I once again have utterly failed at updating reasonably. Happy school year readers.


Almost two years had passed in what felt like a few days. Perhaps it was Noah's arrival that stimulated the rate of time. Once he became healthy, he acted as the innocent and energetic presence that lacked beforehand. With his childish antics ever increasing, Noah was the source of entertainment for a very large portion of his days as a resident in the dwelling. As his belly regained the plumb nature of a fresh youngster his age, his nature became even more cheerful. Nothing would stop him from playing games when he wanted to, thus playtime was an unspoken mandate among the four, who acted more like family now than ever. Tonight's activity was a game similar to Pictionary in nature. However, the difficulty was much higher due to Noah's misconception of circle. Not even a detective could make sense of what he draws! Yuki concluded as she analyzed the scribbles the green-haired boy considered art.

"I give up." Yuki let out an exaggerated sigh. "What is it?"

"Corn!" The triumphant five-year-old explained. "I win again!" He concluded his victory statement with a cacophony of snorting laughter. The game was far from fair, since rules were made up as they went on. Such a method is hardly successful for creating a child's game, unless the partakers are patient. Yuki, having hit her limit, decided it was best for her to take a break. This was not the only reason that she rested herself though. A certain concern had been creeping and crawling in her mind for the past several months. Just how much longer? When will I get the sign that something will happen?

It was just another quiet day, not including Noah's ruckus. Being a far distance away from most of the town, these four children had a very isolated lifestyle, so uneventful that Yuki almost wished the tragic sequence of events, the same she was called to prevent, restarted. It never ceased to amaze her how Olivia, being the one who spent the most time inside, never once complained about the lack of social variety. Hmm, if they never died the way they did, how long would they have lived like this? If this were the Kagamines or somebody older, they would want to escape the hole we live in fast...I wonder if Miki or Hiyama-sensei has worried about me at all yet. Can they even tell if I'm in the past? The dark-haired girl looked up at the twilight sky. Its beauty gave Yuki a sense of melancholy. Soon the children would have to end their playtime, the street lanterns would provide weak light for the pier; once again Oliver would silently depart to retrieve the next meal for all four of them. It was long past the days that even Noah would ask what Oliver was doing. This same routine took up every day for almost two years. Yuki anticipated Oliver's town request more than ever now.

Olivia and Noah approached Yuki, who appeared to be dazed. "What's wrong?" the older girl asked, mistaking Yuki's expression for one of sorrow. Quickly Yuki snapped out of her trance and assured both of them she was just fine. With that, they headed inside. The most dreadfully long portion of the day was always waiting for Oliver to return with dinner. This was due to Olivia and Yuki not having anymore energy for games. Instead, they waited in their respective corners, having multiple short conversations. Noah entertained himself by poking the fire's base with twigs. Most people would have stopped a kid his age from doing something so dangerous, but Yuki and Olivia didn't pay him any mind since the green-haired boy was more intelligent than he gave off. Instinct told him not to push too far, lest he burn himself. Yuki looked through her, or rather Ainsley's, suit case for the umpteenth time. It never ceased to amaze her that a runaway would pack such fancy clothing. She never bothered wearing most of them, because she could not bear the thought of seeing them get dirty. After staring at the garments for several moments, Yuki pulled out her favorite object: a small knit bear. It was the closest she had to one of her old toys at home, so she often stared at it to remind her of pleasant memories. As she daydreamed, Yuki left the other two to do as they pleased.

A pleasant aroma crept in and seduced Oliver's nostrils. He intended to take another portion of the produce man's work, but the baker's recent experiment proved to be irresistible. How can I make a quick change in direction without being noticed? Oliver quickly thought of possibilities, but then came to the conclusion that the bread would have to wait. Just what is the baker using that smells so sweet? Is it honey? Ugh. Focus on the fruit Oliver...The blonde tapped his head multiple times in order to regain his concentration. Produce man performed his usual grouping for tomorrow's sales. Each kind of fruit went to its own oversized basket, received its label, and was covered in hope to preserve quality. Then, the same was done with vegetables. Finally, he arranged the baskets over dark carpets and wooden stands, which they would be displayed on for sale. The thief patiently observed his prey as the owner turned in for the night. He was in the corner between both the bakery and the produce man's dwelling, completely shrouded in darkness, his choice uniform. At the final click of the door, Oliver stood, oh so slowly. Then, with facile movement, he dashed over to the baskets, barely using the balls of his feet. This man is forever clueless of my presence. Oliver thought as he held up one of the paper sacks the owner would give to a buying customer. First, he grabbed grapes until the bag was nearly full, since both his sister and Noah loved them. Then, he took some bananas since they were close by. Just as he was about move on to the vegetables, he noticed a large basket which had a sign labeled "Apples". Of course he could not read the sign due to both lack of light and education, but the large size of the basket attracted his attention. He looked inside to see the surprisingly well-sized objects. Some were even bigger than his fist, which was unusual for the produce man's stock. A vague thought then surfaced in Oliver's mind. It was an image of Ainsley smiling, a bitten apple in her hand. For whatever reason, this image made Oliver especially happy, though his expression remained focused. Since there was not any space left in the bag, he stuck a few apples in his pockets. Now, it was time to head to the bakery.

"Sweet Lord that guy's crazy!" Oliver whispered to himself as he rushed into a corner. Usually, he would be able to lose such a round man in a matter of seconds, but tonight's cargo was quite a burden on his speed.

. Maybe I shouldn't have been so greedy...just one loaf would have been good. Oliver stared at his most recently obtained bag, filled with multiple portions of baked goods. Now was not the time for rebuke or regret, but for flight, so Oliver pushed himself once again through the sharp rock edges of two homes he had not snuck through since he was seven years old. This was well proven, for he obtained much more scratches than he ever recalled. At least that fat problem over there will be gone for a bit-

"Ouch!" Oliver accidentally let out. The last push through the corner left a long denticulate cut behind his ankle; it stung horribly, even for his standards. "Man this could've gone better" Oliver whined as he jogged back to his shelter.

The "rock-steps" down to the beach only reminded him of his pain a few minutes earlier; the signature knock a password routine only seemed to be a bother this night, but he quickly got over it once he saw the reactions of his roommates. Even Ainsley lifted her head the second she smelled the bakery goods. The literal breadwinner took a few steps towards to fire, so that he could see his new scrape in better lighting. Blood steadily glided down to his heel then onto the ground. It was deeper than I thought. Oliver placed down the bags, then began to search for bandages. "What happened Ollie?" His sister asked, ignoring food for the first time Yuki ever recalled.

"Nothing really. Got chased." Oliver shrugged nonchalantly, but her concern was not lessened. "Did he hit ya?"

"I don't know many people that aim for the feet. I did it to myself trying to get away. Where are those stupid bandages?" Oliver tossed around many miscellaneous objects in their storage in order to find the correct box.

"Here." Yuki said. "Hold up your foot" The pig-tailed girl lightly patted a spot on her lap.

"Uhh, Ainsley...I can do it myself, y'know."

"So can I!" Yuki whined, then smiled. "You don't always have to take care of everything. Now come on." Yuki put a small cloth over her leg to indicate where Oliver's foot would be treated. Refusing the offer now would have just been a waste of time. She was determined to care for him, so Oliver conceded and positioned his foot. Noah stared curiously; Olivia avoided looking directly at Oliver's bloody foot.

Yuki was in no way a professional with what she was doing, but she figured she watched enough TV to do something. After glancing over the kit for several seconds, she determined which container had alcohol; she poured a small amount the best she could directly on Oliver's cut, triggering a small flinch from the boy. She poured a bit more, then started wiping off the dirt and blood. At this point, Oliver was biting his lip, trying not to pull his foot away. He had forgotten how raw skin could feel when under treatment. Finally, Yuki stretched a bandage and gently placed it directly over the scrape, and then slowly wrapped it around Oliver's ankle and heel, hoping that would keep. Finally, she tied a knot. "I think that's enough"

"Thanks." Oliver said rather hushed. Yuki did not respond verbally, but her expression showed that she was proud to have made a difference. The sudden gleam of her face caught Oliver off guard; he had not realized how long he had been blankly staring at her until his dear sister pointed out the fact. "Anyway daydreamer, I'm gonna eat."

"Please" There was no need to say "go away". Oliver's tone was more than sufficient. Yuki now got up to follow Olivia's example. Before she could reach the bags, Oliver stopped her. "I almost forgot. Here you go." The young blond reached into his pocket and pulled out an apple. Yuki audibly gasped, showing no shame in her blatant love for the fruit. "Thanks so much! It feels like forever since I had my last one." Yuki grinned even more widely as she took the apple from Oliver. She took a bite and then said "Red Delicious. maybe...four days after it was picked". The child connoisseur then retreated to her own corner, completely ignoring the conversations that occurred as she ate.

Because Oliver brought more food than usual, the children acted just a tad more lively and content, especially Olivia, who would often daydream about having more food. They asked how Oliver got such a steal this time; Oliver replied simply."The bread smelt good tonight so I just went with it." He finished his fruit for the night then announced he would be going to sleep. It was unlike him to go to bed so early, but considering his injury and the toil he must have gone through to get it, the children said nothing about it. Instead, Olivia dimmed the fire just also decided that he would turn in early. She and Yuki could have very well stayed up much longer, but were only able to hold up a conversation for so long with their full bellies. This night would be the quietest one that they had ever spent.

When the sky was at its darkest, Oliver woke. He groggily crawled out of yet another nightmare, an occurrence becoming far too common for him. It started off with him running, from what he did not know. What he did know was that it was not in the town he had confined himself to, but a generic, indistinct and forest-like area. as he left the grassy portion, his dream vision only became more blurry. Despite his apparent blindness, he kept running until he lost his footing; just as he was about to land, he came to. Why is it that I always wake up before I die in dreams? He thought. Maybe I'm so desperate to survive that I cannot even feel a fake death. He laughed at himself a little. Huh? Everyone's still asleep...it isn't even close to dawn yet? He got up cautiously, not wanting to disturb anyone's rest. Even more carefully he walked out of the door and closed it. A small breeze caressed his cheek; once again a sense of dread came over him. I just don't wanna live like this anymore. It's tiring. He walked over to the water ahead, and sat in the sand. After a few moments of taking in the environment he was well accustomed with, he began taking some sand in his palms, pouring it over and over like an hourglass. What can I do...to just live like a normal kid? Aside from having parents, and a real house, I already don't have a clue.

"Perhaps, to be a 'normal' child, you should mingle with those of that nature, Oliver"

"Huh?" Oliver turned around. No one was behind him. Great, now I'm hearing things.

"Nothing besides your own thoughts, the same that you've had for years now, but paid no heed to." the voice continued. Oliver stood. "My thoughts don't speak" Oliver replied aloud.

"Shh...You don't want to wake your sister so rudely. She has ears like yours, you know."

"Who are you?" Oliver whispered.

"Someone you know well, don't worry. Just do this one thing and I'll leave you alone...it's not much, I assure you"

Hooray for voices inside my head. Oliver thought sarcastically.

"Hooray indeed. Now, as for my request..."

What?

"When those three step outside at sunrise, tell them that you wish to go inside the town."

And? I do that everyday.

"No, not just the market, but in the neighborhoods, among the residents, where you'll find plenty of young people your age."

And get myself turned in? No thanks. Oliver twitched at the idea, though his curiosity was peaked at this point, He had not ever been in that area, at least, not long enough to recall.

"Even if you do not trust me, you can put your faith in the girl wearing red"

"The wearing red? You mean...Ainsley?" Oliver received no response. The only thing that could be heard was the rolling of the waves. He sat back down. Trying to understand what just happened only gave him a headache. He resumed playing with sand, this time with much more on his mind than how to cope with boredom.

The signature chirping of a little finch woke both Yuki and Olivia, though Yuki alone actually got up. Sunrise was not far from approaching, yet her own stench was already bothering her. Somehow she would have to lie her way into getting both her body and clothes washed. To lessen the suffering of her nostrils, she opened up her suitcase and looked to see if there was anything she hadn't worn recently. Unfortunately, every garment in this container had done some form of service for her. After letting out a sigh, Yuki headed over to the small storage of stolen goods they had. She was thankful for how much Noah helped her obtain clothing. Yuki hastily found a bright red one-piece that could slip on after airing herself out. She then returned to her suitcase and pulled out a small bottle of perfume from it. A very worthy investment. She thought, considering how often her roommates would bathe themselves. I should use a little on the others before they wake up – huh? Yuki noticed that Oliver was not in his usual sleeping spot. Did he leave early to get breakfast? No, we still have some leftovers from last night, he wouldn't do that. He's probably outside then. She dressed herself quickly and used the bottle on Olivia, as briefly as possible. Unfortunately, Olivia still shot up immediately, practically hissing. Sighing at her recent failure, Yuki sprayed Noah and peeked outside; she naturally assumed that the sitting silhouette she saw was Oliver.

"I wonder what he's doing out there." Yuki smiled at Olivia.

"Huh?" Olivia looked up from the food storage.

"Is Ollie playing a game~?" Noah hopped excitedly over to the door.

"I don't know yet Noah, let's go figure it out." Yuki patted his head before opening the door. Not wanting to be left behind, Olivia quickly tagged along.

The breadwinner in question sat silently in what appeared to be deep thought, which was quite unlike his normal behavior, even though it only lasted for a few moments. Once he sensed their presence, Oliver got up, and turned to face the three.

"Morning, guys…" Oliver said, and they gave their usual response. "I know this is going to sound a bit weird but…"

"But what?" Olivia spat, for she hated beating around the bush/

"Well...I want to go to town." Oliver said blankly.

Wait a minute… Yuki's eyes widened with both surprise and excitement.