Tomo was unconscious, not even breathing. The breathing apparatus was always on him as he was not breathing. Expressions of anxiety could be seen on the faces of the attending doctors. They immediately knew that Tomo is in a coma. They don't want Tomo to have brain-dead. They rushed him to the special room and moved him carefully to a bed, in a unit shaped like an eggshell with a fully transparent top, so they can see Tomo's condition without having to move him. This special unit was specially made for emergency cases, to stop brain damage and avoid brain dead.
The unit is also attached to a microscopical operation device. Without having him moved, doctors can operate on any part of the patient. It's a device that Tomo created, after the attack on The Place. Tomo did not want any more casualties due to a lack of emergency devices. The hospital now has the best medical instruments to care for the patients. It has never once crossed anyone's mind that the creator would be the first patient to use it.
Doctors and nurses on duty were extremely busy. Even the ones off duty also came to help. A team handled Tomo's arm and fingers, reconstructing his badly crushed fingers and another team kept watching and kept monitoring his condition. And another team was doing an operation on his ripped chest. Everybody's working. Nobody's talking. Only instructions from the surgeons to the assistants during the operation were heard. Other than that, all that could be heard was their movement and once in a while, a clanking sound of hospital utensils could be heard. The smell of anaesthetical liquids and disinfectants filled the room, mixed with the smell of blood that came from Tomo's injuries.
The Praying Hall, connected to the reception hall of the hospital was full. Candles on the altar were lit. It, the incense was also lit on the Buddha altar. People can be seen praying according to their own faith. Lots just stood there dumbfounded, sobbing, crying. They still couldn't believe what they have seen. They couldn't believe what happened to Tomo. They were also amazed at how Tomo relentlessly faced the evil ones. He never gave up, even for a second. They feel honored that Tomo readily faced anything to stop them from hurting the community.
They saw how Tomo stood strong to face the evil and defeated them one by one, even when he was already hurt. It was when the grey cloud-like smoke came, that they knew that it was extremely evil and it was no match for Tomo. They hoped a miracle would come or at least Tiara. But none came.
The team tried to contact Tiara but failed, for they don't know where she is and Tomo never told them, and they never really asked. They don't know about Tomo's family because he always kept it a secret, in case the evil ones will get to his family. He loves his family and protects them as best as he could. So Tomo is alone in this situation. They had to wait until there is a call for Tomo that could be traced. Although his team never stopped trying and did the best they can.
The door to the praying hall opened, and a team of doctors appeared. Everyone stared at them, and no one dare to speak. But their eyes showed hope and begging for good news. The head doctor told them, that unfortunately there is no good news yet and that they have tried and will keep trying to heal the wounds and all. But Tomo is now in a coma, and they don't know when he'll wake up or if he ever wakes up. "Your prayer will help Tomo to be strong, and share some light for us in taking the best care of him.
They then advised the community to go home and get some rest. Tomo wouldn't want to see them like this, the doctors said. So they all went home, each in turmoil and in deep thought. Sniffles and sobs could be heard, as all couldn't stop crying.
The hospital staff watched them leave and not a sound was heard in the empty hallway. The only thing that could be heard was the beeping sound from the defibrillator and other devices, connected to Tomo.
Meanwhile, at home, Tomo's mother was restless. She couldn't contact Tomo and she knew that something had happened to him. She contacted Tomo's father who was still working and sternly ask him to contact Tomo. Tomo's father did not waste time in contacting him. He knew that Tomo's mother wouldn't contact him at work unless there was an emergency. And if it involves Tomo, then it must be something really bad, for he knew that Tomo was facing something evil.
A couple of minutes later, Tomo's father contacted Tomo. Dave was the one who answered. At that very moment, when he saw it was not Tomo that showed up on the monitor to answer him his father knew something very wrong has happened. He knew that all these times, their connection has always been kept a secret for the family's sake unless something happened to Tomo.
"Sir, I'm Dave. It's an honor to see you," said Dave as he saw that Tomo's father was the genius and the kindest man ever. "I'm sorry we have to meet in this condition."
Before Dave could say anything, the father asked, "What happened to Tomo?" Tears filled his eyes as if he had felt or knew what had happened. Dave chose his words carefully not wanting to make him shocked or more distraught while telling what actually happened that day. Dave tried to explain everything in detail and also about how Tomo kept fighting until he defeated all of them. "He never thought about himself. The people's safety was always number one in his mind."
Dave almost forgot about the grey cloud-like smoke, and only remembered it when the father was going to log off. "Oh Sir, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't think it is really over. Just as he had defeated Jun, a grey smoke appeared," he explained. The grey cloud-like smoke was no match for Tomo. "It was like a wandering soul. We took a shot at it, but the laser and bullets just passed through his transparent body. We were frantic when we realized that there was nothing we can do to help Tomo.
Then he continued, it was ripping Tomo's chest and it seemed as if he was going to rip and pull Tomo's heart out. But at that exact moment, an unseen force made the grey shadow back off, and let go of Tomo. Then, the unseen force made Tomo float and slowly and softly put Tomo on the ground."
"At first I thought it was Tiara coming to help. But I'm not really sure, because until now. she never showed up"
"It may be Tiara, but she is now in a condition where she just cannot come, although I'm very sure she really wanted to. She cares about the whole community and also Tomo, and I'm sure it breaks her heart knowing that there's nothing she could do."
After an awkward silence, Tomo's father said, "Dave, have you seen the blue balls which Tomo has and one of Jun's?"
"Yes sir, both are with me. I kept it separated and in a safe place. I was not sure whether to keep it in one place or not, since I haven't really known how it really works.
"You did the right thing. Dave." His father was still for a moment as if thinking of something. Are all barriers still intact?"
"Yes Sir, although... I don't know, I sensed that the grey smoke is not from here, but it seems to have managed to seep through.
"Why is that?"
"Well, Sir, The grey smoke never appears before. But it was only the only time we ever saw it. I just thought that it seeped through after we had the barrier. Could it be because it is a soul... a soul of a dead person, I mean, just like in the horror stories, who can kill but not be killed?
"Alright. Your team and my team should work hard to stop any substance, gas, or liquid to seep through the barrier and check whether the barrier is totally safe or not. I will be on the monitor starting now until I can come to physically check on Tomo. We have to share every piece of information concerning this, and we should always keep in touch." his father said while heaving a deep sigh.
"I have to see my son now. Thank you, Dave, for waiting for me."
"I should apologize for not contacting you first, but I couldn't get to you. Tomo made a very tough barrier for this. So I just have to wait until you make a contact first"
"I know. I will also be the one to contact you so that this connection will stay safe."
"Yes Sir. Oh, I have to build a special channel, so you and your family can see and talk to Tomo anytime. Though I must say, it not easy to watch."
"Thank you, Dave. I will see him now," and he logged off.
Dave sat there. He was moved, yet he also felt that heavy weight from his chest has been lifted. A tear flowed down his cheeks. "Tomo wake up!" he said with sniffles. "Don't leave us like this." He decided to sit a little longer to ease his mind.
Tomo's father was heartbroken when he saw his son in the worst condition ever. His mother tried to wake Tomo up by using telepathy. They did so every day. His sister read him a story to trigger Tomo's brain to consciousness.
Days passed, and although the wounds started to heal, there is still no signs of Tomo waking up. The doctor and the community wanted to keep Tomo in the shell, no matter how long. Tomo needs a rest, the people said. Let him have a rest. He will wake up when he's had enough rest. The community believed that Tomo will wake up, although the doctors were more pessimistic.
On the other side, or from Tomo's side, he can actually hear his mother and father, talking to him, and his sister reading to him, to make him wake up, but he couldn't give any sign. The only sign that the family saw were tears on his cheeks. That's how they knew they still have hopes although it hurts them to see the tears since they know Tomo was not a person to shed a tear, even how in much pain he is.
Ever since he was a toddler, Tomo was never pessimistic. He always tried to handle or solve a problem, never giving up. He always gives hugs and smiles to anyone in need. And when he grew up to be an adult and a genius like his father, he became the pillar of the family.
The pain of what he's been through and the pain he felt now, must have been a big heavy burden on his shoulders...
A mirror image
Tomo woke up in an empty room. It was pitch black. Tomo could see nothing. He crept along the walls with the palm of his hands continuously touching and feeling the surface of the walls. he knew that it was not an ordinary wall, it felt cold and smooth like glass. He moved his hands hoping to find a switch or something that can turn on the lights, so as to make him able to see.
There was none. So he sat down on the floor, waiting for morning to come. Actually, he doesn't really know whether it's night or day. It was just his feelings. He sat on the floor for some time. For him, it felt like hours. As light comes into the room, he looked around him and found no light switch. There were no light bulbs or electricity cables of any kind. It was just an empty room. A blank space. But then he realized that Mirrors were lined up all around the walls of the room. It was a circular wall, with no edges. He could see himself in the mirror all around the room.
"A room with mirrors? At least, I can see what kind of place is this and I can see myself," he said to enlighten his feelings.
He saw that only one part of the walls had no mirror. it had glass, translucent glass. He carefully walk closer, not knowing what he was about to see.
He was totally in shock when he saw himself lying there in the transparent eggshell-shaped machine. It was gruesome. His chest was stitched, and his hands doesn't look like a hand. Each finger was tied to stem steel shaped like fingers, to help the fingers return to their original shape. That's not all. Now he became aware that he was in a coma.
Tomo couldn't take his eyes off himself. That's when the big picture comes to mind. "Could it mean that If my body was lying there, and I'm here, so it meant this is my soul? And now I'm somewhere, but I have no clue where I am." He talks in his mind.
"Could it be that I'm almost dead and this is my spirit, while my body is hanging on threads to stay alive? Or could be that I'm dead and I'm a ghost?" He shook his head roughly.
He banged on the glass and shouted over and over again, hoping that someone would hear him, but there was no reaction whatsoever. Not even a glance in his direction. "Could this be that this is not an actual window? Or is it a one-way mirror and I am in a sort of vessel?" Even in a condition like this, he still tries to think logically.
Tomo sat on the floor and lowered his head. He felt he lost everything. "I couldn't be dead because mom keeps talking to me and Mika keeps reading my favorite book to help me exit from the coma. I cannot give up and I will not give up. I will not let my family endure pain"
He got up and paced around. He tried to collect himself and said loudly to boost his energy and strength. "I'm not dead. I'm not dead! I'm still alive! I'm alive! He shouted over and over again until... a voice could be heard. "Yes my son, you are alive. Have the strength to beat this!". It was the voice of his mother. He knew that his mother is not strong and that to be able to telepathize with him, she needed to use every bit of strength she has.
"I will be strong. I will find my way out, he whispered. "I will not let my mother's effort, be futile." He stood up." I will not bring more distress to my family."
He looked at every inch of the room trying to find a single fault in the structure. It was a round structure, lined with mirrors to create confusion and delusion. More than 12 hours in a room like this, can make a person lose his mind, Tomo knew that so Tomo focused on finding a way before the time reached 12 hours. "I can do it," He gave himself a boost of confidence.
A sound of evil laughter could be heard. "I'm putting your brain to a test. Do you think a genius like you can defeat me? He laughed again, only this time it was kind of distorted that it was more like a growl. You're not the only genius. I too inherited the brain. you know you are just a soft jerk, trying to help everyone. But now it's my turn. The voice was becoming more distorted, so Tomo could barely hear each word. "Watch me become you!" The voice was so loud that he had to cover his ears.
He heard the last words clearly. This grey cloud-like smoke wants to become me, just like Jun and his electric static. Was it a part of Jun's actual plan? Is he part of the team? is he the leader of the pack? Or could it be that this was a different entity?
Tomo abruptly stands up, just in time to see the grey shadow trying to enter his rigid body. His body shook hard and all the wires and all the devices all went a-wire. Doctors came, trying to help Tomo regain his consciousness, but Tomo's dad via the monitor stopped them.
"No! Stop! That is not my son! If you help him. He will rule, and he will destroy all the good people here!" He said aloud. The hospital staff stopped at whatever they are doing.
There was another jolt as the grey cloud-like smoke tried to make the body react to his effort to enter it.
At that exact moment, Tomo can feel the heavy weight on his chest. He was unable to breathe. He tried the breathing exercise that Tiara taught him. It helped a bit. He leaned on his side, still able to see what was going on.
"Move the shell to the oxygen chamber. Now!" The voice of his father could be heard. The troopers held the shell so that it did not open, and pushed it in the direction of the chamber. A glass door slide open, and the shell was inside the chamber.
Tomo suddenly felt a wave of oxygen entering his body and he could breathe freely. He can even hear his father's commands. "Thank you father, I wouldn't have survived without you."
Then he heard another command. "Dave, get the blue balls. Dave took the blue balls, one from his left pocket and one from the right. "My pocket is the safest place. I guard it with my life." He explained when he saw the surprised look on Tomo's father's face. "And no one would try to find it there," he added.
Tomo's father smiled, acknowledging that Dave was right. In seconds, his face becomes serious again.
"Dave, bring the blue balls to the chambers. Put both on the oxygen pipe, right on the valve, one by one."
"Slowly ...," he said, as he saw dave hands tremble and almost dropped the ball.
"That's it. Keep it steady. A little bit more," he told Dave. When both blue balls were on top of the valve, he said "You have them now son, I can only assist you. The battle is yours to handle," he said softly as if all the energy in him has evaporated.
"Sir," said Dave. "Both blue balls have dispersed."
Tomo's father nodded. "I hope it has turned into vapor-like and reached Tomo's soul, and I hope he's able to handle it," he said to himself. He had guessed that Tomo might experience pain, but it was the only thing that could help for now.
The grey cloud-like smoke growled again as it tried to enter Tomo's body. And it did.
"Turn off the oxygen." Tomo's father made another command. The men instantly turned it off. In just seconds, Tomo's body was having a seizure because of the limited oxygen. The grey smoke was now out of the body and evaporates into the limited oxygen and vanished. Although making Tomo deprived of oxygen is risky, Tomo"s father knew that at least he was safe, for now.
The room was quiet, Not a sound could be heard. Each person is deep in their thought. No one dared to speak when they saw the grey cloud-like smoke vanishes into thin air. "What kind of enemy was that? It couldn't be the grim reaper. The grim reaper takes souls, not trying to enter a body." Questions were mumbled, but no answer was to be seen.
"the oxygen valve can be turned on again, so Tomo's body can heal better and his soul will not be deprived of oxygen." Tomo's father breathed deeply as if hoping it would helpTomo to breathe.
Breaking the mirror
At the same time when the grey smoke attempts to enter Tomo's body, Tomo can feel the heavy load on his chest. When it left and the oxygen valve was opened again, his soul which is trapped in the mirror room got additional oxygen from the valves. What he did not see was when dave put the blue balls inside the oxygen pipe and it evaporated through the valve, and the power and force of both blue balls are now inside him. Unlike Jun who wasn't able to receive the power and has to hold on to the blue balls for power, Tomo was different. He was able to receive the power of the blue balls, because unknown to him, he does have the seeds of telepathic ability.
At the time the power of the blue balls seeped in, he felt pain, excruciating pain, as if his body got ambushed. He tried not to scream to ease the pain, and as the power was already inside him, he felt his energy rises. He also felt that there was something different about him, though he cannot tell what it is, He just felt it.
By the time the pain eased, Tomo tried to stand up by putting his hands on the walls to balance his stance. He moved slowly while catching his breath.
It was a small room, but now the room seems even smaller. "I wasn't aware that this room is so small, or is it getting smaller? Tomo kneeled and scratched his nails to the floor, making an ear-hurting screeching sound. He wants to make sure if this room is really getting smaller. He tried to remove one part of the mirror, but it was too hard that he stopped what he was doing.
It was getting dark, and soon he couldn't see a thing so he decided to get some rest, but it was a restless dream that he got. in his dream, he saw a pair of hands like a person carrying a tray. But it was not a tray. it was him after he got attacked by the smoke. The hands put him down gently. Then he saw a blurry image of a mother and a toddler. They both smiled and although he couldn't hear what they were saying, he could read their lips "be brave Tomo. We will be with you."
"Tiara, is that you?" he asked in his dream. "Tiara..... Tiara ...," but the image had vanished. Tomo woke up, and said," thank you for helping me when I couldn't do anything to help you." he hoped Tiara could hear him,
He sat up, feeling very sad, and a feeling of remorse slowly sank in. "I tried to make everything right, but it seems the result is the opposite. I always make it wrong."
Light has started to stream into the room. He got up and was about to look at his condition through the glass when he saw that the glass was not there. The whole room is now mirrored. He kneeled to see if the room was getting smaller or not. It was. He saw that the walls are now just above the scratches that he made. "I'm right, the room is getting smaller to suffocate me."
He stood still, trying to hear if there are any familiar sounds. There was none. It was totally quiet until he heard a movement and the smell of something burned, something scorched. He tried to ascertain, what smell it was. And he realized it was the smell of a burnt house. It reminded him of when he was only 5 years old and saw a house burnt down. He could never forget this smell. "Could it be that the smoke was a burnt man? Why didn't I smell it before?" He hasn't got an answer yet when he heard a laugh, a terrifying laugh, an evil laugh so loud that he felt that his ear drum could be broken.
"You always try to analyze everything don't you? You think everything has a logical answer, don't you?" It was the same distorted growl he had heard before. Only this time he can hear the whole sentence. It seems the smoke can read his mind, because then he said, "Now you can understand what I'm saying. But now, you are the inferior one, and I am the superior. How does it feel to be inferior? It laughed again. Tomo pulled up his shirt to cover his nose as he is starting to feel the smell is unbearable.
"You insult me by covering your nose. How would you like to have a smell like mine? But first, I have to burn you!"
The laughter and the growling faded and Tomo started to feel the room getting hotter. He could hear from afar, his father said. "Cover him with a fire blanket. Tomo, get out of there, now! You have the power." Tomo screamed as Tiara did during the battle. He didn't really know why he did it, he just felt he had to.
His scream shattered all the mirrors into small pieces and he was out of the room. He felt the temperature was down, and no more hot amber was felt. He was no longer held captive, there are no mirror walls imprisoning him.
"Thank you father, for helping me again." He said it in his thoughts.
"Now you know you have the power to defend yourself. The blue balls are in you." Tomo can hear his father's voice in his mind.
"Thank you father, for everything."
He took a step forward and decided to take a piece of the mirror, hoping it could somehow be used as a weapon, as he doesn't have any. But he suddenly realized that his scream was able to destroy. This is a weapon and this made him remember that before the grey smoke was able to crush his heart, he vaguely heard a scream. It was almost like a child"s scream. "Do I now have the strength and ability to telepathize and to attack?" he asked himself.
"But I am in the form of a spirit. My body was still in the oxygen chamber, waiting for me to enter before the body lost its capabilities to endure and before his brain stopped working.
He decided to take a piece of the mirror, hoping it could somehow be used as a weapon, as he doesn't have any. But he suddenly realized that his scream was able to destroy. It means, his scream is now a weapon and this made him remember that before the grey cloud-like smoke was able to crush his heart, he vaguely heard a scream. It was almost like a child"s scream. But he didn't think more about it. He was more focused on how to beat the grey smoke and get out alive.
Only a few moments later, he began to have his doubts. "I know I have the power to telepathize and attack, but how could that help me? except getting me out of the mirror "
He tried to touch his arm, but his hands just went through it. I am not a person, and I am not an electric static. I'm not like Jun and the others. I am a spirit. And a newbie at that. "I'm a lost spirit, a soul without a shell. Will I, in the condition that I'm in, be able to look for the grey cloud-like smoke and defeat it?"
He walked, but not really walking. "I'm not flying either." It was as if he slides to walk. "First, I have to know where I am. There's not a single thing here. All are white and blue. White soft clouds and blue sky.
"Don't I even have to eat or drink?" He smiled to himself, and he looked at his hands, then his arms. I am neither transparent nor translucent. Ha ran his fingers through his hair, and then felt the skin texture of his face. I can feel myself. Have I now embodied?" Questions and more questions entered his mind.
"Theoretically, if I am now embodied, then it means that when I started to become more and more transparent, it means that time is running out for me, and I won't be able to enter my body again. So, it means, I have to find the grey smoke, wherever he is, defeat him, then I will enter my body."
After a few moments of silence, he said to himself, "How do you defeat a smoke? That's one thing I have to think of. There's nothing I can use to create a device." He took a deep breath. "One thing for sure, how do I hide from him before I am ready to outmatch him? I'm sure now he has found out that I escaped.
"Can I fly? " he said as he started to take off. like a plane taking off into the air. But after running, he didn't fly, he just fell headfirst. "Stupid idea".
"Maybe I can make myself invisible. Now, how do I do that? Should I hold my breath? he said while holding his breath. It failed.
It was then he saw the grey smoke heading towards him. "I need to be invisible," he said in his thoughts. and yes, he became invisible!" he laughed but seconds later he covered his mouth. "Can he hear my laugh?"
Everything seems like a mystery. Everything is unknown. And Tomo loves to solve mysteries. He kept quiet while trying to see where the smoke is heading. It seems like it's heading South. I'll wait a little bit more so he cannot feel my presence.
At the parallel time, Tomo's father was having a consultation with scientists and doctors, and all the elders. He wanted to get all information and knowledge, so he can summarize and find a way out to help Tomo. As every scientific and logical step seems to be heading to a dead end.
"Scientifically, we don't really know what happens when a person is in limbo or oblivion. But I think Tomo is not in oblivion, because we all remember him and our thoughts of him will stay. So if the theory is correct, the thoughts and feelings of people who care and love will work as a magnet for the spirit to come. Just like It is said that the love and thoughts from people who care can make him see the light in the tunnel. But what we aim to do is to bring the light to us," said a scientist who is also an elderly man
"Do you think the love and thoughts are strong enough to bring the light here?
"Yes, all of us love him and our thoughts will be with him, especially because every person in our community saw what Tomo did, how he fights to keep us safe. How he had endangered his life and how he was in the end, brutally defeated by the grey cloud-like smoke."
An elderly man moves forward, he was the keeper of the animals. "I just wanted to say that, according to the animal's cycle of life, they say, the animals say, I mean, that in ancient times, before the reincarnation begins, every spirit will come and visit the person, they love most, or the person they are indebted to. So they can find peace. I didn't mean to say that Tomo will then disperse, It is not that," he explained.
"What I meant is, that the person that he admired, and was indebted to, is the one that can be the biggest magnet for him to enter his body and wake up from his coma. And there's only one person who can do that..."
"Tiara. Isn't it?"
The old man nodded. "I had a heart-to-heart chat with Tomo, long before this incident. It seems that he was blaming himself for not trusting Tiara before everything was a mess. He even blamed himself for trusting those two villains. And though he did not say anything, I can feel that there is a special friendship bond between them. It was like as if they can finish each other sentences." The man moved backward to be among the crowd,
"Yes, thank you, Sir. I agree with you. I think that bond started when they were toddlers even though our family only met once."
"But excuse me, where is Tiara? It's not like her to abandon us, and not give help to Tomo," said an elderly lady. "We miss her and we miss Tomo," she said, wiping her tears.
Tomo's father thought this is the time to open up and tell the truth. He told them the outline of the truth of what had happened, so as to avoid any misjudgment or misunderstanding. He spoke about how Tiara was held captive and also how Tiara sacrificed herself so that Ryoma will not get away again, and also how she saved Tomo by putting him in the one-time-use pod, so he can come back to this planet while she cannot, and had to stay in that era.
Everyone gasped and most could not hold their tears.
"Sir," one person said. "Tomo and Tiara are both remarkable people. We are all indebted to them and we love them, so if there is anything we can do to help, Just say it! We will do everything in our might."
Murmuring voices of approval could be heard in the room. Tomo's father was really touched by their kindness.
"Thank you, thank you so much," was all Tomo's father could say, but his expression of gratefulness said it all.
A mystery game?
Tomo was still in hiding, in the sense of being transparent. "This time, I have to make a to-do list as I don't really know what or who I am up against. I feel like I'm a kid stuck in some sort of a new game, a game I've never played. Only this time, my life is at stake, I could die. Or... couldn't I? If I'm already dead, I couldn't die again, or... could I? Ah, silly me. I have too many riddles in my mind." Tomo laughed at his own silliness.
"I'd better head south to see where he's going." Tomo walks quietly. Why do I have to tiptoe? I'm transparent." Tomo kept talking to himself without speaking. It is just like a one-man comedy show.
He got to the very South but the grey smoke was nowhere to be seen. Where could he be? It was getting dark when Tomo noticed that he was not sleepy. "Does it mean that spirits don't sleep, eat or drink?" he asked himself and then said, so ... spirits are just like convenience stores, 24/7" he laughed at his own joke. "it's not funny Tomo, you're running out of time," he reprimanded himself.
"I know... I know," he said as if defending himself. "It's just because everything is beyond my knowledge and I have no one to talk to," Tomo made an excuse.
"Okay, enough of all this, I just have to go straight ahead until I see him. It's dark and I can't see," No more excuses Tomo, he reminded himself. By then, he felt something. He sensed that there is a dark force approaching. He moved a bit, getting out of the way of whatever it is that is approaching.
He even had difficulties moving sideways. "Why is it so hard for me to move? sometimes I feel like I'm as light as a feather so I couldn't control my moves but sometimes, I feel it is so heavy, that I can barely move." Tomo tried to move sideways, but couldn't. So he just stood there, but he could see nothing. The sound is now gone, but he did not see anything pass here. He was sure it was not the grey cloud-like smoke. "Should I worry about other dark beings? Does it mean that I and the grey cloud-like smoke are not the only ones here?
Tomo sat down, and as he had nothing to do after wandering around for hours, hoping to see anything, there was nothing. It was just an empty place.
He tried to use telepathy to talk to Tiara but failed and he felt his energy quickly running out. "My battery runs out quite fast. I should have gotten the alkaline battery," he joked to keep himself sane. "Well, I've got nothing to do except wait until morning, until the grey smoke appears again." He closed his eyes and focused his mind and he saw Tiara's mom with a toddler.
"Is that Tiara? he asked.
The mom didn't answer the question. she only shouted, "are you dead?"
"I don't really know. You're the one who should know. Can you contact my mother? he asked Tiara's mother for a favor.
"You are able to telepathize, so contact her," she said, " and continued," Your father is really an amazing genius. I can see that he combined both of the blue balls and sent them to you. So now you almost have the same power as Tiara."
"Yes, and he's a great father too."
"I hope you know how and when to use it,' she said.
"Don't worry, I've seen Tiara use it. I'll be careful. I will use it wisely."
"I can't believe I have the power to defend myself. But... if I'm dead, what is the use?"
"Stupid!' He said knocking his knuckle on his head. "Of course, even if I'm dead, I still have to protect the community. I don't want the smoke to destroy them". Tomo made a two-way communication with himself, and as he got bored, he practiced his ability to move an object. As there was nothing to practice with, so he practiced by moving his shard of mirror.
Bored of just moving the mirror, he took it and looked at it. As he looked into the mirror he could see nothing, no image of himself appeared. "I must be dead, he said. He flipped the mirror when realizing he looked at the wrong side was just in time for him to see the grey cloud-like smoke moving into a room and putting his hand on the mouth of an elderly lady. It was his aunt. He called and called to wake her, but it seems she did not hear him, and a moment later, she died.
Tomo couldn't help but cry. His aunt was always with them. She was his father's sister. He was about 16 years old at the time his aunt passed away. He remembered that his aunt's death was a mystery. The autopsy report mentioned that she inhaled too much smoke. But there was no fire, and Jonas, her son never appeared at the funeral. Tomo didn't know why. Jonas was about 5 years older than Tomo. His parents never told him, and he never asked.
To find an answer
Meanwhile, everybody starts to search for Tiara. Not only the scientists but everyone. This incident has made the community strong and rolled up into one. One big strength.
Tomo's father asked Dave to find his blueprint." The blueprint wasn't perfect and I asked Tomo to make it into perfection, with the hope that it can bring Tiara back. I hope you can find it for me."
In just a short while Dave found the blueprint and send it to Tomo's father.
He was aghast when he saw it. It could not be Tomo who made these kinds of changes. It must be the grey cloud-like smoke. He studied it again and checked for any traces of who had access to the blueprint, before the attack. The blueprint was clearly sabotaged.
"Dave, " he said as they were alone. "Who knows about the blueprint?"
"No one, Sir." Tomo kept it in a very special place that no one could open. Even I don't know anything about the blueprint. It was after the incident that I tried all combinations of words and numbers, to be able to contact you, to inform you about your son's condition." he explained. "Why do you ask?"
"I saw the blueprint. It was clearly sabotaged, and not by a very bright person."
"It couldn't be. "As I mentioned that I had a hard time, and it took me hours of trying because no one knows that you are Tomo's father. And for some who knew, they don't know your name, especially your first name.
"Did Tomo ever mention the cloud-like smoke?"
"Ummm... if I remember correctly, yes he did, but not in detail. He once said that he felt someone is watching him. So that is why, especially in connection with the investigation of the static, Tomo worked very hard to make a barrier for all of us. So static or not, it cannot possess our body. And he has perfected the ring that we all use. He also perfected the barrier so nothing could come in or leave this planet."
Dave added, "But that evening, I knew the barrier was already perfected and working. We thought that he had won as he has defeated Jun and his static friends. They tried to enter our bodies, but because of the ring, it was impossible. Thanks to Tomo."
"So it was a real shock to us when this grey smoke appeared. It seems that it was able to penetrate the barrier," he added.
I also had a talk with an elderly, and she said, the grey smoke made her scared to the bones. She saw the eyes and saw that it only wanted to kill Tomo. Not just to hurt him, or held him captive, and it didn't even try to enter his body either."
Both were silent. Until ... "Dave, do you think it is possible that the grey smoke was already inside and so it couldn't get out because of the barrier? Not because the barrier is not perfect, but just the opposite. It was so perfect that the grey smoke couldn't get out. even if he wanted to.
"It could be. I can check on the exact time. he browsed his monitor and shared the result. "I spoke to Tomo before he finished the barrier. That's when he mentioned the shadow, so it could mean that the grey smoke went in when the barrier haven't been perfected yet. And this data shows that the attacks happened after the barrier was perfected.
"Sir, are you assuming that the smoke unintentionally got stuck here because of the barrier? Is that why the lady said that he wanted to kill Tomo because he's the one who made it?"
"Or it could be that he did it on purpose and Tomo was his target. he answered. "That is just my hunch. It could be wrong, so better not mention it before I am really sure."
"Yes, Sir, you can count on me."
"I know son, Tomo told me how he trusted you.
The next day, as the light can be seen, Tomo tried to walk the same path as yesterday. He heads south, to see how he could have missed the grey smoke. Just as he neared the place where he last saw the grey smoke, he saw it again. But this time it was standing only a couple of meters in front of him. But then it vanished. Tomo tried to run after him but he bumped hard into something and fell. Tomo quickly got up to check what made him fall. There was nothing that he could see. He extended his arms, and with the palm of his hands, he could feel something, a transparent glass-like wall.
A growl and a laugh could be heard from behind him. Tomo turned around to see the grey smoke. It then laughed, and said, "now you know how it feels to be in a room, so small that you cannot lie down. All you can do is rest your back on the wall while hugging your knees."
Tomo felt his body being moved forcefully to the position he mentioned. The grey cloud-like smoke laughed a distorted laugh again.
"Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?" Tomo asked with a steady voice.
"Take a guess. You're supposed to be a genius. Yet you can't even guess?" He growled a ferocious growl.
"Are you so scared that you cannot answer my question?" Tomo asked in an intimidating voice.
"You're the one who's scared. You even used to be scared of heights huh? You're so sissy you couldn't even play soccer." He growled ferociously.
"Even now, you're still a sissy. Your father is trying to save you, but he can't do anything as time is running out for you." He laughed while turning his back to leave.
"You know what, I don't mind being here. While you have done nothing more except pester me. You couldn't enter my body and time is running out for you too, right?
It turned to look at Tomo. His eyes got even reddish as he stopped.
"Want to know how I know?" asked Tomo. " I'll tell you. You walk slower and those red eyes become even redder especially when you're in a rage. And rage means you use up your energy quicker. You are exactly like the batteries of my toys. The longer you play with your toys The quicker your batteries run out." Tomo laughed to make him angrier. He growled and left. Tomo couldn't stop it, as he was confined in a limited space and could not even move.
Tomo sat still in that small space. "Who is he? Why does he hate me so? I don't think I have enemies..... but it could be someone who only pretends to be your friend, to manipulate you, and to be taken advantage of, as Ryoma and Jun did. He took a deep breath, remembering those unfateful days.
Tomo got so angry at himself that he shouted at the top of his voice to release his anger. He never thought that his anger could make the wall glass break until all the glass broke. He covered himself with his arm to avoid the shattered glass until all is quiet.
He looked around, but not a shard of glass was to be seen. He squatted to pick up one, but to his surprise, there is none. " Is this all my imagination?" He looked for other traces, but there were none. " Or could it be that the grey smoke built an imaginary glass, and I thought of it as real? Is it only a dream? How can a dream be so vivid? He took another closer look at the ground. There was nothing. Not even a tiny piece, that could make a difference between a dream and reality.
All of a sudden, he felt an excruciating pain in his chest, which reminded him of when the smoke tried to rip off his heart. He couldn't breathe. Just then he heard the sound of an alarm.
In his sight, Tomo could see everyone was busy trying to save him. He saw the grey smoke pushing his arms to his chest. He saw the rage on the blurry face of the smoke as it couldn't get his arms into his body. Tomo can see that it has no intention to possess him. He can see that it is targeting to rip off his heart. And he could feel the same excruciating pain as before and before he passed out, his thoughts were, " I have seen him before...
A back step into a memory
The grey smoke was totally outraged when he saw troopers and doctors were still on guard. He thought everyone who was on duty to watch over Tomo in the oxygen chamber would be asleep, as it was already 02 am.
As he tried to make a move, he was attacked by a young trooper. And this made all the troopers on guard on alert, so when he threw the trooper to the ground, it raised an alarm. He could only growl and attacked more troopers, and his attempt to rip off Tomo's heart was in vain.
As the smoke let go of Tomo's body, Tomo can feel himself breathe, and moments later, he passed out.
He woke up as the light started to disappear. He felt his body getting weaker.
He looked around, but the grey cloud-like smoke was nowhere to be seen. He tried to control his breathing. His mind went back to the time he was in the mirror room. He could pick up a shard of mirror. It was real or at least, it felt real.
The second time, it was a glass wall. But this time, he couldn't pick up any piece of glass, as there were none. "Could it be that he couldn't affect my mind like before or is it that I'm getting weaker?
Tomo's mind starts to work, as he felt that time is of the essence. And without noticing it, his hands started to move the way Tiara's hand did.
At first, He focused his mind and imagined that he was picking up an apple. He moved his hand as if he was picking an apple from a tree, but it was not an apple that he got. He only picked up a handful of clouds. He did it over and over again, and maybe for a hundredth time, he, at last, was able to pick up an apple, exactly like what was in his mind.
"I finally did it, I did exactly what I had in mind. I made no mistake this time. Maybe now I can make a reversal." with that, he relaxed. He let his mind travel in time with his memories.
In his vision, he was just a small boy following a bigger boy.
"Go home. Don't follow me"
"But I want to play," Little Tomo said.
"I don't play with nerds. You can't even kick a ball, he said, not even turning to look at the little boy.
"I ....can. Look, I can! I have practiced...."
"Get out of here! Go father's boy!"
Tomo was confused with his vision. He wasn't aware that the little boy was himself. he thought, "What a strange vision .... Why did he say father's boy?" Most would usually say daddy's boy.
He went quiet. His mind tried to arrange all the puzzle pieces in his mind Did I know him? Could it be that he is the grey cloud-like smoke? Did it know me?"
His mind went back to the first moment he felt he saw the grey cloud-like smoke and up to the last time at the hospital when it tried to rip Tomo's chest again. At this moment, he became aware that he did not really pay attention to what the grey smoke said. As he recalled, he thought he heard the word 'inherited'. He clearly heard the word 'father'.
He sorted out the puzzle piece by piece for hours until it was dark again, and Tomo was drowsy. The same dream or vision of when he wanted to play with a bigger boy, was repeated. Only this time, the boy pushed the small boy to the ground.
"Go, run and cry father's boy," the bigger boy said. Then he laughed out loud. The same laugh as the grey cloud-like smoke, only not as spine-chilling and intimidating or distorted as the grey smoke."
Tomo got up startled. He was totally taken aback. He was now starting to get an image of who this grey smoke is. He remembered his toddler and younger years. It couldn't be. It's impossible."
His mind went back to the times when he started to really remember things...
Tomo was 5. He used to want to play with JJ, a nickname for Jason, but JJ always refused. JJ got angry every time Tomo nags about wanting to play. "Don't bother me." Day to day, he got even grumpier. He often heard the thumping noise and crashes which sounded like plates being thrown.
He would hear disputes, and angry conversations between JJ, his father, and his aunt. "I don't even remember his father. In fact, I've never even seen him, I think." Tomo tried to recollect his memories. And there was one he remembered vividly. It was when he overheard JJ's mother say in between sobs, "Why can't you be like Tomo or uncle? Why do you take after your father?"
"I don't want to be like the nerd. I want to be a man like my father."
"Your father is not a man. He's a monster."
"Then I will be a monster," he shouted
It was not long after that, his aunt and JJ moved. Tomo didn't really remember exactly when his aunt moved. He remembered that his aunt hugged him lovingly, and said," I love you like you're my own son." Tomo remembered answering," love you more, come back soon." and hugged her back. It was the saddest moment of his life at this time since he knew how stressed and sad his aunt was.
But the saddest moment came later. It was when his aunt died. And JJ was never to be seen again. His parents have contacted the police and even searched for him themselves. But JJ was nowhere to be seen. He also remembered how he and Mika put Missing Person signs on the streets.
What he certainly remembers is that his father said, "always know where you are going, never get distracted by the gravel on the side of the road"
"At first, I don't really know what he meant at first, though I never exactly asked him to the point. But later on, I understood that the gravel he meant was JJ, who dropped out of school and has gone into drugs and petty thefts. I was then, too much interested in science, to get distracted."
Tomo remembered, even though living in the same house, he rarely saw JJ. "Maybe he's rarely at home, especially since almost every day he had an argument with JJ's mother. "I miss my aunt." Tomo sighed, remembering the moments he had with his aunt. The beautiful memories made him drowsy and exhausted.
At the same moment, it was also late at night at the hospital. "You've got to rest Sir. You haven't really slept well in weeks. At least just for tonight. We need you to be in the best condition when Tomo is really in need of help," Dave tried to persuade Tomo's father.
"You're right, I know I'm not young anymore. But please, inform me of anything. anything at all. "
"I will sir. the troopers and I will keep watch here." And they did. They're really taking a close watch on Tomo. So did the doctors and nurses. The community helps by providing food and refreshment. They also voluntarily do the laundry and house cleaning for they know that the hospital staff has got their hands full, and so do the troopers, who barely took any rest.
The community truly has become one. They did everything without expecting rewards or compliments. They did it from the depth of their hearts.
At 9 o'clock the next morning, Tomo's father still hasn't shown up on the monitor. Everybody in the room was starting to get worried. They kept glancing at the clock on the wall.
At 9.30 the monitor turned on. Tomo's father saw the worried faces. "I'm sorry. I overslept. I didn't realize that I was exhausted. Sorry for making you all worried."
He bowed, the Japanese way. As Tomo's father was Japanese by birth.
He at once looked at Tomo's body condition, which was almost totally healed. He was thankful that the physiotherapist came every day to prepare Tomo's body for when he woke up from his coma.
He checked with Dave concerning the safety of the community.
"I think that the grey smoke has a different intention than Ryoma or Jun," Dave uttered his gut feeling.
"That's also what I felt," said Tomo's father agrees.
"I remember his first attack. We were all there. Tomo told us not to get involved because he didn't want any casualties and he felt he could handle it. His feelings were correct until the grey smoke came. He came after Tomo after Tomo defeated Jun's team. We were all there. He walked straight to Tomo. It seems that Tomo was the target."
"I watched the attack over and over, trying to get a clue or something. Although the face was blurry, I feel that I know this person from somewhere. If he attacks Tomo because of me, I could never forgive myself."
"Why would anyone have a grudge against you? You're all about humanity and kindness," Dave argued.
"Well, who can tell? maybe they hated me for that, or it could be for other reasons, like when I only took the good people during the catastrophe on earth."
"But can you point to those who have a grudge against Tomo or your family?" "Until now, I have no idea, because I focus on Tomo and on the blueprint, but I think for now I should focus on trying to find out who has the grudge."
While 's father thought about the person that has so much grudge, Tomo 'contacted' his father, as he felt that his father was on the same wavelength as him, trying to be sure as to who is responsible for this damage.
"I'm still hanging around," Tomo answered his father's question" how are you?"
"I think I know who the grey cloud-like smoke is, although I hope I am wrong," Tomo went on.
"Who is it?" his father got impatient to know who it was.
"I think it's JJ." When I saw the blurry face, I thought I recognized him. And when I try to collate the puzzle pieces, from my vision, from what he said to me, I'm almost 100% sure it was him.
"Yes, it also crossed my mind."
"But... but why? I remembered how we tried to find him after he and his mother left. I remember how Mika and I put up the posters and asked around to find anybody that has seen him." He heaved a deep breath. "And why didn't he come to the funeral or come back to his house or come to see us?"
"He mentioned in anger, that I'm not the only one who inherited the brains. He was also full of hatred when he spoke of you, father."
His father cast down his eyes. " I understand that you have lots of questions. I will tell you everything that happened in detail and answer all your questions when you're back here.
"But for now, to save up your energy, I should tell you that it is I and your aunt that he hated. Maybe, as he couldn't find me, he used you to get back at me. He was a troubled child ever since he was a toddler. He showed signs of manic depression symptoms like his father."
"He looks like a good man when he met your aunt. Unfortunately, after a couple of times dating, he showed his true self. Your aunt tried to cut off the relationship and he raped her. He was apprehended by the police, your aunt got a new identity and we moved to a new home."
"I tried to do everything to stop JJ from growing up to be like his father. But I failed. I'm sorry son."
"No father. It's not your fault. We know that no one can change one's nature and character naturally. It's in the blood, as people used to say. We just have to try to handle him by using this knowledge," Tomo said wisely. "Oh father, I've been wanting to ask you for some time. How did aunt die? In my vision, the gry clod-like smoke killed her. Does it mean that JJ killed her?"
"There was no concrete evidence, but your aunt died because her lungs were filled with smoke, just like the smoke from a burning building, but at that time, the police couldn't find any traces of smoke. So it was always a mystery."
"Do you think JJ might have killed her?"
"I felt sure he did it. As you know, JJ was killed in a house fire, He was under the influence of heavy drugs, so he never knew that the house was on fire. The fire department manage to put out the fire before it reached JJ. But he was dead because of inhaling the smoke, and he was also OD, which made him couldn't save himself."
"That's why you always told me not to get distracted."
"Yes, it was a traumatic experience. Your mother was devastated when she knew he died. We just don't want the same thing happening again."
"It won't father. You can see that Mika and I have grown up well."
"You are right. We'll be here for you. Good luck son,"
Their communication stopped as they both know that Tomo's energy was decreasing.
While Tomo rested to fill in his energy, Tomo's father informed Dave that he will be there tomorrow morning.
"Are you sure it would be safe for you sir?" asked Dave, feeling rather worried.
"Yes, I am. It's not fair that he took his rage to Tomo, while the one he hated was his mother and me. He succeeded in murdering his mother. And I'm the one whom he hasn't eliminated."
"I have to prepare. Keep the communications open, and when I give you the signal, open the barrier for only 5 seconds. That is all I need to be inside the barrier."
"I will sir. Good luck."
Dave had his team ready and waited anxiously for the signal to come.
At daybreak, the signal came. There was no verbal communication, so as to avoid being heard by the grey cloud-like smoke. The barrier was opened, and the ticking sound of the seconds could be heard loudly in the silence of dawn. It felt as if it was a lifetime as they waited for the five seconds to end. Then it did, and the barrier was closed again.
They heaved a sigh of relief, as they saw Tomo's father had arrived safely.
'Please, not a word to anyone that I'm here. Especially not Tomo," he said to the team." he said, "and I need a well-devised room," he added. The team got to work to fulfill his request.
In only minutes, he was seated in his room and locked himself in.
Dave had the hunch that he would do this, so Dave had set up a backup plan without Tomo's father knowing. He knew that Tomo wouldn't want his father to sacrifice himself for him. And Dave knew that it was what his father had in mind. To sacrifice himself. Dave remembered when Tomo's father said, 'I would never forgive myself ....'
Tomo sat down to re-energize himself, but he knew that time is running out for both him and JJ, as he saw that only half of him could embody. At that exact moment, he could feel two dark shadows flowing past him. He didn't feel threatened by their presence. He felt that it was JJ that they were keeping an eye on.
He tried to focus on the two shadows, to try and communicate. And he did. He got an answer. "Time is almost up. Defeat him and you'll return."
Tomo was thankful and felt beholden, although he actually don't know how to defeat something which has no life-being, and only an evil spirit.
Then something caught his mind. Could the 2 shadows be the soul seeker, waiting to take away JJ when the time's up? Tomo could wait until the time comes, but what if his life energy is lower than JJ's, then it means he would end up dead before JJ, and it meant JJ won. " I don't want that. He killed his own mother!" he snapped. "Besides, the dark shadows said I should defeat him, and that is what I'm going to do," he said to boost his confidence.
He waited on the south side. Waiting for JJ to appear.
As JJ appeared, Tomo was ready behind him. He stood up, calling his name. "JJ".
The grey cloud-like smoke turned around. It can be seen from his blurry face and embodied reaction, that he was shocked to hear his name.
After a couple of seconds, he seems to regain himself.
"Ah, so now you remember me?
Tomo didn't answer his question., instead he said," I waited for you to come home. Mika and I slept at your house for a month after your mother passed away. We put up missing-person posters. We looked for you. When I was little, I remembered how much I wanted to play with you. I wanted you to teach me how not to be a nerd..... " Tomo's voice softened.
The grey cloud-like smoke slowly embodied into JJ. "Yes, you were always bothering me," he said not in an angry voice, it even showed a tinge of softness, as he remembered the fun times when Tomo was always behind him, trying to make him play.
Tomo moved closer to JJ so that JJ would feel his sincerity. "Where did you go JJ?" he asked. Tears start to wet his cheeks. "Since elementary, I've always thought of you as the cool guy, like on television. I wanted to be cool, but you never showed me how. So I've always been this nerd."
JJ didn't answer his question, instead, he told Tomo that he killed his mother, because, to her, Tomo is her beloved one. Not him, her own son.
"I couldn't stand it. She always compared me to you. I know it's not your fault. You didn't even know. You even told me that you wanted to be like me. It meant the whole world to me hearing you say that, you know."
"I'm really glad you felt that way because it's the truth. I never wanted to be a nerdy person. I always see you as the cool guy, whom I can never be." Tomo sniffed. "As you can see me now."
The atmosphere changed. It was as if they were both back in time to their youthful years, young again. Tomo was still a young boy who looked up to JJ. And JJ actually likes to play the part of a cool young man in front of Tomo.
"I was not what you think I was," JJ admitted. "I had a mental illness. I handled it the wrong way. I got caught in drugs and the wrong circle of friends. My mother never accepted who I am. Your father tried to treat me, to make me a better person." his voice was becoming to be a growl. And the youthful atmosphere dispersed and changed into a fiery red sky.
Tomo knew that JJ's anger was mounting up. But he didn't step back. He stayed where he was. He wanted to show JJ that he was not lying, that what he uttered was the truth.
The growl became more fierce as JJ started to change into the grey cloud-like smoke. Tomo could even feel the heat and the suffocating smoke, not to mention the burnt smell.
"My mother and your father never accepted me as who I am. My mother hated me because I looked like my father and had the same illness. I reminded her too much of him." he growled as if in pain and full of anger. "But I wanted a father, who loves me for who I am. I thought your father will become my father, but it will never be because your father hates me"
"Your father tried to change me. He's afraid that I would be a bad influence on you and Mika. Everyone thought of him as a good samaritan, which wasn't true. He just couldn't stop making me his guinea pig. At a younger age, I did everything for him. I never refused. I wanted him to be my father, and to treat me like his own son. My mother and he are related. He's my uncle by blood. So he could as well be my father."
His voice became more and more distorted and it is hard to hear clearly. "Mika was no genius. He can accept that. Why can't he accept who I am? Why? I'm still his nephew by blood. I'm not responsible for what my father did. Why can't he let go of the past and accept me for what I am?"
Tomo could sense the pain inside JJ and tried to ease it by conveying through his mind and feeling, that he understood and forgave him. The hot fire seems to ease, but at that time his father showed up. He must have found a way to reach them, but showed up at the wrong time. Or was he dead? Tomo was shocked and furious that his father might even think of doing that.
The anger in JJ flared again. It became even hotter this time. He wasn't JJ anymore. He was an angry spirit. he growled, "Why did you come? Do you want me to destroy you? Or did you come to beg forgiveness?" he growled while trying to get his hands on Tomo's father, but Tomo stopped him. Before the grey cloud-like smoke could make another swing, Tomo's father spoke in a steady voice. "Yes, I beg for your forgiveness." He then kneeled and bowed. he asked for forgiveness in a real Japanese way. JJ was starting to cool down a bit as he never thought that Tomo's father would do the Japanese traditional way of asking forgiveness, as he felt that he is only half Japanese since his father was American. " I never think of you as a guinea pig. I was only trying to help you to heal so that in the future, you can be happy, so you don't get depressed. I always thought of you as my other son, although I never showed it.
His words didn't help JJ to feel better. It just made him angrier, as he thought Tomo's father was just making excuses. So sadly though, the calm JJ doesn't last long. Seconds later the grey cloud-like smoke began to dominate him. His deep-down anger which had been embedded in him surfaced again.
As he was about to attack Tomo's father when Tomo stepped in front of his father and put his arm in a defensive position to ward off his attack. Tomo saw that the grey smoke was becoming dimmer, and the cloud almost vanished. Tomo knew that if he attacks, then it would decrease his energy quickly so he decided just to defend himself and his father.
He signaled his father to stay far from them, and both saw him disappear. JJ growled very loud as he know that he couldn't get to Tomo's father anymore. Tomo tried to provoke him. he knew by doing so, he will decrease JJ's energy quickly and maybe there was still time for him to wake up.
The grey cloud-like smoke attacked Tomo again and again, and his energy was running low. But Tomo's energy was getting even lower. It was at that time, the voice of Tomo's mother could be heard. "JJ, I know you had a hard time. I'm sorry I did not defend you as hard as I should have, but you are always in my heart." she spoke with love.
"I loved the times when as a child you always ran and hugged me every time I came home. I loved having you sit on my lap while I read a book of The Animal Jungle for you." Tomo's mother's voice was so sincere and could be felt that it truly came from the heart. "Although we are not blood-related, I felt you are my first child, Tomo's brother."
The atmosphere changed again. This time, it showed when Tomo's mother prepared the bear-faced sandwich that JJ loved. it was a thick sandwich, filled with cheese, an omelet, and a thick beef patty, and the sandwich was then cut in the shape of a bear's face. then put two eyes, cut from green olives and a red pepper's mouth. Then she waited until JJ finished it, took him to bed, and read a storybook until he fell asleep. JJ realized that even when he was already sleeping, Tomo's mother would look him up and kiss him on the forehead.
Then the atmosphere changed to when he disappeared and never came home. He could see Tomo's mother sitting alone on his bed, tears trickling. "Why didn't you come to me?" she asked. "I waited for you. I felt that I died inside me, not knowing where you are."Tomo's mother wiped her tears. "Why did you have to leave? I begged your mother not to take you away from me. I missed you so much every day."
The atmosphere changed again. This time, no anger could be felt. There was no grey cloud-like smoke. Only a greyish-white cloud surrounds JJ. The atmosphere showed Tomo's mother regularly visiting his grave, bringing flowers and also his favorite chocolate shake. She sat down for hours, talking to him even when she knew it would only be a one-way communication.
On hearing her voice and listening to what she said, the grey cloud-like smoke gradually changed into a white cloud. JJ came to Tomo's mother and hugged her. No words need to be said, and the white cloud became a white light and slowly vanished. Tomo's mother smiled knowing that JJ is now in a good place. She nodded to Tomo. It's time we go home now, and all of a sudden, he felt as if he was sliding downwards on a slider .....
Waking up
Tomo's father opened his eyes. He was not in the room anymore. He was on a bed. Dave was sitting on a chair beside him. "You really made a mess of things, didn't you?" Dave said.
"Lucky I know what you had in mind. So I contacted Tomo's mother and told her everything. She was an amazing woman. It's because of her, everything went well."
"Everything? How's Tomo?"
"He's still not awake yet, but his vital signs showed that he is not in a coma anymore."
Tomo's father staggered to Tomo's side. He was not using the breathing apparatus anymore, and he is out of his shell. He seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
"Why hasn't he awake?"
"We don't know yet, said one doctor. "Theoretically he should have. Unless he doesn't want to or he somehow lost his way."
"Is it because of me that he got distracted?"
"Don't blame yourself, sir. Maybe he was just sleeping, after having been in a coma for a long time."
Tomo's mother told us everything and she saw Tomo sliding downwards until she couldn't see him anymore so she is certain that he is not in limbo or a 'nowhere' place anymore.
"I can't believe Tomo lost his way," Tomo's mother said through the monitor. "He is not the type to get distracted or sloppy. It's just not him. There must be a reason... something... but what?"
"I agree. Tomo is precise and analytical. So if he wasn't asleep, then he must have felt he's got a mission on his hands."
On the side of the slider, he saw his aunt. That's when he decided to stop. I see your mother has helped JJ to cross over. I'm here to repay her kindness and to tell you that I have never forgotten you. Maybe you wondered why we rarely talk. It's not because I don't want to. I wanted it so much. But JJ was always angry whenever I talked to you. He even threatened to beat you up. That's why I moved. I didn't want him to hurt you. I could never tell if it was a real threat or not since he was mentally unstable. I always pray that you will grow up into a kind-hearted boy. And I see that you did. I was o happy." His aunt smiled happily.
"But then I see you sad, as you lost Tiara, your true friend. It hurts me to see you that sad, so I'm going to take you to the way you can see her. That's the least I can do. The time is prior to the earth's deadly catastrophe." She held Tomo's hand and shifted from the slider. Tomo became aware that he was not at the slider anymore and was at a crossroads. This is where I had to leave you. I'm sure you'll find your way."
"If you feel obliged to meet your parents first, do that but only for less than a minute, for if not, you won't be able to come back here."
"I love you Tomo," she said while waving to him.
"I love you more, aunt. Thank you," he answered. He saw her move gradually to a very bright tunnel. He can feel her happiness.
It was almost 12 hours later when Tomo finally opened his eyes and sat on his bed. But he looked as if he was not awake. "I had a vision. I have to follow it. It was not something good. I had to do something before it actually happened."
"What is it? What did you see?" Dave asked.
"Tiara. Prior to the earth catastrophe. I have less than one minute to get there."
"I had to do something," and Tomo drifted to a deep sleep.....