Silent Noise (3)

  The human body required many things in order for it to function at its optimum capacity. There were the obvious contributing factors playing a part like food and water, but one of the most overlooked necessities was rest. Ever since reincarnating into mortal flesh, the most overwhelming obstacle standing in my way was the concept of ‘sleep.’

  That lethargic feeling would wash over me like a sudden tidal wave and immediately force my body into a comatose state against my will. I wasn't particularly fond of it because it just felt like I was wasting time, but as with all things, even this accursed concept had its upsides.

  In the case of drowsiness, it was honesty.

  The phenomenon was similar to what I'd often observed when humans were on the verge of death, for some reason, when humans were close to losing consciousness, they were surprisingly more truthful. I could only assume it was because they lacked the mental vigor to find loopholes in arguments or flat out deny certain requests but either way, that was the main reason why I’d initially waited until both Oliver and Emma were on the verge of dozing off before conversing with them.

  Oliver would have likely agreed to it either way given his personality, but the added touch of him being low on mental vigor was just a bonus to make the entire process flow a lot smoother without giving away too much.

  I couldn’t rely on my other method of seeing through lies just yet, so for right now this crude tactic would just have to do.

  “Your dad....died?”

  “That’s right, it's been a little over a year now...Ah! Wait Liam do you even know what that means?” It seems a sudden realization had just dawned on her, she immediately lifted her head and stared at me with her still strained facial features. Her eyes had a glossy sheen to them and there were a few sleep wrinkles forming under her eyes.

  I did hear the occasional sob coming from her ever so often, but with this it was now abundantly clear that she was crying the entire time.

  Still, the question she just asked me was one so ironic I couldn’t even muster a laugh even if I'd wanted to.

  “Yeah my mother told me about it a long time ago. She said it means that you’re going to sleep forever.”

  Emma stared blankly at me, I’m certain my words reached her just now, but it was like her brain wasn’t registering the meaning behind them. After a while, she formed a thin smile, rising to her feet and walking over to the window beside me. She placed a hand on the windowsill, using it to support her face as she leaned over the edge, promptly greeting the steady stream of lukewarm air that flowed into the passage.

  “Yup that's right. Dying means you go to sleep forever, so I won’t be seeing my dad again. Not anytime soon at least.”

  She was gazing out at the setting sun in the distance with an expression of both serenity and sorrow. “Y’know he used to be the village elder up until just recently, but you were only a baby back then so it kind of feels like you just missed him.”

  “What was he like?”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “Mmhm....Well he was pretty much the strongest guy around before your parents started living here. Most of the time he was off in the nearby forest hunting any monsters that were causing trouble or strayed too close to the town. Every day he would come back around this time covered in dirt and monster goo, my mother was running our stall back then and he’d always stop by and wait for us before going home...”

  Her voice got weaker with each word that came out, but despite that she still carried on, ignoring the obvious changes in her tone.

  “...That was how things were until a year ago. That Basilisk monster suddenly showed up and made its way into town one day. Lots of people got hurt, so my dad called in his old raider friends and headed off to fight it one night, but he never came back. The only thing those guys brought back was the sword he always used to carry around. My mother took it the hardest, she’s gotten sick ever since he died, and now my stupid brother’s started training to become a raider even though he’s only been a mage for a few months. He goes to train with Owen’s group every day, saying he wants revenge. Honestly, It's so stupid...”

  I was facing the other direction, but the sound of crunching timber and Emma's tender sobs still reached my ears. Coupled with the salty droplets carried by the calm breeze onto my skin, it was more than enough for me to imagine the expression on her face.

  “Sometimes just remembering about that day makes my chest hurt, but..I—I can’t give up. I know dad’s watching over me.” Even with all the sniffles and sobs, her voice still managed to sound oddly convincing.

  “Haaah....what am I doing? Complaining to a little kid. This isn’t like me at all.” Wiping away her own tears, the usual perky color in Emma’s expression slowly began to return.

  “No, thanks for telling me about your father Emma. What was his name?”

  My question left her stunned for a while, until she eventually glossed it over with a hint of mischief.

  “Fufufu...Y’know Liam, you’re a pretty strange kid. Most four-year-olds would cry after hearing a story like that.”

  “Well, you’re not four and you were crying just now.”

  My question somehow offended her and without so much as a warning she grabbed my cheeks and began pulling them apart with all her might.

  “Twelve-year-olds cry too you know!”

  "Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow! Okay, okay, I get it—you can cry!"

  Upon releasing that deadly grasp on my face, her expression turned triumphant.

  “Lennon—Lennon Ashwell, that was his name.”

  “Got it. I’ll remember that.” I replied meekly, rubbing my sore cheeks.

  Her smile brightened with a red color after hearing those words.

  “Now then-” Dropping to the floor, I braced my back against the concrete wall behind me before closing my eyes.

  “...What are you doing?” Every single one of those words was coated in confusion.

  “I’m going to sleep, none of us were saying anything earlier, that actually kept me up the whole time.”

  “Huh? Y-you mean you’ve been trying to start a conversation with me all along?”

  “....”

  I didn’t have a rebuttal to offer but I could already anticipate her incoming reply.

  “Pfft! Ha-ha-ha-ha!! You really are a funny kid!”

  An unfamiliar hand suddenly grasped my head and pulled it into the soft embrace positioned on my right. It was of course Emma —perhaps because of the difference in our perceived ages she felt some sort of superiority over me.

  “But!" She started in a zealous tone "...that’s not a bad idea. It’s almost nighttime and I just so happen to be tired, so let’s take a nap.”

  “Yeah, I’m on it.”