On a wooden bench in the middle of a beautiful garden, my nerves were beginning to pour out as my foot bounced. Meanwhile, there was Liam, which was somehow oblivious to the tension as he chomped away on his second bread piece. It's probably only been ten minutes since we sat here, but to me, it felt much longer.

  As I side glance at Liam, I cannot help but wonder where he finds most of his energy. Was I like this as a kid? No, he is abnormal in all ways of the definition. I know it is an adult's job to remain calm and composed in front of children that know no better, but he is clearly testing the extent of my patience. I mean, what decent person breaks into somebody's bedroom after finding out they may have lost their memories? If he just hadn't done that, then I wouldn't have -!

  I felt my teeth grit and fist clench together. Before I knew it, I began to stare at Liam with bubbling frustration. He eventually noticed this after stuffing the final piece of bread into his mouth. "Wou awright?" he said, causing bits of bread fall onto the floor.

  I blinked, shaking off the anger that was building before turning away and staring back into the garden.

This is not me. Even if Liam is like this, locking myself up once again was because of my shortcomings. But even with knowing this…This is not right, it's like I'm becoming him.

  I zone in on the garden's trees. The leaves were beginning to lose their vibrant green color in exchange for hues of gold and red. The occasional breeze caused them to flutter. Peering down, quite a few were scattered around each trunk, rotting.

  I noticed before visiting Liam, but I suppose it would fall around this time. If I remember this week's month is…ah, it's my birthday week. I guess I never took the time to process the change in time lately.

  Well, not like it mattered much at all. For as long as I could remember I've spent this time alone, even after Marcus and I became a thing. If I had to explain why, well, I suppose it's one of those things I am drawn to do since my childhood.

  Back then around this time, I remember looking at these the changing trees outside of my window. The earliest memory I had was actually when I ran outside to play underneath the shedding trees with my parents. I'm sure I had the biggest grin because it was then that I had yet to experience hardships.

  A couple of years after, it was only me and my brother. I could no longer giggle nor smile, and my brother's behavior only caused my sadness to engulf me much quicker. Perhaps that's why on this specific week, I made it a habit to run away into a forest to sleep beneath the colorful trees. I got the best sleep in the entire year then, too.

  Thinking about it now, it's rather pitiful. The day is supposed to be a joyous occasion with whatever family you have, but I ended up twisting it into an excuse to give false-courage.

  As I looked back to my past, I felt something soft and squishy press against my cheek. I turn to see Liam looking at me with concern while offering a piece of bread, "Are you upset that I've been eating all the bread? I know it's your favorite, sorry."

  Is this my supposed 'favorite' that the mother said earlier? I actually hate sweets, though.

  "Ah, no thank you. I am not a fan of sweets." I said after turning my head back towards the trees, "Besides, I only came here to give them to you."

  "Ehhh!? You don't like sweets!?" Liam jumped in front of my view, face in complete confusion. "That cannot be right!"

  "Liam, I tried to explain this before but I am not the same person you knew." I got up, wiping the crumbs that somehow got onto my lap, "It's best we stop hanging out."

  I cannot act on my anger like my brother. To avoid bringing others the pain I endure, I must distant myself and figure out the root of my impulses. Not for other's sake, but so I can calmly search for my family.

  "Nooo! You cannot leave me like that!" he went to grab my hand, but I snapped it away before he could. I felt a bit guilty looking at his hurt expression. While I know I am not the person he treasures, he still feels as though he's losing his best friend. Though it's not like I can help with that; I must not put myself in situations that will make me lash out like my brother. To avoid bestowing the same pain I endured for many years, I have to stay at a distance. Not for other's sake, but so I can calmly search for my family.

  His right hand gripped onto the side of his pants, "I understand…"

  "As long as you-"

  "I just have to befriend the new you, right?"

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  It's been a week since he made his declaration to befriend me once again. Of course, I did not take him seriously. I was sure he would stop after a few days since from my experience, children are fickle with keeping promises. But after a couple of weeks, I think Hezek's father and him have been conspiring together.

  Why? Well, the following day after I gave Liam the sweet bread, I found my privacy was completely revoked with the removal of my door. Then when lunch was approaching and I have yet to go downstairs, my father forced me to sit at the table where Liam was already eating his portion. This has happened without fail for the last couple of days, and I'm reaching new levels of stress - and that's a lot coming from me.

  Lately, I have toyed with the idea of running away like I sometimes did when living with my brother, but I have no idea where I am so that's not smart.

  But, somewhere nearby could also work.

  I tipped toed down the stairs, ducking my head so I would not be noticeable through the banister. As I descended down, I heard the boy's parents become more audible.

  "Hmm…" the man let out a refreshing sigh.

  "Feeling better after a full stomach, love?" She asks.

  "Oh yes, your food is the absolute best." The man declared with a heavy laugh, "But my favorite part is that I don't need to eat my lunch at that dreadful wall."

  "Mhm. It was nice of them to give you shorter shifts during the army's passing. I heard there is going to be a huge feast in town. Think we'll see your brother?"

  "Ah, why you have doubt, Beth? Of course, we're going to see him; he wouldn't forgive me if I didn't offer him a home-cooked meal, you know?"

  The woman chuckled, "Yes, yes. I suppose I should head to the market and get what I need to make your two's favorite breakfast."

  "Oh ho, now you're talking!" At the last flight of stairs, I saw the two pulled together in a kiss. I took this as an opportunity to rush down the stairs and towards the backdoor.

  Compared to Liam's house, our backyard is quite unkept. Various of wild plants from mushrooms to flowers made their homes here. We also had a pond, but the water was murky and housed various snails. The only thing seemingly put with purpose was the swing set on an old, untrimmed oak tree.

  I inched my body down to keep my body away from the windows before reaching a bush in the far corner. Usually Liam checks the house first, so if I can escape to the basement afterward and take a nap.

  This body is quite small for a boy, so getting into tight places like bush was no issue. I gave a bit of a smile as I became confident.

  Though that was short-lived.

  I caught a glimpse of Liam's arrival through the kitchen window. My body became perfectly still and despite being in such a small space, I forced my breathing to an absolute minimum. Then, the backdoor opened.

  "Hezek! I am here." He held both hands to his mouth to further his voice.

  At first, he seemed to walk around aimlessly; looking up at the trees, then to the ground, and later over the fence to the neighbor's backyard. In no way did it seem like he had an inkling of where I was hiding. But after a couple of minutes, he stood there, thinking before all a sudden, he turned right to me.

  Taken aback, my body jerked a bit and in return, so did the leaves.

  "Aha, there you are!" He peered open the leaves and stared right at me, "Now, why are you even doing there?"

  "H-How did you find me!?" I felt my voice crack.

  "Hmm, I wonder…" His head tilted up to the sky, "Cat?"

  "…Cat?"

  "Yes, cat!" he said, "You remind me of my cat!"

  Once again, I was at a loss for words. Cat? Are you telling me you harass your pet the same way?

  "Well anyway, I came here to ask if you wanted to go to the town square." He offered his hand before he continued, "A section of the army is coming through town, and to celebrate, there is going to be a huge feast for the two days they stay!"

  "No, I'm fine. I just want to read at home, so go on without me." I ignored his offer and got up myself.

  "If you wanted to do that, why you out here? Is the shade nice?"

  I glared before he chuckled, "No, no, I know why. Hey, no need to look at me like that, okay?"

  Dusting off the leaves and dirt, I turned to Liam. "I do. You know, no woman is going to like you harassing them."

  His eyes widen a bit to my words.

  "What?" I asked.

  "Ah, no. It's just you saying this…well, it's nothing." He avoided looking into my eyes as he scratched his chin nervously. "A-Anyway, you sure? Come on, it'll be amazing!"

  "For the final time, I do not want to see-"

  He cut me off, which is not uncommon. "Wait! They came back from the fight in the Northern Territory! Uh wait, do you remember the path with the City of Riam and Tel?"

  I stopped dead in my tracks. "Riam and Tel you said?"

  "Ah, so you do remember! Yes, they came from there. You interest now?"

  That's the path my town resigned on. Did the army happen to go through just in time? Then, was that what the Goddess meant by a blessing?

  "Take me there…" I mumbled.

  "Hm?"

  "I said, take me there, please." I asked him.

  After my request, Liam gave a huge smile and walked away, waving, "Alright! It starts in the afternoon. I'll meet you after lunch, alright? Oh, you might want to change, too!"