The Zetta Sonic
S1 - (Winter) Dark Room

ZETTA SONIC'S

Special Arc: Winter (S1-S10)

*Special Arc: Winter is a story outside the Main Story Arc.

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

In the lane, snow is glowing

A beautiful sight, we're happy tonnage

Walking in a winter wonderland

Alex blinked in the cold and dark. The blanket still wrapped her body. Rover is silent. The sound around him was only a song that echoed from the hallway to enter the room.

Next, Alex realized that he was not in his room. He was in the other bed, in the other room, in the other house. Eight hours ago, Alex decided to stay at Willy's house with Ivan and Ben. The four of them played until midnight.

Alex doesn't know what time it is. It may be morning, it may be noon. Willy's room has double blinds, making sure the sunlight won't get in the way when he wants to get up during the day.

Alex squirms over a single-size spring bed. He remembered that he slept downstairs. Willy and Ivan sleep on the bed, while Ben sleeps on the sofa bed in the room. They decide who sleeps where to use the game as well. Rubbing his eyes, Alex pulled himself up. In the darkness, his hand went inside the shirt, touching his wound. The wound did not hurt at all even though it left a mark. Had the wound not been there, Alex would have known it was there.

Alex is still gnawing in the dark. The room was really dark. If there is a light source, it is only when the curtain is slightly open. Very rare thing. He began to shiver. Under the long-sleeved sweatshirt, thick blanket, and heater, she still felt cold. Alex is definitely not a winter fan.

Realizing that no one is awake but him, Alex sneaks into his blanket again. His mind was reminiscing about the missions he had undertaken as well as his visit with Leta to university. Not sweet memories, but much more beautiful than memories with his parents. Reasons clear. You can't remember something that doesn't exist.

Alex repeatedly wrote his parents' names for Christmas gifts. So far, it's just a plea. Alex knew that neither of his parents would be home during the winter break. He didn't expect much. He knows he can busy himself with other activities with friends. Just like he did in previous years.

Willy stayed at his house for a whole week last year. Last year again, Alex took intensive classes at the gym with Mrs' approval. Bellsey's. The woman had no idea that Alex was taking martial arts classes. Alex has taken classes several times with similar conditions. This year, he plans to seek another intensive class. Maybe archery, that sounds interesting. Hopefully he is not bothered by the ICPA mission.

His ears still heard the song. Under his breath, Alex began muttering his lyrics as far as he could remember. His eyes saw in his mind. Snow lay at the foot of the mountain, a pure white silk tub. The snow-covered mountains behind the wooden cabin. The skiers are engrossed in gliding and the family enjoys warm chocolates.

His daydream was caved in when he heard a loud sneezing sound.

Willy the first protest in low voice, “Silence, Ivan!”

Next, Ben groaned. “This mattress is killing me,” the sound is hoarse. “I'm hungry. What time is it now? Is it time for breakfast? I want tuna sandwich or Belgian waffle with mix berries. But, steak also sounds good.”

At once, the other three children interrupted. “Silence, Ben!”

Silence again swept through the dark room. Each tried to sleep again.

Secretly, Alex checks on Zet-Arm. White light hit his eyes. As soft as that light, it felt like a bee sting in a pitch-black room. Alex needs time until his brown eyeballs get used to it. He checked what time it was. Almost half nine. If he's home, Mrs. Bellsey's gonna break down the door to her room. Since this is Willy's house, it seems like all you need to worry about is the blaring sound of the loudspeakers. His father was a music lover.

Well, maybe there's something else to worry about there.

Willy's older sister, Beverly, rushed into the room without knocking. It was provoking light from the passageway into. Alex is aware of how vampires hate light as much as he hates the tinge of light that comes.

“Will, lend me your sing scarf. Gordon said he'd wear the lion scarf today. I want to make our first date memorable -” Beverly stops there.

Four pairs of eyes were narrowing towards him.

Beverly spontaneously shouted. “Kyaaaa! Sorry, I forgot that your friends are staying here.” The orange-haired girl rushed out of the room without even closing the door.

“What was that?” Ivan could only rub his eyes, his body still stuck to the mattress.

Alex who was closest to the door was sure to see the eighteen-year-old girl enter just by wearing a bathrobe earlier. But, he did not bother to explain what he saw to his friends. Even so, Alex just wants the hassle to close the door. The air in the hallway felt much colder than in the room. She herself wondered why Beverly could stand wandering around in such clothes.

The ridiculous incident reminds Alex how sunny his home is. There was no commotion from the brothers, considering that he was an only child. Sometimes, he misses having these kinds of things happen at home.

“So, who's Gordon?” ben asked, half muttering. His voice is unclear. He had become a large circle under a thick blanket.

Willy himself answered. “Entah his girlfriend who I know. I don't count.” The owner of the room sat on the bed and yawned. His hand pressed the button in the dark. Immediately, a bright light flooded the room.

Willy's room wasn't as big as Alex's. There's no playroom there. But, there is still a large TV across from the king-size bed, a sofa bed at the end of the room with a balcony window, as well as an empty room to put additional mattresses when needed. Like Alex's bed right now. They can even put three more mattresses or add a real sofa.

The atmosphere of the room was at least warm. Thanks to the wooden floor and matching wooden panels installed cover one part of the wall. The rest is covered with embossed wallpaper with simple curved carvings.

Seeing Willy, Alex yawns. He agrees with Ben. Stomach rumbling. “So, what breakfast are we having this morning?”

“A orange juice. Omelets. Maybe.” Willy yawned again. “I'll have the waiter bring him here.”

One big thing among the four of them was having servants. As sons of wealthy and distinguished families, they did not live much in luxurious manors with various facilities. They also have workers in them.

While waiting for their breakfast to be delivered, Willy turned on the big TV opposite him. Alex sits on his own bed, shoulders against the bed, while a blanket covers the other shoulder. Ivan seemed unperturbed by the condition, he was still asleep. Ben had been pacing back and forth while chewing the energy bar.

The first thing that appeared on TV was the news of the explosion in the air. A plane crash. Evacuation has not been possible due to the snowstorm. Willy changed the channel. Next, there was news of an outbreak of disease that hit the desert area. Until now, researchers are still trying to find a cure. Willy's family will follow the news, Alex knows. They have a famous hospital. Following the news about health is obviously daily food.

Funny thing is, until now, Alex himself confused what his father did. Since learning that his father was not a real businessman, he often guessed what his father was doing at this time. His father was in a different part of the world. Maybe six hours faster than him, maybe ten hours behind him, no one knows.

When they finally had their breakfast, Alex asked the question he had just kept. “So, what are your plans for Christmas Eve?”

The other three children looked at each other.

As if understanding Alex's wishes, Willy immediately replied. “I know! Let's have a Christmas party! We invite the classmates, including Leta.”

“Sounds fun.” Alex opened the stainless lid on his breakfast tray bag.

“Good! Because the party will be held at your house.”

“Wait. What?”