Episode 2:
" I am hurting, I have lost it all, I am losing, help me to breath" – Boa.
As Jaune woke up to do his morning stretches, he felt something soft touching his legs gingerly. As he looked to the floor, he could see a flash of fur leaving the room through the door.
Moments later, he heard a yelp from his sister and the hiss of a cat.
"Geez, this cat sometimes." Coral entered the room, glasses on and her hair slightly disheveled.
"Huh. Looks like you're actually working out." she commented when she saw him doing some stretches and then proceeding to do some push ups.
"You preparing to go to the military ?"
"No. I-uh…."
After 10 push-ups, he got up and wiped his brow, he then stared at his sister with an empty expression.
"No, I just want to be fit."
She nodded.
"Sure. Besides grandma made breakfast. Also it's the town's very own Cereal- Pumpkin Pete."
"Is it good ?"
"Dunno. Never liked cereal. Also today, I'll be busy. I got some errands to run tho tell you what, lets just have some free time this Thursday. Huh, I got this really cool place to show you out."
He seriously did doubt that. As cool as his sister was, she was either too over-excited over small things and it tended to be embarrassing at times. But he could hang out more and they could bond more. It would really help with his memories.
His forgotten memories.
As they sat on the dinner table, he took out a bowl and began to fill it with milk before taking the cereal box. As he began to open it, he saw the cover and stopped moving.
"Jaune, what's wrong ?" his grandma called him out as she took a chair beside him, coffee in hand.
"Oh it's just my classmate, she's on the cover of Pumpkin Pete's." he replied as he pointed to it towards her.
"Oh yes. That young girl is your age right. Still so young and already so talented. She's the town's star athlete along with Arslan and Yang Xio long. Well there's been talks of sending them to the Junior Olympics but only if they really agree. But I'm telling you, the town has never been as bright as before." His grandpa had joined in, wearing a loose shirt with unbuttoned sleeves and black trousers.
"Really ?"
Jaune had never been as interested in sports like the other kids. He was good at some of them but he never really wanted to improve in any particular one.
He did wonder how the live of a successful athlete would be like.
'Probably stressful or busy.'
"So honey, when's school today ?"
"Well since the merging situation, Grade 9 starts around at 1 today."
"Oh, then why are you so early today ?"
"Just wanted to see some sights and you-know get some fresh air."
"Good kid. See Jaune, you'll find out that this town has a shooting range if you're into that sort of thing but if not there's also fencing classes in an establishment nearby."
"Thanks, but why would I need to learn those things ?"
His grandfather remained quiet while his grandmother just stared at him before smiling.
"Honey, listen, we just want you to be safe. I mean the town's people are good people but you-know, Accidents happen."
"I'll be alright." He waved it off.
He finished his breakfast and took it to the sink before packing his bag.
As he got to the door, he gave a brief hug to both his grandparents.
For some reason, the hugs felt different.
Felt more personal.
Felt sad.
…
The moment he spot the bookstore, Jaune headed in.
"Hello, Welcome to Tukson's Book Trade, home to every book under the sun. How may I help you ?"
The bookstore owner was apparently a large tall man with clean cut hair with freshly shaven sideburns. He had large muscular arms and would appear intimidating if not for his friendly expression.
The moment he saw him however, he smiled wider.
"Oh it's you. Good to see you once again. I got the books you want right there on the back."
He gestured to the back as he smiled once more.
Jaune just followed checking out the lanes as he passed by.
At the back was a large bag which Jaune could get easily guess was filled with books.
"Here" and Tukson smacked the bag with his meaty hands.
"Check it out."
Thanking him, Jaune immediately took out a book and saw the cover.
'The Foundation of Remnant.'
It seemed to be a big fat book and was also quite heavy.
Plopping it on a table nearby, he went on to the next and fished out the others.
Glancing a couple over the others, he got their names memorized in his mind.
'The effects of World War 1 and World War 2 on the County of Remnant', 'The geology of Mantle and the discovery of energy filled rocks', 'Maps for the Town' etc.
Looking at them, Jaune opened his bag and placed them all in.
Tukson laughed as he struggled to carry it.
"Careful, boy. You haven't gotten the strength yet."
Jaune just grimaced as he thought about it.
"Is there a gym nearby ?"
"A gym ? Hmmm, well there's one but it belongs to the resident drunk-king of the town, it's a bit far off but if you want, I could give you the directions?"
"Is it popular ?"
"Of course its popular, It's the only one."
"Then if I'm committed, I'll join."
With that Jaune had passed through a few aisles before he saw something that caught his attention.
Standing by it, he proceeded to take a comic and started flipping the pages.
Checking the time and the flipping the pages some more, a sudden cough caught him off guard.
"So, the new issue of X-Ray and Vav, huh ?"
"Well, it was something I tend to read, a lot of times."
"I see. I'll be honest, I didn't expect to see you here."
"Well, I was checking out the town and to be honest, this was the first thing that caught my eye."
"Hah. Well then I should really apologize Tukson for the trouble Emerald and Mercury made in the bookstore."
"Nah, it's alright." The owner replied, resuming his position at the counter.
"So, what are you upto, Miss head representative ?"
"Please, just call me Cinder. We're classmates aren't we ?"
"Yeah. It's pretty weird that Beacon Middle has such a rule."
….
"Why is that ?"
"Well, it could be due to budget problems or some issues in the town itself."
Jaune just hummed, his mind racing.
Closing the comic, he went back to the shopkeeper and took his bag back, all the while Cinder following him.
After saying farewell, they both left the store heading the same direction.
As they walked, he felt like Cinder was watching him somehow despite her eyes staying on the road.
"How's the town?"
"It's really nice. A lot of people knew me."
"It's cause everyone is open with their neighbor. We need to, at difficult times especially in the future."
"Huh? I see."
"I guess it would be weird to know almost everyone, especially in other cities."
"Yea, I mean back in New York, I was pretty sure no one knew everyone in the entire city. This place just beats it in terms of friendliness."
"True. Although the opposite is true. After all, if something bad happens, then everyone knows about it. Even if it is covered, people will still figure it out one day."
"…. Have you ever been out of Remnant before, Cinder?"
"No."
"Oh, well I… Don't people usually travel around the states?"
"I wasn't … my home-life is pretty different and well a few of my associates can understand so I haven't had time to leave this place."
"Well, I could show you pictures of places I visited. Maybe that could help motivate you out."
Cinder stopped walking and turned towards Jaune.
She stared intently at him, looking for something.
"Thanks." She replied, smiling softly.
"Yep. Maybe one day, we could travel the world together and have an adventure. Our friends would tag along."
"Yes, that would be nice." She nodded.
As they walked, neither spoke but were at least content.
….
School was boring but the people in it were not.
Although the number of empty chairs remained, Jaune did not let that bother him that much.
During Arts class, he sat next to a girl with a black beanie covering one of her eyes as she painted.
One of the teachers, Miss Glynda Goodwitch had decided to preside the class because the original was in a vacation, had checked each and every one's painting.
Though everyone had varied skills, Jaune could easily spot some masterpieces.
From the snow-haired girl, Weiss whose art was more of a real-life sketch to the colorful expositions of the over-active girl Nora and the life-like scenery created by Penny, he could easily guess who were going to be successful in their artistic career.
Yet as he watched the girl beside him, he could easily see the differences between her and them.
Theirs were a work of art, hers was based on her mind.
An empty street, filled with darkness yet there was a light somehow within that darkness. A light where a blind person who was clutching their eyes in despair was slowly etching towards the light.
He felt like he could understand that feeling.
He felt like he was that person searching in the dark for something.
"Good job, May. I think you should be a core member of the arts club." She smiled at the student who just put her brush down as she stared the floor.
As the teacher tried to say more, a knock on the door disturbed her and so she went towards it.
"Vernal, stop bothering the twins. Ilia keep up the good work, you too Yatsu."
As she said that she slide open the door and went to talk with the person on the other end.
Jaune examined May's painting once more before staring at his own.
His had been simple.
It was basically a sketch of a knight with a sword in hand, in a battle stance.
As he compared between the two, he noticed one of his classmates, Fox had been shaking his head before conversing to one of the rowdier groups, silencing them.
Focusing his attention back, he couldn't help but ask, "Hey May, are you a top member of the art club, because I feel like you should be."
She stayed still for a while before glancing at him, watching him before speaking.
"It's not my thing. It's not even a hobby, I just draw what I feel sometimes."
That brief admission made him feel lighter. Even though, he was accepted in school he still had some issues due to his memory loss.
It was hard to understand what others were talking about, especially his family when they talk about things which they insisted he was in, events he took part of, but had no recollection about.
He tried to understand it. Tried to feel it.
His body did. But not his mind. It felt trapped.
Stranded, scared for some reason.
"I understand." He said.
"Sometimes, my body does things instinctively even though I have no idea why. I look at my classmates and yet for some reason, I feel like I know them, yet I don't even know them."
May just listened to him before nodding.
"You're a nice person, Jaune."
She went back to her painting.
After arts it was music and then dance.
To his surprise no one was shocked that he could dance well.
To his surprise though he found out that Ren and Nora and even Pyrrha were as good dancers as him. Flynt and Neon too but they had their own rhythm. But it was Penny and Weiss who were easily able to copy their dance instructer as he taught them.
However all his excitement came to a sudden halt when he found himself in a locked room with Weiss.
She had locked the door while everyone went to change and wash up.
She looked furious but also sad as she stared at him.
"Do you not remember?" she asked loudly and yet in a soft tone, as if disbelieving it herself.
'Remember what' Jaune thought.
Looking at the girl, he thought of her as some sort of snow angel.
However looking at her now, he did not know how to feel.
She was an excellent student, despite this being the second day in school. She had seen her attitude with the others in class. Though somewhat direct and blunt she often spoke with a noble tongue and was friendly to those who she considered as friends.
And as he stared at her, he felt nothing.
Maybe they met some place, he heard she was from Germany, but he knew he never met her.
It was better to nip this in the bud.
"I'm sorry but I have never met you in my life, Weiss Schnee."
"Oh."
There was a sudden shift of emotions on her face.
And then she unlocked the door and left.
….
As school ended and saying farewell to his classmates, he got ready to leave when someone called out to him.
"Yes Pyrrha?"
"Hello Jaune, wanna stay on the roof for a while ?"
"Why ?"
"Oh, nothing. I mean want to walk back home together ?"
"Ok."
As she got ready, both of them headed out.
On the way, Jaune noticed Pyrrha fidgeting for a while.
"Hey Pyrrha, are you ok ?"
"Huh ?"
" I know we're not close and I know we're not friends yet, but if you have any problems you can tell me and I'll help you."
"We're not friends ?"
"Well we're classmates but I think we're friends now, if you want to be."
"No of course, I get it."
She then smiled at him.
"Let's be friends."
He then gave a hand towards her. Understanding she also gave her hand and shook it.
As they walked, she began to talk about certain topics from school ranging from food fights to detentions some of them got.
It sounded fun.
It sounded nostalgic yet it sounded different.
"The Vytal festival is coming up and so the town will be empty for it."
"Empty ?"
"Yep everyone will be there attending. There will be fairs, games and even plays too. I heard that fireworks will again be involved this year too."
"It sounds like a great time."
"It is. Wanna join us ?"
He tilted his head as he stared at her.
"Ren and Nora are going out with me. We need a fourth member and we thought that you could be that person."
"So you're inviting me out."
"Yes, If you want to though, I don't want to force you."
"I understand. Sure I will join."
She was happy.
As they split up, he could practically see her skipping for joy just before she turned and was out of his line of vision.
However when he entered the main street he spotted someone, he never thought he would see again.
The girl with the red tips on her raven hair, the one with the red hood was walking down the road, dressed in casual wear.
With a short black skirt with dark red stockings, and a red jacket that covered her, she walked the street with sneakers.
Following her a few yards behind, he made to check the windows of a nearby shop as they passed.
Then after a couple of blocks, she disappeared.
Looking around and finding nothing he turned his attention to a shop right near the corner.
There was board right next to it.
'Red like roses' with words stylized.
He looked at the signboard above it.
'Hunters'.
And as he checked the displays through the store window, he could see the one thing that was common.
It was a store with mannequins wearing colorful and unique clothing like any other clothing store.
The difference was they were carrying weapons.
Each had a different unique weapon on them.
One had sickles, daggers, gauntlets even an automated spear.
All of the mannequins were carrying them and posing as if they were hunting or fighting.
As the streetlights turned on, he realized that it was getting too late and he had to go home.
Trudging along the path, he once again found himself on the way home.
Which was unfortunately through a forest.
A forest which was considered safe but a forest nonetheless.
As the sunlight began to disappear and being replaced by the streetlamps placed on the road, Jaune felt a light breeze flow through the air.
Fresh clean air, unlike the polluted smell from the smoke infested cities everywhere.
It seemed that the County of Remnant was the only place where the air was sweet and clean.
At that moment, something broke his thoughts
A distant sound, from somewhere so far that made him believe that he was hearing things.
But as he walked on and on, he could gradually hear the cry of a child.
Someone was crying, pausing in certain times.
Then he heard a soft scream. It was too far to identify what it actually was but as he kept on walking, he could hear that someone was screaming.
A kid was screaming.
Something was being torn apart.
Sounds of flesh being torn in.
As he ran to where the sounds were coming from, the lights from some streetlamps shut down.
It was dark.
As he reached a certain spot, he could no longer hear anything.
As he walked around, he could smell something foul in the air.
Something had died. And it was rotting.
He could hear the buzzing of flies closer and closer as he walked before he realized he stepped on something.
As he picked it up, he could feel shape of it as it fit his hands, a lace falling between his fingers.
It was a shoe, a kid's shoe.
And something was attached to it. Something that fit in and was torn right at the collar. Something that was bleeding.
As the moon began to shine and the clouds that covered the sky had moved out, his eyes began to adjust the scenery right in front of him.
"Jaune."
He turned around and saw his sister Coral right behind him, standing on the edge of the path.
It seemed that he had gotten off at some point.
"Co…Coral, I…"
"Come here." She muttered as she came towards him and hugged him tightly on her chest.
He usually felt enveloped with her warmth but right now all he felt was cold.
The cold air freezing his bones.
He didn't speak.
"There's nothing here." She said loudly to him.
He looked at her wide eyed.
As he turned around to look at the thing, to something that once belonged to a child, to something that was a child, she shooked her head firmly.
"You saw nothing. In fact there was nothing here, at all."
He just nodded, absentmindedly.
"Come on let's go home together."
As she lead him by the arm, he took one last glance at the spot where the body lay and instead saw right by the road, the same girl who was there in the hospital and at school.
Her silver eyes shining brightly.
At that moment, Jaune realized that the alarms were blaring out through the street lamp speakers throughout the area.
He just didn't notice it.