Seize A Lost Identity

Chapter 3: A New Beginning

Air hung sharp as the private plane touched down in Siberia, its smooth shape cutting through the winter smog. But, despite having personally done his best to ensure the boy—now properly identified as Xio Antic—was provisioned and safeguarded to begin his new life, the parliament's next challenge lay ahead. However, while the boy in seat gazed out from the plane's window, the immense snow-covered landscape spread below somehow seemed familiar, even if he assured himself that he had never flown here before.

This is it, kid," Dhawan said as they walked off the platform of the jet. "Your new home."

If Xio tugged the scarf, the cold went through his clothes. "Siberia, huh? Feels... distant. Lonely, maybe."

But Dhawan smiled a bit over him, though guilt clouded his eyes. It is sometimes preferable to restart from scratch. It's a clean slate, Xio. Not everyone gets one."

Xio nodded, though something inside him felt heavy. "Yeah, I guess."

On location, at a not very big but cosy flat in the middle of a small Siberian village, they got there. Dhawan handed him a set of keys.

"This place is yours. The fridge is fully stocked, and your credit card will do the rest, there is nothing you can't buy. I've arranged for you to attend a local school. Just... try to live a normal life, kid."

Xio hesitated at the door, turning to Dhawan. "Why are you doing all this for me? Well, you are my uncle, but. it's a lot, is not it?

Dhawan placed a hand on Xio's shoulder. "Because you're family. And family takes care of each other."

Xio's lips quirked into a faint smile. "Thanks... uncle."

As Dhawan left, his heart sank. He couldn't tell the boy the truth—not now, and maybe not ever. It wasn't only a new beginning for Xio; it was also an opportunity, which came at a price beyond imagining.

Xio's First Day in Siberia

The next day at breakfast Xio got up and dressed for school, his shiny new school uniform freshly starched and ironed. He then viewed the ones that Dhawan had provided to him the day before. His name, Xio Antic, stood out in bold letters on the ID card.

"Antic," he murmured, running a finger over the name. "It sounds... strange. But also... right."

He placed the card in his pocket and went to school.

The journey to and from school was unremarkable, the streets, except for the crunch of snow underfoot. Xio couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, though when he turned around, there was no one there.

There stood a cluster of students at the school gates, their voices forming a sound mixture of laughter and conversation. Xio felt a pang of nervousness.

"New kid, huh?" There, a lad with a tower of dark hair came up to him. "You're the one from... where was it? India?"

Xio nodded. "Yeah. Just moved here."

Good luck fitting in", the boy laughed wryly. "Siberia's not exactly known for being welcoming."

Before Xio could answer, a girl blue eyes and piercing look walked out. "Ignore him," she said, glaring at the boy. "He's just mad because he failed math again."

"Hey!" the boy protested, but the girl waved him off.

"I'm Nadia," she said, extending a hand to Xio. "Welcome to Siberia. Don't let the cold get to you."

Xio shook her hand, feeling a flicker of warmth in her friendly smile. "Thanks. I'm Xio."

"Unusual name," Nadia said, tilting her head. "But I like it."

A Quiet Evening and a Faint Echo

That evening, Xio sat by the window of his apartment, staring out at the snowflakes drifting lazily through the air. His new classmates had been friendly enough, but something about the day had left him restless.

He stretched out and took the bag that Dhawan'd provided him and emptied it contents. He on the docs and creditcards noticed a piece of paper being folded in the corner.

Explaining, he picked up a typed slip in Dhawan neat hand.

Life will give you the right pieces, but you are the one who has to paint the picture. Trust yourself, and trust the journey."

Xio read the note several times, his chest tightening. Trusting himself felt like the hardest thing to do. He didn't know who he was, much less what he was meant to/could be.

When he leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed. It flashed in his brain for a second that vision, a young girl with a gentle smile and welcoming eyes.

"Who are you?" he whispered aloud, but the vision faded as quickly as it had come.

The First Thread

Next morning, while Xio went home from school, he stumbled upon a little. cafe, nestled in the corner of the street. Something about it stopped him in his tracks. The name—Jules' Haven—glowed brightly in a big font at the top of the door handle.

Without thinking, Xio pushed the door open. The warm aroma of coffee and pastries enveloped him as he stepped inside.

Behind the counter, a woman smiled at him. "New here?"

Yeah," Xio said, his voice flat as he scanned. The café felt... familiar, though he couldn't place why.

He sat by the window, watching the snow fall outside. His thoughts were a whirlwind of questions he couldn't answer. Who was he, really? Why did certain things feel so close yet so far away?

While drinking the coffee that he requested, a droplet of tears came down the side of his face.

In the depths of his own psyche there was, somewhere, a voice, albeit a faint one.

"Keep going, kid. You'll figure it out."

Xio wiped his face and smiled faintly. He didn't know where this trip would take him, but for the first time he truly felt it was time to begin.