Kane took the scenic route today, finding himself engrossed in a never-ending sea of trees. The trees’ branches swayed slowly, as if dancing to the rhythm of the cool mid-autumn breeze, and the leaves fell, as though marching to the same tempo. It was always a breathtaking scene — especially to Kane.

There was just something about the way nature transformed, shifting from dull shades of green to an array of browns, oranges, and yellows. It always had a way of sending his heart aflutter. He found himself further down the path, lost in the peaceful scenery around him.

It wasn’t long before he found a part of the path that trailed off to the entrance to the old mines. Eighty years ago, these mines had been the lifeblood of the town, providing steady jobs and stable incomes. Back then, the town had a different name, though Kane couldn’t recall it now. But he knew why it became Ashvale: a fire had broken out one early morning when a miner dropped a lamp onto the coals. The flames spread quickly through the mines and into what was left of the old town. Even now, smoke rises from cracks in the earth, a lingering reminder that the fire continues to burn, moving slowly away from the mines.

Kane and his friends used to come to the mines as kids to adventure, even though it had been condemned long ago. They’d explore the paths and caverns that were part of its path, before it became too dangerous to explore further. They’d also come to know this is where the older kids would sneak off to, to fool around. Sometimes, they’d stumble upon scenes so unfathomable that they left them wide-eyed with confusion and curiosity. That was before they grew apart, just as many kids do over time. With each of them finding their own paths.

I still have a little time before they get home, maybe it’d be fun to see how it’s changed over the years. Kane thought, smiling reminiscently back at those memories. So, he continued on taking the path to the mines. However, as he arrived, he realized he was not alone. Just a little bit into the path, he noticed someone sitting under a tree near the center of a glade.

It wasn’t necessarily strange for someone to be out here by themselves. Even so, Kane felt an urge to get a better view. His view currently was obstructed by an overgrown brush. He navigated his way through the tangle of weeds and shrubs, and before long he found himself standing in a clearing a few feet away from the figure.

His initial thoughts were soon proved to be accurate. However, as he began to speak he felt the sudden beating of his heart. The girl had set into motion a weird and unfamiliar swirl of feelings from inside him. As he began to speak, the girl lifted her gaze towards him. Their eyes locked for only a moment, although it had felt like forever to Kane.

“Can I help you with something?” she asked, brushing her long, straight black hair to the side. Those black strands shimmered in the light, contrasting sharply with the porcelain whiteness of her flawless skin. Her hazel eyes met Kane’s with an intensity that was both deliberate and demanding as though she was evaluating him. She waited for a response, as Kane found himself struggling to speak under the pressure.

“I just thought it was weird seeing someone near the old mines. It’s a pretty dangerous area because of all the fires still burning underground,” Kane answered with a twinge of nervousness. “So people generally try to avoid going this deep in.”

“If that is the case, then why are you here,” again questioning Kane’s response.

Kane pondered for a moment. She had a valid point after all. Here he was questioning a stranger’s purpose to be here, while he had his own. His being to revisit memories of a time long past.

“Old friends and I used to play out here in the mines when we were kids. It’s been a while since I’ve been here. So I was just curious to see what may have changed.” Kane answered, “I feel rude for not introducing myself though. I’m Kane, what is your name.”

He extended his hand toward her, and Marcella took it after a brief pause. Her touch was light but firm, and her skin was cool to the touch.

“Marcella,” she said, releasing her grip, “I just like to come here every now and again. It’s a peaceful place to read, normally.” Marcella teased.

Kane rubbed the back of his head shyly. He felt a little guilty for interrupting her. It wasn’t his business to question others.

“Sorry for me prying, but I’ve never saw you around here. Are you new or visiting family? Everyone knows everyone around here.” Kane said, coming to this realization. There weren’t many people in the town around his own age. Over the years, he has seen the same faces. It was very rare to see someone moving into town, as opposed to leaving. Ashvale has long been a dying town.

“You could say that I’m visiting. I only get to come here every so often. Traveling is a bit difficult for me,” Marcella said as she rose to her feet. “However, I was just about to head home for the day anyway. It was nice meeting you, Kane.” She started walking away in the direction of the mine. Kane was sure there wasn’t anyone living off in that direction. However, he stood there and watched her leave briefly. Her long black dress, adorned with red roses that covered the entirety of her dress.

Well I might as head back home. Mom and dad will be back soon anyway. Kane thought to himself as he headed back in the direction of his bike. It was odd how she walked in the direction of the mine, though. I don’t recall there being anyone who lives that way anyway.

Scratching the side of his head, he shrugged to himself. It wasn’t a mystery worth solving, and following her would probably be the same as stalking. Being a creep was something that Kane wasn’t prepared or willing to be. He mounted his bike, and head back to the split path, and took the way back home.

It was about twenty minutes later when he arrived home. The nature path wound through the neighborhood, tracing the edge of Fishing Creek. The path skirted the rear of his parents’ house, making it easy for him to cut across the grass and into the rear entrance.

Before he entered, Kane saw his mother and father in the kitchen talking through the window— or was it arguing? He tried to listen in, but could only make out pieces of the conversation. He could try to open the door slightly, but that might garner their attention. Kane pressed his ear against the door, and tried listening in to the barely audible conversation.

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“He’s going to find out eventually, Stacy. I’m surprised he hasn't yet asked about it, since it probably already made itself known.” Kane’s father, Jacob said with urgency.

“We don’t even know if the System has started integrating itself here yet. It’s been a while since the system has adapted new worlds into itself.” Stacy shouted back at Jacob, “Sure, we saw the System notices this morning. But it can’t really be happening this soon, right? We tried escaping here to get away from the System and those bastards chasing him for —” Stacy went silent for a moment and buried her face in her hands.

“I understand where you are coming from, my love,” Jacob came up behind his wife to embrace her, “But, he has the right to know as well. He needs to know, in the case that, there may be an issue. He needs to know about where he comes from.” Jacob planted a kiss on her cheek and stepped back.

“Let’s talk about it later. He’s going to be home any minute now.” Stacy wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and turned toward the stairs. Jacob exhaled deeply, looking drained.

Kane backed away for a moment as he got lost in the confusing conversation of his parents. What the actual fuck was going on. Kane said with his eye squinting in disbelief. Who was chasing him, and why? What did they mean by “where he comes from.”

“Am I adopted? Are the people they say are chasing me my real parents?” Kane whispered, his mind becoming full of negative thoughts. Just what in the hell is going on?

Taking a deep breath, Kane composed himself. He couldn’t let them suspect he’d overheard. Circling to the front of the house, he opened the front door, stepping inside as though nothing had happened.

“I’m home.” Kane yelled as he kicked off his shoes, sending them flying into a chaotic heap off to the side of the doorway— knowing his mother may have a choice of words about this later. Kane’s father poked his head out of the kitchen’s archway, smiling.

“Welcome home son, a bit later than usual today aren’t you? Did you spend time with your girlfriend today?” Kane’s father teased. He emerged from the kitchen and headed to the couch. Letting his body fall back, he sank into it, sighing happily.

“Girlfriend? Are you talking about Dalia? We’re just friends, Dad.” Kane sighed, as he looked away, feeling his face reddening. His father had seen that look before, it was one he himself worn many times when questioned about his childhood friend, who later became his wife.

“Sure, sure. Whatever you say stud, just don’t make me a grandfather— I’m still too young for all that.”Kane’s father chuckled, picking up a water glass from the table, taking a few small sips, and then setting back down on the coaster. He wiped his hands on his pants, drying the moisture from the sweating glass.

“Anyway,” Kane tried changing the subject, clearly already done with this awkward conversation, “I went by the old mines today on my way home. I just had an urge to stop by for some reason. I even met some random girl there reading under a tree, and had a short conversation with her.” Kane explained, detailing additional details including that of her heading home in the direction of the mines. It was a bit strange, as there weren’t any neighborhoods in that direction.

Jacob froze, his face becoming serious as he listened to his son.

“Yea, that is strange. What was their name?” Jacob questioned Kane, observing him carefully.

“It was…” Kane paused, surprised that he couldn’t remember the name easily. He remembered it being unique— as in it wasn’t a name you saw everyday, “It was Marcella, right? Yea, her name was Marcella.”

“Did she give you a last name?” Jacob asked.

Kane took in his father’s expression. He noticed his father looking frantic for some reason.

Why is today so strange? Mom and Dad seem on edge, there’s that mysterious girl Marcella. Something doesn’t feel right. Kane thought, feeling something sour in his stomach.

“No, she didn’t. I didn’t think to ask. Is something wrong Dad, you don’t look too well.” Kane asked his father, trying to see if he would spill something at least. He needed something to explain his mother and father’s concerns earlier, maybe this could provide some hints, he thought.

Jacob forced a smile, “No son. It’s nothing, I’m just being noisy again. Why don’t you go upstairs and work on your homework. Dinner should be ready in an hour.”

Kane was halfway up the stairs when he realized he forgot to ask about going to Dalia’s for the party tonight. But how would he phrase it? Maybe just say Dalia, Chase, and himself were going to do a movie night? Yea, that would work, he thought.

“Dad, I almost forgot to ask,” Kane raised his voice so his father could hear him from the kitchen, “Is it it okay if I go to Dalia’s after dinner? They wanted to watch that new Terrifier movie. I guess Chase somehow got an early copy.”

There was a brief pause before his father answered, “Ask your mom.” It was obvious Jacob didn’t want to be in worse graces then he already was by giving the wrong answer.

Kane shrugged his shoulders and headed upstairs to his parent’s room. Opening the door he noticed his mother sprawled out on the bed sleeping, not even bothering to cover herself. He quietly shut the door and headed off to his room to do homework. Yeah, homework. Definitely not some World of Warcraft.

The answer to Kane’s question had been what he expected. A resounding no, with no other clarification as he tried getting his mother to elaborate. She’s never said no to this before, so why now?

Dinner went as well as it normally did with his parents when they were able to share mealtimes. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, despite his parent’s earlier odd behavior. That was to be expected, though. Halfway through dinner, when there had been a lull in the conversation after they each talked about their day, Kane popped the question he had asked his father.

“Absolutely not,” Stacy said before taking a bite of the pot-roast her husband painstakingly made. She didn’t bother looking at Kane as she answered.

Kane confused asked, “It’s just a movie night mom, and their parent’s are home. You normally don’t have an issue—”

“Because I said so,” Stacy interrupted Kane, not bothering to give him room to argue, “Just not tonight, okay?”

Kane knew better not to argue, so at that point, he gave up. He was about to ask his mother why she seemed so upset today, but with better judgment gave up that idea. It wasn’t a good idea to ask someone who’s clearly upset, if they’re upset— and so, Kane slowly picked away at his plate before excusing himself from the table.

As Kane walked away, Jacob leaned closer to his wife.

“Why are you so upset? Couldn’t you have let him have a little fun tonight?” Jacob asked, disheartened at his wife’s reaction.

“I just—” Stacy paused for a moment before continuing, “I have a bad feeling.” Stacy breathed out heavily, exhausted.

“Was it one of your skills?” Jacob asked, his eyebrow raised in suspicion.

“No, it wasn’t my one divination skill, Intuition of The Third Eye. At least, I don’t think it was. I can’t even remember the last time any of my skills activated,” Stacy whispered, her brows furrowing and lips curved into a frown, “Maybe it is…”

They sat there quietly eating their dinner, without any further talking. Invasive thoughts invaded their minds, as they both asked themselves the same question. Is Kane safe?