Miller threw a basket full of berries at Jonea. Some of the berries spilled out, but Jonea saved her basket.
"What's the matter?" protested Jonea.
"Then don't just daydream! We have to work fast before it gets dark, or we won't all be able to eat dinner."
Jonea sighed. In the early morning, they entered the forest only to collect berries.
"There is still plenty of time. Look!" Jonea said, pointing to the sky. "The sun is still directly above our heads."
"Actually, it's not being able to eat dinner that worries me." Miller stood in the middle of a forest that was so dense, foreign, and silent. "However, darkness invites many calamities and dangers here. We must always be vigilant. Wolves can come from anywhere."
Jonea hugged her berry basket tightly and looked around. Suddenly the nape of her neck tingled. Jonea was still not used to being in the forest.
It's been a year since Jonea decided to leave school and go into hiding. She returned to the village and lived with her family.
As soon as Jonea returned to the village, Mr. and Mrs. Fallon grew even more worried. They thought it was time to leave. They sold their house and farmland. Since then, they have started moving from one city to another.
For a long year, the war continued in the border region. The warriors and hunters from Pack Abraham continued to guerrilla into villages and remote places to hunt down the rebellious lycans.
"How long can we last in this community?" Miller asked. "Actually, I'm tired if we keep moving. How about we just give up and settle down somewhere?"
"Where?" Jonea asked. "Which place can give us calm and peace? Their noses are too sharp. Even with the strongest herbal concoctions, they can still sniff out our presence. Only by continuing to move and move can we still survive until now."
About a month ago, the Fallon family arrived at the border of the southern forest. The military recently abandoned the area after it was cleared of insurgents.
They encounter a human race community that refuses to perform DNA alteration surgery. This group is one of the last survivors. They refused to join the werewolf army. So that these people form a community that is constantly moving and moving to find a new place of refuge.
Mr. and Mrs. Fallon decide to stay with the group for a few weeks before looking for a new destination. After a month had passed, Mr. and Mrs. Fallon wanted to last longer than initially planned.
"Miller?" said Jonea.
Miller is busy setting rabbit traps. He just muttered without turning his head. "Do you need anything?"
"Um, there's actually something I wanted to ask you. However, I was worried that it would make you uncomfortable."
"Just say whatever it is. Since when did you become indecisive, Jonea? Didn't you say we are close twins and support each other? Although I don't really remember our closeness. But I feel really comfortable with you during this run."
Jonea looks gloomy and disappointed. "It seems you still haven't regained your memory."
Miller's hand stopped. He no longer continued to make rabbit traps. Miller stood up and approached Jonea, who was leaning against a tree.
"Is there something important from the past that you want to know from me? Although I am trying to remember how close we were in the past. But I really want to start everything from scratch. I really want to be a useful brother to you. I want to be a brother who can protect and look after you from now on."
Jonea glanced at Miller, whose height had already passed her several inches. Suddenly Jonea was touched.
She did not expect that Miller, who was always spoiled and childish, had now transformed into a mature and protective young man. Even during their one-year escape from the village, this was the first time Jonea had really taken Miller seriously.
Muscles had grown all over Miller's body. Everything is formed naturally from hard work. Miller was no longer a weak young man. He looks more handsome and actually becomes a gentleman.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" inquired Miller. "You give me goosebumps, Jonea. Don't tell me you started admiring me?"
Jonea is angry. "Are you crazy? You've always admired me! Not the other way around."
"Sorry if I caused all this mess. If I had completely regained my memories, maybe I wouldn't have made you suffer like this."
Jonea had decided to ask the question she had held back for the past year.
"Miller, don't you remember how you got into an accident that day at school? Don't you remember who was with you the day of your accident?"
Miller suddenly looked at Jonea seriously. He lowered his face slightly and looked at his twin sister intently.
"Jonea, do you actually know anything? Are you hiding something from me? If you know anything about the accident that day, tell me. It may provoke my memory to come back.
Jonea quickly shook her head and gave a fake smile. "I do not know anything."
Jonea didn't want to tell Miller about the video. Jonea is worried that the information she is passing on might influence Miller's point of view and contaminate Miller's memories which have not returned.
'Until now, I hope the video is not what actually happened. The only answer is just waiting for Miller's memory to return.'
"It's summer now." Jonea diverts the conversation. "Why don't we have some fun first? We barely have time and are constantly working to feed the barns. This summer, we can relax a bit."
"Your idea is interesting, too!" he exclaimed. "How about we make a bet? Whoever can reach the lake first, those left behind must do the winner's task."
Jonea glanced sharply at Miller, who was only wearing shorts and a white T-shirt. The shirt started to look cramped on Miller's body which had grown so fast and far outstripped Jonea.
Jonea grinned. Suddenly she ran ahead to steal the start.
"Hey!" shouted Miller. "You cheat, Jonea! I won't let you reach the lake first."
Miller ran after Jonea.
Jonea's hair has even grown back in just a year. Everything she got was thanks to the help of herbal concoctions made by her mother.
Jonea ran fast. She arrived first at the small lake in the middle of the forest. The lake was formed from a former crater filled with rainwater.
Jonea jumps and somersaults in the air. The girl's hands landed first into the water. She swam freestyle and was so happy.
A few seconds later, Miller caught up and threw himself into the water.
"Jonea, you cheat!" protested Miller.
Jonea burst out laughing and splashed water over Miller's face.
When Miller dived and was about to drag Jonea's feet from below to reciprocate, suddenly, they heard the sound of a bamboo whistle being blown loudly from the depths of the forest.
Jonea also popped her head to the water's surface and was followed by Miller.
"Did you hear that?"
Miller nodded. "That's the bamboo whistle of the guards. The alarm whistle from our group. Did something happen at camp?"
"Come on, we have to hurry back."
The whistle is made of bamboo. The sound is loud and can reach a distance of several kilometers.
"Miller, come on! They're blowing the whistle again!" cried Jonea.
Jonea had emerged from the water with her clothes soaked. She was trying to retrieve the berry basket she had collected. However, behind her, Miller did not appear.
Jonea stopped and turned toward the lake. She looks for Miller but is nowhere to be seen.
"Miller? No kidding! We should hurry back to camp now. We do not know what danger is threatening."
Miller experiences muscle cramps. He couldn't swim up and was getting dragged down by the current.
Miller attempted to swim, but his body seemed to go numb. He could only hold his breath as long as he could.
Miller's eyes felt so hot and sore. He was further dragged to the bottom of the lake. Miller could only see the reflection of the sun's light, which was getting dimmer.
Miller's chest felt so tight. He couldn't hold his breath any longer. Miller shouted for Jonea. However, he made a fatal mistake instead.
Large amounts of water entered his lungs. Miller choked, and it tasted like it was on fire.
Jonea realized something was wrong with Miller. She threw the berry basket and was about to jump back into the water. However, someone grabbed Jonea's hand from behind and tightly covered her mouth.
Jonea screamed.