Beginnings of A Tour, Guided by A Warm Family

After a brief wait, Lydia returned with a tray of sandwiches, her anticipation for the meal evident in her eyes. She settled down beside Alex and handed him a sandwich, its warm bread and savoury filling, inviting him to take a bite. As Lydia bit into her own sandwich, the soft crunch of lettuce echoed, and she beamed with satisfaction, clearly savouring the lingering taste.

"Hmm! This is a good haul like they promised!" Lydia chirped, taking another enthusiastic bite.

Watching Lydia eat with such gusto, Alex couldn't help but smile. He took a bite of his sandwich and immediately felt the bread's softness spread in his mouth. The sweetness of tomatoes mingled perfectly with the crisp texture of lettuce, sending waves of pleasure straight to his brain and filling him with pure joy. If he recalled correctly, he hadn't eaten anything since waking up in that lab; after all, his nutrients were being constantly forcefully supplied through drips and tubes.

"Taste good?" Lydia asked casually, taking another small bite herself.

"Hmm, hmm," Alex mumbled, too enraptured by the taste to form proper words.

"Hmm, hmm! I'm glad it does. I did pick the best pieces for us, after all." Mirroring Alex's response, Lydia happily finished her sandwich and picked up another. Just before taking a bite, she suddenly remembered something and turned to Alex, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, right. Grandpa told me to let you know that if you're feeling better and able to walk, we're going to give you the big tour around. Sounds fun, doesn't it?" With that, she resumed eating, her mind already buzzing with plans for the tour.

"Hmm." Alex nodded as he swallowed his bite. "I'd appreciate that. I think I'm able to walk now."

After finishing his sandwich, he attempted to stand up. Lydia noticed and quickly put down her half-eaten sandwich, reaching out to help. However, Alex stood up with surprising energy, needing little assistance.

Lydia smiled, impressed by Alex's recovery. "Ohhh. That's great! I'm glad you recovered quickly. You looked terrible when you first woke up."

She picked another sandwich and passed it to Alex, "Let's finish up, and then I'll let Grandpa and Mom know. I'm sure they're eager to show you around."

After they finished their sandwiches, Lydia quickly took the tray and went to put it away. As Alex waited for Lydia, he stretched his limbs, feeling the renewed energy coursing through him. "I wonder what Genesis District is like… she did say this was where the Flawed live, so this might be my chance to get to know a bit about my fellow kind finally...or rather what I've become. Haha…maybe I'll get to know Lydia and her family a little better, too."

While he was eager to learn more about his body's situation, his mind swirled with curiosity and imagination, not only about the place he had found himself in and its people but mostly about walking around with Lydia and her family. He couldn't help but smile at the thought.

"Feeling better, I see," Jeb said as he stood at the door, his tone still gruff, but now, it tinged with warmth, and the aggression and suspicion from their first encounter were nowhere to be found.

"Ah, Mr. Jeb," Alex responded, turning to face him. He straightened up and bowed slightly. "Yes, I'm feeling much better. Many thanks to you and your family."

Jeb chuckled heartily. "Ahahaha, no need for such formalities, young man. Just call me Jeb—everyone does."

"Alright, Jeb," Alex said, smiling. "Once again, thank you for all your help, and I'm sorry for being a bother..." He bowed again, but Jeb waved his hand dismissively.

"That's all good; there is nothing to be sorry for. If anything, I should be apologising. I'm sorry for being so suspicious of you when we first met." Jeb lowered his head apologetically.

Alex quickly waved his hand to stop Jeb. "Ah, no, I understand completely. I would be cautious and aggressive if I saw someone like myself come out of a danger zone I was guarding."

Jeb raised his head and chuckled again. He approached Alex and tapped him on the shoulders. "Ahahaha! That's a good young man right here."

Just then, Linda appeared behind Jeb, leaning against the door frame. She had changed clothes and now wore the same outfit Lydia had worn earlier. "Are we ready to leave?" she asked, smiling warmly. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better, Alex."

"Ah, Linda," Alex said, bowing toward her this time. "Apologies for mistaking you for Lydia earlier. Thank you for taking care of me."

An odd silence fell over the room before Linda continued, "My! How did you know it was me?"

"Eh?" Alex looked up at Linda and Jeb, who were both gazing at him in awe. Troubled by their looks, Alex tried to give them his best answer. "Uh, hmm. I-I guess I knew from the voice, I think."

"Ooh, from the voice, I see," Jeb said, his expression amazed. He continued, "Not even I can tell them apart correctly most of the time, and you did it with just a glance."

Alex blushed slightly, feeling both flattered and embarrassed by their praise. "Ah. Well, I guess I just got lucky," he mumbled.

Linda chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, lucky or not, you have quite a keen eye, Alex."

Jeb nodded in agreement. "Indeed. You've got a sharp mind and good instincts. Those are valuable traits around here."

Alex smiled sheepishly, grateful for their kind words. Their acceptance and praise bloomed a sense of belonging within him, and he appreciated how fortunate he was to be found and taken care of by this kind and welcoming family. The warmth of their home, the genuine care they extended to him, and the light-hearted banter filled him with a sense of peace.

"Oh, Mom… Were you trying to prank Alex again?" Lydia's voice came from the corridor. She appeared at the door, completing the family tableau.

"Oho ho, Lydia, dear. You found yourself a good one, didn't you?" Linda teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief, leaving Lydia with a confused expression.

"What do you mean? What did I find?" Lydia asked curiously. Linda stepped closer to Lydia and whispered something in her ear, making her cheeks flush a bright crimson.

"Huh?! Geez, Mom!" Lydia exclaimed, flustered and waving her hands in a mix of embarrassment and playful annoyance.

Alex watched the interaction with amusement, feeling even more at home with Lydia's family's playful dynamics. The scene was heartwarming, with Linda's mischievous grin, Lydia's bashful reaction, and Jeb's hearty chuckle filling the room with a familial warmth that Alex hadn't realised he missed so much.

"Alright, enough teasing," Jeb said with a broad smile. "Let's get ready for that tour. Alex, you up for it?"

Alex nodded enthusiastically, the sense of belonging and warmth bolstering his spirits. "Absolutely. I'm ready."

For the first time since he had woken up in this room, Alex stepped out with Lydia's family into the modest living room. The space, though old, radiated warmth and care, each worn piece of furniture telling a story of endurance and love. He took a deep breath, following them out of the house with a mix of trepidation and hope.

As Alex crossed the threshold, the morning sun burst forth, flooding him with light and warmth. It was reminiscent of the moment he had first opened his eyes in the dumpsite, but now everything felt profoundly different. A surge of emotions washed over him—gratitude for the kindness he had received, awe at the unfamiliar yet inviting surroundings, and a newfound excitement that set his heart racing. Standing there, bathed in sunlight, Alex felt a powerful sense of anticipation and readiness. He was no longer just surviving; he was about to truly live and explore this new world that had welcomed him so unexpectedly.

The first thing that stood out to Alex was the variety of houses lining the streets. Each home was unique in shape and size, yet most shared similar signs of wear: dirt stains, wall cracks, and makeshift repairs. Some walls were painted in different colours, but the paint jobs were haphazard at best. The roofs were primarily flat, constructed from large pieces of metal either welded together or simply placed atop one another. Compared to these other buildings, Lydia and her family's house was remarkably well-maintained, standing out with evident care and effort put into its upkeep.

The streets themselves were relatively clean, though deep, dark stains marred the pavements and blurred the lines between the sidewalks and the main road. Wires dangled from poles, crisscrossing overhead in a chaotic web, presumably electric lines providing power to the area. The overall scene was a patchwork of resilience and resourcefulness, a community making the best of their circumstances.

"Alex!" Lydia called out, waving her hands excitedly in the air from a few steps ahead, her voice ringing joyfully. She ran further down the street, her movements full of energy and grace. Suddenly, she spun around in an elaborate twirl, her dress flowing around her like a dancer's outfit. Despite the contrast in the rather run-down and grimy environment, Lydia's presence and excitement made the scene shine like magic, akin to a child standing in the street of a theme park.

With a radiant smile and a proud glint in her eyes, she declared, "Welcome to Genesis District! In our humble section of Empathy!"