Archivist in the City (Project Moon × Magnus Archives)

Chapter 3: Foster Parents

AN: Here's the update.

And no interactive choice again in this one.

Chapter 3: Foster Parents

      Glancing at his reflection in the pocket mirror handed to him, he saw his current appearance.

A 12-year-old boy with black hair and blood-red eyes. A cute little boy who would become a looker in the future. Breaking a few hearts left and right.

" Doctor Martel, Please tell us what's wrong with Jonas! "

Hearing the worried and hysterical voice of a woman, he moved his gaze towards the woman. A woman in her early 40s with blond hair and green eyes. Beside her was a man who was in the same age range as her. A man with brown hair and light blue eyes.

The gruff-looking doctor who broke the medical equipment earlier is called Dr Martel. Gazing at the desperate couple and him, he replied.

" We have considered the possibility of amnesia considering the circumstances of the accident. However, having his icy blue eyes turning into red as a side effect— was unexpected. So far, from our observation earlier, there haven't been any detrimental effects because of the sudden change of eye color. "

The nurse beside the doctor passes him a book and a paper. Dr Martel started writing on the book's first page. After he was done writing, he tore the first page before giving it to the couple.

" If the sudden change of eye color bothers you, I can recommend a doctor who can operate on your son's eyes and have his icy blue eyes back. The surgery would be a little expensive. "

The couple glances at Dr Martel and the paper given to them with a dumbfounded look. The man sighed before shaking his head.

" I think we would be fine... "

The man looks at him.

" We would be back here if the red eyes end up being harmful to Jonas. "

The child who was watching the conversation between Dr. Martel and the parents feels that Dr. Martel's suggestion is too absurd. It was too much. However, maybe because this is a world of dystopian setting, it was normal to have that kind of mindset in this world. He wasn't certain since the parents were bothered by Dr. Martel's solution to their problem.

After a while, Dr Martel and the couple continued talking to each other about his condition. The 12-year-old kid that he ended up possessing is named Jonas.

Oddly enough, none of the couples resembled Jonas. However, Dr Martel referred to Jonas as their son. He concluded that the couple were probably Jonas's foster parents.

Half an hour later, Dr. Martel and the nurse left the hospital room. Leaving only him and Jonas' foster parents.

There was an awkward silence inside the room. He observed that Jonas's foster parents seemed hesitant to initiate a conversation with him.

He doesn't want this silence to be fostered. He decided to be the better person. Moving his mouth and uttered some words.

" .... Mother... Father? "

The woman turned to look at him with a strained smile.

" Yes, dear? "

" I'm sorry. "

You wouldn't even be able to see your Jonas again. He's dead replaced by a body snatcher.

The hesitant and awkwardness of the couple disappeared when they heard his words. Instantly it was replaced by fretting and worry.

" No, Jonas don't say sorry. "

" It wasn't your fault. "

" You may not remember everything that happened but you don't need to blame yourself because of the accident and be sorry to us that you lost your memories! "

There were tears in the corner of the woman's eyes as she initiated a hug and embraced him.

" Everything would be okay Jonas. "

He patted the woman's back gently when she started crying while holding him. He avoided scrunching his face in disgust because of the woman's tears and snot. After a while, she stopped there was only a hiccup and little streaks of tears left in her. The man passed her a handkerchief. She accepted it wiping her face before blowing her nose on it and placing it in her clothes pocket.

Staring at the window, she says.

" If anything, this is our fault that it's happened to you. "

[ You gained Desolation Fear ]

[ You gained Desolation Fear ]

[ You gained Desolation Fear ]

Suddenly, he was assaulted with various notifications coming from the Archivist System regarding Desolation Fear.

" We are so selfish with our grief that we have forgotten about you, Jonas. We have forgotten that it wasn't only us that was grieving. "

The woman brings her forefinger in front of Jonas's chest where his heart is located.

" We have forgotten that you are also hurting and grieving like us. "

Looking at the sad man and woman in front of him, he found it hard to connect with them. He was a stranger in this body. And unfortunately, he wasn't blessed with memories that he could use to feel connected to this pair of grieving parents.

The only thing that he knows right now based on the things they said is that someone died. Someone important to them and Jonas.

" We have realized it too late Jonas. I'm sorry, we have been an irresponsible pair of parents. We are a disappointment. What would your brother say if he learned how we have forgotten you? "

' A brother? '

There was another new information given to him. But first, he decided to resolve the current problem in front of him.

Looking at the woman's sorry state, bag in her eyes, clothes and hair unkempt, and her pale body, for the sake of his future and this pair of sorry parents, he decided to reassure them with a smile on his face.

" It's alright. Mama and Papa. I think.... brother would understand. "

The woman and man give him a wan smile. The latter reminisces and says.

" Your brother loves you a lot. I think that he would chastise us first and make us guilty. Requesting us to buy you several gifts before we can ask for your forgiveness. "

In the next few minutes, the man and woman started to tell various stories about him and his brother. He learned that the brother was their biological son. Possessing blond hair and light blue eyes. He is energetic and someone full of life. Someone who has aspirations and dreams in this hellhole of a city. A kind young man whose life has gotten cut short because of a war.

Jonas's foster brother's name is Tomah.