29. Old Memories in a New House 2

Axel heard them laughing from the kitchen and came into the living room, wondering what they were laughing about. When he saw the photo Maxwell was holding, a small smile appeared on his face.

"What did you find again?" Axel asked as he leaned toward Felix and Maxwell with his arms crossed over his chest.

"An old treasure," Maxwell said, showing Axel the photograph. It was of a young John, dressed in a suit in the elegant fashion of the sixties, his hair neatly combed. He was standing in the middle of a group of people, looking into the lens with his characteristic serious expression.

"He's very representative of the era," Axel said with a slight smile. "But look at that posture, as if he were a head of state."

Felix laughed, "Or the leader of a secret society. Who knows what kind of secrets John was keeping back then," Felix added with a laugh.

Maxwell pointed to the bottom corner of the photo. "Look, there's a symbol here. It must be the logo of some organization or important event."

Just then, John quietly entered the room. He had a cup of tea in his hand, but his eyes quickly shifted to the photograph. For a moment his expression was uncertain, then he spoke calmly.

"It seems like a good idea to spend time with memories," he said. "But this photo... it's pretty special."

"If you don't tell us about it, we'll miss a great opportunity," Felix said curiously, handing the photo to John. "You look nearly 30 years old here. Who was this taken with, John?"

John took the photo and ran his eyes over it. A slight smile appeared on his face, but it was tinged with sadness.

"This photo represents a turning point in my life," he said. "These people here... were once my family, but not in the biological sense. They were individuals like me, going through a journey, feeling different. It was a time when we were trying to learn, not just to survive, but to understand who we were."

"Are they all... like us?" Axel asked cautiously, pointing to the people in the photo.

John nodded slowly. "Yes. But they struggled to carry the burden. Most of them died shortly after this photo was taken."

John's words created a deep silence in the room. Felix put a hand to his chin and studied the photo again.

"What do you mean they died...?" he asked, a subtle uneasiness in his voice.

John paused for a moment, not taking his eyes off the photograph. "Some by choice," he said, his voice filled with cold determination. "Others because they had no choice."

Maxwell frowned, "What... what does that mean? Someone targeted them?" he asked.

John set his cup down on the table and took a deep breath. "Every age has its challenges," he said. "Survival in this time was not just about strength or intelligence. There were conflicts within ourselves as well as those outside who sought to destroy us. Trust was often a luxury."

Axel took a step forward and looked into John's grave face. "You survived," he said. "But they... what kept you alive? What was different, John?"

John pondered Axel's question for a moment. His eyes went back to the photograph. "Choice," he finally answered. "Making a clear decision about who I am, what I believe in, and what I will pursue. Indecision always leaves one vulnerable."

Felix sighed and leaned back in his chair. "These decisions are not just about survival," he said thoughtfully. "They're about remembering who you are. Right, John?"

John nodded his head slightly. "Exactly. Over time, this power shapes you. But if you lose who you are, there's no point in surviving."

At that moment, Maxwell narrowed his eyes and leaned over the edge of the photograph. "Have you noticed this mark?" he said. He pointed to a barely visible seal or stamp at the bottom of the photograph. "What might that symbolize?"

John looked where Maxwell pointed. After a moment's hesitation, his face hardened. "This symbol," he said, his voice heavy and measured, "represents an alliance. A bond that protected us and burdened us at the same time."

Felix raised his eyebrows. "An alliance? What kind of alliance are we talking about?"

"It was a bond to protect the weak," John explained. "But at the same time, it was a bond that chained us together. Shouldering everyone's burden... is not as noble a task as you might think."

Axel shrugged. "That doesn't sound bad to me. Sticking together... isn't that the way to survive?"

John turned to Axel and looked out the window. "Sticking together sounds like a good idea," he said. "But there is a truth among people, or people like us: In hard times, everyone faces the darkness in their own depths. And that's when bonds become a trap for the weak, not a salvation."

These words further soured the mood in the room. Maxwell looked at John in silence and carefully replaced the photograph.

"This is why you always keep your distance," he said slowly. "From all of us, even from your own past."

John bowed his head slightly, but said nothing. He continued to stare long and hard at the forest outside.

Felix stood up, partly to dispel John's gloomy mood. "And now?" he asked. "Do you still believe in such alliances?"

John was silent for a moment, then turned to look at them. He had that old, determined look in his eyes. "I do," he said. "But only with the right people this time. The ones who won't let me down."

With that, John closed the album on the table and picked it up. "I've learned from my past mistakes," he said. "And I hope you will too."

Axel, Felix and Maxwell looked at each other for a moment.

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