Doppelgänger

02. He's different

The downtown square is one of Zack's favourite spots in district one, he's always loved visiting this place since he never had anything special to do. When he got out of his father's car when he arrived, Zack looked around, which still looked the same crowded since he had left two weeks ago. Their purpose in visiting the city centre is because his father works in one of the shops in this place and Zack can also be free to buy necessities for the almost finished house.

"Don't go far from the city market, okay? You made a promise to Dad, so don't break it," Father warned his only son again, to which Zack immediately nodded. "Before three o'clock, you have to be back here," he added again, Zack just nodded again so his father wouldn't worry.

"Any more messages?" Zack asked with a mischievous smile once his father stopped making a sound. Zack thought the message had run out because he was just about to turn around so he could leave immediately, but his father held him back.

“Zack, are you sure it's okay to go around alone? You can wait at the shop if you want, we can go shopping together after Dad's work is done."

Zack could easily catch the worry from the look in his father's eyes, seeing that made Zack sigh and then smile. The man didn't need to worry too much because even before asking for permission this morning, Zack had already thought it through—whether or not he should go to town. Even Zack has also anticipated all the possibilities if he comes along.

Suppose you must wait at the tavern until your father's work is finished. In that case, the man will die of boredom because there's nothing he can do, so Zack volunteers to help find the needs of the house so he can also take a short walk around the centre city.

His smile still hasn't faded, he wants to tell his father that he believes that he will always be okay. "I'll be fine, you don't need to worry. I will come to the tavern in one piece before three o'clock in the afternoon, so dad, don't worry," Zack said to his father. He intended to eliminate all existing worries.

With just that, his father nodded. Zack immediately said goodbye and then disappeared in the middle of the downtown crowd. Moreover. It's impossible, isn't it, if Zack has to follow his father continuously while he's here. Hence, he leaves while waiting for his father's work to finish. He also promised that he would not mess up in this place.

Today was Wednesday—Zack had looked at the calendar this morning, so it was no wonder why the town's market square looked more crowded than on other days today. Not only is it packed with visitors, but every corner of the city is taken over by many stalls selling various flowers, fruit and vegetables, pastries, cured meats, and many more, some of which you can't find. Zack mentioned them one by one.

Because there are so many things being sold here, Zack is interested in buying something, but he is pretty self-aware because he remembers that he forgot to bring a penny of his own money, so he can't use anything, Zack also forgot to ask his father earlier.

He holds some bills, but he must first use them to buy things at home. Zack has to be trustworthy because he wants to take responsibility for shopping. In the end, the man could only look around while buying the necessary items one by one as well as the food. Zack didn't need to rush because the day was long.

After he was satisfied enough to see the beautiful flowers displayed in front of the stall, Zack went back around to remember every place he hadn't been to in a long time. Even though the count of his family moving out of town was two weeks, it somehow felt like it had been a long time. Even though he rarely interacts, Zack always likes to visit the town square because many things can attract his attention.

He had visited a fruit stall to buy because his mother wrote fruits on the order list that Zack had to buy. As long as he believes Zack keeps his hat down so no one can see his face, he has to be extra careful when he's in an open place that's crowded with visitors, for sure, Zack's identity can't be recognized.

"Thank You." Zack took his shopping bag and immediately bowed politely to the seller.

The man walked back and no longer stopped by the stalls, he thought he could shop later because it was still early. In the end, the man just followed where his two legs wanted him to go, he just resignedly walked according to his instincts until he subconsciously began to move away from the town square towards the housing complex where he had lived long ago. After this, he would have to apologize to his father for disobeying orders not to go too far.

Zack still felt that he was violating orders. He looked at the sturdy building dominated by a dark brown colour. That place had been the most comfortable shelter for his family for many years. Sometimes, Zack can't lie to himself that he misses this house because there are too many memories in it. Moreover, all the memories of his childhood are stored there.

The house is still vacant, meaning no new owners have occupied it. Zack hopes that whoever will occupy the place will continue to take good care of the home. Hopefully, his old house will still stand firm until he is old so that every time Zack visits the city, he can still see it, even if it's only from afar, it doesn't matter because for him it's more than enough.

Zack turned as soon as his ears caught the sound of footsteps approaching from a distance not far from him at this time, apparently several people were coming from the right, looking like they just wanted to pass. However, the boy immediately took swift action to retreat and lowered his head when they passed him by.

The hat he was wearing again was lowered deeper when the surroundings started to get busier, this was done to block people's eyes from being able to see his face. Zack had said not that he had to be careful when he was in a crowd. Still, he had to avoid interacting with everyone, especially those who happened to know him already.

There must be a question about why Zack should avoid them if they already know each other. Not that it would be better to get to know each other so that on this visit he could meet old friends and in the end be able to chat again together.

Unfortunately, it can't be that easy.

There is an underlying reason why Zack has to avoid many people. The answer is still closely related to the father's earlier concern and the basis for his family moving from the urban district to one of the tiny houses near the forest.

All of that was done by his parents because they said they wanted to protect Zack from the mouths of evil people. They chose to stay away from crowds, closing interactions with many people, because too many of them had hurt the man by calling him a monster.

Only because he is different from most kids his age.

Because Zack has an ability that not all of them have.