Liam looked up at Airy. Puzzled with what he had just said. Airy is his father? Something about that doesn't sit right. Liam is skeptical.

"You...? Are my... Dad?" He pushed.

"Yes..." his Monotone voice was both calming, and unsettling at the same time.

Liam searched for an out of place expression. But there wasn't anything. His smile never broke. His voice never wavered. Was... Was he telling the truth...? It was hard to tell because he didn't show much emotion regardless.

"Why can't I remember anything?"

"You... fell..." Airy mumbled, turning back to his desk. Tinkering on the cassette player.

"I fell? How?" Liam pushed again.

There was no reply. Airy just turned and looked at him with a blank stare.

"Well?!" Liam questions further.

"Uhhh... off a... Cliff." Airy sighed looking back at the cassette player. Airy knew he had been lying. But it doesn't matter anyway. He would never find out.

Liam's eyes widened. He fell off a cliff?! If that was the case... he's lucky to still be alive. Liam looked at the ground, at his feet. Then brought his hands to look at them again. He was alive... But at what cost? He doesn't remember anything. Except for basic knowledge. Heck, he doesn't even remember falling from the cliff.

"A cliff...?!" Liam whispered. Clearly alarmed.

"Uhhh... Yeah..."

"Do... Do I have any other family...?"

"Uhh... No."

"Reall—?"

"You don't... Stop asking." Airy sounded more stern here. But his monotone nature wasn't broken.

"Where are we?"

"The forest."

"Just 'the forest...?'"

"Yes."

Airy's answers were always short. And he paused in between some words. As if constantly pondering on what to say. Airy placed the screwdriver on the desk, was hand crafted out of wood, that had been bound by a vine. It tapped against the wooden desk. Airy then put the cassette player to the side. And stood up from his desk.

"I'm going to... go get some water..." Airy looked down at Liam.

"Can I-?" Liam started. He wanted to ask if he could go too.

"Not yet... Next time."

Airy left the house. Actually... No. It was too small to be a house. A hut? Maybe a shack? It was only one room. With two beds made of straw, and a desk. Pretty empty... And dark...
Lonely too. He couldn't recall anything in the house. Had he really lived here his whole life?

It was kind of depressing in a way. Something about this home felt so lonely. Sad... Literally empty, and figuratively empty.

Liam sat on the ground. He thought really hard. Trying to remember something anything. But all he achieved is a headache.
He wanted to remember something himself rather then being told by someone else.

But it seems like he didn't have a choice except to believe him. There was no evidence suggesting otherwise. And he can't remember anything, so there's nothing suggesting that airy is a liar. Although on the contrary there was nothing suggesting he wasn't. All there was is a gut feeling. One that was telling him to not trust him. But it was drowned out by how hungry and thirsty Liam was.

Liam sighed, flopping onto his back. What was he going to do now? He figured just to wait until Airy came back so he could ask more questions. Not like he could do much else.

Liam looked up at the ceiling. He felt so tired... everything hurt. He rubbed his head again. The same rough, damp texture. He didn't know why, but Liam really wanted to cry. He felt like he lost everything. But he didn't know what. What has he lost? Clearly his memory. But something else? He still has so many questions. Like...

Is there anyone else at all?

Why did they live in the forest?

What was he like before his memory disappeared...?

What was his old life like?

Because if he truly did lose his memory. Then his life, personality, and nature as an object would change. Permanently, even if he did remember. All of it is gone now.

He will never be the same again.

———

Airy walked out of the house and towards the waterfall. He sighed a breath of relief. He may not look the part. But he felt so happy right now. He quickly scooped up some water. And his smile grew.

And he's shocked to how easy it was.
How easy it was to convince him...

And how easy it was to make him forget.

Regardless. Now he wouldn't be lonely. Even if his show ended.
He could finally have a family again.

He could finally feel happy again.

And he wasn't going to throw away this chance.

Airy looked back at the shack. Then sighed. It wasn't going to be easy. Not to mention his excuse wasn't the best choice. His father... They didn't even look alike. Liam was backpack.

He was going to need to do some convincing. Airy knew that. Liam may even be able to help with the show. But he needed to be careful because Soda bottle, Scenty, and Moldy may try to have his memory return.

But for now. All airy really cared about was the present. The future is a problem in the future. Now isn't the time to dwell on worries.

Because there isn't a reason to.

As long as he played his cards correctly.

Everything will go according to plan...

It has to.

———