254 The Conversation


    Selma Payne’s POV:


    The weather today was perfect, or rather the weather here had not changed.


    There were just the right amount of white clouds, pale halos, gentle winds, and clear air. I liked everything, and I felt free. I would sleep on the grass, on the shore, or in a stream, enjoying the wind and the stream brushing my hair. I would sleep deeply for a few days and nights and then run wildly in the vast wilderness.


    The stream reflected my reflection, and the light refracted my hair and wings into a soft halo.


    asionally, moths woulde out to y with me, but they were cold and untraceable. They often flew into the sky and disappeared into the high clouds without waiting for me to pounce.


    Why were they so anxious?


    I didn’t know, but it didn’t matter. I’d wait for the arrival of my nextpanion.


    The moths would sometimes appear in groups; sometimes, not a single one would appear for a long time. I asionally felt lonely during the long wait, so I fell into a deep sleep of dull boredom.


    When I opened my eyes again, the field was still the field, and the sky was still the sky. Everything had remained the same.


    I wouldn’t change either.


    It was a little boring.


    Lying on my folded front paws, I stared at the flowing stream.


    What should I do?


    The reflection in the water suddenly moved, and someone said, “You don’t want to stay here anymore?”


    I was shocked and jumped up in a panic. I stumbled back with my four limbs. Hiding on the shore, I asked, “Who are you?”


    “I’m you. Do you want to leave this ce?” the reflection asked.


    “You’re not me. Who are you?!”


    “I am you, you fool. Don’t make me say it a second time. ”


    “How can there be two of me in this world?”


    “There are no two ‘you’. We are the same person.”


    The same person?


    “Then, what should I be called?” I decided to trick her. No matter what she answered, it would be wrong because I didn’t remember my name at all!


    “Your name is Selma or Madeline, but everyone is used to calling you Selma,” the shadow said.


    “You’re wrong!” I jumped up in excitement. “I don’t have a name at all. You’ve been tricked by me, haha!”


    The shadow looked at me speechlessly. “My god! Have I be a retard?”


    “Hey! Show some respect!” I angrily mumbled, “You’re the idiot!


    “I already said I’m you, and you’re me!”


    The shadow’s patience seemed to have reached its limit.


    “Think about your past, you fool! Remember your name and who you are, and quickly get out of this boring ce!”


    “It’s not boring here,” I said. “I like it here. I can run freely here.”


    I didn’t know which of my words had touched her, but she was silent for a long time before saying, “I know, but for your goal, you have to give up some things, such as the wilderness that can let you run freely.”


    Why didn’t she have to give something up? “I don’t want to lose this ce,” I retorted. “You said that we’re one. Go and aplish your goal then.”


    “I’m also working hard on this,” the shadow said. “I’ve also given up a lot.”


    “For example?”


    “My past, my physical body, my blood.”


    “You lost your memory? Or have all the people you know forgotten about you?”


    “No...”


    “You’re dead? Or have you be a spirit?”


    “... not that either”


    “You lost your family? Or did your parents kick you out of the house?”


    “...”


    I looked at the stunned shadow and proudly said, “See, I knew you were lying. The people of the past are still there. Your body is still there, and your family is still there. What kind of loss is this? Don’t try to trick me into making a sacrifice. I won’t let you benefit, hmph!”


    A gentle breeze blew, ruffling the calm water surface and scattering the misty reflections.


    I was in a daze when she suddenly appeared in front of me.


    “What do you think you’re doing?” I vigntly assumed an offensive stance, but she wasn’t afraid at all. She even reached out and touched my chin.


    “I’m touching myself? It’s a wonderful feeling,” she mumbled.


    I ran a few steps away and vigntly watched this strange woman. “Don’t be so friendly. We don’t even know each other!”


    She didn’t care about my wariness. She stood there and looked at me gently. “We know each other. You are me, and I am you. You are Selma, and I am Selma. You’re Madeline, and I’m Madeline.”


    “I’m not.” I stubbornly shook my head. “I don’t have a name.”


    “Then, who are you?”


    “I don’t know. Maybe I’m not anyone.”


    “There’s no such thing as not being anyone. You must have an identity, but you’ve forgotten.”


    Was that so?


    I was convinced by her.


    ...


    Had I forgotten my name?


    She walked toward me step by step, and I didn’t know why I didn’t want to run away.


    “I like this ce too, but it’s time to leave. There are still many people waiting for us.”


    She hugged me slowly.


    Her embrace was so warm that I felt I was about to melt.


    “Who’s waiting for me?”


    She didn’t answer, and the wind carried our voices away.


    The stream water gradually spread to the shore, and thin moths flew out from it, carrying our figures and flying high into the sky.


    “It’s been a long time,” I said.


    “It’s time to wake up.”


    Buzz, buzz, buzz.


    ...


    It was the sound of medical equipment.