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*Clank!*

I closed the suitcase, a heavy sigh left my mouth as I checked out all the things I needed for this flight. I'm actually leaving, again. Not that I mind, of course, I've been on the move like a nomad for about all my life. I lived in Europe for about 5 years, then moved to the Far East for 2 more years. Then moved to the Middle East for another 1 year. At 8, I moved around Europe for 5 years, then settled in the US for about 5 more. In about a month or so, it'll be 6 years in the US, because I'm not moving to another country, just another state.

I shook my head, and grabbed my tag chain. I have a tag connected to a chain for every place I live in. This is my sixth chain, it's tagged; Zanesville, Ohio. I'm not sure what the ruckus is about, Ohio is a good State. A great one even. I'm the one surprised when people act shocked when they see a Nine-Headed Hydra walking around at daytime, conversing with the Earth Worms. Isn't that normal? Anyways, I continued checking around my room, and then my house. Three times I checked it, and thrice it was empty. This house I shared with my roommate, he's outside somewhere.

???:
"Joseph!"

Joseph:
'Speak of the devil...'
'And he shall appear.'

I turn around to see Noah, a brown haired 6 feet tall man, with a normal physique.

Noah:
"Are you really leaving? Why couldn't you stay here?"

Joseph:
"I already told you the reason, Noah."
"In about a few months, I'll be 19. Our lease is only until I'm 19, remember?"
"Don't worry, I'll keep in touch."

Noah:
"Awwh..."
"Man... I really am gonna miss you.."

Mmm, yes, yes. Y'know, it's really hard to feel his empathy and his emotions when I can't stop darting from his eyes to his forehead. Even after many years of being his roommate, I still can't get over with the third eye on his forehead shedding tears. When he closes his two eyes while crying, the third on the forehead begins to literally weep and shed tears.

Joseph:
'And he says he's the most normal person here...'
'Well, I don't judge.'

Noah:
"Wahhhh! Who else is going to help me cook now?!"

Joseph:
"I spent three fu-BEEP- years teaching you how to cook, Noah."

Noah:
"👉🏻👈🏻"

Joseph:
"*Sigh* You'll do fine, take care of your brothers, aight?"

Noah:
"Okay..."
"But where are you going?"

Joseph:
"Wisconsin!"

Noah:
"Wisconsin? Why not Illinois? Chicago's pretty nice."

Joseph:
"I prefer a quiet, calm and rural town where I can live inside a small apartment or house comfortably while occasionally receiving visits from my neighbors."

Noah:
"That's practically what you've been doing for the past 5 years..."
"And what does Wisconsin offer, exactly?"

Joseph:
"Northwest of Milwaukee, there's a relatively rural place called Mandela County. The surrounding area is also pretty rural and quiet. Bythorne, Werksha and Yonder."

Noah:
"Those are some... unique names.."
"But Joseph, what of those... things?"

Joseph:
"What things?"

Noah:
"Oh, y'know, those things? They call 'em Alternates."
"They become specifically active at night, especially beyond midnight. On daytime they blend in, and I heard that they'll kill those who figured out who they are."
"For each person, there's always one Alternate."

Joseph:
"The population of Mandela is about 1,075.."
"So, about 2,150? Half of those are Alternates thingy, right?"

Noah:
"Yeah! You should be careful!"
"Some, if not all of them can regenerate!"

Joseph:
"Then just strike their brain?"

Noah:
"They don't work like the zombies here!"
"I don't know much, but those things are the real deal! It's the reason why Mandela and the surrounding counties are rural in the first place!"
"Mandela's population drops from 14,763+ to somewhere under 1,075 in just about 20 years time, due to residents seeking safer living conditions or possibly dying due to alternates!"

Joseph:
"Sounds like my kind of thing."
"Also, how exactly do you know these kinds of things?"

Noah:
"Oh, uh..."

"I visited the Tarot House."

Joseph:
"..."
"The last time I visited Tarot House was when they charged me 50 freaking dollars for a single reading, and predicted that I'd cut off the head of a king in a lost kingdom."
"Sounds totally nuts and normal at the same time."

Noah:
"Have a little faith in them, they only want the best for everyone."

Joseph:
"Sure.."
"Well!"
"I've got a flight to catch from Columbus to Milwaukee, and then a car drive to Mandela."

Noah:
"Oh? I thought that you would take the train there."

Joseph:
"Columbus to Cincinnati, and then to Indianapolis, then to Chicago and finally Milwaukee? No thanks."
"You won't slow me down, Noah."

Noah:
"It was worth a try..."
"Well, come on then!"

Noah opened up for a hug. I hugged him without thinking twice. I've grown quite attached to this place, and so I couldn't let it go easily.

"I suddenly remembered what happened the last time you took the train."
"It was-"

Joseph:
"Nothing happened. Noah."
"I wasn't shot at."

Noah:
"..."
"...Right."
"Nothing happened?"

Joseph:
"Yes? You were there, Noah."

Noah:
"Idk, something messed with my memories."

Joseph:
"Mmm."
"Did you just say idk?"

Noah:
"C'mon! Let's go to the airport."
"I'm gonna bug you until you change your mind."

Joseph:
"You're welcome to try."

I grabbed my suitcase and followed Noah outside. I was surprised at the amount of people waiting outside the house, all waving and saying goodbye to me.

"Holy shit."

Noah:
"Holy shit, yes."

I smiled, and started waving back and embracing their farewells.

Joseph:
"Thank you, everybody. Thank you."
"Jackson! Take care of your three heads, aight?"
"Lisa! Make sure you clean your wings!"
"Chika! Keep on leading your herd!"
"I know where you live Rodriguez, say hello to your mom for me."

Rodriguez:
"🖕🏽"

Joseph:
"Thanks for 5 years of memories, y'all. I promise I'll keep in touch soon!"
"Bye!"

I got into the car, put my suitcase in the trunk, and sat on the passenger seat. Noah sat beside me in the driver's seat. I waved one last time as we began driving to Columbus.

Noah:
"...You seem emotional there."

Joseph:
"I guess so."

Noah:
"What did you pack in the suitcase anyway?"
"What's your plan?"
"What happens in case you meet an Alternate?"
"What about your house?
"What if-"

Joseph:
"Noah, relax."

Noah:
"Ah, shit, sorry."

Joseph:
"Well, my essentials. Clothes, skincare, items, drugs, maybe some human heads but eh."

"I already told you my plan. Get to Columbus, flying to Milwaukee then drive the last bit. After that? I'll plan it later."
"I am quite intrigued by these Alternates, who knows? I might capture one and experiment with it."
"I'll buy a house in one of the neighborhoods, if I can't find one, I'll sleep on the roof."

Noah:
"..."
"This is why I'm the most normal person around here."

Joseph:
"Ask and you shall receive."
"Any more questions?"

Noah:
"No, not really."

The rest of the ride there was filled with small conversations. Both of us, or so I think, have made peace with the fact that I'm leaving. And so we were both trying to reminisce about the time we had shared. Alas, all good things come to an end. We reached Columbus' Airport. I bid my last farewell to Noah, and promised him thrice that I will keep in touch. I pre-booked the flight, so when I arrived it was only 10 minutes left until the flight officially left. After our almost tear inducing farewell, I boarded the flight to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Joseph:
'...'
'Goodbye, Ohio.'

.
.
.

After a brief 1 hour and 10 minute flight, I finally arrived at Wisconsin. As soon as I exited the plane and headed into the terminal, the whole entire atmosphere dropped significantly. Everyone here is... off. Many have this look that screams insomnia, and some had this look like they have been fighting a war for 10 maybe 20 years. It's different from the cheery and energetic vibes from Zanesville. Of course, not all of them have it. The other majority of them aren't as gloomy, but they aren't smiling nor in a happy mood, just blank expressions. I had a friend from Wisconsin once, though I have not heard from him in a while. The last time was about a year ago. And he seemed cheerful, and so was the whole atmosphere. Did something happen during that 1 year gap?

Pushing these thoughts to the back of my mind, I kept on going forward. Passing through people who gave me some sort of suspicious looks. I mean, I would too. My eyes? Oh, what a purplish blue! This color is most often found in people with albinism. It is said that you cannot truly have violet eyes without albinism. Mix a lack of pigment with the red from light reflecting off of blood vessels in the eyes, and you get this beautiful violet! Though I have Heterochromia, in which my eyes have a mix of blue in it, my left eye is also in a different color. Which is why I lowered my hair into a bang that covers my left eye. Talking about my hair! I have Platinum Blonde hair, most unusually. Platinum blonde hair color is a pale blonde shade that's so light it's almost white. But unlike icy blonde, platinum blonde hair has a silvery, metallic appearance. It also has a warm undertone, making it a flattering hair color.

You can thank my parents for my weirdness, though I kinda love my whole body including every weird thing about me. What height am I? I'm not sure, never measured it before. All I know is that I'm under 6ft, quite metaphorically and literally. My physiques? Well, compared to Noah I am a stick. That doesn't mean I literally am a stick, but just not as buff as Noah.

I exited the main terminal. Of course, outside of the building there'd be cars and buses and vehicles. And it looks more busy than the inside. I suppose even Alternates could agree that a highway is a warzone. While booking the flight, I was offered free transport from Milwaukee towards the rest of Wisconsin, if I decide to not stay there. Of course I took up their offer, and now I'm looking for the person responsible for taking me there. I believe his car is a Black Sedan. Alas I spotted it, waved, and got into the car.

Driver:
"Where are you heading?"

Joseph:
"Uh, Mandela County, please."

The driver gave me a weird look through his rearview mirror, before sighing and began driving. He kept quiet for a long period of time, until we were halfway to Mandela.

Driver:
"Aye kid?"

Joseph:
"Huh? Yes?"

Driver:
"You sure you wanna continue? Beyond this traffic light, there is a long dual highway."

Joseph:
"Of, course?"

The driver shrugs, and only after he passes the red light did he tell me.

Driver:
"Listen kid, I don't know what you're up to going to Mandela.."
"I recommend you don't go there."

Joseph:
"Why so?"

Driver:
"Me ol' paps lived in Mandela, heck I used to live there."
"But there are... things."

Joseph:
"Alternates?"

Driver:
"Aye that's what they call 'em.. I call them demons from hell!"
"Those things..."
"I ain't sure, but me ol' paps think they existed since the ol' days, aye? Them days when we humans still hunt for our food."
"And then he did a gosh darn stupid thing.."
"He started to spread his ideas to the people. Got in trouble with the cops, then he died mysteriously. The cops said he died in an accident, but I ain't believing it! Those things killed him!"
"Me mom, aye, may she rest in peace, bring me and my sisters to Milwaukee. Been livin' there since."

Joseph:
'That was a thick accent...'
"And so.."

Driver:
"Listen, if you are feeling brave wantin' to live there, you gotta know how to protect yourself."
"Ah, but you youngin' never listen do you."
"This ol' man here's been rambling long enough."

And with that, he stayed quiet for the rest of the drive. Near the end of it, I finally saw the welcome sign into Mandela.

Ah, this feels familiar to me. Seeing so many welcome and goodbye signs. After driving past the signboard, the driver pulled up near a bus station. Before I left he gave me one final piece of advice.

"Kid, stay indoors at night."

With that, he left. It's not that late, it's only about 3 in the evening. Truth be told, I don't know what to do here. Should I check in with the Police? Do I need to? Nah, I'm sure I don't. But what I need to do is to buy a house. Are there any real estate agents here? Well, I guess I have to check in with the police...

And so it was. I made my way to the Mandela County Police Department, the MCPD. It took a while to navigate the streets, which is mostly bereft of anyone even though it is bright outside. I arrived outside the building, as expected from a Police Department.

I entered it, and immediately caught the attention of the lady behind the desk. She is a tan-skinned girl with Curly dark hair and dark brown eyes that makes her look timid, but again, I don't judge. She saw how I was looking around and made an effort to get my attention. It caught my attention, so I went up to the front desk.

Joseph:
"Hey! Sorry to disturb you..."

Desk Lady:
"No, it's fine. What can I help you with, sir?"

Joseph:
"Uh, is there any Real Estate Agency around here? I'm... trying to buy a house."

Desk Lady:
"Oh, a Real Estate Agency! Um..."
"I'm going to need you to give me a few minutes, I need to check the system about it first."

Joseph:
"Yeah, yeah, that's fine."

I put down my suitcase besides me, and just took a look around the sort of lobby. Believe me when I say that every receptionist will try to have conversations with you, because the lady just did.

Desk Lady:
"Uhhh... Is there any reason for you to buy a new house? I've never seen you around here before."

Joseph:
"Ah, yes, I just arrived here. I came from Ohio."

Desk Lady:
"Oh!"
"Sorry, it's just a bit surprising that there's a visitor here, you could try one of the hotels near here?"

Joseph:

"Oh no, you're mistaken. I just moved here from Ohio. And I'm looking for a house to move into."

Desk Lady:
"I see, sorry for the misunderstanding sir."

What a very curious and polite young woman. She seems a bit sympathetic to me, but that changed when she looked back at her computer.

"Um... Hey, I know a friend that doesn't live here but does work in an Agency that connects people to a Real Estate Agency."
"Her name is Angel Lina."

Joseph:
"Angelina?"

Desk Lady:
"Angel. Angel Lina."
"I can introduce you to her if you want?"

Joseph:
"Oh my, thank you so much... Um?"

Eveline:
"Eveline. Eveline Miller."

Joseph:
"Joseph Gray. Nice to meet you Miss Miller."

I extended a hand for her to shake, and she did.

Eveline:
"Please, just Eveline."

Joseph:
"Likewise."

She smiled and dialed the number on the land line phone. After a while of ringing, the phone from the other side picked up.

Angel:
"-Hello, Yonder's Connection Agency. How may I help you?-"

Eveline:
"Hi Angel! It's me, Eveline."

Angel:
"-Oh Eve! It's been a while. Your number is different, so I didn't recognize it was you. You could've called me through your own phone-?"

Eveline:
"I'm currently at work, I need to introduce someone to you. They could use your help."

Angel:
"-Oh absolutely!-"

Eveline gave me the phone.

Joseph:
"Hello Miss Lina, I'm Joseph Gray. I heard that your company helps people get connected to certain other companies and agencies."

Angel:
"-Certainly Mr Gray, what can I help you with?-"

Joseph:
"Ah, I'm looking for a Real Estate Agency. I want to buy a house."

Angel:
"-Ah I see. Give me a few moments, sir.-"

I could hear some clicking and whatnot from the other line.

"-Alright sir, sorry for the inconvenience.-"
"-I did find one, however it is currently closed until the next day. Could you wait until then?-"

Joseph:
"Well, I could sleep on the alleyways, or maybe the roof but..."

Angel:
"-Okay..-"
"-Hmm...-"
"-Ah! How about this, sir?-"
"-In 30 minutes, I'll head to your location and I'll show you the available houses? Then we can head to the Agency inside of Mandela to get the key.-"

Joseph:
"Sounds good."
"I'm currently at the MCPD, but I'm sure there's a place nearby where we can discuss it..."

Eveline:
"There's a cafe just along the road."

Joseph:
"Ah, as Eveline suggested, the cafe down the road might be a good place."

Angel:
"-Very well then, Joseph. I believe we should drop the formalities. We're basically mutual friends now.-"

Joseph:
"Of course, Angel. See you in half an hour!"

I ended the call. And handed the phone back to Eveline.

Eveline:
"Seems like you guys got along quick."

Joseph:
"Thanks to you of course!"
"Without you introducing us, I might actually have to sleep on the streets tonight!"

Eveline:
"I hope you're not serious about that..."

Joseph:
"Hm?"

Eveline:
"I'm a bit skeptical... But even I'm afraid of the night sometimes."

Joseph:
"Oh you don't have to worry, I can take care of myself."

Eveline:
"I hope so, haha."
"Mm? It's only 3:15, by 30 I officially end my shift."

Joseph:
"Oh, you work the day shift?"

Eveline:
"From 6 am until 3:30 pm, yes. Then another guy gets the night shift. I pity him actually.. The poor guy has to endure the night, mostly alone."

Joseph:
"Damn, it's that bad huh?"

Eveline:
"Yeah.."
"Well, take a seat. The chairs are mostly empty. At 3:30 I'll join you. It's been a while since I've seen Angel myself."

Joseph:
"Alright, I'll make myself at home now."

I sat down in one of the chairs. Having nothing to do, I began playing with my Iphone 3GS (Because yes). I got this as a gift from my neighbor! She turns 500 years old about a month ago, so she gave me this just because.

IPhone 3GS finally adds common cell phone features like multimedia messaging, video recording, and voice dialing. It runs faster; its promised battery life is longer; and the multimedia quality continues to shine. However, the 3GS' call quality shows no improvements and the 3G