice… I told you that she-"
"Otto… I know what you're planning… Therefore… you'll find any way to get me in…"
"Alice… You know that the only way to save Eve is for you to enter… and this is also beneficial for me."
******
"You finally said it, Otto," Alice said with surprise and a smile.
'Strange… What's with her behavior?' Otto thought with surprise and concern.
Suddenly, a strange hand covered the screen on Alice's end.
"Alice… Alice… What's going on over there?" Otto asked with concern.
"Don't worry…" Alice replied coldly. Otto didn't understand.
*****
Alice covered her forehead with her hand, and the mold appeared beneath her feet out of nowhere.
"Answer… You lost someone dear to you… You are the adult who understands the meaning of losing a lot in life… You and I have the same goal… I want to know… would your sister be happy to see you enter the world of nightmares?"
Silence suddenly fell. "Otto… Can you hear me… Otto?" Alice shouted, calling for Otto with concern.
*******
Shock gripped Otto's heart as he stared at the blank screen, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He put his hand on his head as Alice's screams, calling his name, grew louder.
"Otto… Otto… Can you hear me… This is not the time for the sound to go… Can you hear me… Answer… Answer my question."
***
Alice kept pleading, but he didn't answer.
'Damn it… I have to-' Alice clenched the hand covering her forehead into a fist and pulled it away. She quickly lunged to punch the symbol.
"Eve will be happy," Alice stopped, her fist relaxing, a look of confusion on her face.
"What do you mean-"
"Eve will be happy to see that… I'm sure of it." It was a strange tone from Otto that left Alice confused. She didn't understand. She turned forward to see two eyes glowing red out of the void, red mold seeping from them.
A strange feeling washed over Alice's chest as the mold bound her lower limbs, slowly creeping up. She looked at her bare hands as her nightmare rushed towards her.
Alice closed her eyes, clasping her hands to her chest as the mold seeped from her forehead more than before.
That echo coming from the void makes me feel hopeful. That hope I never dreamed of has become almost a reality. Those sincere words from his heart, I can hardly believe it. Even if I am on the brink of death, it doesn't mean I will lose hope of living a normal life.
The mold began to seep over Alice's entire body. Pain leaped, aiming her sharp dagger at Alice's chest. That dream that time had forgotten, that feeling of a new life flows through Alice's veins. Hope for a new tomorrow made Alice's blood boil. That moldy mass around Alice exploded, and something lunged towards Pain, knocking her down.
'Damn it… What the-' Pain got up with difficulty, feeling a sharp pain in her stomach. Touching it, she felt something sticky. She raised her hand to find blood. Her eyes were not without shock as she raised her head towards Alice.
Alice's body floated, shining in the midst of that dark void. That clear skin, and her silver-white hair. Hope was no longer a dream; it was a new reality for Alice. She opened her gray eyes towards Pain, who fell to her knees in shock.
Alice landed on her feet, unclenching her hands and pointing her right hand towards Pain. Pain realized what was happening and quickly turned to flee, but she was bound by white mold tentacles, pulling her towards Alice.
Pain couldn't break free from the mold tentacles. Alice raised her left hand, touching Pain's forehead and saying, "Pain… where is my threshold?"
"As if I would know!" screamed Pain as she resisted Alice's touch. Alice suddenly pressed hard on Pain's forehead. Pain screamed loudly.
"Where is my threshold?" Alice repeated her question coldly.
"I told you that I-" Pain felt as if a bullet had hit her in the forehead, and she screamed in agony.
"I see… I'll take it… myself…" And quickly, Alice plunged her hand into Pain's head, pulling out a small part of Pain's brain.
Blood flowed into the void, and Pain's disfigured head turned into mold that evaporated like ether, going nowhere. Alice looked at it, then returned to her normal state, a feeling of sadness coming over her.
"What… How did that happen-" Alice said in bewilderment.
"Alice… Alice… What happened?" Otto's voice came from the void.
"Finally… Where were you?" Alice said with relief.
"The device malfunctioned… Wait… What's in your hand?"
"Ah… something I took from Pain's head." Alice held out her hand for Otto to see the piece of brain.
******
"Alice… wait… (realization)… Alice… how did you get this piece?"
"I don't know… but… when I clasped my hands, I felt a strange feeling in my chest… then I suddenly felt a jolt… that made me… stronger… and I was able to… defeat my nightmare."
Otto was amazed. 'So…'
*******
"Alice… do that again… holding this piece of brain."
"Huh… okay." Alice clasped her hands, holding the piece. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, then opened them. A light emanated from between her hands. Alice was surprised, feeling a weight on her hands.
"Alice… what is that light?"
Alice threw the piece of brain on the ground as the light grew brighter, forcing Alice to cover her eyes. Alice lowered her arm, and shock hit her.
"Alice… What's the matter?" Alice turned her head for Otto to see.
A huge broken mirror appeared, with black fog emanating from behind it.
"Is this… a mirror?" Alice approached it, touching the cracks, looking at her other self behind the mirror.
"It's… my threshold." Alice smiled as she saw her reflection in the form of Pain.
"What?… What are you waiting for… Come on… Enter the threshold."
Alice turned around to find eyes from the void looking at her, with distorted pupils. Alice sensed danger approaching and clenched her right fist tightly.
******
Otto sat in his chair, watching the screen with intense focus.
'What's going on… wait..' Otto focused his gaze closely, and something appeared from the void.
'Wait… this…-' In that moment, Otto didn't realize what that thing was. Its body was not clearly visible behind the black fog, but its eyes stood out with a crimson color tending towards purple.
Alice took two heavy steps back, bumping into her threshold.
"What was that..?" Alice said in astonishment and tension.
"Alice… stay where you are… I'm coming-"
"Don't you move from your spot… Otto-" Alice screamed, her fist appearing on the screen.
"What are you planning to do?" Otto asked, surprised and angry. 'What is she up to?'
That thing began to advance towards Alice. Otto noticed Eve's clenched fist as it moved away from his view.
"Alice… wait-" And quickly that thing lunged, and Alice punched the symbol with her fist, causing the screen to stop.
Alice woke up in shock and astonishment, turning towards Otto. Otto turned and rushed towards her. Her breath was nearly cut short from fear.
"Otto… I did it…" Alice said, panting and giving a thumbs up.
"How… how did you come back-" Otto asked in astonishment.
"Easy… it was easy… When I touched my forehead… I felt a jolt… I saw you and your assistants in it… so it occurred to me that that symbol… is a link."
"You should have stayed… That was…" Otto said angrily and firmly.
"…It wasn't the Ferryman…" Alice interrupted Otto.
"...You fool… We just lost a golden opportunity…"
"I swear it wasn't the Ferryman… If it were him… he wouldn't have let Pain enter the void." Alice suddenly fell silent as if struck by shock.
"Wait… what did you mean… by what you said?" Doubt struck Otto, and he leaned in closer to her, saying, "Alice… What's wrong?"
Alice lowered her head, asking Otto with regret, "You said Eve would be happy… if I crossed the threshold?"
"Yes," Otto answered Alice. Alice got up from the chair. Otto remained calm despite his surprise. Alice raised her head towards him, her gray eyes empty of emotion, and she slowly raised a knife towards him, saying, "Why would she be happy?… Otto."
Silence and anxiety filled the room as they both stared at each other intensely. Otto suddenly touched the tip of the knife with his index finger, a drop of blood trickling down it, as he said, "Alice… Eve felt great regret for losing you… she blamed herself and considered herself the reason for your disappearance… I am sure… that her regret will disappear… when she sees you again… and she will understand that."
Otto stood up and left the room, saying, "Change your clothes… I'll prepare the report for your discharge (turning towards Alice)… As for my sister… that's another matter."
"Ah… I'm sorry for my rudeness, Otto…" Alice felt regret for her words. "I didn't mean that… something moved me without me realizing it." Alice lowered her head, feeling a gentle pat on it. She raised her head.
"It's okay… Thank you… Alice," Otto said, patting her head, then left the room, leaving Alice behind. She turned towards Eve's hollow body.
'I wasn't in my right mind… That wasn't me… my mind is confused… Otto is lying… Eve will regret it even more… if she sees me come back again… but… he might have a point… Eve always blames herself… [It's an innate feeling]… those words… that demon inside her… maybe… just its influence… no… ha!'.
Suddenly, Mike entered, calling for Otto, but he only found Alice.
"Otto left to prepare the report," Alice said.
"I see… What exactly happened… Alice? Or… the device… I have to return it," the receptionist said as he covered the device, noticing on the screen that strange thing, unclear, a mixture of black fog and a living entity.
Alice approached him, saying, "What's there?" Alice looked at the screen and found the strange creature that had rushed towards her.
"Miss Alice… Is this the Ferryman-?" Mike asked in shock.
"No… this is not… not the Ferryman…", Alice said, denying it. Mike turned to her, her features turning to fear. Mike turned off the device, saying, "Alice… do you really want to do this?"
"I didn't understand your question… sir." Alice turned to Mike, surprised.
"No… nothing," Mike said, leaving the room and taking the device.
Alice turned to Eve's body, sighing to herself: 'Eve… I no longer understand the reason for your regret… why you blame yourself… an innate feeling inside you… I no longer understand… why you left me alone in this world… why all this is happening to us… That wasn't the Ferryman… it was more like… a curse.'
******
Alice got into a taxi, sitting by the window, turning to Eve's room's balcony.
"Alice… how are you?" Maria asked Alice in a gentle tone. She turned to her with a fake laugh, saying, "I was scared… but Otto was a nice person to me… he was a good listener."
"That's a relief," Bell said with a deep sigh.
The car drove away from the hospital, and Alice's mind was lost in thought as she stared out the window intently. Maria looked at her, as if the worry that had gripped her was still inside her. She took out her smartphone to check her call log.
Alice turned, with amazement in her eyes, "Ha… what a beautiful phone… you bought a new phone… the rabbit design on it is cute."
"It's just the case…" Maria said with a smile.
"Yesterday… the internet was connected to our house," Bell replied.
"Ha… so I can watch from the phone… 'That's good… actually..'…" Alice said in amazement, turning to the window.
Maria turned to Alice, patting her head and saying, "Cheer up, little one… I left your share of the pie in the fridge."
"Thanks, Mom (turning towards her)…"
Maria noticed Alice's frown and asked her gently, "Is there something bothering you, my little one..?"
"Mom… I wanted to ask you something…"
"It's okay… tell me…"
"It might seem like a strange question… when I left Eve… I felt like… I had let her down… and she started blaming herself… so… will following her… make her happy or regretful?"
Maria was surprised by Alice's question: "A strange question…?"
"Yes… but…" Alice said playfully and nervously.
"Actually… if you think about it… nothing will happen."
"I don't understand?" Alice said in confusion.
"Hah… there has to be a motive… your friend might get angry and regret it… because she'll think that in her eyes she's weak and can't protect her… and she might be happy… because even in her time of weakness… her friend will come to support her…" Maria said, looking at the road.
"Mom… does that mean… I might have hurt my friend's feelings?"
Maria patted Alice's head, pulling her closer and saying, "…That's not right… it's loyalty."
Alice turned to Maria, astonishment visible in her eyes. She turned to the window, repeating the word 'I understand.'
Maria smiled, her expression changing from joy to doubt and caution. She turned to her contact list, her thumb stopping on Mr. Niels' number.
******
Behind that silver hair, pain echoes in the depths of her past. Despite that, a smile from the void comes to form on her pale face, and tears sparkle amidst the darkness of a harsh life. A flower of hope in the midst of a strong storm of despair, stands firm against those winds. A small soul blossoms with the brilliance of a life with a bright meaning, despite the deadly blackness of the night. Under the ethereal moonlight, the friendship that never died is renewed bit by bit, the fulfillment of the voice of her dreams.
Can I… find my dream?