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Immortal Heart

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Immortal Heart

Episode 1

When I first laid eyes on you, I did not know at that time... that the word 'forever' could be so fragile and fleeting.

That day, I lost someone important to me.

There are many metaphora about life, but I paid them no heed.

I was young. I was invincible. I could do anything.

Then suddely that metaphor came crashing down like a billboard.

Life was a soap bubble. It takes only a single breath for it to burst.

Andra: How do you like it? I got it at half price back at the convenience store. Pretty lucky, huh? I guess part-time jobs have their perks.

Ray [15 years old] : ...

Andra: What's wrong? You've barely touched your food. I thought lasagna was your favorite? Sorry... I could only afford the ones you could reheat over the stove...

Ray: Lasagna's your favorite too.

Andra: I know. Like I said, pretty lucky-

Ray: Your portion's much smaller than mine, big sis.

Andra: Hm... I'm not really hungry.

Ray: That's a lie. You've been working extra hours with just a sandwich in your bag.

Andra: It's fine. I promise. Besides, you're a growing boy.

Ray: ...I wish I could work too.

I reach out and ruffle my beloved little brother's hair playfully.

Andra: No you won't. You're going to rest up, get better, and then I'm going to have you working eight to five and still have time to give me a massage.

Ray: Will I even get better? I'm always sick...

Andra: I'm sure you will someday.

Ray: But when will that happen? I want to help you too. I'm useless.

Andra: HEY! Don't you go emo on me, kid. You're not useless... You're brilliant! Look at those little gadgets you tinker with. I could never do that! I bet you'll make a good engineer or inventor someday.

Ray: Someday...

Andra: Don't worry about it! The way you are now is enough to make me happy. Now eat that lasagna before it gets cold.

Ray broods for a bit and spoons the pasta into gus mouth. In just a few bites, it has already disappeared.

I smile fondly.

Don't worry mom and dad... I'll take care of him. Please, watch over us.

...

Andra: Ray, wake up! You have class today! ...Ray?

I look in the kitchen, but Ray isn't there. The bathroom is also empty.

Andra: Ray, this isn't funny! You'll be late!

No one answers.

My heart is pounding, I rush into his bedroom and I can't see anyone.

Andra: !!!

I rush out of the door, ignoring the hot and sharp pavement hurting my bare feet.

The cold air touches my cheeks and make the tears feel like ice. That day, my brother disappeared without a trace.

•••

Charlotte: Ugh! GOD!!! Thank god for weekends!

Andra: You must have it rough.

Charlotte: Oh, darling. Don't get me started. I swear, my boss is definitely looking at my rear end. Maybe I should start wearing trousers!

Andra: Why don't you? Time have changed. We can't just stick to wearing skirts and dresses forever.

Charlotte: Times have changed... huh? I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. There are rumors, you know... That there are people out there that aren't up to any good. You know what I mean?

Andra: I've heard that too. You know what they say.. change can either be good or bad.

Charlotte: There are two sides to everything. Well, I say it's always good if change was on the positive side.

Andra: Good riddance for any signs of bad news! I guess the only thing we can be thankful for is that our home is a fairly peaceful place.

Charlotte: Oh, but there are also scary things that happen in these parts.

Andra: What do you mean?

Charlotte: Haven't you heard? There's been a string of kidnappings lately.

Andra: Kidnappings... ?

Charlotte: People have been disappearing. All low-profile people. No one particularly wealthy. The scary part is that there isn't even any ransom note... as if they don't plan on bringing those people back.

My heart skips a beat.

Andra: Kidnappings... Do you think my brother is-

Charlotte: Right... Ray. I never got the opportunity to meet him. He seemed like a sweet kid. I mean... I guess he's still the same kid that he used to be.

Andra: Hmm...

Charlotte: Andra, I don't really want to be that person but...

Andra: My brother is still out there somewhere. Please don't say otherwise.

Charlotte: I know... but you've been searching for a long time...

Andra: And I'm not going to stop.

Charlotte: ...Okay. If that's your decision, I'll support you. Still... I can't believe that it's been two years since your brother disappeared... At least we don't have to worry about the kidnapping part... The victims are only women anyway.

Andra: Only women.. what kind of sick perverts are they?

Charlotte: I know right? I-

Our conversation is interrupted by women clamoring outside the diner.

Andra: What's going on?

Across the street, women are flocking outside a store.

Charlotte: Ah... I guess Nosferatu is having a bargain sale.

Andra: Nosferatu?

Charlotte: Come on, girl? Don't tell me you don't know?

Andra: Uh... no.

Charlotte: Geez... young women our age should be paying attention to things like these! Listen up. Nosferatu is a rising pharmaceutical company that sells cosmetics. It's a big hit with women. Their beauty products are catered even for low-income classes so it's really popular.

Andra: Hmm... beauty products, huh?

Charlotte: Apparently, the president of that company is a woman.

Andra: Oh? That's pretty interesting.

Charlotte: She must have a lot of connections to be able to run and operate a large business. Do you think she inherited it? Why do some people have so much luck?

Andra: I don't know.

I like to think that she was able to rise up by herself against all those men.

•••

Edgar: Andra, give me another beer.

Andra: No can do, Edgar. That was your last one.

Edgar: Aw, come on!

Andra: Do you want me to tell missus you went back on your promise? Your liver's gonna take a beating.

Edgat: Sheesh! Now you sound like her! Fine, fine. Just a glass of water then.

I grin at the middle-aged customer on the other side of my bar.

I've known Edgar since I statted working here. He's like an uncle to me.

Steve: Andra! A beer for me please!

Andra: In a second!

Edgar: You're such a hard worker. You should take a break every now and then.

Andra: I'm fine. I need to save up so I can welcome my brother properly when he comes back.

Edgar: Your brother, huh...? Girlie, do you even have any clues as to where he is? What does the law have to say about it?

Andra: They've given up on him. I can tell. I'm the only one who hasn't... Right now, I have no leads. But I'm not going to give up.

Edgar: So there's no talking you out of it, huh... ? Uhh... listen. Can you come closer?

Edgar has lowered his voice and beckons me for a whisper.

Andra: What is it?

Edgar: Actually, there might be someone who can help you.

Andra: Really?

Edgar: Yeah. But the thing is... he'a kind of a shady guy. Even so, are you still okay with it?

Andra: I know you'd never recommend someone who would harm me, Edgar.

Edgar: You have too much faith in me, girlie. I used to live a dishonest life, you know.

Andra: But you've changed, right? I trust you.

Edgar: ...Fine. I want you to go to this place and ask the bartender with the beard about a guy named Vis. Tell him I sent you.

Andra: Vis...?

Edgar: That's the name of the underground informant. No one knows if it's actually his real name, though.

An underground informant...

Andra: If you know where he is, you could just take me.

Edgar: Well, that's...

Andra: Oh. You don't want to go back to that world anymore, right?

Edgar: Well, there's that... I mean, wifey will kill me. But also... I don't really want to deal with Vis again.

Andra: Why not? Is he dangerous... ?

Edgar: Well... let's just say he has a rather unlikable personality.

I wonder what kind of guy this Vis person is...

I cautiously head to the place that Edgar gave me. Upon arriving, I am accosted by a large man with an intimidating glare.

Lou: What are you doing here?

Andra: Um, I just need to meet with someone...

Lou: Sorry. This is a members-only bar. Do you have a reference?

Andra: Right... Edgar told me to come here. This is his card.

I hand the man the business card and his expression changes.

Lou: Ol' Ed! Why didn't you say so earlier? Come on in. Who are you planning to see?

Who exactly was Edgar..?

The man escorts me to the bar area and motions me over to the bartender that Edgar told me about.

Walt: Vis? You want me to tell you gis current address?

Andra: Yes, please.

Walt: I can't really do that.

Andra: Why not? Edgar said you could help me.

Walt: Well, about that... Vis doesn't really stay in just one place. He keeps moving. No one knows where he'll be unless you manage to solve his puzzle.

Andra: A puzzle?

Walt: He leaves a puzzle behind in bars like ours so that anyone looking for him will hae to find him.

Andra: But he's an informant! Doesn't that give us more work to do??

Walt: It's his way of protecting himself. There are many people out there who are eager to silence others who may have info about them.

Andra: I see. Still... this is quite an ordeal. But there's something I need to do so... please give me the puzzle.

•••

I take a seat on the bed of my apartment. Even after a year of living here, it just doesn't really feel like home.

But I had no choice... After Ray disappeared, I needed every penny I could to speed up the investigation. As much as I wanted him to comeback to that house, I just couldn't afford to keep it.

Andra: No... I shouldn't let myself be distracted from the matter at hand! What I have now could be the key to finding my brother.

I take a look at the slip of paper that the bartender handed me.

Andra: What are these? They look like stick figures... Am I supposed to decode this to find that informant? For some reason... these dancing men look familiar. Dancing... men?

I leap up, my heart pounding with excitement. I've seen this before in one of Ray's books.

Taking a book in my hand, I quickly leaf through the pages.

Andra: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes... This is it.

Inserted between pages in Ray's neat handwriting is a set of letters and numbers paired with every drawing of a dancing man.

Andra: It feels like everything is leading to this moment. Could this be fate...?

I carefully use the guide to decode the puzzle and finally came across a single address.

Andra: ...This is it.

•••

The address took me to a large but old building filled with rental office spaces. I open the door to one of the rooms. It's dark and grim, but unexpectedly clean.

Andra: Hello?

Vis: Come right in.

A young man sitting on an armchair in front of a coffee table, his legs crossed. He seems to be playing chess, but there is no one else in the room. His sharp eyes narrow at me and an intrigued smile is plastered on his face.

He's unexpectedly young... He can't be any much older than I am...

Andra: Are you Vis?

Vis: It depends on why you're here.

Andra: I have some questions. A friend told me about you.

Vis: Ahh... so this is a business matter. Come take a seat.

I sit across him and look curiously ath the chess board.

Vis: Is something the matter?

Who are you playing against?

Andra: You're the only one here in the room. Are you playing alone...?

Vis: Is that the reason you came here today? To ask about my game?

I flinch. I was careless. Despite his age and good looks, he's still a part of the underground.

Andra: No... I...

I stammer. The man simply smiles at me.

Andra: Sorry. That's not what I came here for.

Vis: I know. I was just playing with you.

Andra: ...

I think I see why Edgar doesn't want to come to see him again... He makes me nervous...

I tell the man the entire story about my brother's disappearance. I expect hin to take notes, but all the while he only seems to be looking at me while tapping his fingers on the arm rest.

Andra: ... And that's how it is... I need your help. I really need to find him.

Vis: Well, I believe we csn do something about that. I've written the estimates for my fee, if you can just take a look.

He hands me a slip of paper. I take a look at the sum and almost choke on my own tongue.

Andra: Wha?? This much???

Vis: Disappearance are complex. For one thing, there isn't even assurance whether he lives or not.

Andra: My brother is alive!

Vis: But that is onky your heart telling you that, isn't it? What I require is facts. If you are unable to afford that fee, then youare free to leave. I would also like to request you bot to reveal the whereabouts of this office. I rather like this place.

Andra: No. I'm not leaving. You're the best bet I have. There has to be something I can do! I can be your secretary! Or I can clean for you. I'll do anything!

Vis: Anything... That is a risky wird to come out of a young lady's mouth. Are you sure you're will to do... anything?

Andra: !!!

Vis: I jest. I have no interest whatsoever in ehat your physique has to offer.

Is he saying I'm not his type... ?

Vis: Hmm... but there is one thing you can fo for me. If you can do this, I'll do the job for you.

Andra: I'll do it!

Vis: I admire your dedication. Here, take this slip of paper.

Andra: A train schedule?

Vis: Three days from now at six in the afternoon, the Shirley Temple will depart and head to the city of Alisaz. I want you to take this package with youand board that train.

Andra: ...

Vis: ...

Andra: ...Is that all?

Vis: That's all.

Andra: But... all I have to do is carry this with me and head back... ?

I lift the package up. It seems to be some kind of box wrapped in cloth. Inside , I could feel the contents sloshing about.

Vis smiles at me mysteriously, resting his chin on his hands.

Vis: You'll understand eventually when you get on that train.

•••

Andra: I'm really here...

I cradle the package in my arms. I still don't understand what this is about.

It's my first time boarding a train like this. I even have my own compartment for the overnight trip. Still... if this will enable me to find Ray, I can't hesitate.

I walk around the train, wondering what to do. I must have looked lost because two men eventually approach me.

Alto: Hey there. First time on a train?

Andra: How did you know... ?

Alto: You had that look about you. Pretty fancy, isn't it?

Andra: Yes... to be honest, I don't know how I should spend my time. I'm just here on an errand.

Alto: Well, if you want, you can join us for dinner.

Luchino: Alto...

Alto: Come on. Help a friend in need?

I observe the two men. They are good looking in different ways. The man named Alto lools friendly, but the other one has a cool air of nobility about him.

He must have noticed me staring at him. he turns his attention to me.

Luchino: You're welcome to join us. Miss... ?

Andra: Andra.

Luchino: It's nice to meet you, Miss Andra. I'm Luchino and this one is Alto.

He beckons me to follow them and we head over to the disning car.

Alto: So, Andra, what kind of errand are you on? Your boss must be pretty wealthy to send soemone on an errand in a train like this.

Andra: Oh... It's just a delivery request. He asked me to bring somehung to the destination.

Luchino: Alto, it's rude to intrude on her business like that. Not to mention your familiarity.

Andra: Oh, it's okay. I'm not really comfortable with formalities.

Luchino: I see. In that case, I'll also call you Andra.

He smiles to me professionaly. My heart skips a beat.

What's wrong with me... ? It feels like I'm sitting in front of a celebrity or an important politician...

Andra: W...what about you two? Why are you here?

Alto: We're looking for some people. Bad guys.

Andra: Bad guys..?

Luchino: There are rumors about members of a dangerous oragnization being on this train. We have some business with them.

Alto: It would really help if you can tell us if you find anyone suspicious.

Andra: Are you sure you should trust me... ?

Alto: Why not? You don't look dagerous to me.

Andra: Uh..

Luchino: It's not logical, but Alto has a good instinct. Besides, if you were suspicious , you would have agreed to help us right away.

Andra: I see...?

They're a little strange. But they don't seem so bad...

I walk back to my compartment and notice a door leading to a new area.

Andra: An observatory... Come to think of it, I used to watch the constellations with Ray before...

Feeling a sense if nostalgia, I head out to the observatory. The cold air feels nice against my skin.

Andra: It's a beautiful night. I can see the stars really clearly...

I allow myself to be enraptured by the starsand the shapes that appear on the sky. Canis Major, Cassiopeia...

Andra: Cygnus.

As I utter the name, I thought I heard a low voice saying the same thing. I see someone pass by me from the corner of my eye. I turn around to see a young man heading back to the train passage.

Andra: ...Ray?

The young mab keep walking and I chase after him.

Andra: Wait!

I stumble into a young man, but he's too fast.

Those features... if Ray had grown up that age, he'd just look like that!

Andra: Is that you? It's me! Andra! Ah!

As the young man quickly turns to the corner, I accudentally stumble and fall on the floor.

Voice: ...don't worry about me.

I quickly stand up and rush to the turn, but there is no one there.

Andra: What was that... ? There's nobody here... Was it just my imagination?

I sit on my small bed and ponder over my encounter with the mysterious young man.

Ray being here in this very small train... is it too good to be true?

I heard a soft knock oitside my compartment.

Andra: Is that the conductor..?

Still feeling a little absent-minded, I open the door. I feel my arm being yanked rounghly.

Andra: Wha??

Paul: Where's the recipe?!

Andra: Wha???

There are two men in black cloaks standing outside my compartment. The angry-looking older man grips my arm tightly while the younger one simply stands in the sidelines.

That person.. He's the one I met earlier?! What's happening?!

Andra: You're hurting me! Let go!

Paul: If you don't want to get hurt, give us the recipe now! It has been completed, hasn't it?!

Andra: R...recipe? I don't know what you're talking about!

Paul: Shut up! Stop playing dumb and hand it over!

What in the wolrd id he talking about? But I don't do something, I might get hurt! This man doesn't look like he's playing around!

Andra: I swear, I have no idea what you're talking about! I'm just an ordinary passenger.

Paul: Stop lying! We know you have it!

Raven: Are we certain about the intel?

Paul: Hell, of course! The intel's always accurate!

Raven: Hmm..

The boy's eyes narrow at me and I flinch, not knowing how to react to this young manwho is about my brother's age.