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Time-Locked: A Journal of Irony & the 11th Soul

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Hey, you okay?

"Coincidence" is another funny thing.

I never really think about it—until one suddenly pulls me back to a memory I didn't realize was waiting for me.

I wasn't expecting today to feel like déjà vu.

But then again, life doesn't asks for permission before it decides to surprise you.

...~•~...

The rhythmic hum of the bus filled the air as I rested my chin on my hand, watching the buildings blur past the window. Beside me, Mira sat with her legs swinging. She's a daughter of a family friend. Her parents couldn't pick her up. So I'm taking Mira home with me and her parents will come and get her later.

Mira: "Wait... Melody, this isn't the way to your house. Where are we going?"

Melody: "Miss Betty's first."

Mira: "Why?"

Melody: "She forgot some medicine in her bag. One of her kids needs it soon, but she can't go back home because she's heading straight to the orphanage."

...~•~...

Miss Betty was someone you could always count on. Being the only daughter of a wealthy family, she had more than enough to live comfortably, but instead of indulging in luxury, she spent her life running an orphanage for babies and young children. She gave them a home, education, and love—everything a child deserved. Some got adopted quickly, others grew up under her care and left when they were ready. But no matter what, they were her kids.

She also happened to own the kindergarten where Mira goes. Some students, like Mira, had families who enrolled them there, while others—like Marv and Lani—were part of miss Betty's orphanage.

Mira hummed, kicking her feet against the seat. "So, we're on a delivery mission?"

Melody: "Something like that."

She grinned. "Good thing I'm here! I wanted to see Crysan again. She'll be there right?"

Melody: "Of course."

...~•~...

Years ago, there was a terrible car crash near Miss betty's orphanage—so devastating that no one believed anyone could have survived. But somehow, in the wreckage, they found her. A baby girl, severely injured but alive. No one could explain how she had made it. "It's a miracle," some said.

No records were found about the baby, no clue as to where she had come from. The only thing she had was the dress she was wearing—a white dress with Chrysanthemum flowers. And that's how she got the name Crysan.

Crysan was the only child under Miss Betty's care who called her "Mother." She was as sweet as cake—clumsy, silly, and full of heart. She had a way of making everyone around her smile, whether through her infectious laughter or the way she hugged people like she'd never let go.

Miss Betty had always cared for children, dedicating her life to them, but she had never legally adopted one—until that day. No one knew what had changed in her, not even Miss Betty herself. But from that moment on, Crysan was her daughter.

And if you asked Crysan, she'd say that made her the luckiest girl in the world.

...~•~...

Mira: "Will Carl be there too?"

Melody: "I don't know, Mimi. Maybe? Maybe not..."

Mira: "Yeah... Carl can be unpredictable. Who knows where he is right now? But Carl is fun! I hope he's home." — "Oh! We're gonna deliver medicine right?"

Melody: "Mhm." I nodded.

Mira: "Hmm... Could it be for Excell?"

Melody: "Axel?"

Mira: "Not Axel..." — "Lani specifically told me his name is written with an E... and C... And a double L. Like how you write 'Excellent'." — "It's kinda like my name. Mira, from Miracle!" — "Cool, right?"

Mira continues chatting while I'm still trying to process her words.

Mira: "Lani said Excel is sick for so long. He stays in hospitals alot. That's why he lives with miss Betty and Carl tags along, because he's Excell's buddy." — "Carl told me they're two pea brothers in a pod." Mira giggles. "I think Carl and Excell are good brother buddies."

Miracle chats along, from one topic to another... And Me? I'm kinda stuck in my loud messy mind.

...~•~...

Excell.

When Mira said that name, and my thoughts stilled.

Not Axel, but Excell with an E. (and C, and double L that is...)

It could be anyone, I know. But when she mentioned he was chronically ill, something in my brain clicked, like a puzzle piece moving into place.

Because I knew an Excell once.

A boy who always sat by the window, enjoying a book way too advanced for a six years old. He often scribbles down answers instead of speaking them aloud. He never joined in the classroom noise—he just didn't seem to care for it. His tracheostomy device had a soft hum, something you'd barely noticed after a while.

People looked at him differently. Some with pity, some with discomfort. But I was the few people who didn't. Maybe because I knew what it was like to be looked at—to have people stare at something you have no control of, something that made you different than other kids.

And that Excell? He never looked at me weirdly either. Never stared too long at my prosthetic leg.

We weren't friends. But there was a mutual understanding as we shared the same classroom in elementary school.

...~•~...

...And now with Mira mentioning 'Excell'...

...It couldn't be the same person, right?...

...I mean, isn't that too much of a coincidence?...

...~•~...

I didn't expect much.

When the door swung open, there Crysan stood, her usual bubbly self—except today, her wide eyes held something else. Relief.

"Finally!" she exhaled,

I handed the medicine. She glanced between me and Mira. "Thank you! Uh... Please come in..." before stepping aside to let us in.

Mira barely gave me a second to breathe before her excitement pulls her towards a room.

"Come on, Melody! I wanna see, Carl!"

Of course. Carl—the human embodiment of chaos and chill fun. The reason this place had any life in it. Mira adored him. And naturally, that meant I had no choice but to be dragged along.

Chrysanthemum, ever the responsible one, handed us masks before we entered the room.

...~•~...

The moment I stepped inside...

Oh.

The scent of antiseptic. The neatly arranged drawers, each labeled for different medications and supplies. Oxygen tanks stacked against the far wall, a nebulizer resting on a side table. A space that had been built around necessity. And yet, it wasn't just a sick room.

Bookshelves lined one side, filled to the brim with thick books and research journals. A project desk sat by the window, scattered with tools, wires, and half-finished models. Pieces of a mind that never stopped.

And there, on the bed was a boy my age.

Sitting up against the headboard. An untouched bowl of food on his lap.

Excell.

I... I couldn't believe my eyes. It's the same Excell as the one I knew.

The boy who had once been my classmate. The boy who had never looked at my prosthetic leg like it was something odd or out of place. But his tracheostomy was gone now.

I swallowed.

What were the odds?

...~•~...

[Carl's POV before the girls entered the room]

"Just one more bite, man! You need nutrition to survive!"

I waved the spoon in front of his face, but all he got in return was a deadpan stare. Excell sat propped against the headboard, looking like someone who's really tired of life. (I bet he is...)

I sighed, flopping onto the edge of the bed. "Bro, do you want me to start lecturing you about metabolism and energy again? Because I will—"

The door creaked open.

Crysan poked her head in, "Excell, your medicine's here!"

Carl: (smirk) "Ha! No more excuses, your lifeline has arrived, so eat up!"

Excell was about to say something but a little 'unicorn' bursts in,

Mira: "Carl!" throwing herself at him for a hug.

Carl: "Hey!" I chuckled. "Nice headband!"

Mira: "Thank you, Carl!" (Proud of her sparkly unicorn headband)

Carl: "And who do we have here?"

Mira: "Remember when I told you the person coaching us while Lady Lyn is away is my favorite person in the world?" — "That's her!" — "Come on, Melody!"

I looked up—and when he saw this... 'Melody' girl...

ohhh.

OH.

This just got interesting.

Because Excell—my buddy bro soulmate, Excell—had gone completely still.

I turned back just in time to catch the look on his face. It was like—Recognition. Shock. A very, very poorly concealed "oh crap" look. My... You should see the look on his face!

I smirked.

No.

I grinned. My infamous evil grin that is...

This girl—Melody—was standing right in front of us, completely oblivious.

And oh...

Oh, Excell, my dearest 'brother', the second people leave this room, you're gonna be COOKED.

...~•~...

[Excell's Inner Monologue]

Coincidence? No. Too convenient.

Stay neutral, Excell. Don't react. (too late)

But how am I supposed to ignore this? The second she walked in, I knew. That voice. That presence. It's been years—years—but I'd recognize her anywhere.

Melody Ashwood.

Elementary school feels like a different lifetime, but I remember. We were just classmates. I was always in and out of school, trailing the sound of medical equipments wherever I went. And she... she was different too. Not because of the prosthetic. That never defined her, at least not to me. No, she had this awareness, like she existed slightly outside the usual current of things. She was usually alone, or sticks with this other girl... Emily wasn't it?

And those two noticed me.

Not in the way most people did—not with pity, not with intrusive curiosity. I appreciated that a lot.

Then, we graduate. Of course.

I heard Emily enrolled to a private boarding school overseas. And Melody? I haven't heard about her. Never expected to see her again. Until I did—just once. By accident.

And that was when it hit me. The realization I hadn't been prepared for.

I liked her.

No, really. I LIKE her... I think.

Didn't expect it. Didn't plan for it. But the second I saw her again, it was obvious. A conclusion waiting to be reached.

And then—just like before—she was gone.

That should have been it. People move, paths diverge, life continues. I kept my feelings to myself.

I never told anyone about this. Never even let myself dwell on it too much. A passing crush will fade by time, that's what I told myself. But then there was... Carl.

Carl dragged it out of me four years ago. Big mistake. A complete and total miscalculation.

And now? Now he's looking at me like he just won the lottery. That smirk. That damn smirk.

Carl is never letting this go.

I'm doomed.

...~•~...

[Carl and his imaginary guitar, throwing a concert to COOK Excell Alive ❤️‍🔥]

Carl: It's been years, but oh, so tragic 🎶 One look—BAM!—where's your logic? Are your lungs okay? Do you need a break? Or did love just punch you in the face?

Excell: "Carl, stop it now and we're good."

Carl: You good? You sure? Should I call for an aid? Or just sit back, sip, and throw some shade?

Excell: "That's exactly what you're doing already..."

Carl: Don't worry bro, I won't tell a soul... Except, you know...

Excell: "Oh that doesn't sound good." (mutters)

Carl: Everyone we know ~Oh Oh Ooh

Excell: *I'm so done with this guy* (-_-)

Carl: Oh bro, fresh outta surgery; Docs worked hard, saved your anatomy. Said, "He'll be fine, just give him space," But then SHE walked in—now look at your face! woo!

Excell: *If I tell you that made me choked, that made me CHOKED*

Carl: Are your lungs okay? Is your heart intact? Or did love just give you a heart attack? Are your brain cells here? Do they still survive? Or did her hazel eyes eat 'em all alive?

Excell: *Ofc I tried to shut him up, but I'm wasting my breath instead*

Carl: Bro, should I call 911, or the angels instead? Cuz at this rate, you're already dead.

Excell: "You're the one who killed me!" (Carl just laughs and kept going)

Carl: Your brain was healing, cells reviving; But her hazel eyes said, "Nah, keep dying."

Excell: "I'm gonna sue you..."

Carl: One look—BRO, why you glitching?! Swear I saw your soul start twitching! Oh!

Excell: *Oh... no.*

Carl: Bro, should I call 911, or the angels instead? Cuz at this rate, you're already dead.

Excell: *Here we go again...*

Carl: Your brain was healing, cells reviving; But her hazel eyes said, "Nah, keep dying." One look—BRO, why you glitching?! Swear I saw your soul start twitching!

Oh! oh oh oh oh Ooh!

Excell: "O...Kay. That's enough." *My breath is getting heavy, trying to shut him up is just draining me.*

Carl: Are your lungs okay? Do you need more air? Should I grab the oxygen or just stand and stare?

Excell: "You get back here, and zip it!"

Carl: Is your heart intact? Or should I step back? Cuz love just hit you like a cardiac attack!

Excell: *Nope. No luck for me when it comes to stopping this guy*

Panting in defeat. Excell deadpan stares at Carl who's happily resuming whatever torture he's doing.

Carl: I mean, no pressure... but WOW, that stare. Maybe sit down? Maybe don't dare?

Excell: "Are you done?" (spoiler alert, NOPE)

Carl: Or should I call the doc and say, "Hey, he's back—Not from love, just a full relapse.

Excell: "Just get done with it."

Carl: Bro, do you need a hospital bed; Or just a WEDDING RING instead??