zero

Chapter 2: Island of Echoes

Zero's earliest memories are fragments—shadows of a life that once was, echoes of a world that was lost. The first thing Zero remembers is the island. An island of ruins, forgotten by time, surrounded by a restless sea that seemed to whisper secrets no one else could hear. The sun rarely broke through the thick clouds that hung low over the island, casting everything in a perpetual twilight. It was a place of solitude and silence, where ancient stone structures stood like solemn sentinels, their purpose long forgotten.

Zero didn't know how they came to be on the island or why. There were no memories of parents, no recollections of warmth or comfort. Only the ruins, the waves, and the sense that something was always watching.They made the best of it, wandering the island by day, exploring the moss-covered stone arches, and hiding in the crumbling remains of what might have once been homes. At night, they listened to the wind howling through the empty corridors, sometimes imagining voices in the distance. Those voices, however, were always out of reach.

It was during one of these nights that something changed. The island, usually so still, felt different—alive with a new energy. Zero had found shelter in what they called the Whispering Hall, a massive, open structure where the wind created strange melodies as it passed through the ruins. They were curled up in a corner when they heard it—voices, but not the distant, ghostly murmurs of before. These were clear, human voices, growing louder as they approached.Zero's heart pounded with both fear and curiosity. They hadn't seen another person for as long as they could remember. Creeping to the edge of the Whispering Hall, they peeked out cautiously. Two figures were moving through the ruins, their flashlights sweeping across the stones, their voices low but excited.

"I'm telling you, this place has to be haunted," one of them said. He was tall and lean, with messy brown hair and a confident stride. His name, Zero would later learn, was Lucas."Haunted or not, it's definitely eerie," the other replied. He was slightly shorter, with dark hair and a more cautious demeanor—Mika. He glanced around, his eyes narrowing as if trying to see something hidden just out of view. "Are you sure we should be here?""Absolutely. Think about it, Mika—an island full of ruins, miles from civilization. This place is a goldmine for ghost hunting.""But it's also... sad," Mika said softly, his voice tinged with something that sounded like sorrow. "It feels like someone's been left behind."The words struck a chord in Zero's heart. A wave of emotion they didn't quite understand washed over them—hope, fear, loneliness, all tangled together. Before they could stop themselves, they stepped out from their hiding place.The flashlight beams swung toward them, and for a moment, all three of them froze. Zero stood in the dim light, their small frame barely more than a shadow, their wide eyes reflecting the light like a frightened animal.

"Oh my God," Lucas breathed. "There's a kid here!"Mika was the first to move. He slowly lowered his flashlight, approaching Zero with cautious, gentle steps. "Hey there," he said softly, his voice soothing. "What are you doing here? Are you lost?"Zero didn't know how to answer. They didn't know where they were from or how they ended up here. All they knew was the island, the ruins, and the endless loneliness. They shook their head slightly, tears welling up in their eyes as the realization of their isolation hit them all at once."Hey, it's okay," Mika continued, now kneeling in front of Zero. "We're not going to hurt you. My name's Mika, and this is Lucas. We're just exploring, looking for ghosts.""Or treasure," Lucas added, trying to lighten the mood. He stepped forward, his grin warm and reassuring. "We didn't expect to find someone like you here."

Zero stared at them, unsure of what to say. They had never spoken to anyone before. Slowly, they found their voice, though it was shaky and barely above a whisper. "I... I live here."Mika's heart seemed to break at those words. "You've been here all alone?"Zero nodded, feeling a lump form in their throat. "I don't remember anything else."Lucas exchanged a glance with Mika, a silent understanding passing between them. They both knew what they had to do. This wasn't just an exploration anymore—this was a rescue."Well, you're not going to be alone anymore," Lucas said, his voice firm with determination. "We're going to take you with us. How does that sound?"Zero's eyes widened with surprise. They had never imagined leaving the island—this place had been their entire world. But as they looked at the two men in front of them, something inside them longed for more, for a life beyond the ruins.

"Okay," Zero whispered, their voice trembling with a mixture of fear and hope.Mika smiled warmly, reaching out a hand. "Come with us."Zero hesitated only for a moment before taking Mika's hand. The name they'd carried in their mind for as long as they could remember had never been spoken aloud—until that moment. As they were led away from the ruins, Mika asked gently, "What's your name?"Zero glanced up at him, the word forming on their lips. "Zero," they replied, as if the name had been waiting for this very moment to be shared."Zero," Mika repeated, smiling softly. "It's nice to meet you, Zero."

Life with Lucas and Mika was unlike anything Zero had ever known. They were taken to a home filled with warmth and light, a place where every corner wasn't shrouded in darkness and decay. The two men treated Zero with a kindness and care that made them feel something entirely new belonging.Lucas was adventurous and bold, always seeking the next thrill, whether it was chasing down rumors of haunted mansions or uncovering the mysteries of ancient, forgotten places. Mika, on the other hand, was thoughtful and introspective, often balancing Lucas's impulsiveness with careful planning and consideration. Together, they made the perfect team, and now, they had a new member.

As the years passed, Zero became a part of their world. They joined Lucas and Mika on their ghost-hunting trips, learning the art of exploration and the thrill of uncovering secrets long buried by time. But more than that, they learned what it meant to be a family.They were taken to places far beyond the island—old, abandoned houses with creaking floors and cold, whispering winds; ancient forests where the trees seemed to watch them with knowing eyes; and forgotten cemeteries where the past lingered like a shadow. But no matter where they went, Zero always felt at home, as long as Lucas and Mika were with them.

Lucas taught Zero how to find joy in the thrill of discovery, how to embrace the unknown with a fearless heart. Mika taught them the importance of understanding and respect, especially when dealing with the supernatural. Together, they raised Zero with a love for the strange and the mysterious, nurturing the curiosity that had been born on that lonely island.Zero grew up among ruins and ghosts, but also in the warmth of a loving home. The island had been a place of abandonment, but Lucas and Mika turned it into the starting point of a life filled with adventure, love, and a sense of belonging. As they looked back on their life, Zero knew one thing for certain—the island might have been where their story began, but it was Lucas and Mika who gave that story meaning.