67 CHAPTER 66-THE HOUSE IN THE WOOD

"I am not talking about Vanessa Alex. How could you buy a Roller-Board for 500 Qiz?"

"Because I wanted to save you, Jeff," Alex screamed, or was he crying? It was hard to differentiate the two at the moment, "I wanted to save you. I had planned this for the last six months. I knew that one day I will have to save you or Vanessa would use you until you finally die in the arena."

Jeff's stomach tightened, and he found himself clenching his fist on the Roller-Board.

"But Alex, 500 Qiz is—

"Is nothing compared to your life" Alex interrupted. The thunder clapped, and the lightning flared. For once that night, Jeff was able to see Alex's face.

"And I would give the entire world to save you, Jeff. You are more like a brother to me. You are my best friend and I am sorry for all the pain my sister has caused you."

"It's okay, Alex." Jeff rested his hands on the boy's shoulders, "Let's get out of this rain. My bones are turning to ice."

"Okay," Alex chuckled and mounted his Roller-Board, soaring into the night. Jeff followed behind, still trying to keep his thoughts and confusion at bay. 

The white lights of their Roller-Board brightened the night as they made their way through the rain that bashed their faces. But for the Head-Plate, Jeff doubts if they could have soared on the Roller-Board, for the intensity of the rain had morphed into a heavy stroke that threatens to pierce the skin. 

They did not follow the magnetic trail, instead; they soared to the other side of the forest, which was in an adjacent angle to the magnetic trail. How many hours they soared, Jeff cannot say, but he was glad when Alex suddenly jumped down in front of some small building that was hidden in the wood. 

The roar of the thunder and lightning echoed as they jumped down from their Roller-Board. 

"We are here," Lex said and turned off the engine of his Roller-Board using his Head-Plate. He tucked the board into his armpit and started toward the door of the small house.

Jeff followed his lead, turning off his Roller-Board and tucking them under his armpit.

"We would be safe here," Alex said as he pushed his Sol-K through the keyhole on the door. A green light flared, followed by a rusty ding sound. With that as the signal, Alex turned the Sol-K and the knob. He waited for another ding sound before he removed the Sol-K.

The metallic door groaned with protest, elevating into the roof of the wall. The groaning noise did nothing to the rain, which had hushed now into a drizzling mumble. 

"Light please," Alex mumbled as they walked into the building. Rich yellow light spread throughout the room, bring life to every sphere.

Jeff walked into the room, shaking off the August rain that hung on every side of his body. 

The living room, the kitchen, and the dining were all joined together, although demarcated here and there. There were some old swords hanging on the wall and pictures too.

"My granny used to spend the last of her days here," Alex said when he noticed Jeff's eyes staring at the portrait. "I am the only one who knows about this place. Granny would tell me how favored and unique I was. Ah, I missed her"

"Lucky you to have seen your granny. I don't even know if I have one," 

"Who doesn't have a Granny?" Alex laughed as he clapped his hands over the hearth. The fire came on at these commands, burning brilliantly and taking away the cold of the outside world.

"Let me get you something to change into," The little boy said and disappeared to the other side of the room.

Jeff hugged himself and ambled toward the fire. The rays were warm on his skin, making the hair on his body to relax and sending a chill down his spine. His feet and hands were suddenly going numb as if he had stayed in the frigid weather for centuries.

"They can't find us here. We are safe for now." Alex said as he walked back into the living room with some fresh clothing "Here, put this on" He said and handed the pajama to Jeff. 

Jeff felt relief as he collected the fresh cloth. He quickly undid himself of the damped clothes and went into the new one which Alex had given to him. His brow furrowed however when his eyes cut through the helm of the clothing. 

Loosed threads dangled on what should have been the collar. The color of the black cloth had all faded, and it smelled like the dust of wet woods in the moist soil of a rain forest.

"That's my grandfather's," Alex said, "Please manage it. It's the only thing I can find at the moment"

Jeff nodded a thank you to the younger boy and straightens the cloth with his hands. He couldn't believe that Alex had gone through all these troubles just to save him.

"So your grandfather and mother lived together?" Jeff asked. 

"Yes they do," Alex said and collected his wet cloth, stashing them into the cloth basket.

Jeff sat down on the floor, close to the fire. He watched the sparks of yellow ferries, which flared and disappeared into the dark flames as the log burned. 

"How long" He cleared his throat, fighting to keep his voice stable from the phlegm that tried to cluster. He must have caught a cold or something.

"Why can't I remember anything?"

"That's the effect of the HT. It will wear away in some minutes. Alex said, coming to stand beside him on the fireplace.

"How long have I been away?" 

"Three and half years," Alex said.

Jeff swallowed. Three and a half years? God help him. What have I been doing for three and a half years? The answer came to him as his memory seemed to be unlocked. He remembered everything now.

So it's been three and a half years, yet it felt as if he had only left the academy yesterday. What was he doing for three and a half years? Jeff tried to remember, but the memory could not print a picture in his mind.

"Tea," Alex said and handed him the steaming cup. The boy sat down on the marble floor beside Jeff. He had changed into a sweater which made his body look like a scarecrow.

"Why can't I remember anything?" Jeff asked.

"That's the Happy-Tech," Alex repeated

He bent to the right and picked up the syringe. The greenish content, which looks like a tadpole, dangled weakly from one edge to another. 

"It feeds on your memory, giving you an illusion on what is not real."

Jeff collected the syringe and studies the organism closely. Its head had grown big, with what appeared to be a red single eye at the apex, contrasting the green color of the body.

"Why then is it called Happy-Tech?"

"Vanessa said it's because the middle name of the man who invented it is Heureaux, which is another name for Happy, hence the name Happy-tech."

"So, I have this thing in my body system for three and…" Jeff gulped the remaining word. He couldn't believe his ears.

"Yes, it made you powerful. You were the undefeated champion for—

The boy trailed off.

Jeff watched as the expression on the boy's face changed. The enthusiasm that once spread across his eyes slowly faded into a poignant grief that seemed to endure forever. 

"What are you hiding, Alex? Please tell me everything. I was an undisputed champion of what?"

"Of the Speedo match" 

"What? Speedo match? The government banned it six years ago"

"Yes, but some people took it to the dark. It still exists and you are, and still is, the undisputed champion."

Alex sipped from the steaming cup, but Jeff noticed that the boy was only doing that to hide the shame that lined his eyes.

"There is more?"

"You won't like it"

"Try me" Jeff dropped the cup on the marble floor and faced the little boy. The boy lifted his head from the cup. That was when Jeff saw the tears.

"Vanessa… Vanessa…" Alex sobbed, unable to continue.

Jeff covered his face as understanding came to him. The cold that held him before seemed to have resurfaced, despite the heat of the fire. He trusted Vanessa. She had helped him escaped the Regent. Why would she turn him to a puppet against his will? For three years.

For three solid years.

"She must have her reason" 

Alex shot his head up, seeming not to believe his ears.

"What?"

"Yes, she must have her reason, and I mean to ask her myself"

"No, Jeff," Alex was on his feet "She is working with some wicked men who could kill you" 

"Don't worry about that Alex" Jeff chuckled and picked up the teacup. He sipped from the cup. Many things flashed in his mind, he must see Vanessa, he needed explanation. 

"I must ask her myself. Besides, she has my bag pack, and there is something vital I must collect."

"Hello Jeff," A feminine voice asked

Jeff and Alex jumped with surprise at the voice of the stranger. The owner of the voice stepped away from the shadow and lowered her hood. That was when Jeff saw the blond hair lining a familiar face.

It was Vanessa.