Eternal Youth

[Ellie's P.O.V]

"I'm too old at this point, and I can't learn it anymore. Just looking is enough," the old man's tone carried a hint of regret. "They should have chosen someone this time, right? I don't remember, but as for who among the audience disappeared, we all have to act like we don't know. Otherwise, the actors won't come back. We thought about it; after all, those selected individuals can meet every three years, so we just follow this rule."

My skin crawled, and my head buzzed in this instant. Suddenly, I understood many things. I looked at Kirk, who had a furrowed brow, and his eyes were full of understanding.

No wonder when we asked everyone with Ellie's photo, they all claimed not to have seen her. From the beginning, those actors never intended to be found. And Ellie was the one who got selected.