Deviant: No Longer Human

"It's you," Amelia finally admitted, nodding with a mixture of realization and respect.

The acknowledgment like a carefully guarded secret, shared only within the confines of this unexpected encounter.

Eleanor, maintaining her composure, nodded in confirmation. "That's right. I'll decide what to do with him, and I have already decided. You are going to use all the resources to help him heal, and keep him within the school premises until then."

The gravity of Eleanor's command hit Amelia like a sudden gust of wind, leaving her momentarily stunned. "Keep him with me!?But why?" she exclaimed, her eyes blinking in disbelief.

Eleanor, known for her calculated and sometimes harsh decisions, wasn't exactly renowned for acts of mercy.

This unexpected directive felt like a deviation from the norm, and Amelia couldn't help but question the underlying motives.

Eleanor, however, offered no immediate explanation.

With an air of mystery surrounding her, she withdrew her hands from Amelia's shoulder and departed, leaving behind a sense of ambiguity, "Take good care of him," she uttered cryptically, and left.

"..."

Amelia stood there in stunned silence, grappling with the unexpected directive from Eleanor. Her mind raced, contemplating the mystery surrounding Wang Xiao and the unusual decision to extend a lifeline to a stranger.

Collecting herself, she first took action to preserve the boy's modesty. A scarf, swiftly procured, discreetly covered Wang Xiao's private parts, preventing any potential scandal from arising.

Shaking her head to dispel the lingering confusion, Amelia decided on the next course of action. She reached for the telephone, fingers dialing the number of her trusted helpers.

The urgency in her voice conveyed the gravity of the situation as she directed them to come inside, the treatment of Wang Xiao requiring immediate attention.

______

"Is he the right choice...?" Eleanor mused, her steps weaving through the silent pathways as she made her way back to her house.

The weight of centuries pressed upon her thoughts, an ancient dilemma resurfacing. For years, the search for a fitting successor to lead the Ethics Committee had been a futile quest.

As the cold wind whispered through the snowy landscape, Eleanor's mind echoed with the ghosts of the past. Wang Xiao, an unexpected candidate, carried the burden of her hopes.

The decision to save him wasn't merely an act of mercy; it bore the weight of countless heartless choices she had made to preserve the village's secrets. Innocent lives sacrificed in the name of secrecy.

In this seemingly vast world, the truth unraveled – the country and cities were but a façade. In reality, the whole place resembled a small village, with few scattered settlements beyond, the pulse of life concentrated within the heart of Silvertide City.

Amidst the shadows of her actions and the looming secrecy, Eleanor walked, grappling with the profound implications of her choice.

The winding paths carried the weight of her contemplation, each step echoing with the uncertainty of whether Wang Xiao could truly be the one to bear the responsibility and maintain the delicate equilibrium of their hidden existence.

________

"Any movements yet?" Eleanor's voice echoed in the dimly lit underground laboratory as she entered, her gaze fixed on Wang Xiao, his body enveloped in an eerie green liquid, sprawled on a stretcher surrounded by an alchemist's array of chemicals and herbs.

Amelia looked up from her inspection, weariness etched across her face. "It's been five years, Eleanor. He isn't coming out of paralysis; his mind has been paralyzed. It's better to cremate his body." Her suggestion carried a bitter undertone, a confrontation of the harsh reality they faced.

Eleanor's eyes bore into Wang Xiao's motionless form, a silent contemplation swirling within her. "Five years," she murmured, the weight of time burdening her words. "I've seen civilizations rise and fall in less time than this."

Amelia, her frustration evident, responded, "We can't wait forever. Unlike you, we can't heal our own cells..."

Eleanor, pacing around the laboratory, spoke with a mix of determination and uncertainty. "I sensed potential in him. There's something more to his paralysis. We can't abandon hope just yet."

Amelia sighed, glancing back at Wang Xiao. "Hope is a luxury we can't afford. He's been a burden on resources, and the villagers are starting to question it."

Eleanor's gaze lingered on Wang Xiao, a profound sadness in her eyes. "I've carried this burden for centuries, seeking a successor. If there's even a glimmer of a chance, we owe it to ourselves to explore it."

"Ugh!" Amelia, unable to contain her frustration any longer, exclaimed, "Say, Eleanor, even if he woke up? What good would it bring? He comes from outside, then he must be incapable of learning PK. His brain would burst even if you try to teach him.

Did you never think of that?" Her words carried a mix of resignation and concern, challenging the potential consequences of their persistent efforts with Wang Xiao.

Eleanor, her expression remaining stoic, met Amelia's outburst with a measured response. "I have considered the risks, Amelia. But in the centuries I've lived, I've learned not to underestimate the potential for change, even from unexpected sources."

Amelia sighed, frustration still lingering in her features. "But if he can't learn PK, then what use is he to us? The village needs someone with the power to maintain the barrier and protect our secrets."

Eleanor, pacing the laboratory, contemplated the weight of their choices. "PK isn't the only measure of value. There are other qualities that can contribute to the well-being of our community. Perhaps he holds a key we haven't yet discerned."

Amelia shook her head in disbelief. "You're willing to risk everything on a 'perhaps'? We can't afford such uncertainties."

Eleanor's gaze shifted back to Wang Xiao, a mix of determination and uncertainty in her eyes. "Sometimes, Amelia, uncertainties pave the way for unexpected fortunes. I'm not ready to give up on that possibility."

Amelia's exasperated sigh echoed in the underground laboratory. "Why don't you train another person from the village to be the next head of the Ethics Committee? I can't understand you!"

Eleanor halted, her movements pausing as she considered Amelia's plea. The dim light cast shadows across her contemplative expression. "We can't afford that. They have lived forever inside the village, trapped in a monotonous existence that lacks the broader perspective needed for the survival of our species. It's my own fault," she admitted, the weight of regret and responsibility coloring her words.

"We have forever hypnotized and erased their memories, keeping them enslaved to this small reality." The confession, a stark acknowledgment of the consequences that had shaped the village's existence.

Amelia crossed her arms, frustration etched across her face. "So, what's the plan then? Keep banking on an outsider who might never wake up and, even if he does, might not have the abilities we need?"

Eleanor's gaze remained fixed on Wang Xiao's still form. "I believe he has something unique to offer. The outsider's perspective might be the key to our survival. We've stagnated for too long within the confines of our own creation."

Amelia's skepticism lingered, "But what if you're wrong? What if this is just wishful thinking, and we're risking everything for nothing?"

Eleanor turned to face Amelia, determination in her eyes. "Sometimes, Amelia, we must embrace uncertainty to break free from the chains of our own making. I won't abandon the possibility of a better future, even if it comes from an outsider."