I could feel the room warming up around me like a sauna. The wooden floor I was standing on became so hot, I could feel the heat through my sandals. I felt anxious.

“What are they trying to do to me!?” I thought to myself in a panic.

I ran towards the door in a last ditch attempt of pure desperation, scowling at the terrifying thought of being captured and tortured by the enigma again. As I closed in at the door before me, I reached my shivering hands towards the knob...but it moved away...far away... further and further. The door had suddenly become the exit of an unending tunnel of darkness, only the tunnel felt increasingly smaller and farther as I sprinted towards it. As I ran the room grew unbearably hot. Oddly enough, when I began to slow down, things appeared cooler, almost freezing. I sprinted for what felt like ten minutes. My stamina...felt unending. I felt like a psychotic hamster on a shrinking wheel. I swiped my forehead of sweat anticipating that this was the work of the enigma. I couldn’t think of anyone or anything more sadistic.

Suddenly a roaring gaping black void began to tear the room apart. I ran towards the safety of the bed where I woke but it too became swallowed downwards by the void. Everything in the room including the very floor I was standing on was being sucked down into the pitch black with a mighty roar. I was horrified... yet unaffected by the blades of vacuuming wind below. I could only continue to stand in place as the void consumed the room completely around me leaving just me on a floating piece of wooden flooring.

The roaring of the void had suddenly stopped. It felt like the calm before the storm. I was left to ponder in near blackness as the void inhaled and exhaled what appears to be burning floating insects about the size of dimes.

“I uh...need help creature. I don’t know where I am and possible where I am going to be so if this is you please help me!” I shouted into the darkness.

The void stopped breathing and instead became flooded with whispering, just as before, only this time I could almost hear the whispers say something. My name? Cursing me? Begging me? I still can’t make it up entirely. They were louder this time, and much angrier. Even the bugs around me seemed spooked as they began to vanish one by one, leaving me in the darkness with only a single source of light, my music box.

The small music box shook intensely in my pocket while playing a soothing tune. A tune so soothing, I forgot I was hunched over a void and sweating all over. After falling to the music like a spell, I finally worked up the courage to pull it out. I stretched my arm away from me, squinting my eyes yet somehow attracted to the beauty of the box. The box itself was pulsating a bright light that ran through the decor of it like veins. It was beautiful, it had an Eden design to it, like an art piece inspired by Da Vinci only made more beautiful as it gave out a divine silver sheen.

“The creature said this was my way out.” I thought to myself aloud.

I rubbed my eyes and began to look for the silver key to open it. After shuffling my hand around my pockets it was nowhere to be found. I think I’d lost it… until I heard a peculiar sound from below my sandal. It was faint, but I heard squeaking between all the dying whispers around me. I rose my right foot to find something amazing under it. It was the silver key! Only it was shaped as a silver beetle, crushed under my weight. Oddly enough it seemed to be shaking a...fist at me...like it was alive. I carefully crouched down to pick it up while holding the music box with my other hand. The key was even more amazing as I took a closer look. Little compartments around the key opened up revealing little gears and pockets of steam. The key was transforming, and likely fixing itself. This was the kind of “organism” my father would have loved to see and my mother would have loved to build.

As the key finished transforming it let out a loud pocket of steam fritst’s rear, shaking its head let to right and completing its transformation into a silver beetle.

“Your a weird one right?” I said, smiling at the insect.

The silver beetle let out a shriek and began flapping it’s mechanical wings, hovering just over my palm. Seemingly angry, the beetle stared at me for a moment and flew excitedly towards the music box. Gently, it landed on the top of the box and crawled all over it, like it was inspected it. It seemed excited when it finally came across the keyhole. Upon finding it, the beetle shoved it’s head in the keyhole and twisted its whole body. After several quick rotations, it’s body locked upside down and began to crack open revealing even more tiny mechanical insects. About thirteen tiny beetles about the size of a dime -just like the burning insects- crawled all over the box and fused with the design of the box itself, ultimately popping the box open and revealing a light so bright that even me closing my eyes was not enough.

Sure enough, as soon as my eyes opened, the whispering had stopped and of course, the enigma stood right before. Somehow I was back on the bed sitting exactly where I had met the enigma first.

"Well...Well...such a foul mouth on a mere child, surely you deserve some sort of punishment. What is it that you said? Fuck you right! That’s what you said right? You know there is a phrase in NewDwarden you might know as ‘Kids say the darndest things, see I agree with tha- NEXT TIME YOU POINT FOUL WORDS AT ME, I WILL DECAPITATE YOU AND DELIVER YOUR HEAD TO THE DINNER TABLE SURROUNDED BY THE STARVING CANNIBAL ORPHANS!" Screamed the enigma as it reached his cold bony finger onto my head.

“There actually not cannibals, well… as far as I know. It would be cool though…, although there probably wouldn't be as much as them as there is now... “ it continued.

"Anyway, Lianol. Respect me, and I in return will try and respect you. See how this works? Death or understanding which do you prefer?" It widely smiled.

I shifted my eyes back and forth, I was completely nervous and unable to focus on one of the many faces it presented me with.

"It would really help this ordeal if you were alive and not so rude Lian." It warned and laughed maniacally.

"You know what, I actually remembered your name boy! I...I remembered your name Lianol Novamen. How exciting looks like you are actually memorable!"The tall enigma crouched and creepily whispered into my ear.

“Perhaps I should tell you mine.” It indirectly asked me, thinking aloud.

I nodded my head in agreement. Perhaps if it settled for a gender-oriented name, maybe I won’t have had to sift through hundreds of faces just to figure out what it’s thinking.

“Nah, I’m not going to.” It laughed loudly.

I was confused by its response yet I somehow expected the enigma to dance around my questions as it didn’t respect me in the least. And why should it?

“You seem disappointed. I haven’t decided to kill you, so why are you frowning? Do you have a real face under all of those face. I don’t know what or who to call you.” It asked suspiciously.

“That’s because I don’t have a name boy or at least none for you.” It responded seemingly annoyed.

The enigma started at me for a while, probably wondering why I seemed displeased with his answer. He seemed disappointed in a weird kind of way.

“While you were staring at me staring at you I was gathering some of your memories and I believe I may indeed have a name for you to me. You may call me Eva when I am female and Evan when I am male. Named after your….cousins I believe.” It shouted on a pedestal of genius.

“Evan and Eva works, no problem. Thank you...uh...Evan.” I said thankful.

“It’s EVA! I’M A WOMAN!” It yelled.

Wronged already!? My stomach dropped to the ground, horrified of the wrath of the enigma. I had offended it once again.

“Just kidding. It’s actually a weird female looking male.” said Evan, roaring in laughter.

“Don’t look so scared, it was only a joke. You may call me as you deem appropriate, this name thing is simply an indicator for you, I can care less which gender you address me by.” It explained.

The entertained enigma giggled erratically and began to suspiciously patrol the small room. After disappearing and reappearing in random intervals of time, Eva slowly turned to me and smiled with its many pale fading faces. Each face blurred into another with increasingly horrifying results.

"How did you find me?! How did you hear me?!"I asked, the enigma still uncomfortably close to my face.

"You're a boy of many questions, as always. See we are becoming close acquaintances boy! Shame we met under dire circumstance, we might have been...friends. That's the word for closer potential enemy correct?" The enigma jokingly responded.

"So remember that beautiful and small music box I gave you Lian? When you stood up like a confused baboon you managed to dump the music box I wholeheartedly gifted you on the ground, thus opening the box and summoning me. The keyhole was damaged, but… I took the liberty to repair it with the help of...well you saw them. Now that lock should hold up that much more. Nevertheless, I am very much upset about the ill treatment of this...gift. I warn you: please care as to not break this box Lian or you may very well regret your existence for eternity. Anyway, you may summon me whenever you please Lian but I must warn you, take me as an errand boy and I most certainly will kill you." It gravely warned.

"Think of me as someone you can have small chit-chats with. Of course don't forget that the someone you are talking may pull your pelvis out and make it your new helmet." He smiled.

"Well all threats aside, I can see that your eyes feel much brighter. Do you feel more at home boy? Nevertheless, I certainly do. I mean dinner is ready and the family is so happy to see you, an embraceful respite if I do say so myself." He laughed.

“It’s as you said, everything here is just as it was before, even my mother tea. It’s weird, I can feel the sadness deep inside but nothing is coming out; courtesy of you correct? Are you going to make me experience the same...pain, as before? Because I don't think I can handle this again and come out sane at the other side." I questioned in a sense of paranoia.

"Of course not! What kind of mad beast do you take me for? Boy, we are in our own slice of time! Indeed you will return to your most hospitable...Nessiah. It would be rude of me to make you miss dinner right? Fortunately removing you from the normal flow of time allows me to directly communicate with you! Although here is the double-edged sword.

One: Simply put, anger me and I may kill you.

Two: This is the exact same room moments before your departure with me. That means fire blood and all. Admittedly I concealed the appearance of the flame in the hopes that this conversation would progress at a less... panicked state. Oh, and I took the liberty to remove your mangled parents. Two corpses do no good to anything but worms. Anyway,

Three: Let me reiterate my previous point...this room is still consumed in flames. That means we either finish our meetings in an estimated 5 minutes, or the fire's smoke asphyxiates you. Hey but if you feel brave and overcome the smoke we have ten minutes! Ten minutes before you burn alive! Wait here is the good part!

Four: Almost the entirety of your physical and emotional pain in both this tragic event and the events prior will be concealed in this here room. So aside from you choking on the smoke, you will have this unbearable pressure in your chest of the pain from whence you arrived. So if you can brave that, well breathing won't be as difficult. I don't know if you noticed, but some memories will give a mean headache, and if you push too hard, may even cause you to pass out entirely. The solution to that is to stop thinking about your past in regards to all memories concerning and relating to your parents and family of course. Here is a cookie though, you won't completely forget about your parents because you still need a good motive, just don't expect to remember there faces and...almost everything else. I anticipate the loss of almost all recollection of your parents within the 2-3 days. Luckily you’ll still retain some skills of your past such as vocabulary, favorite foods, athletic ability -if any-, and other more USEFUL skills. See if we had those mommy daddy boohoo emotions still around like a pestering cloud, you will certainly not function as required, therefore you will be of no use to me, and ultimately removing any opportunity you have of seeing them again. Not to worry though, the entirety of the memory loss is a gradual process. Here some bad news though, the more you visit me, well the faster the memory loss. Not to worry though, you won’t become a shell or anything, your memory of your previous life will simply vanish. So as it is, you may still have memories of your parents when I leave you to your dinner with Nessiah, although come a day or two, and it will be a blur. Don't you try and pull something sneaky like writing a note to yourself because it won't work. I don't know if you noticed but you can't manipulate anything in here. Oh, and you can't hurt yourself in here. Thus removing any blood message or anything of the sort. Don't feel bad though, this is for the sake of your deal with me, and for your chance to see your parents once more... and even laugh at the dinner table with Nessiah! Now if-" Said the enigma with the utmost confidence as he oddly slithered his body around mine.

"Your messing with my emotions. You're ridding my memories of my parents! And-" I blindly spouted with anger as I interjected into the conversation.

"See I was getting to the point where I was going to say...don't give me that noble crap!" Yelled the enigma as he disappeared before me in a black mist.

"Interrupt me again and I will grab your tongue and weave it into your nose!" The enigma scolded and mimicked me as he reappeared upside down, and walking on the rooftop.

“Oh, and before I forget, remember these slices of time cost... well...they cost time. When we are done here you will be seventeen. Your mental and physical growth will be as present as if you were living and growing in the previous home of Embrace.” It explained.

“Seventeen!?” I shook my head in disbelief.

“Indeed. So don’t come too often or you’ll be dust before you accomplish anything.” It laughed hysterically.

"This is for you Lian, if you refuse any condition I presented you with, then you might as well say kill me now. That of which I will happily oblige to do. You get it, blue eyes? That Nessiah, she’s quite the fireball with those nicknames." The enigma continued.

"I get it...ok. Just...please get me back to where I was. I don't want them to notice I was missing." I reluctantly requested completely devoid of any viable response.

"Slice of time remember? You are mine in here Lianol Novamen." The enigma laughed.

The enigma was as terrifying as ever. Every loophole and every escape I could find was immediately blocked by mortal threats and the void of our so-called "deal". A chance for a new life, an escape, and the opportunity to see my parents, all obtained by simply curing a mysterious ailment of a baby boy. This chance, that's what I am working for. As much as I did not want to admit it, the enigma did indeed save my life from the burning building. I could have just perished alongside my parents. Perhaps death might have been a better option although I suppose I will have many chances to consider it.

"I’m here now so where do I go?" I questioned.

"Patience Mr. Novamen... patience... nobody was born a hero. If I told you all the answers immediately well... this journey of mine would be very mundane and monotonous, then again my answers will not change your path." The enigma slowly explained.

"My life is no game! Please... tell me where I must go so that I may see my parents sooner." I pleaded desperately.

"Careful boy, I need not repeat myself. Respect. ...No. This one is too simple for me to spell out. Your task as of right now is to simply go to dinner boy. I heard they were having barbecue bacon wrapped shrimp... how curious of a cuisine and might I add an odd one for a bunch of ragtag orphans!" The enigma dramatically explained putting his faces close to mine.

During the painfully brief conversation with the enigma, cracking bright orange fire once again roared through the familiar room with devastating results within my body. Oxygen pierced through my teeth yet again. Within a pair of minutes of speaking with the enigma, I was already beginning to violently fluctuate out of consciousness.

"Listen to me boy and listen to me good Lian. I am somewhat obligated to follow through with you in this journey of ours, so in that vein, I will not leave your side. Being at your side will be most entertaining, I must admit, I do wonder if that is in your favor or not because sometimes I can be quite threatening so you must excuse me." The enigma continued.

"If your asynchronous blinks are any indicator, it seems like we are running out of time again...tsk passing out on a guest is very rude please do your best to hold on for I got one more favor to grant. A chunk of valuable information positive to your effort." The enigma teased as he appeared on the ceiling above, polishing the protruding ticking pipes and gears with a bloody red rag hanging from a pocket of his torn tuxedo.

"Allow me to solve the mystery of the dog, and clarify the ordeal of the child. I spared you the animal from your burning home in order to help you in your ordeal, it was the gift of your parents... a special one to you prior to the unfortunate gory event that befell you and ultimately them; a most beautiful woman and honorable man to say the least. The baby's sickness is a rare one but not without cure. Heed those words for your will is inevitably going to be tested on the most grueling of occasions. I have also left a very special mark both on you and the child, a mark that will bind you both to my cause yet remind you of how your very survival leans on one another. Now before you go die on me I will send you back to your little family gathering." It said proudly with a touch of empathy.

Sniffling and gasping, I looked towards the enigma slowly descending from the ceiling and after a painfully slow blink the enigma appeared before me criss-cross on the bed. It stretched it’s bony white finger towards my head while chanting inaudible words. Like before, the enigmas touch removed any grief or strong emotion alike, and again a strange yet deceptive comfort blanketed my being.

"Best of luck to you boy, I wish for you indefinite journey to be a fruitful one. Word of warning though child, that dog Nessiah speaks of is...no dog, it is a domesticated fox, an absolutely marvelous one I might add. How delightfully deceiving! Well... I will be watching Lian!" His voice fading, guiding me into a sleeping darkness once more.

I awoke to the smell of food and a pounding headache. Luckily I wasn’t with Evan or Eva anymore, I was in the comfort of the small room scrunched up on the white bed. My mind felt deceptively cleansed and my body brimming with energy. My objective was now very clear. I put the music box in a drawer next to me and began to leave the comfort of the white bed.

I carefully took my first steps into the mysterious household, the cold rusted metal below my feet feeling strangely comforting, like a simple reminder that I indeed am alive. I was beginning to adapt to the odd heavy air, the relatively lightweight of my feet, and the unavoidable feeling of great hunger. Something I can't really get used to was the accelerated aging. I was taller, my voice deeper, and somehow I felt as if I was more knowledgeable then before, almost as if academics were injected into my mind.

The hunger I withstood was actually affecting me to the point where I was shaking; the hunger drove me to shove the large wooden door open like I owned the house.

On the other side of the door was a large feasting family; a peaceful family of what seemed to be ten toddlers, Taylum, and Nessiah. The unique dinner table was surprisingly very close to the exit of the room I was held within. Oddly enough, the cabin-like feeling in this metal hybrid of a home was comprised of four large symmetric rooms facing one another alongside one bathroom, two significantly smaller rooms, and a very large balcony. As I quickly glanced around the home, it felt oddly roomy especially considering the number of people living within it. Almost the entirety of the home was lit by warm glowing candles which complimented the orange metal embedded within its walls albeit rusted it seems.

"What are you standing around there and staring for Lian!? You got a whole lot of splaining to do and a whooooooooole lotta eatin!" Shouted Nessiah with a mountain of food present before her.

"Please, take a seat." She continued while gesturing to an empty chair.

"Oh and don't worry about the baby or the dog... I kept them in a nearly soundproof room. They are actually in my old room on my old mattress; don't fret though she is still a comfortable one." Said Nessiah, chewing loudly.

I eagerly made my way to the chair pointed at Nessiah, my hunger blinding me of any detail but the food before me. It was finally time to eat.

"So where do I even begin?" I eagerly questioned