Chapter 5
❀⊱┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄⊰❀
. . . 𝕪𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝟚𝟘𝟞𝟟 . . .
. . 𝕟𝕖𝕩𝕥 𝕕𝕒𝕪 . .

I couldn't believe I forgot my own birthday.

For the fourteen, now fifteen, years of my existence, I had never celebrated it just like how it was with Jim's. Not even once. Because of that, birthdays were the same as any normal day in my perspective. It just comes and goes.

But when I had experienced what it was like to celebrate a birthday, a little hope was forming inside me. I thought that maybe I would have one as well.

Although what really happened was quite the opposite of what I expected.

At the start of the day, they greeted me and acted as if they didn't know it was my birthday.

Or wait, maybe they don't actually know. Yeah, maybe that's it.

I didn't know what to feel. I wasn't disappointed but at the same time, I was. I hated feeling that way so I just let it slide and acted everything was normal.

The day went by and night came.

Similar to yesterday, both Mimi and I got ready for our trip to the city. I was nervous to receive the bracelet for some reason.

After I got dressed, I went downstairs and walked to the living room to wait for Mimi. There, I saw some of my siblings watching a movie I never knew existed.

It feels surreal calling them that.

Some were outside doing something. I didn't felt like knowing as it didn't bother me.

Someone called my name. "Vivi! Let's watch!" I shifted my attention to that voice-Earl's voice. Since the day I came here, we sort of formed a bond.

As I marched towards them, Earl shooed Yves, who was sitting beside him to make a space for me. "Go away! I want Vivi to sit next to me!"

"There's plenty of spaces, she can sit there," Yves answered, eyes glued on the TV. Earl whined and pushed him away but not strong enough to make him fall off the sofa.

Before Earl cried, I sat down and suggested, "How 'bout you sit on my lap? I don't mind."

His eyes beamed. "Really? Yehey!" he exclaimed and ran to me. He found it difficult to sit on my lap so I lifted him slightly. As he sat down, he cheerfully swung his legs in the air. Cute.

"What are you watching?" I asked.

"It's Yves's favorite movie! It's getting boring 'cause we had watched it so many times."

I heard Yves object. "Hey, it's not boring!"

"It is when you force us to watch it with you. Just admit you can't stand horror movies," one of the twins beside him, Zara, said which made everyone in the room nod their head in agreement.

I smirked at him. "Oh? What's this? I never knew Yves is a scaredy-cat."

He faced me and defended himself, "Trust me, I'm not."

"Is that so? Then it's alright for us to leave you alone?"

He reluctantly answered yes. We stood up, one by one, and pretended to slowly exit the room. "You're not really going to leave me, right?" he questioned with a crack on his voice.

We continued walking and teased him until he called us out. "Wait! I'm kidding! Don't leave me alone please." I switched off the lights, not listening to what he said. I quickly switched it on when we heard him squeal. It was humorous to watch so we burst out laughing.

"Okay, now you've done it." He got up and rushed towards us. Each of them ran away before Yves could catch them. I was about to do the same but Mimi called me.

"Sorry for the wait, dear. Let's go?" I gave her a nod.

"Where are you going?" Yves asked.

So they don't really know, huh? Why didn't Mimi told them?

"Just...somewhere. Go get the other kids. It's already night, make sure they don't go outside."

We left the house. I wondered if we could get home by eight. The Orphanage was at the province side and I was from the city not so long ago. As I recall, it was quite far. Just a little bit.

We traveled by air as it was the fastest way to get there. The technology was advanced even here in the province, although it didn't look like it. Compared to the city, our place was enveloped with nature together with additional buildings with unusual shapes and vehicles with an unusual appearance. Just like what we were riding–a flying car.

Several minutes later, the car landed at the station, the same place where aerial buses and trains were located.

As usual, the city was colorful as ever.
But it was not as colorful as the people who were there. Their eyes were dead and showed no emotions, even an ounce of it. It was forbidden by the law after all. Emotions were to be concealed when there's a presence of someone working under The Supreme, especially in the city where numerous soldiers were around the place.

The Supreme–our ruler–wasn't that bad despite the questionable laws implemented. All of us were given a life supported by them. Food. Job. Education. Everything was affordable. Some were even free in exchange for everyone's loyalty.

We entered the elevator that led us down. Numerous floors passed by, and finally, we were on the ground. I stepped outside, feeling nauseous.

We walked and walked until we finally reached our destination. Here we were, in front of one of the headquarters of The Supreme. It was only logical that we have to receive it here. What made me curious was why Yves didn't tell me this.

We went inside the huge building. As we entered, the light brightening the white walls and floors bedazzled me. Their emblem was everywhere, radiating authority of the place.

A few white-armored soldiers stopped us. "State your business." one of them said.

Keeping a straight face, Mimi replied with a language I could not decipher. My face was close to showing any signs of confusion. Not long after, they let us in.

A few moments later, we have arrived in a room covered in glass. A lady escorted me and settled in, leaving Mimi outside to wait. I sat down on a chair opposite hers. A table was in front, separating us. Soon, a floating screen appeared.

Owner's Personal Information, it said.

"Please fill in the form, truthfully," she ordered monotonically, without giving clear instruction on how to do so.

I tried touching the screen but my fingertips just passed through it.

How am I supposed to fill it in?

I read all of the contents inside the screen and answered it in my mind. To my surprise, all of my answers were transferred directly onto it. It was as if it read my mind. Or was it?

The lady commanded me once more, "Thank you for your cooperation. Please insert both of your hands to the device in front of you." At this point, my mind was debating whether she was a human or not. She looked like a human being but didn't sound like one. She sounded similar to how an Android speaks.

I didn't think much of it and just did what I was ordered. Shortly thereafter, I felt like my hands were bound by cuffs. "Operation complete. You may remove your hands." So I did.

As I saw the metallic bracelet on my wrists, I was reminded by Yves's words. It was indeed exciting to know what kind of tasks these hold, but because of the look on his face, I began to think differently.

"You shall now begin seeing all of the tasks you must do every day. The negligence or failure to do so will be considered a crime and is punishable by law. The screen will now appear in 3..... 2....."

1.

I am loss for words. What did I just saw?

We left the place and went back to the house. Throughout the ride, I was completely silent, continually thinking about what I saw earlier. I couldn't believe it.

We made it home an hour before the curfew. Mimi's cheery self was back as she shouted, "We're home!" I was expecting the kids to run towards her but we were met by a surprisingly empty house.

Where are they?

"I guess they're already asleep," I caught Mimi mumble to herself. It's too early though? "Oh by the way, do you mind helping me carry some boxes to the garbage bin in the backyard? They're quite many."

"Sure, no problem."

We both went to her office, next to the library. Each of us took one box–a sealed one–and carried it outside. It was a bit heavy so I got curious about what trash this could be. I tried shaking it but Mimi stopped me.

The post lights outside were off. It was so dark I couldn't even see a glimpse of Mimi's silhouette.

I followed Mimi's voice which eventually led us to the bin. It was like she had already memorized every part of this house; she could go anywhere even with her eyes closed. We put down the box beside it and suddenly, the lights were on.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VIVI!"

The backyard was decorated differently, not like Jim's. There was a stack of woods at the center and tents surrounding it, making it look like we were camping.

They all started singing in chorus while I was left standing, dumbfounded.

They actually know.

I was delighted by how my birthday party went. We lit the campfire where we all took turns to cook the food. The boxes that we carried actually contained each of their presents. As usual, the kids played while we–the older ones–spent our time chatting. Although half an hour before the curfew, Yves started insisting the twenty of us to play together.

Just like yesterday, I passed. Since it was my birthday, they let me be. "If that's what you want then," Yves said.

I was left alone with Mimi, watching them running around and enjoying their time.

"They look so happy," I suddenly utter. I was getting jealous of how they can just forget all negative possibilities and focus on the present. The present where everything was okay and where every day will going to be okay. My mind was set on thinking all good things just end abruptly, so why bother? "No matter how happy you are, all of this has one end. And that is death," I added.

Mimi sighed and spoke, "You know Vivi, in this world we live in, death is already settled by fate. We cannot control or avoid it. That's why I taught these kids to live their life to the fullest. Live like it's their last. And I hope you do too." She smiled, softly.

I turned around to face her, "What do you mean 'settled by fate'?"

"The numbers tattooed on our left upper arm when we're born. That is the day where one will meet their end. You have one too, right? You should know what I'm talking about."

I unconsciously placed my hand on my forearm. "Yes. Of course. How silly of me to forget."

Mimi stood up. "Well, we should get going. The curfew will be in a few minutes. Let's clean up." My eyes followed her as she called the others.

Just when I thought the surprise and confusion already ended, there was another one.

I sat there, not moving an inch. My head was focused on thinking about what Mimi said. It was exactly the same as what happened earlier.

The screen on the bracelet and the date tattooed on my forearm.

I don't have them both.

❀⊱┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄⊰❀

A/N:

I made some changes btw, it's not the forearm but the upper arm hehe. Sorry about that.

Anywayy, why do you think Avidia doesn't have both of them? Comment down your thoughts and guesses! I would love to hear them! 💖