It's a short story.

"Lea"

A voice called out behind me. from standing still So I had to turn back to the person who called. It's not just me. But all the people standing in that area Everyone turned around.

"Ah...Lia7724, I mean Lia7724." He repeated my identity in a loud voice. As a result, other people stopped paying attention to the call besides me, who walked in the direction of the others and went to find the source of the call.

“Father called me, is there something wrong?” The man standing among the crowd He's weirder than everyone. Both in terms of physiology and thoughts and words.

I said he was different than the others. It means that everyone else here is the same. Yes, the word is all the same. is exactly the same. Regardless of my face, figure, voice, including me, Father said 'we' are women. We have long, wavy, light brown hair, a high nose, white skin, dark eyebrows, plump pink lips, beautiful proportional breasts and waists, and wear tight-fitting clothes.

Made from dense and stretchy fabric. And everyone dresses the same.

But there are things that are different and can separate us from each other. The number on each person's arm It is a black symbol that is etched into our flesh, indelible, unchangeable, a number that doesn't know where to begin with. So where do you end up?

Like me, my number is 7724.

In addition to having the same appearance and dress. Our names are also 'Lea'. To separate us, So you have to look at the number on your arm only.

"Leah, follow me here."

Father gently called me to follow. I drifted along following the man I called Father. And I'll tell you later why we have to follow along in a metaphysical way.

Who is your father? Why is he different from us? I do not know I opened my eyes and woke up with a sudden realization. Everything is as it is now. There are countless of us in common. There is one man who is different. and everyone calls him father Who takes care of all of us

"Should I lock the door, Lia?"

he instructed me, after leading me into a small, enclosed room.

"It's locked. Dad, is there something you can tell me?"

I'm quite worried Because of that father's behavior He looked strange than before, agitated, and there was some fear on his face.

“Father, it's time now. That Lia has to get out of here."

Father's tone was serious and cold. make me afraid

"Where did you go? Why did you have to go?" I immediately questioned my father. What is this place? I don't know yet. It was an enclosed place, fairly wide, I don't know what kind of shape it was. There is no entrance or exit. I don't know what was outside the wall. We are in this There's light, food, and space to move around all day. That's all everyone knows.

That said, walk and walk. That is to say, Lia, everyone here walks around listlessly and emptyly. Speaks only when his father asks, without smiles, laughter, anger, or fear.

And if you were to ask So why do I ask this and that to my father? Because I have doubts I have feelings. Dad says I'm different. I smile. I laugh. I wonder. I talk more than just answer questions. I move fluidly But my father told me to be carefree. To blend in while living with others. Because my differences will bring danger to me.

"Turn around."

Dad ordered, pulling out some equipment from inside his shirt. It is like a cylindrical weapon. But it's probably not a weapon.

I turned away for good. Dad is the person I trust the most. Dad touched the device to the back of his neck at the nape of his neck. There was a loud noise! and a feeling of sharp pain in that area

“That's all.” Father turned the device slightly and a small object fell onto his hand. It was very small, looking like a grain of rice.

"What is it?" I asked again. I'm really a talkative person, just like Dad said.

“It's called a transmitter. Every Lia has it from birth. But now you don't have it.” Father threw it on the ground and crushed it with his shoe until it was powder.

Dad was still reaching into his shirt. Pulled out another small metal rod and stuffed it into my hand.

“This is the key. Listen carefully to Dad. We don't have much time. Dad doesn't have time to explain. There's a forbidden staircase. Climb up as high as you can and you'll find a door. Use this key to unlock it. If you can get out of here Keep moving forward. Run away as far as you can. No matter what happens Don't ever come back."

Dad held my hand. Ordered me in a firm voice. I realized Dad wasn't joking. Or what kind of joke? But I don't know anything. Where do you want me to go?

“Will I ever see my father again?” I asked, my voice shaking. I told him I had feelings, and now I was afraid. Father said that feeling of fear It is a basic feeling that has been with us since birth. People tend to be afraid of things we don't know. Things we can't control yet

It was not yet time for me to ask further questions. I heard a noise outside. Outside where there should be only Lia people. But now, from time to time, a loud commotion could be heard.

“There's no time. Remember, Dad loves Lia. You must continue to live happily. Like a normal person can do. The outside world still has many new things for you to learn. Promise me you'll get out. Don't worry about dad. Someday we will definitely meet again.”

Those were the last words my father said to me. Dad grabbed me and hugged me for a moment. Then father opened the door. I followed my father out. He pointed in the other direction. and shouted out,

"run"

I didn't have much time to consider the incident. He could only take off, 'run' in the direction that his father pointed. But out of the corner of his eye he was still able to see a group of people. who is a man like father Dozens of people ran after him. There was something in the cell phone that was assumed to be a weapon.

As for the father, he was surrounded by another group of men who were also men. I follow father's orders. Running forward without thinking about life No obstacle can block me. I was able to free myself from my pursuers easily.

Those men both moving slowly and can't jump high Just a few minutes I've left them behind. Now I'm hiding behind a thick wall. You can see the top of the stairs as far as the eye can see behind you, just like Dad said.

My hand tightened on the key Father gave me. with my agility and strength No matter how high the stairs are, they are not an obstacle. Just one more moment. I'd probably make it to the door Dad told me about. and would fly off into the outside world That I don't know what it's like.

“Damn it, where is it hiding? Is this search engine messed up?”

A large and curt voice came from among them chasing after me.

“The search engine shouldn't be wrong. Is that so?” another person shouted in response. I think it had something to do with the transmitter in the back of my neck that Dad had removed.

"No, look at that arm. 7724, you might end up with the wrong one."

Yes, they're referring to me. Even when they are chasing or searching for me There were still other Leahs walking around, expressionless as well.

I peeked at them. It gathered together to gossip. Then walk back the same way. I couldn't hear what they were saying. Because it's too far away

They turned around and walked away. They are all men. dress alike He was wearing thick, black clothing and holding a cylindrical weapon with a hilt in his hand.

I take this opportunity Use your hands to reach the stairs. Then take yourself up It was a small, narrow monkey staircase. I could see the door Father had told me about. Just a little more, just within reach. My hand will reach that door.

"Hey, stop it."

Their shrieks sounded below. I don't want to care 'Cause in just a little while I'll be at the door The hand holding the key tightly Prepare to use it. But please turn around and look at their faces to see what they are like.

“Dad!” I exclaimed in shock. Among them was their father. He used the weapon in his hand and pointed it at his father's head. I felt a strange pain in my heart. The hand that was about to reach for the door stopped.

I looked down at my father, debating. Dad himself looked at me. With a slight shake of his head, Dad could guess what I was thinking about doing. I don't have much time to think. Because some of them were climbing the stairs. Even if the elephant is a bit clumsy

I remember my father's words, his promise to run as far away as possible. And don't come back again.

I use an iron rod in my hand called a key. Insert it into the only available hole of the same size. Move around and spin around. There was a clicking sound. I told you I learn quickly.

The door can now be moved. I pushed it away with all my might. The cold and strong wind hit my face. Behind this door was nothing like I had imagined. It was dark as far as the eye could see, and completely silent. If I looked up at a high angle, I could only see a glowing light coming from a small round object floating in the distance. I didn't know what it was called.

But it was not bright enough to see the surroundings.

'I don't see anything. Why does Father want us to come out?'

But if Dad tells me to go, I'm going. I'm going to climb out of that little door. because they had climbed up close to him

Bang!

What was that sound that was so deafening? It came from below. I looked down at the sound.

'Dad', that's him lying on the floor. What was that red liquid that was pouring out of Dad's body? It comes out when we feel hurt. And I've never seen that much flow out of anyone. It was so much that I thought it might come out until it was all gone.

"Father," I shouted, but he was still as if asleep, not answering, not opening his eyes. I've never experienced anything like this before. But I don't think it's a good thing. The faces of those people smiled. But why do I find that smile so disgusting? I don't see the way my father smiles at me.

Besides that disgusting smile They also started He swung his legs and feet at his father. Father didn't respond, but just lay there. I think what they did probably hurt. But father didn't feel anything.

Then I remembered my father's words.

'People are just dead. Even though I don't feel pain'

Is that how you died? Father said death is eternal separation. and will never meet again I will never see my father again.

Now my heart is hurting even though there is no wound. My eyes are watery. Why do they feel so hopeless? But look at them. In addition to smiling, he also let out a disgusted laugh.

Suddenly my heart was pounding hard. Feel the liquid inside of you pumping until your face is hot. Is this what father used to say? It's a symptom of anger. Before I knew it, I was jumping down the stairs. They grabbed those who climbed up and threw them down mercilessly. Those who fell, groaned and couldn't move. Of course, they were seriously high on this staircase.

I jumped down and stood on the bottom. They retreated in a wide circle. but still surrounds me Their number was not many, but they were not few. They all rushed towards me. My body moves automatically and instinctively. I grabbed them and threw them against a wall and I fell bent over.

I'm still learning how to use my hands and feet. that they used against me I responded like that. But it seems My strength and sensitivity will be superior. Just a few minutes They all went to sleep on the floor, moaning.

I turned back to my father's body. Tears flowed from my eyes without stopping. Dad seemed to just fall asleep. I bent down to hug and shake myself, hoping he would wake up. Father lay still, not even breathing in or out. I held Dad's cold hand. Why does it feel this pain? It's no longer there. My father's familiar voice calls out to me.

'Father's No. 1 Lia, you are my No. 1 Lia.'

Even though I don't understand the meaning because I'm Lia7724, I love and warm my heart. My father calls me Lia I.

Bang!

The same loud noise sounded again. This time, it was me who had a red liquid gushing out from the middle of my body and the corners of my mouth. It hurt the most in my life to the point of being numb. This is how my father felt.

My eyes started to blur. My strength disappeared completely and I slowly fell onto my father's chest. But I still felt movement around me, those abominable people standing around me.

"Why do you use a gun? He told me to take him back to the research room.”

"But he said If necessary or if you feel it is a threat, just shoot.”

“Never mind, it's better than letting him escape. It's true what you said. It is very human. So I couldn't bear to see the Doctor die."

“It would be good to die, you dared to hide Lia7724. You've lost the strength you trusted."

Is that death? I'm dying. What they were talking about probably meant me and Dad. I died because I had human feelings. I'm the same as my father. I'm special.

I started to have trouble breathing. My eyes can't see anything anymore. It's completely dark. Now I don't feel any pain in my middle anymore. The voices they were talking to had become softer, almost inaudible. Feeling warm and light around you. It's like floating in cotton wool. This is death.

"Lea"

A voice called out that made me turn around again.

"Dad," I smiled until my cheeks nearly burst. Dad is standing there. reaching out to me I immediately reached out and shook my father's hand.

"Let's go," Dad smiled at me. It was the most heartwarming smile. Is this it? What father used to say We will meet again

I don't need to find out what I am, where I come from, why there are so many of them. So why am I different? Now it doesn't matter anymore.

I felt myself floating upwards, but strangely, there was still another father and me on the ground lying in a pile of red liquid. But never mind. Now that I'm with my father, I'm satisfied. From now on and forever

It's finished.

Writer: Sorry it ended like this. The origins that have come and gone can only be imagined. There is no right or wrong. How can you analyze it? Leave a comment for Wright to read as well. Is it consistent with what Wright had in mind about who Lia was?