Evetrona's old stories

Stowell once described such a world to Nellie Wen:

In a more ancient time, women and men lived together in the same world.They farm and work together to raise their children.There, there are no wide avenues and moving cars, no theaters and squares, no enforcers and pleasant drugs-just fields and cabins, and a group of people who have reproduced here for generations.There, people barter and live a simple and fulfilling life. Men and women give full play to their strengths, weave their love nests and breed new lives in a division of labor and cooperation.There is no contract or transaction in their union, and their identities are not high or low. Perhaps one party will appear stronger, but that is precisely because of the tolerance of the other party.They will have children of their own, maybe two, maybe five, and no one has the right to take them away - they will see their children grow up day by day, become more and more like themselves, until one day, these children will each meet someone they like, and start a new family - and in the end, they will bring their children and grandchildren to the old couple and tell the children: Look, this is your grandparents.

Life continues and goes round and round. When you were born, your parents cared for you only. When you die, your descendants will remember you.He said to Neriwen——At that time, the city-states of New Zhongguzhou were far from being born.At that time, it was still called Atlanzan.

Stowell's idea is idyllic, which seems a little naive and ridiculous.But it was these words that moved Neriwen and gave her some inspiration.Thoughts were fermenting bit by bit in the dark, she gradually realized that her current life was like a pool of stagnant water, meaningless - she was alone when she came, and she will be alone in the end.

A person's life is constantly pursuing spiritual and material satisfaction, but what can bring people satisfaction is always those things that they know they have but never have.In order to avoid the supervision of Yuzhiyuan, Neriwen took a long vacation for a whole year in advance, and reported the reasons to fill in the long-distance travel.In order to conceal the changes in her body, she has been living a secluded life in a temporary residence in the suburbs, but only one friend knows the truth.Having a reliable insider is much safer than keeping everyone in the dark.The friend of Nellie Wen is named De Lana. She and Nellie Wen came from the same nursery and the same school. Their surname is "Ou Kang".The two are like sisters, no matter when, they will never betray each other.

Nellie Wen didn't realize that she was making her life shaky—if people are mortal, how can they keep their love and thoughts alive? ——This question is like a boulder, always pressing on her heart.

[118] The Silent One Lurks in Toklandas (Part [-])

Neriwen and Stowell lacked knowledge about pregnancy. Most people in the Toklandas city-state were like this. Even the citizens who had conceived life were equally confused—— During the period, they didn't know what to do, what not to eat, what kind of inspections they went through, and what to pay attention to.

Both Stowell and Delana were worried about this, but Nellie herself was not worried. Not only that, but she was also in a mood to tease, saying that if the city-state was destroyed, the people in the city-state might be extinct immediately, because these people would not even have a child, let alone raise it.

The development of medical technology has greatly reduced the risk of childbirth, allowing the genes that should have been eliminated to survive. On the other hand, with the spread of these inferior genes, the risk of normal childbirth will gradually increase.The spirit of humanism values ​​individuals, tolerates defects, and affirms the reproductive rights of the weak, but leaves the pain to future generations—the more human beings rely on technology, the harder it is to return to nature.Neriwen also knew that Stowell and Delana's worries were not superfluous. Today is different from the past, and there will only be more and more troubles in the future.

Delana has been quietly inquiring about the difficult-to-obtain knowledge about pregnancy from the people around her.She told Neriwen what she heard, which sometimes made Neriwen feel at ease.

Delana's hospitality made Stowell a little jealous.

It was probably in the ninth week of pregnancy, when Neriwen's abdomen already had obvious ups and downs.That night, while she was resting in bed, the sound of a car driving in suddenly sounded in the courtyard.She was a little nervous—De Lana had just left, and she was the only one at home now.During this period of time, in order to avoid suspicion, Stowell and Delana will still work and live in Huaihua District as before, and only go to the suburbs in their free time to bring supplies and care to Nellie.They came to visit at relatively regular times, and De Lana never brought her car over.

Nellie Wen picked up a knife from the kitchen and ran to the corner of the corridor on the first floor.The room was pitch black, only the fire was burning quietly.

There were footsteps at the door, and there was more than one person.Neriwen didn't intend to hurt anyone, but holding a knife probably made her feel more secure.

Sometimes, Neriwen also thought about whether to escape the city-state with Stowell - under the premise of abiding by the law, the city-state will not prevent citizens from going out freely, but even if they escape, there are not many places they can go.There are 22 city-states in New Zhongguzhou, but none of them are likely to accept them, so they can only choose to seek refuge in the eastern peninsula, where a community of humans and sub-humans lives.

It's a little late to think about this now, if it was before pregnancy...

Just as she was thinking wildly, the door opened.

"Neliwen?" A familiar voice came from the door, it was Stowell, and he turned on the light.Neriwen was standing at the other end of the corridor, and Stowell saw that she was holding a shining knife in her hand.

"What are you doing with this thing?" Stowell was surprised, he walked a few steps quickly, trying to take the sharp weapon in Neriwen's hand, but Neriwen took two steps back and put his hands behind his back.Her gaze crossed Stowell's shoulder, and she looked at the strange woman standing at the door.

"Who is she? You brought a stranger in." Neriwen was very vigilant. If there was no Stowell in the middle, she even wanted to rush over and put the knife on the woman's neck to prevent the other party from running away and throwing her away. Let the matter out.

"Zyra is a doctor, she can help you check your health." Stowell quickly introduced to her, "I think you can trust her."

"Why do you think she can be trusted?" Neriwen heard his words, and a nameless anger suddenly surged in her heart.Since becoming pregnant, she has given up alcohol and drugs, and at times, the irritability can be overwhelming.

"I'll explain to you later, okay?" Stowell comforted her in a low voice.

With a clang, the kitchen knife was thrown on the ground, and even Nellie herself was startled by the sharp sound.She stared at Stowell with serious eyes, without saying a word.The boy's face was a little pale, but he looked even more adorable, but Neriwen didn't slow down because of this.

She was a little angry and aggrieved, and she didn't know why she felt this way.

"Take it easy, try to minimize your mood swings when you're pregnant." Zyra walked towards the two of them.This man was a bit tall, with a small golden book the size of a palm hanging around his waist, which was very eye-catching.

"Who the hell are you?" Nellie Wen asked her, her eyes flicking back and forth between the book and Zyra's face.

"A doctor from Ruoxinno, I helped Stowell before... helping him escape from there."

"Why did you come here? I've never heard Siduo mention you before."

"As you can see, my identity is a bit special." Zyra said, "Stowell is a reliable An Pulin, and he will never say unnecessary words. It is purely a coincidence that I met him in this city. He asked me, and I am happy to help."

Zyra's tone has always been calm, ready to answer questions, and she doesn't mind at all about Neriwen's tone as if interrogating a prisoner.

"She really wants to help." Stowell held Neriwen's hand.

When she felt the warmth of the opponent's palm, Neriwen finally calmed down.During these days, she also vaguely realized that her emotions seemed to be becoming more and more difficult to control.

"I feel good, and I don't need help from others." Although Neriwen was refusing, her tone softened.She turned and went back into the house, and lay down on the low bed by the fire.Stowell covered her with a blanket, and then added more wood to the fireplace.

The weather is getting colder, but the room is very warm. In the dark bedroom, the dark red fire is flickering, making people feel drowsy.Zyra stood at the door of the bedroom, with her back against the bright corridor light, her face was hidden in the shadow, and she couldn't see clearly.

"The unknown creates anxiety. You must want to know a lot." Zyra spoke in a soft voice, "For example, the sex of the fetus."

Nerivan lowered her head, clutching a corner of the blanket tightly with her right hand.

The early winter wind howled furiously in the outskirts of the mountains and forests, driving snakes and squirrels to the caves.

A few days later, on a rainy night, Stowell came to the suburban residence with an envelope in his arms.He was running out of breath, wearing only a coat, and his beautiful long hair was wet.Inside the envelope was a test report—Zyra took some blood from Neriwin's arm that night, and now the results are back.

The content on the list is concise and easy to understand, and the content is comprehensive.The two snuggled together and carefully read the test sheet from beginning to end.Their expressions looked a little dignified, and no one spoke.

After that, Stowell threw the form and the envelope into the fireplace and watched them turn to ashes with the fire.

The two stared at the jumping flames, staring blankly together.

Finally, Stowell spoke, his voice was very soft, as if he was afraid that the fetus in the womb would hear.

"Zyla asked me to tell you that if you want to abort this baby, she is willing to help."

"Don't talk about it." Nellie put one hand on her stomach, and stared straight ahead, as if even turning her eyeballs would make her feel tired.After sitting quietly for a long time, she closed her eyes and leaned against Stowell with a gentle but firm tone: "I can't wait to think that he will look like you in the future."

The waiting time is tormented. As her belly grows bigger day by day, Nellie will always feel anxious for various reasons.A mass of life is being conceived in her body, which not only reassures her, but also makes her afraid-this small mass of life is not a child of the city-state, but hers, the child of her and Stowell.One day, he will grow up, have his own thoughts, and be a born free person. Now, the only thing I have to do is to let him be born smoothly.If he is born, what needs to be prepared?A newborn baby, what does he eat and wear?How to communicate with him?Nellie Wen didn't know anything about it, she didn't even know how old a newborn baby was or how much it weighed.

There are no baby products available in the city-state, and no one knows what babies need, so this matter can only continue to trouble Zyra.In order to relieve anxiety, Neriwen thought about doing something for the unborn child.She wrote a list, writing down the things she thought she might need in the future, and let Delanna buy them slowly.So, in the following months, all kinds of dolls, fake flower bouquets, blankets and bathtubs were piled up in this not-so-spacious residence, which made this suburban residence more and more warm.Neriwen cut a few large newly bought bath towels and planned to make some small clothes for the unborn child.She did it a little clumsily, often sticking needle points into her fingers, but she still had a lot of fun doing it, regardless of whether these things would actually be useful in the future.

"You are my son." Every time she finished saying this, she would laugh. After laughing, she felt a little embarrassed, and then continued to say it next time.When she is alone, she often talks to her belly, which is also a way to relieve back pain and boredom. She had seen the word "son" in a book before, and she still vaguely remembered the contents of the book—the book criticized marriage, men, private ownership, and the country, as if the city-state system was the ultimate answer to human institutions.Nellie Win does not know what system is the best system, but she knows that a good system cannot be static, because people are always changing, and people in every era have different needs and pursuits, and systems cannot exist in isolation from people.

No matter how difficult the days are, time is always ticking, and finally, Nellie Wen arrived at her due date.Just in case, Zyra does not advise her to give birth at home.After this period of contact, Neriwen had a little more trust in Zyra. Zyra said that she could help find a place, so she agreed.

In late spring and early summer, the temperature is suitable.Jiela drove her to a hospital in Mujin District. Neriwen was very timid when she entered the hospital with her stomach full—she hadn't had contact with outsiders for a long time.

She was placed in a bright and quiet ward, and two young nurses were in charge of her daily diet.

"Don't you...don't like life in the city-state either?" One day, Nellie Wen asked her such a question when she was alone with Zyra during the physical examination.

"Me? Why do I hate the city-state?" Zyra smiled, she didn't care about Neriwen's question.

The exchanges and dialogues between the two are always like this--it happens suddenly and ends quickly.

Neriwen had a feeling—Zyra seemed to be not only a doctor, an empowered person, and a city-state citizen, but she must have another secret identity, because if not, how could she let herself Crossing the sea in such an impenetrable city-state?Neriwen was a little curious about this, but at the same time, she didn't dare to ask Zyra, she was afraid that Zyra would admit her guess, and she was even more afraid that she would invite herself—jumping from one side to the other, like uncuffing the handcuffs But wearing shackles, as a part of the collective, people always have to sacrifice something, no matter where they are.

In the late pregnancy, Nellie Wen's emotions became a little confused, on the one hand due to confusion about the future, and on the other hand due to physical discomfort.Sometimes people get hot-headed because of certain goals that must be achieved, and rush towards unpredictable difficulties and obstacles like soldiers, but when the wish is fulfilled, the negative emotions of regret and disappointment come quietly in a huge sense of satisfaction.

It wasn't until then that Nellie Wen realized that after the birth of the child, she and Stowell would only have to face more problems.

One evening, Nellie Wen finally entered labor.Primipara's labor usually lasts a long time. That night, Stowell and Delana were both there. Seeing their fidgeting, they seemed to be more nervous than Nellie herself.

Even though Zyra had told her many times how painful childbirth would be and how unbearable the pain would be, when she actually experienced it, she still felt so painful that she wanted to give up. At that time, she really thought she couldn't last this time.

As Neriwen's midwife, Zyra's calm guidance played a big role, and the delivery process was quite smooth.When the placenta was finally delivered, it was already the next morning, and Neriwen only took one look at the baby before falling into a deep sleep.

A few hours later, a slight throbbing pain in her lower abdomen woke her up.Neriwen was looking for the newborn child as soon as she woke up.The child was wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying beside her, and Stowell put the child in her arms.

The baby's eyes were closed and his face was wrinkled.Neriwen hugged this newborn baby, sometimes feeling terribly light, and sometimes feeling astonishingly heavy.Nellie stroking the baby's face with her fingers, smiling from ear to ear, at this moment, she felt a great joy, this kind of joy and sense of accomplishment cannot be given by alcohol and drugs - accumulated nine The happiness of half a month is all fulfilled at this moment.

Her fingers accidentally touched the baby's lips, and the baby held it in his mouth.This ugly little creature doesn't even have a single tooth.Neriwen withdrew her finger, but saw the child opened his mouth, wrinkled his nose, and cried loudly.

The voice was very loud, and Neriwen was a little at a loss.

[119] The Silent One Lurks in Toklandas (Part [-])

For the next year, Neriwin lived in a suburban home, living a semi-reclusive life with her child Naravel.

At the beginning, when Zyra asked Neriwen and Stowell to name the child, the two were stunned for a long time.

"You don't give him a name, is it possible that you have to wait for him to tell you what his name is?" At that time, Zyra rarely made a joke.

The matter of naming the child was a headache for both of them.They want the name to be meaningful, but they don't want it to be too ordinary. The two fumbled through mythological collections and dictionaries, trying to select the most beautiful words from them to highlight the newborn's uniqueness.But as more and more words were written on the letter paper, the two almost quarreled.

Ever since Nellie Wen became pregnant, the two had never stopped arguing.Without the longing for a beautiful boy, life has returned to its true form—Stowell is young, fragile and careless, especially when he has Neriwen as his guardian, he becomes more and more dependent on her.Although Nellie Wen didn't hate it, she didn't want him to lose his previous resilience, so sometimes she would selectively refuse his request—for example, when he borrowed money to pay the security fine to the Law Enforcement Bureau.In addition, Stowell's innocence also gave Neliwen a headache. The city-state people have always lived in a comfortable atmosphere, and almost everyone has the characteristics of innocence, but Stowell is even better. He is too naive—especially when he led Zyra into the house that night, Neliwen wanted to slap him on the spot.

After all, Stowell is just an Ann Bolin, and his decent life in Toklandas is actually an illusion.At first, he was attracted by Neriwin's attentive and strong attitude, impressed by her ability, and thought she was trustworthy.He accepted the convenience offered by Neriwen, knowing that there was nothing in return, but he couldn't make up his mind to refuse.His attitude towards her is often flattering, in order to express his gratitude to her in his heart, but Neriwen doesn't appreciate it - she prefers his previous appearance, and she is obsessed with the gentle, but inseparable feeling in him.

Without the sense of mystery and novelty when they first met, real contradictions will float on the water.People of different situations and ages have different value orientations.At the beginning, the two can talk in a friendly voice, trying to convince each other in a "reasonable" way, but if the voice is stronger than the words themselves, the argument will turn into a quarrel in the end.

De Lana brought them a baby squirrel, saying it would keep the newborn as a companion.The wind squirrel is not a rodent, it is a pterosaur with tiny down feathers all over its body.But it does look like a flying squirrel, and it can manipulate the wind to keep itself aloft.The flying squirrel brought by De Lana was only a dozen days old and hadn't left the nest yet. She asked for it from a friend.

That day, she handed the flying squirrel to Neriwen.This gray-white "little mouse" is curled up, eyes half-opened, almost weightless, and you can feel the tremor of its body in the palm of your hand—Neliwen doesn't know whether the tremor is its heartbeat , or because it was trembling.De Lana picked up a mealworm from a small glass jar with tweezers, and brought it to the mouth of the flying squirrel. It seemed that it felt the familiar, smelly smell. It opened its soft beak and took a bite of the insect. swallowed.

During such a period of time, Neriwen inevitably had some maternal love overflowing.She liked the gift from De Lana, but at the same time she was a little sad—the little life had left its parents not long after it was born.This can't help but remind her of her own children.

The future is uncertain, maybe one day, they will have to bear the pain of separation.

If one day we have to separate, what can the parents leave for him?

In the evening, she leaned against the railing of the crib with Stowell and expressed her feelings.This time, the two didn't have much dialogue, but both quickly understood each other's thoughts.In the end, they decided to take a part of their names to name the child, so the name "Nairaville" was settled in this way.

Neriwin would often complain to Delana that she hadn't been able to sleep well lately—Neraville was always crying in the middle of the night, either because she was hungry, or it was time to change her diaper, or for no reason at all. Simply want to hug.If left alone, Naravel would keep crying, so Neriwen had to get up and try to coax him.But complaining is nothing but complaining, and Delana could tell that Neriwen was complaining on the surface, but she was actually enjoying it—maybe she was showing off to herself.

In the nearly one year after the birth of Nairavel, Neriwen could no longer tolerate anything in her eyes, and she devoted all her thoughts to taking care of the child.She watched her child crawl around the room, then learn to walk, and call her mother in a slurred pronunciation-the child is constantly growing, changing almost every day, and Nellie Wen will be because of seeing him. Inspired and moved by progress.From the encounter with Stowell to the appearance of Naravel, Neriwen felt that she might be the luckiest person in the city-state.

But happiness is short-lived, Nellie Win is an official, she should not be away for too long.One day she needs to make a choice, whether to flee the city-state with Stowell, or to maintain the status quo and let Naravel live in the shadow of the city-states.Maybe someday, but not necessarily now.She also understands that the later she leaves, the greater the risk, and it is only a matter of time before the lies are exposed; but on the other hand, she does not want her children to suffer, and she needs the city-state's supplies.Neriwen always persuaded herself—wait a minute, no one will find this place.She didn't even talk to De Lana about this matter, she was afraid that her sister would be sad, and even more afraid that she would try her best to keep her.

However, only when the crisis really came did Nellie realize that her situation was not safe.

It's another spring.One night, when it was drizzling outside, Naravel leaned in her mother's arms, looking very honest because of the thunder outside the window.Nellie drank a glass of red wine and sat on the bed with a book of fables on her lap.Every night, Neriwin tells a short story to Naravel.Even if she didn't understand well, Naravel would lie quietly beside her until the two of them fell into a deep sleep together.

Just when they were all drowsy, the bedroom door opened, and the hinges that lacked lubrication made a slight sound, which woke Nellie instantly awake.

Standing at the door was a strange woman wearing a golden armor with a streamlined and slender appearance.

Nellie Wen was startled and broke out in cold sweat. She just sat up when she saw the other party raised his arm and pointed the gleaming crossbow launcher on her wrist at her.

"Don't move." The man warned softly.

This is a law enforcer, judging by the decoration of her helmet, she is still a squadron leader.

Neriwen blocked Naravel, who was still asleep, behind her, and stared at this person steadily.

"Ms. Neriwen." She said, "You have violated several laws of the city-state, and the crime is not small, especially—you are still an official of the city-state."

Nellie Wen didn't say anything, her mind went blank.Facing this law enforcement officer who broke in suddenly, she didn't even have the thought of refuting or resisting.

"Based on the constitution of the southern city-states, you have to go with me and accept the court's ruling, and your illegal gains will also be confiscated and will be handled by the city-state officials." The enforcer said in a flat tone.

"Illegal income?" Nellie Wen looked at her.

The Enforcer wore a golden helmet, and her covered face was now facing Neriwen.In the past, this solemn and beautiful attire was a symbol of the safety and reliability of the city-state, but now, Nellie Wen could feel her sharp gaze hidden under the helmet, piercing people's body with ice cold.Those eyes seemed to pass through the mask, through her body, staring at Nairavel behind her.

It was only then that Neriwen realized that the so-called "illegal gains" by the law enforcement officers were her children.

A surge of anger surged from her heart, and the words of the law enforcer made her feel the humiliation she had never experienced before.When a person is deprived of the meaning of existence that he is most proud of, who can hold his breath?Nellie Wen casually grabbed the fruit knife that was placed on the bedside fruit plate, and rushed directly to the enforcer.

Naravel was awakened by the movement around him. He opened his eyes, only to see his mother lying on the floor, and a strange-looking person standing at the door, which made the one-year-old child very frightened.Naravel screamed, no one knew what he wanted to express, as if all the phrases he had just learned were forgotten at this moment.He cried and jumped out of bed, knocked his head on the floor, but got up without pain, rushed to the law enforcement officer, and pushed her leg hard.Seeing that he couldn't push the person in front of him away, he ran up to Neriwen again, holding his mother's head with his arms.

Neriwen was knocked unconscious by the blow from the enforcer, while the child shielded her body in front of her, crying with tears in his eyes.The law enforcement officer looked at the mother and child, and she also felt a little... not sure what to do about the unexpected situation.

The enforcer took off his helmet and spread out his long wine-red hair. She has a pair of brown eyes, and her eyes are not as cold as others imagined.She walked slowly towards the mother and son.

Seeing that the person at the door moved, the young Naravel was still walking towards him, and his crying became louder, until his voice became hoarse.

The law enforcer strode up to them, pointed at Naravel's back lightly, and the child's crying stopped instantly, and his body fell sideways.The law enforcer picked him up and put him back on the bed.Then he pulled a chair over and sat beside Neriwen, waiting for her to wake up.

Raindrops fell down the eaves, tick-tock.Sometimes lightning would cut across the night sky, casting shadows of panes on the curtains.

A palm-sized flying squirrel revealed a pink head from the drawer, looking at the strangers in the room with black bean-like eyes.

The name of the enforcer was Sunnyman Yilun, and Sunnyman took off his gloves.She took out a small piece of animal biscuit from the storage box at her waist and placed it in a corner of the desk.She tapped the edge of the table slowly with her hand, and she didn't withdraw her hand until the curious little animal had completely protruded from the drawer and climbed up the cabinet with its four limbs and claws.

The flying squirrel climbed onto the table. It first lowered its head and sniffed, then picked up the thumb-sized biscuit with its two front paws, divided it into fine pieces with its pointed beak, and ate them all. In his mouth, even the crumbs that fell on the table were swept away.After the flying squirrel finished eating, it supported its body with its hind feet and tail, stood on the table, and looked at Sunnyman from a distance.Sunnyman placed the second biscuit not far from her hand, and her movements were very light.The flying squirrel walked slowly along the table, carefully picked up the delicious snack, and ate the food mouthful again, completely oblivious to the extra hand beside him.

With sharp eyes and quick hands, Senniman pressed the flying squirrel on the table and grabbed it in his hand.The flying squirrel struggled a few times, spitting out some food residue from its mouth.

The body of the flying squirrel is very soft. Sunnyman put his thumb on its abdomen, and could touch the bulging gizzard under its neck. The flying squirrel stretched its head, trying to peck her fingers, but It's not enough anyway.

Sennyman only played with it for a while, and then began to feel bored. She let go of her hand, and the flying squirrel turned over and jumped out, and flew back into the drawer like a piece of paper, and never moved again.

She happened to see Neriwen's eyelashes moving while lying on the ground, so she said, "Ms. Neriwen, if you wake up, let's talk. I just want to ask you something."

Neriwin opened her eyes, and stared at Sunnyman with deadly eyes.She very much hoped that the scene in front of her was just a dream, and that she could get rid of this shit right away when she opened her eyes again.

"You let us go, and I promise you will never come back." Nellie Wen said in a hoarse voice.

"You are an official in Huaihua District. You are responsible for the mobilization and deployment of certain departments. If you leave, you will bring losses to the city-state."

"Work matters can be handed over at any time." Neriwen said, "This is the advantage of the city-state system."

Nellie was not lying.The management of the city-state, or the ruling class-there is no real core figure in it. The work of officials is always in a state of overlapping and checks and balances. They cooperate, compete, and exchange what they need.Open and transparent means of execution connect people together, and finally form an unbreakable network and a stable topology.

"The city-state has many secrets, and you happen to know some of them." Sennyman said, "You can't leave, this is the premise; and your child—Neravel can't stay here, this is also the premise."

"So we have to separate?" Neriwen lay on the floor, looking at the dark ceiling, her heart was full of grief and resentment.She didn't know what went wrong, which led the law enforcement officers here.