The Mysterious World

Chapter 5: 90-degrees Math-Twinny (Dedicated For Paul)

Selene's POV

I'm Selene Francisco, a 28-year-old Filipina who's been trapped in this bizarre world. It's a surreal experience, to say the least. But what makes it slightly more bearable is the presence of a familiar face - my childhood friend, Paul. We went to grade school together, and I never thought I'd see him again after all these years.

Fate, however, had other plans. We both ended up in this mysterious world, and he saved me from the brink of disaster a year ago. It's a debt I can never fully repay, and I'm grateful for his presence in my life here. Paul's become more than just a friend; he's a lifeline in this desolate place, and finding each other was like discovering a piece of home in this alien landscape. It's a reminder that even in the most unlikely of places, human connections can be forged, and friendships can endure.

Our journey in this world was filled with unexpected twists and turns. Paul and I were constantly in search of answers, but the more we tried, the more lost we seemed to be.

I encountered creatures that I never thought existed, and I witnessed things that were beyond my understanding. But Paul was my pillar of strength throughout the entire ordeal. He was brave, resourceful, and always kept a positive attitude, no matter how dire the situation was. I trusted him completely, and he never let me down.

The saddest part was, Paul had vanished. Yes, it was a devastating blow, one that left me reeling and feeling utterly alone. He was my rock, my confidant, and my partner in survival. Without him, the world would seem even more desolate and unforgiving.

But I knew that Paul wouldn't want me to give up. He would want me to keep fighting, to keep pushing forward no matter how hard things got. So, I gathered my strength and continued, honoring his memory at every step. I thought of him often, wondering what he would do in certain situations, and trying to live up to the example he had set.

As I navigated this mysterious world, I realized that Paul's legacy lived on through me. His courage, his resilience, and his determination inspired me to keep going, even when all seemed lost. I knew that I wasn't just fighting for myself, but for him, for the memories we had shared, and for the hope that I might one day find a way out of this place.

The thought of returning home one day kept me going. Maybe, just maybe, I will find a way to escape this world and return to the life I once knew. But until then, I would keep searching, keep fighting, and never lose hope. For Paul, for the others I had learned to care about, and for myself, I would persevere.

My memories of Paul go way back to our childhood days, when we were classmates in grade school. He was always the tall, dark, and skinny boy in our class, with a mop of messy hair and a bright smile. While we weren't exactly close friends back then, I admired his intelligence and brilliance in school. He was always one of the top students, effortlessly grasping complex concepts and acing our exams.

The start of our closeness was quite unexpected, really. It was when we were paired together for a math project in school. I remember being a bit apprehensive at first, not knowing what to expect. But as we started working together, I realized that we meshed really well. We both had a passion for numbers and equations, and our similar interests made the project a breeze.

We spent hours poring over formulas and calculations, laughing and joking as we worked. Our synergy was undeniable, and we quickly became known as the "90-degrees math-twinny" among our classmates. It was a silly nickname, but it captured the essence of our partnership perfectly.

Even though we went our separate ways after grade school, pursuing different paths and careers, our friendship endured. We kept in touch for some years, sharing updates about our lives and still finding common ground in our love for math and numbers. Whenever we met up, it was like no time had passed at all. We'd reminisce about our childhood memories, laugh about our math-twinny days, and the projects we'd worked on together.

Those moments brought back a flood of nostalgia, reminding us of the good old days when life was simpler. We'd talk about our current endeavors, and I'd marvel at how Paul's analytical mind had served him well in his pursuits. Our conversations were always engaging, filled with a mix of humor, wit, and intellectual curiosity.

Despite the distance and time apart, our bond remained strong. It was as if our friendship were timeless, unaffected by the passing years. And when fate brought us together again, here in this strange world, it felt like a second chance, an opportunity to rekindle our connection.

The last time I heard about Paul in the real world was through a group chat our classmate had set up. I was scrolling through the messages when I saw a familiar face, but it took me a moment to place him. And then it hit me - it was Paul! He had invited us to his wedding, and I was happy to see him thriving in his life. He had built a family, a wife, and a 2-year-old boy, and it was clear that they were his everything.

In this strange world, Paul would often share stories about his family with me, especially during the nights when I stayed with him. He'd talk about his wife and child, and the memories he had of them before being trapped here. It was evident that they were his inspiration, his strength, and his motivation to survive. He refused to give up, knowing he had to keep fighting until he found a way out.

But beneath his determination, I could sense a deep loneliness. He missed his family terribly, longing to be reunited with them, to see their faces and hear their voices once again. His desire to be with them was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder if that was the driving force behind his actions.

And then, he vanished. We still don't know why or how, but it left me with more questions. It's the same uncertainty that hangs over all of us, trapped in this world. We're all fighting to reach 0 on the number on our wrists. Because there's a growing assumption that it will be the key to escaping this place and returning to the real world. The thought of being reunited with loved ones, like Paul's family.

But that's not what happened to Paul. He still has a 300k count on his wrist. The day he vanished is etched in my memory forever. It was a month ago. We were having dinner, enjoying each other's company, and sharing stories. He was sitting right in front of me, and we were having a good conversation. And then, without warning, he was gone. Vanished into thin air. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was as if he had been erased from existence.

The pain of losing him was overwhelming. Paul was more than just a friend to me; he was family. My brother. Someone who has saved me, supported me, and been there for me in this desolate world. His disappearance left a gaping hole in my heart, and I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to him.

I can only hope that he has found his way back to his wife and child, that they are reunited and happy. The thought of him being with them brings me some comfort. In this world, we cling to whatever hope we can find, and for many of us, it's the memories of our loved ones that keep us going.

One of the things we've learned to do here is to hold onto those memories, to cherish them and share them. We ask every member of our clan to share their last memories of the real world before being trapped here. It's a way of keeping our past alive, of reminding ourselves of who we were and what we had. And for some, it's a reminder of what they're fighting for. But it became another mystery.

Mystery Number 11: The Erased Memories

The mystery of the erased memories is a profound one. It seems that when we arrived in this world, our memories were somehow wiped clean, leaving us with a blank slate of our past lives. Well, only for the last part. But what's fascinating is that our core memories remain intact. These are the memories that define us, that shape our identities, and give us a sense of purpose.

Our core memories are the moments that we hold dear, the people we love, and the experiences that have molded us into who we are today. They're the essence of our being, and they continue to drive us forward even in this strange new world. But the last part of our lives, the part that ties everything together, is missing. It's as if our memories were severed at some point, leaving us with a sense of disconnection from our past.

This raises so many questions. What happened to us before we arrived here? How did we get here? What's the purpose of this world, and why are we being forced to participate in this killing of monsters? The lack of memories makes it impossible to understand our situation fully, and it's frustrating to say the least.

Despite the mystery surrounding our memories, one thing is certain - we're determined to uncover the truth. Paul's investigation will continue, and I'll make sure to carry on his work. We'll keep searching for answers, no matter how small they may seem, and hopefully, one day, we'll uncover the secrets of this world and our place in it.

Now, as I look back on our friendship, I am thankful for the memories we created together in the past and here in this world. Paul may have been just a classmate at first, but he became one of my closest friends and someone I will always cherish. He became a brother to me, and I, on the other hand, became a sister to him. Even if it was a short period for us, it was special. A bond that will last and will never be forgotten.