Tomo was somewhere .....
It could be a dream or it could be a state of oblivion. He didn't really know where he was.
He was standing at a dark crossroads. There were only two lighted streets. One is the bright lighted street that he felt was the way back to his body, and two are unlighted roads, which meant it's restricted, He remembered his mother said, "Never choose the dark road, as it will bring you to the darkness. "The last one was a dimly lit road. As he walked to it, he heard a voice saying, if you chose that road, you will only have 6 hours, before the road to enter your own, is closed,
"6 hours and the minute is counting. Could I be right? Could this be the way to find out about Tiara and how I can take her back to her own time?" Tomo said while turning on the timer for 5 hours and 45 minutes. A little extra minutes, just in case he got into trouble.
Tomo hold his breath and let go as soon as he entered. There was a dim light far away. He walked towards it, and suddenly he was in a beautiful green meadow, like in the countryside. It was spring. He could see colorful flowers on the window sill of most shops. I've never been to a beautiful place like this. He could feel the fresh air and the wind rustling in the trees. The sky's blue with fluffy white clouds. Birds are chirping. There are butterflies on the beds of colorful flowers. Green grasshoppers jump from one rice straw to the other.
Contacting Tiara
"This is the kind of place that Tiara loves. Is this place for real? It's like books of nature or something, or it is like a picture book. He couldn't stop admiring it. He stopped., and thought, "how would I recognize her? How would I recognize her? I don't even know her last name. I couldn't just come up and say I'm looking for Tiara, Jeez, I was too excited, that's why I was not thorough. Lesson learned." Tomo reminded himself.
He saw a big stone on the side street and decided to sit down and try to contact Tiara. He failed a couple of times until he had a vision of a small cottage, hidden behind densely grown trees, outside this small town. His sight spans the small town. Only a small number of people could be seen. The young people are clad-in clothes like Tiara's clothes that Ann found. "This must be the place, I'm sure of it."
"Tiara ..." he whispered as he saw a little girl standing in front of a dairy shop. Two bottles of milk were in the basket that she carried. "Fresh milk, Tiara's favorite. That's Tiara, I'm sure of it. I don't know how I knew, but I'm sure she's Tiara. Her eyes, I would have noticed it anywhere." Tomo said to himself. He felt happy and excited.
He abruptly stood and walked hurriedly until he stopped. How do I talk to her? An unknown adult man cannot just say hi to a little girl. People would become suspicious, and maybe even called the police. He closed his eyes, trying to telepathize. Hoping, maybe at this age Tiara has already got the ability to hear.
"Tiara, I am Tomo. Do you remember me?"
Tomo could see that Tiara was startled. It meant that she can hear him.
"Can you wait there, I need to speak to your mom. Can you please call her for me? Tell her it's Tomo." Tomo felt his heart beat fast. He was excited and impatient. It was certainly not like Tomo to be like this.
He could see that Tiara was scanning him. "Please remember, Tiara, it's me, Tomo. It's okay if you don't remember me, but I'm not a bad guy, trust me," he begged her.
Then she said, "I will tell her that you wanted to see her here."
Tomo sighed. "Even though she did not recognize me, at least I had a chance to talk to her, even only for a very short time. At least I know she is safe and she can hear me." He smiled a big smile and started to skip and walk to and fro, just like a small child waiting for his three-tiered ice cream cone.
After regaining his composure, Tomo walked quickly to reach the town. A couple of heads turned as he was not a familiar face and he didn't have any kind of vehicle, and the nearest town seems to be quite far.
"Hello, do I know you?" a middle-aged lady greets him.
"I don't think so," Tomo said. He knew that this lady was curious. "I hitched a hike to get here, and when I saw that the bus timetable is still at 11 am, I decided to get a cup of hot chocolate before I continue.
"Ah, so you're heading to Riverdale?"
"Yes ma'am, I am, "he said, feeling grateful that she mentioned the name of the next town. Never crossed his mind, that this woman was testing him.
"Tomo, you always forgot a name. It's Rivergreen," A plump woman with greyish hair, which he had known as Tiara's mom, got there, in time to save him.
"Ah yes, it is always hard for me to remember names." He nodded politely to the woman.
"Come, young man, let's have that hot chocolate." They turned and walk to the dairy shop where he saw Tiara. It was a nice cozy cafe, where they serve freshly made ice cream and coffee.
"Thank you," he whispered, as they were out of hearing range. "And, oh, I'm not Tiara's mom. I am actually her grandmother, though she called me mom. I thought you have always known, but I can see from your surprised look that you just knew about it."
Tomo gaped. so he and his parents were wrong all this time. "Are you that shocked? she said laughingly. "Yes, my parents and I always thought you are her mother, and because we never see her parents. He was just about to laugh when he saw Tiara. He gaped again. It was such a long time not seeing her. Although she was still small, he could see Tiara's aura inside her.
"Stop gaping, or you will scare her," Tiara's mom laughed to cover up.
"I see you've met my mom."
"Yes, you must be Tiara."
She nodded and sat down on the high chair, with her back towards him. A big glass of milk stood in front of her.
Her mother seated herself at a table for two. Tomo had to sit in front of her.
"So how are you Tomo?"
"Not so good. I have only," he looked at his timer. "4 hours and 40 minutes left."
"I felt something bad is going to happen, so while I'm still in a state of oblivion. I decided to come. I hope I have come to the right place. I really need to take Tiara back."
"Back where?"
"Back to her time. I mean, she shouldn't be here."
"I agree, she shouldn't be here. living her childhood life twice, but are you sure that taking her back is the right thing?"
Mom saw the confusion on Tomo's face.
"Listen Tomo, bad things happen. Just like what happened to earth a couple of times. Most of the time, there is nothing you can do about that. It's destiny. The people did not care about their environment, the nature, and they took everything for granted, so why would nature and the universe care for them? We all have to face it. With that experience, individuals will grow into strong people," she sighed. "We can only hope that there are still parts of the world where it is safe and still have the natural habitat, so it can be the starting point to rebuild the world."
"My...my ... Tomo. You can't wait for me to stop talking. You really can't fake your expression, Tomo. It showed that you are in a hurry to get out of here since your time is limited, but instead I'm talking about saving the earth," she laughed. "Try to use your heart and feelings. Incidents often happen beyond logic."
"You are now worried and confused. You wanted to take Tiara back with you, but you don't know how. So you took a chance to see her, to see her safe, in the hope that it will ease your guilt a little bit."
"Yes, I can't forgive myself for being weak, so she had to sacrifice herself for me, again and again."
"Put your guilt aside. You came here because you follow your heart. Not because of your logical thinking. If you want Tiara to be where she was before, to be in her real-time, then you must have a clear head and a clear heart. Remember, you are not in a good condition, so you must heal yourself, then start to help her get back to her real-time life."
"How do I do that?" Tomo sat straight and leaned over expecting her to give him the answer.
"I cannot answer that. You have to figure it out yourself. Sharpen your feelings. Try to hear what your heart says." she answered. "Not everything has a sense of logic. Often we have to believe in our inner self, to really hear what our heart says. One thing for sure though, "You'll just have to be patient, to wait and see and observe with your heart."
"Now, come to our house. See in detail and thorough, and feel with your heart. Come let's go home, Tiara," she held Tiara's hand and walked side by side. Tiara jumped down from the high chair and looked at him closely.
"Do I know you, sir?" she asked.
"You will later on," Tomo said. He surprised himself hearing the answer. if it was the old Tomo, he would say," It's me Tomo, don't you remember me?"
He smiled, maybe this is what Tiara's grandmother meant. I have to be wiser. Tomo didn't look at his timer again.
A peaceful home
The house is just on the outskirts of town. The green meadows and the yellow daffodils made Tomo wonder if Tiara would ever want to leave this place. What if taking her back is wrong? What if this is destiny that shouldn't be changed?
Tomo went into a cozy and welcoming living room. A fireplace stood in the corner. A couple of family pictures on the mantlepiece. Two pictures of Tiara with her parents, one with her grandmother, and another picture of Tiara sitting on her bed. The bedroom was exactly like the bedroom that he designed for her new home. He couldn't believe his eyes. He lifted the picture. It was exactly the same. How on earth could it be the same? he's never even seen her bedroom before.
He admitted in his heart, that there is no logic in this." Have I been here before?" He asked, trying to put some sense in this. "If I've been here, so maybe I remembered, that's logical."
"Alright, there's always a logical reason, if you put your mind to it. But Tomo, besides thinking logically, just try to once in a while, use your feelings."
"That's Tiara's room. I'm sure you recognize it. I can see that you can still see with your heart. Tiara's mom smiled knowingly, and continued, "Feelings of guilt and blaming oneself will become a burden and if you don't throw away the burden, it will forever be a part of you. A sad, pathetic, grumpy person." She turned away and said, "let's have dinner".
That's when Tomo realized that time flew fast. Is it already dinner time? Tomo looked at his timer it was still hours left. He has only been there for at least 15 minutes or half an hour. But it is now dinner time.
He looked at his timer and started to count the difference in time. How can the time here fly so fast? Does it mean that Tiara will reach the age in a shorter time? He kept counting and trying to get the answers when he became aware that Tiara was watching him. "Is there a difference in time between our place and yours? she asked.
Her question made him dumbfounded! She can read my mind. He knew he shouldn't have made Tiara think about time-lapse and all. So he answered," It could be, although I don't know yet."
When he saw Tiara's mom, he naturally was just going to ask about this time-lapse, when he remembered Tiara's mother's words. "I'll just have to wait and see and observe with my heart," he said in his heart. Tiara's mom smiled as she saw that Tomo is trying to be not so logical.
He joined in arranging the plates. Tiara brought in 3 individual bowls of soup. He inhaled, and he remembered this soup. It was the soup that Tiara gave him when Ryoma attacked him. "Could this be a coincidence or not?" He kept quiet, waiting for his next surprise to come.
The three of them were seated. He just realized that there were only 3 plates. Aren't we going to wait? he asked.
"Oh no, my parents live in the city. I stay with them only on Saturdays. So this is mom," she explained. "And she's my everything." Tiara hugged her mom.
"Oh, I see," he didn't know what to say. He was totally awkward. He is very rarely in a social environment. He was not a smooth talker, as he spent most of the time by himself, and though he loves his family, the conversation with his father was mostly connected to work. Mika was the only one who made him laugh, even sing. She has almost the same personality as Tiara.
He didn't say much during dinner. He knew he is not a good talker and he was afraid to say the wrong words. His memories went to the moments when he enjoyed the soup that Tiara brought him, and images of how Tiara helped him, filled his mind. He felt sad and desolate. He wanted to undo all the mistakes he's done.
He lowered his head to hide his already blurry eyes. when he felt a pat on the shoulders. "Here, now why don't you have a glass of milk to help you get some sleep? Tiara's already in bed. You can sleep on the couch. I'll wake you up for the earliest bus to go home.
Tomo was shocked. What time is it? Why does time here fly so fast? He felt that just moments ago, he was still having dinner. And now he's supposed to go to bed. He took the glass, finished it, and fall asleep.
"Wake up. You don't want to be late going home, do you? It's eight in the morning now. Tomo quickly looked at his watch. He began to count the difference in time. "Can I just stay here?" She shook her head in answer.
"Hurry," she said. "You don't want to waste your time. Hurry home and prepare yourself to be in Tiara's real-time., to be in the real world."
He hurried. He ran to the bus stop, and nearly missed the bus which stopped a couple of steps before the tunnel. He jumped off the bus, going to the dimly lighted tunnel until he got back to the crossroad.
"What if I just stay here and wait until it's time for Tiara to get back to her in real-time? There is no time limit if I stay here, is there? It's done. I have chosen to stay here and wait. He sat down near the tunnel where Tiara was. Suddenly the dimly lit tunnel became even darker. Suddenly, Tomo'scuriosity was aroused. What's in the dark tunnel, can I see anything without entering but just by standing near?
He walked a couple of steps. He took another step, and another until he was at the edge of the entrance. He couldn't see anything, but what he heard were only growls and pitiful cries. What kind of place is that? Is it hell? Tomo decided not to follow his curiosity. "If I took the wrong choice, I may not be able to save Tiara."
Tomo woke up. It was still evening. He looked at his timer, there were still 20 minutes left. He sat up, all his limbs felt sore. How long was I unconscious? He raised his right hand, it was fully healed. he moved his fingers in a gripping movement, straightened them, and bent it again. So he chose the way home.
"Did I really see Tiara? Or was it just a dream?" Suddenly he scanned his face with his watch. He desperately wanted to see if he was in the right body. It was his. As if he wasn't sure. he put his watch in front of him, and he can see that it really was his face.
"You are really something, you know. it was Mika's voice. "Are you really that uncertain or untrusting?" He looked up and hugged Mika.
"I missed you,"
"I missed you more," Mika answered. "I just couldn't bear losing you."
"You won't lose this tough and stone-headed guy." It was Dave. "Don't you ever do that stunt again!" They hugged and they high-fived.
"Miss us?" He knew it was his dad. He nodded and asked, "Mother?"
"I'm here, said the tiny slim middle-aged woman, moving from behind his father.
She hugged and kissed him. "Thank you mom, I wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for you. I remembered how much you love JJ. Even when he was in a rage, he would smile the moment he saw you. Now I know the strength of motherly love."
"If only I called you when Ryoma got me. Maybe we wouldn't have to travel through time and wouldn't have left Tiara back in time."
"We cannot succumb to the past or things that have happened. We just have to learn and prepare for the next step." His father said as he moved forward to hug Tomo. "Remember that my son. Don't dwell on the past. No matter how bad the future seems, we just have to face it, hoping it will subside or we get used to it"
"I will father. That is why I try to locate Tiara. No matter how bad the future will be, at least she can be herself."
"I wish I have such a loving family," said Dave, pretending to pout.
"You have one now, Dave, never forget that. I called you son. And I have never said that to anyone except Tomo. Now we have two sons," his father laughed.
"It was rare to see father laugh. It really was a good sight," Tomo said to himself.
After everyone left, Tomo looked at his chest, there was not even a sign of injury or stitches. It looks as though the incident with Jun never happened. It couldn't be. "It wasn't a dream, I'm sure of it. I can feel the immense pain, as the grey cloud-like smoke ripped my chest. Or was it? I felt the pain because I thought it was real."
"What about the day I visited Tiara? Was it also a dream? or was it my soul that visited her soul? If all was a dream, then where is reality?"
Tomo sat on the sofa, in the corner of the room. His mind went to the time he visited Tiara. He remembered every sentence, Tiara's mom said to him. But what he remembered the most was when the grandmother said, "help her get back to her real-time life."
"She also said for me to hurry, and there's a time difference in time. He looked at the notes on his watch. I'd better go and find an answer to this."
He stopped to see his father and asks him to join in his quest.
His father looked at Tomo sharply and as he saw the determination in him, he agreed to help. Tomo also asks for Dave's help. Tomo told them everything in detail, to be documented and then analyzed, as all this was new to them.
Tomo starts to count the time difference. "If I wanted Tiara to be here on the same date as when she went back in time, at the same adult age, with the fast pace of time in her life, then I must be ready to get her to her real-time life, in exactly 196 days."
"I think if we do it together, I'm sure we can,"
"I like your confidence," said Dave, and they laughed " Tomo is back."
Another drawback
They work and counted every single day that has passed. Unfortunately, another catastrophe hit the earth. This can be said as the worst. The temperature has increased significantly, causing heat waves. Forest fires are mostly everywhere. Lots of people lost their lives, lost their families, and friends.
One of the worst things is the lack of water on the dry continent. A plague was spreading fast on the continent. There were almost no medical facilities. So the death and destruction rate on this continent and also in dry countries was unimaginable.
While some parts of the earth have to deal with an extremely dry season and lack of water, other parts of the world have to face hurricanes, storms, and tsunamis. Not counting the looting and all the worst thing a human can do to another human.
"Your mom and I have to go back son, I'm sorry. I can't do it without your mom," his father said in the early morning. "I will take care of your father, and Mika will stay here to take care of you, and the people who may be coming."
"Don't worry about us mother," said Tomo. "I'm sure Mika will take good care of me, as usual."
As both are about to leave, Dave asked, "How many people do you think we should prepare for? Should we also prepare The Place?"
"If it is possible, yes. Actually, I have made a list of people who deserves and want to come. It may be about 10.000 people and animals." Tomo's father answered.
"And plant and flower seeds," Tomo added.
"Right. You really made this place home. Even homier than Tiara's Place."
Tomo added, "It's better to just call it The Place. It doesn't deserve to be called Tiara's place as it brings horrible memories for her."
"You are so right. So don't give up searching for her. I'm sure you can. I have confidence in you." And his parents left for the earth.
So afterward, Tomo divided their task and responsibility. Dave and Mika are responsible for making The place livable again. To make it feel welcoming for the new batch of people. While Tomo will keep on experimenting with and perfecting the vessel that was built on Tomo's father's real blueprint. Not the one that has been tampered with by JJ.
Dave and Mika did their task happily But Tomo was stressed out. He was so afraid that it will not be ready on time, or maybe there was a glitch somewhere. Tomo really doesn't want to fail Tiara again. He felt that he has failed her twice and did not want to add to the number. He had to work triple hard, mentally and physically, to cover up for the absence of his father dan Dave in the quest. He was totally exhausted. But his determination won over his tiredness.
The preparation
After long hours and sleepless nights, the vessel is finally ready.
Dave recounted the longitude, latitude, magnitude, and all of the basic algorithms to reach Tiara's home. "He has to be there on the same date as when the pod reached the earth. Or else everything will be in vain.
What Tomo wasn't sure of is what Tiara's mom meant by real-time. He tried to contact her and ask the exact meaning, but the answer was, that she cannot tell. "There are rules of the Universe. So you have to find out which is Tiara's real-time. Otherwise, you cannot take her with you." So that's it.
Tomo remembered that he saw Tiara as a baby in a cot. Tiara grew up with her grandmother, whom she called mom. Could that be real-time? If so, how can the algorithm of the place to pick up and home is the same? It's impossible.
Tomo did some brainstorming with Mika and Dave, but Dave wasn't sure that the grandmother's house is real-time, because it would clash with the pickup place. Tomo agrees. The pick-up and the destination couldn't be in the same place.
Then he got the clue. If the calendar date should be the same date as when Tiara was an adult and when the incident happened, the pick-up place must be the rear side of the police station. At the exact date and time.
So, if the pick-up should be in the same place, then where should the destination in real-time be? Should it be the place where she grew up or was it the place where she departed to earth? That was the most difficult to find out.
"Both are logical," said Tomo. " the grandmother's house is where she's living. So it can be said as the real-time."
"Although," he continued, "if we connected to the place of the incident is where we pick her up, then logically, we should come back to the place we started. Which is here, at Tiara's house."
"Ugh. I hate riddles."Tomo said. "I think we should try to count the possibilities by using the logical basis of probability theory, and I think Tiara's house is the most logical."
"I agree, but after we got the basic answer, then we should enhance it with the advanced theory," added Dave, "to minimize the mistake."
So, days later they got the result and the result is more to where they are now.
So while they were waiting for the day to pick up Tiara, the three of them went to Tiara'splace. It is now completely different, The dungeons were permanently closed. No more toxic substances. The location of the dungeon becomes a park. So it will be an open place for everyone to use. In the corner was the cemetery, made into a beautiful one. with flowers and bright lights.
Tiara's house was rebuilt. on the same location, quite far from the dungeon. "Hope there are no evil beings anymore."
"I think the newcomers can live peacefully, thanks to you both," said Mika.
"The barrier and the masking were doubled, and also the warning siren will go off two hours prior to an incident. So it means the radar can track the farthest possible intrusion." Dave explained.
"So now, You'll be the one in charge of this place, and take half of the troops with you. Oh yes, you should also recruit new people to serve in the community services," said Tomo
"Okay, and oh the port for teleporting is put at the Base. So only the ones who's got permission can use it," said Dave. "Just like an airport in the olden days." He added.
"Thank you, Dave, for everything. Now, what I need is good luck."
As everything is ready, I will put the responsibility in your hands, as I'll be leaving in two days.
The countdown
Tomo was in high spirits and had high hopes. Though somewhere deep inside him, he felt that he cannot ignore that he had doubts.
"If everything is ready, why do I feel doubtful?" Tomo's having a conversation with himself. "Is it because I was so afraid that I would fail Tiara for the 3rd time?". "What backup plan do I have? Tomo couldn't find any logical answer. "If this is the only chance to save Tiara, then so be it. I will take every chance, even if it means risking everything."
On that day, Dave made the countdown, and Tomo was teleported to the same time as when he and Tiara first landed to send Ryoma back.
He quickly got out of the vessel, and at that moment, he saw Ryoma had been shot and died, and Tiara was just about to pass out. It was at that exact moment Tomo held her and teleported to the transporter, and seconds later, Tiara and Tomo fled, while police officers were confused and looking for Tiara.
Dave looked at the news, and the headline had changed, it was "Girl disappeared after being strangled by a serial killer".
"You did it Tomo," He said to himself. "Tomo might have changed the timeline a bit but it will heal in time."
He then monitored Tomo and Tiara's location. "They should be here in 15 seconds. But no signs of their arrival. He waited for one minute, but still, they didn't show up.
"What went wrong? It's all calculated. It doesn't make sense."
Dave immediately contacted Tomo's father, telling him what had happened.
What went wrong? Dave could not understand, and neither did Tomo.
The place of her dream
Tiara woke up just as the transporter stopped.
"Tomo?" Is it really you? It's not a dream? Where are we?
"Truthfully Tiara, I don't know," Tomo said while looking around. It was not totally dark, but they couldn't see anything until Tomo said, could that be the horizon? Could it be that we are still on earth but on a different timeline?
"I felt that it is a different place, not a different timeline," Tiara said. Could this be just a dream of mine? Because I felt the same excitement and the same happiness when I was on that plane to take me to the island. Could it be that this is the island I'm heading to at that time?" Tiara blabbered while pinching herself. She then turned to Tomo and pinched his arm. "You are real. You are not a dream."
"Tiara," he said facing her while holding her shoulders. "This might not be real. This could be our dream or we are both stuck in oblivion. In a nowhere land, because this isn't the place where we should have landed."
"But I'm sure we'll get out of here. As we have always been able to face problems," Tomo said reassuring Tiara. "I'm sorry that this is the 3rd time I failed you."
"Tomo, please don't say that. We're in this together. I'm glad that I'm with you now. I am not alone. I know we'll be able to face this together. "
"Let's get out first to know where we are. I will bring the mobile tracker, hoping that Dave will either locate the transporter or us.
"It's sand," Tiara exclaimed. " I can't believe it, it's sand. It's just like what I imagined it to be."
Tomo took a step outside the vessel. His shoes landed deep in the sand. He can't believe that Tiara was right. Where are we? He looked at his mobile tracker. It was far off from the spot where they should have landed, but yes, it was still the same timeline. He took a sample of the sand, and analyze it with his watch. It's real sand. So this place is not imaginary. This place existed. But is now real?
Could it be that in her unconscious mind, Tiara was dreaming about this place, that her dream of this place can alter the target? Tomo was aware that logically, the mind can change the target location since Tiara has quite an ability to do it. Maybe in her subconscious mind, she's steering the vessel.
His working mind was stopped as he heard Tiara calling him."Tomo! looks like the sun is starting to rise. Come sit here with me." She waved her hands excitedly.
Tomo could feel that Tiara is truly happy. "I will not ruin her happiness. Even if we are in nowhere's land, if she is happy, nothing else matters. I will stand by her until it's time to face reality, to go back home.
Tomo took his shoes off, as it was too heavy to walk in the sand with military boots. "It felt good," he thought. "I might as well be happy for her," he reminded himself. Never crossed his mind, that he will be happy too.
Tomo sat next to Tiara, looking at the sunrise. The serenity, the peacefulness, was a feeling that he had never felt before. They both sat on the sand, not talking or even saying a word. Both are deep in thought and have their own feeling of happiness.
Before they realized it, it was morning. They both lay on the white sand, fast asleep. It was almost noon when they woke up. Tomo was the first to wake up. He saw the peaceful face of Tiara, and he dared not wake her up. He sat up, hugging his knees while watching the silent waves of the beautiful sea. "Is there really an untouched place like this on earth? And What year is this?" As he was deep in his thoughts, he was not aware that Tiara has woken up.
"Having deep thoughts in the morning?" Tiara said jokingly.
Tomo turned to see her smiling face. "Yes, I was thinking of how hungry I am, but you slept until noon," he answered laughingly.
"It was the most peaceful sleep I've ever had," sigh Tiara.
"Same here."
"Let's explore to see if there is anyone else living here." He got up and brushed the sand from his trousers."
Tiara got up and looked at their feet." Walking barefoot on the white sandy beach. Just like in my dream."
"Tomo," she said suddenly, tugging at his sleeve. " If this is a dream, it will probably fade, can we come back to this place in reality?"
"A very difficult question to answer," he said as he gazed at Tiara. He was surprised to see the expression on Tiara's face. It was not the expression of the strong Tiara, it was more of an utterance of a quiet and innocent young girl. "Was this what Anne meant by Tiara looking like a young innocent girl? when she found Tiara unconscious?"
"So, can you answer?" Tiara's voice got him back to reality.
"I'm not sure I can promise you anything, But I'll try I will try to find the exact coordinates of this place after we explore. Okay?
Tiara smiled, "Thank you," she said. It was the look of a happy young girl.
"Could it be this is the real Tiara?"
An unlived hut
They have walked for about an hour, when Tiara said, "I feel there's an empty place not far away. We must head northwest It's a bit up on the hill."
They walked again, but this time the sand felt hotter since the sun was already high.
"Painful?"
"A bit," said Tiara. "Let's wash our feet in the sea for a while, so it will feel better.
They tiptoed to the sea and felt the burning sensation on their soles, fading. Unexpectedly, Tiara sprinkled seawater, which ended in a seawater battle between the two, and both got all wet. They both laughed as if they'd never laughed before.
Okay," said Tomo, getting them back to logical thinking. "We'd better hurry to find the hut before it's dark.
"There it is," Tiara pointed to a wooden hut with a thatched roof.
"It used to be a nice house. Quite big, and even has a bathroom," said Tomo.
"You're talking about a bathroom? Don't you think we won't need a bathroom if this is a dream and we are about to wake up?" asked Tiara
"Well, I don't know. You should be the one to tell me."
"Actually I never thought about that," Tiara answered, and moments later, they could hear Tiara's stomach rumbling.
Tomo couldn't help laughing. This is the first time I hear that sound and noticed you're hungry." Tiara couldn't help but laugh along with Tomo.
"Let's fish. I have these."Tomo showed a bamboo fishing rod.
"Wait, I can hear rippling sounds, like a small creek." Tiara ran to the rear side of the house. At about 500 meters there was a creek, with very clear water. "You can even see the fish," Tiara exclaimed.
They got two fish and grilled them, one for each. "Thank you, it was a really nice dinner," as she washed the wooden plates they found in the house.
"Where do you think the owners are?" Tomo asked.
"In my vision, they left for the city. There used to be about 10 families here, but one by one left for the city, and never came back.
"Maybe we could stay here again, next time."
"Don't get your hopes too high, Just look at this as a holiday experience that we never had." Tomo reminded her.
"I thought I was the only one who never had a holiday," she whispered.
"I was always buried in my algorithm and all. I never really go out, except for school and labs. I did not feel lonely, because I was too immersed in my study. I didn't know what lonely was. Mika is the only person I can laugh with, until now. Thank you, Tiara."
"The feeling is mutual Tomo. I felt that all this time, I am always alone. I have no friends."
They both sat on the wooden bed, not wanting to sleep, afraid that it might be just a dream, awaiting if they were still there when the sun rises, or will they wake up in another place.
They didn't sleep, not even for a second, not even a wink. They went out, feeling the rustling of the leaves under their feet, and looked at the sun as it rises. They looked at each other without having to say a word. They both knew how glad they were, for still being here, at least for now.
Tomo looked at his watch and tried to calculate the coordinates from the exact axis of the sunrise. Tiara knew she'd better leave him to his work for now. She decided to walk to the creek and catch something for dinner. It was the first time after long years, that she made dinner. She even picked edible leaves for salad. She enjoyed every minute of it. She also found a lime tree and edible wide berries.
Tomo went back to the hut when he had finished working. He walked slowly while imagining, what it would be like to live here with only a few families. He got a real surprise when he opened the wooden door. Food was neatly placed on the table. it certainly felt like home to Tomo. It felt like when he was younger, and his mother had prepared food for dinner.
"It's beautiful." That is all he could say, as he is at loss for words. "is it okay if I calculate the sunset first?"
Tiara nodded, and Tomo asked her to accompany him to the edge of the hill to see the sunset. it was only about half an hour when he finally said, "let's have dinner." They ate in silence. They know they wanted to memorize even the smallest thing.
"The food was delicious. I never thought we can have a full meal here. You are amazing. I'm so full I can hardly move." Tomo pats his stomach pretending to have a bulging stomach.
Then he said, "I guess tonight we have to sleep. Do you feel you need some sleep?"
"Well, I am very tired and sleepy...."
"You go ahead and sleep, while I finish my work. I'm going to the transporter for a while." Tomo turned to look at Tiara. To his surprise, Tiara was already asleep.
"Sleep well, Tiara."
Tomo closed the door quietly and headed to the transporter. He immediately started working and wasn't aware of the time. It was only when he wanted to stretch, he saw that the sun is rising. "Is it morning already?" he asked himself.
He stepped out of the transporter. Surprised that he was still here. He ran to the hut, and opened the door, Tiara was still sleeping. He felt so relieved.
"What is it?" Tiara woke up startled.
"Sorry to wake you. I didn't realize the sun was up and I'm still here. I thought I lost you. I was so glad to see you there. I don't know what I would have done if I lost you." Tomo was out of breath. "I don't want to fail you for the fourth time."
"Does it mean that we are still at the beach?"
Tomo nodded while reaching out his hand to Tiara, "Let's go see the sunrise."
Tiara happily accepted. I never imagined that I would have another day. It's really wonderful.... but... if we stay here too long, it would really hurt when we have to leave this place.
Tomo nodded understandingly. After sunset and dinner, we will stay inside the transporter. Hopefully, you will be in your real-time.
"Tomo, why is it always my real-time and not yours? Couldn't it just be our real-time, where there's Mika?"
She halted for a moment, then continued, "Could it be that my time and yours are different?"
"I don't know for sure, but there is a possibility. For now, you are the most important, because you lived your childhood twice, so you should be in your reality, even when it is not mine."
"When you went back in time, it probably changed your life cycle. When I went to see you, your mom told me to take you to your real-time. So since then, we decided to get to your real-time. You have to lead your life from the real or the actual starting point before you went back in time. I picked you up at the exact time, but I don't know what went wrong, that we landed here."
"Could it be that I have been dreaming of this place for as long as I could remember? So it was read as my real-time?"
"Probably. I couldn't confirm or say anything yet, because it's all unclear, and all of this is very new to us." Tomo shrugged and said," For now, let's enjoy the sunset."
They walked in silence. They sat on the sandy beach to enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Tiara nodded. "We are a team, right?"
This time, Tomo nodded. "I will really try hard to make your dream come true."
"It's okay. Don't force yourself. I have had the best moments in my life, and that's enough to make me stronger in facing the obstacles of the future." Her heartfelt sentence and a reassuring smile, made Tomo realize that Tiara meant what she had said, and he was glad. She is still the strong Tiara."
Tiara slept on the wooden bed, while Tomo lay down on the floor, layered with banana leaves. It was about 9 o'clock when they woke up after a long dreamless sleep.
Tomo closed his eyes, but sleep wouldn't come. He thought Tiara had slept.
"I couldn't sleep either. Maybe In my heart, I wasn't ready to leave this place."
Tomo was startled to know that Tiara wasn't sleeping either. "Maybe I didn't want this to end."
"It's almost morning," Tiara said.
"Rather than pretending to be asleep, why don't we walk up the hill, and enjoy whatever time we have."
They walked, then cooked lunch on an open fire, picking up fallen coconuts and drinking the coconut water. They found another hut that was still intact. "This could be your hut," said Tiara. 'You love the hills more than I do,"
"And you're addicted to the beach." Tomo laughed out loud.
This surprised Tiara, as she has never seen Tomo laugh openly before. "You should laugh more," she said.
"I know, your mom told me, that in the future, I could be a grumpy old man," he laughed again.
"I like your laugh," Tiara teased.
"Maybe I should be less of a bookworm."
In the evening, they decided, to go to the transporter and prepared themselves for the journey they were reluctant to go, but knew that they must.
Is this Reality?
Tomo woke up in the same place he was once before, In 'nowhere'. He looked for Tiara. She was beside him, but the vessel was nowhere to be seen.
"Tomo," she said as she opened her eyes. "I felt that you have been here before. I can hear your heart beating fast.
"Yes, I have. It is 'Nowhere'. It is neither hell nor heaven.
"Are we dead?"
"I don't think so. I believe we are neither dead nor alive." Tomo told her everything, about trying to see her while postponing the chance of getting back into his body."
"I'm glad I'm not alone now, she sighed. " It.... it doesn't mean that I want you dead in a nowhere land," she said hurriedly.
"I know. No need to explain. We're here together, but Tiara, please.... don't sacrifice yourself for me. Not for anything."
"You shouldn't either," she said.
Tiara and Tomo walked together, there are 6 roads that they could see, and all of them are dim-lighted. "I've been here before, but it was totally dark then, and there are only crossroads. Now, it's a six-fork road.
One road is where I met you and your mom, I mean your grandmother when you were for the 2nd time, a little girl. Tomo took Tiara to the road that he remembered and showed Tiara what he had seen. So Tiara could see for herself.
"So mom is my grandmother. How could I forget that? Is it because I"ve been living from dream to dream, that now I don't know which one is real? Tiara took a deep sigh.
"If you are living from dream to dream, it meant I am too. we are always together in our battle, except when you sacrificed yourself for me. Yet you were still able to help me."
"She told me to take you back to your real-time," Tomo told Tiara what he thought was real-time and told her how he had counted the probability so as not to be wrong. "But it turned out I am still wrong." he kneeled and bowed, to ask forgiveness the Japanese way.
"No Tomo, you couldn't have known that there was amiss somewhere," Tiara asked Tomo to stand. "I'm not even sure about my real-time. It all seems like a dream. For a moment, It flashed in my mind that I hope the last time, the sandy beach was my real-time, but unfortunately it is not."
Tiara looked at the beautiful small town. "It looks unreal, It looked just like in the pictures. Do you know where mom is now?"
"No, this was the last place I saw her."
"I couldn't feel her. I couldn't reach her."
It was then Tiara saw her mom, walking down the cobbled street.
"There she is," said Tiara. But her happiness soon faded. "She looks different. Older."
Tiara tried to connect with her mom. "Are you ill?" she said. She repeated twice., when at last she heard her mom whisper, "No dear, I am just getting older."
"Will I see you again?"
"If you can remember which is a dream and which is not, then you will find me."
"How do I know? I'm not even sure which one is a dream. There is a reality that you forgot. Go to that time. That's all I can say."
Tiara stood still and watched her mom turn around and walked farther from them and disappear into the distance. She looked small and frail. Not the healthy plump woman she remembered.
Tomo waited until Tiara was contented to see her beloved mom. "I miss you," she whispered, blowing her mom a kiss, not able to hold her tears.
Tiara stood still, not wanting to move. She hoped that this beautiful place is her reality. Being with mom is what she really wanted now. But she knew it was just another dream.
They stood there for a few moments, both with their own thoughts.
Then Tiara explained," mom said there is a reality that I forgot, and I should be able to differentiate between dreams and reality. If I forgot the reality, could it be that all our adventures all this time are just a dream?"
"If all this time we've been through are all dreams? Why do we feel pain? That's what I don't understand, why didn't we just wake up like in a normal dream? and all the pain and sadness will all just be short-term memories."
"Maybe, we are not having the usual dream? Could it be you are in my dream?" Tiara asked.
"Then it means I am nonexistent," said Tomo
"Or I'm the one nonexistent. I'm the one in your dream? or maybe we are somehow connected, so we are in each other's dream, but what "
"Could be. One thing I know is, that you and I are real. I'm sure you feel that Tiara."
"Yes, deep in my heart, I know, we are both real, but when was the first time we actually met to get to be connected, if all this is a dream?"
Tiara turned to look at Tomo. "Tomo, if mom were not there anymore when we find our way, could we somehow go back to her last days?"
"I cannot promise you anything, but I will try my best." Tomo knew his answer was lame, but it was the truth, and he only wanted to tell the truth not an empty promise, that one day would break her heart.
"Thank you. I really appreciate it. Let's go, before I turn into a total breakdown." She tried to swallow her tears.
They walked together side by side. No talking, just walking until they got to a six-fork road. The one that they just went to is now dark. "There's five left. We'll just have to try them one by one."
"Do you want to rest?" ask Tomo
Tiara nodded. They sat at the center of the fork road. "There are only five left. All the roads are lit. Maybe this is the way to remember the dreams and memories of our friendship," He smiled and continued to tell Tiara of the moment when they made a pact to be truthful. Could that be real-time?
"One big mistake that I know I made was, I didn't remember her exact words. Your mom told me not to think logically and that I should try to listen to my heart, and to my feelings." He brushed his hair with his fingers. I wanted so much to find you, that all I could think of was logic."
Will they find real-time?
"Stop blaming yourself Tomo you're not the only one in the wrong. I do too. Mom reminded me to remember the reality. How could I forget the reality? It just doesn't make sense."
"Could it be that the reality is too painful to remember?" Tiara sighed sadly. "True, but I'm hoping it's not worse than the dungeon."
"I hope so too."
They now decided to start again, to choose another road, which looks a bit dimmer than the other roads. Could this be the one?
They walked side by side. They stopped. They felt that this road would be bad.
"I have a bad feeling about this. It's not a good memory."
"I know, I felt it too," Tomo answered.
"I just hope that this is not my real-time, said Tiara.
They saw the moments before they were defeated. They saw how desperate Tomo was when he couldn't find her, and how desperate Tiara wanted to escape from her captivity. They both felt that this was the worst flashback for them and the community. It was like the black pages of life for them.
"I have seen it in my dream. I remember now. "I'm just glad that this was not my real-time when she saw everything becomes dark. I'm not sure if I can handle it if this were my real-time," Tiara said, sighing a sigh of relief.
"Take the positive side. It does show how strong you are, and how connected we are."
They both walked fast as if wanting to get out as soon as possible. It was then they heard a loud sinister laugh. "I couldn't believe that I would meet him again," Tiara mumbled.
"Not happy to see me?" Jun laughed again. "This time I will get you." In just seconds, he shot 3 attacks in a row. Tiara put up a barrier for herself and Tomo. As she was to make a counterattack, Tomo signaled her not to.
Tomo moved a bit forward. "How long have you been here Jun?"
"No need to ask. You have no idea how it was to be here."
"Yes, I do. I have been here before, for quite a time. But it wasn't you who put me here," Tomo continued talking so Jun cannot cut in. " It was the grey cloud-like smoke. I have no grudge against him. So why should I have a grudge against you? I know how it feels to be here. I can't even explain how it was. No one would ever understand unless they have experienced it themselves. So you are right if you think I wouldn't understand. You didn't know that I had been here."
Because Tomo talked non-stop and in an empathic manner, Jun had no chance to deny it.
"You and I are quite similar actually," Tomo continued.
"How's that?" asked Jun.
"You and I are loners, geeks. We don't have friends. We both like to be on our own. We like to focus on things that we like. People just don't understand. They think we're weird. We don't have to be like other people, don't we?"
Jun stayed quiet. "I hate being bullied. I hate when people look at me sneering. As if I'm a dirty strange being. Why does it matter to them that I'm smart?"
After a moment he said, "I always envy you because you had a wonderful life. I never thought of you being like that."
"Have you ever seen me having friends? You know I always spend my time alone, working."
"I never thought of that. It's good to hear that I'm not the only one." Jun sounded relieved. With that, he walked away. A black being followed him from afar.
"Although he may not be totally free of the consequences of what he did. I hope he'll be in a better place," Tomo said as he watched Jun disappear into the dark road.
"How did you know that empathy was the key?"
Tomo told Tiara how he was attacked by the grey cloud-like smoke, and how his mother talked to the grey cloud-like smoke, telling him the truth, her empathy, and how after that the grey smoke walked a brighter road.
"Telling the truth?" Tiara whispered. "So it was the truth that you had no friend?"
"Yes, it was. But now I have found a friend in you and Dave. They went quiet. "Thank you for thinking of me as your friend, and thank you for being my friend," Tiara voiced her feelings. "I've never had a real friend."
They just have to wait.
Dave and Tomo's father still couldn't get any signal, or get an estimation of their whereabouts. "There is no right or wrong here. I listened again to the recording of my conversation with Tomo when he told me, about the conversation he had when he met Tiara's mother," Tomo's father started to explain.
"He's already halfway with his calculations. He was so detailed with the calculations That's why he managed to get Tiara in time. But what he forgot was, that not everything depends on calculations or physics."
Tomo has always been a logical thinker, but he sometimes seems to lose contact with feelings and, forgot to listen to his heart. Something which is beyond science. "I'm just glad that he never lost his kindness and empathy even for a bit."
"What can we do, sir?"
Tomo's father shook his head."For now, all we can do is wait, son."
"Tiara's mom has mentioned that he should listen to his heart, and that's the only thing he didn't do because he was still unsure of it, unsure of how to trust his feelings. I just hope that being together will bring them to Tiara's real-time. And it could be that it is not Tomo's choice to choose. It might be Tiara's choice because it is her life. Though I'm still not one hundred percent sure of it."
"I'm sorry. What do you mean? Are you saying that there is a possibility that Tiara's real-time is different from Tomo and us? "
"That is possible."
Dave was lost for words. That never crossed his mind when they look for the real-time location. "So I will wait, sir. I'll keep you informed."
Steps ahead
Tomo and Tiara decided to take the nearest road to them. Wondering if Tomo's guess would be true. Tiara closed her eyes. As if she wanted to shut out every bad memory. The last one was the worst, but his one is quite gloomy too.
"I dread going in there," Tiara said.
"Same here. But we're a team. So as the saying said, the storm always passes, we will face this one together, and it will be over."
They took a deep breath and stepped in. The first thing that they saw was the dungeon where Tiara was held captive. Tiara was shocked to see the brain dome and the outside area of the cell she was chained to.
"Thanks to you, I was able to destroy the brain dome," Tomo spoke, breaking the silence.
"And I'm glad you heard me. Actually, I talked to you, though I don't know whether you heard me or not."
It was another shock for Tiara when she saw the other dungeon, filled with victims of slavery to build the dungeons. "I didn't know there was another one," she gasps.
It was not in the same location. Before I went to get you, Dave made a beautiful park on top of it. He made The Place, a beautiful place to live, for the newcomers, the victims of the earth's catastrophe.
They don't want to be there too long. It was an image of really bad memories for them.
A friendship bond?
They went along the road until they went to walk a road. Tiara saw something that she never knew. It was when Tomo assisted by Dave and the troops, had defeated Jun. Tiara smiled when she saw this, but then she couldn't help but put her hands to her mouth to stop herself from screaming. She couldn't believe what she saw. Tomo was so badly hurt by the grey cloud-like smoke.
It was when she saw Tomo floating that Tomo said," It was you who helped me, wasn't it? "
"I thought I had a nightmare. In my dream, I felt I have to help you. But I never knew how bad it was."
"Thank you, Tiara. You were always there when I'm in need."
"I'm just glad to be there." She stopped in her tracks as she saw Tomo in the oxygen chamber. "How long were you in a coma?"
"Long enough," Tomo tried to joke about it. He doesn't want everything to be dark and somber.
"Who would do such a thing?"
Tiara spoke again, "I had the same dream twice or more. There was a young boy and an older one. After some time, I realized it was you. But who was the older boy? I felt the air of hatred from him."
"It was my cousin. I'm glad he found his peace now, thanks to my mother, who always loved him from the depth of her heart."
They looked at each other. "Does it mean this is also not my real-time?" she asked.
"I have a strong feeling that it's not."
The last two roads
They're back to the starting point. Only this time, there are only 2 roads left.
"We're almost there. Only 2 choices left." Tomo tried to encourage Tiara.
Tiara nodded. "Can we stop?"
"What is it?" Tomo turned to look at Tiara's worried face.
"I don't know I just have this sad feeling."
Tomo stated, that he also felt a deep sadness. "If I'm not mistaken, the road we chose so far, is going backward. I mean, we saw the latest incident where I met you as a little girl, then my near-death experience, which happened prior to seeing you as a little girl. The third one was when we found the dungeon and the brain dome where you were hurt and held captive. That happened before Jun's attack." Tomo analyzes the event.
"So it means, that the next one will be something prior to the attack.'
They both went quiet. Both are absorbed in their thoughts.
"I can't guess what it is," said Tomo, could it be when you fell?
As the thought just comes to mind, Tomo jumped up. " There is something that I totally forgot. It could be the key to getting us to your real-time."
Tiara looked at Tomo, with a confused look.
"Remember I gave you your clothes?" Tomo said. Tiara nodded.
"That was found on the day you fell. When I met you after you are better, I feel that I trusted you and that you are my friend. Your mom told me to follow my heart, to get to your real-time. Could it be that this is what she meant?"
Tiara thought for a while and said, "When I met Ryoma and Jun, I can't push away my negative feelings. But when I met you, I have none. Truthfully, for me, you are the first person I felt I could start to trust. So, yes, maybe we have had mutual trust and friendship since then."
"So shall we go?" Tiara nodded, saying, "although my power and sensitivity are not strong, I can feel that it will not be gruesome or dark. Although I can't help feeling sad. I don't know why."
She hugged Tomo, and said, "Thank you Tomo, for everything. Although you may not realize this, it was you who gave me the strength, and you are the only best friend I have ever had."
"Thank you, Tiara, but this is not a goodbye. We have traveled this far and we are in the same timeline, not to be separated again...." He did not finish his sentence as he suddenly felt a feeling of depression and sadness.
"Tomo, don't think of a timeline and all those logical thinking of yours," Tiara said to him. "You feel it too didn't you? If something happened, I know that I will always have a best friend."
There are lots that he wanted to say, but words seem not to come out of Tomo's mouth. He sighed and only said, "we'll keep communicating."
They walked very slowly. Not wanting to go to the road, but deep inside they know they had to. They were just stalling for the last minutes to be together. Everything now depends on the future ahead of them.
"Which road should we take? Tomo thought hard. "What if we make the wrong choice?"
"Then it will be our destiny," Tiara said. "We both felt the same sadness."
"Wait. Why don't we come close to the other road? Maybe we won't feel sadness." He said as he went close to the other road, which is also dimly lit.
He stood in front of the road. Tiara followed him. The same feeling of sadness was felt.
As Tiara moved forward to get closer, she felt a rejection. The lights suddenly fade out. "I had a feeling I'm not allowed there yet. It's not my time. But it is your time Tomo."
"I don't understand. How could it be my time, and not yours?"
"I don't think I can answer that. Try to feel it with your heart Tomo."
"All I feel is deep sadness and frustration. I felt I am there and you're not"
Tiara turned and walked to the other road. "I felt that this road is my destiny. I am accepted here."
As she moved, Tomo grabbed her wrist. "Wait. There's something that I have to give you. Tomo took off his watch and scanned something on the inside of her lower arm. "This is the location and coordinates of the beach. It will erase itself after one week. So please memorize or write it somewhere, so someday you will be able to go there. Maybe..... that dream will be our real-time."
Tiara looked at her arm, which now looked like a map and numbers and lines. "I will keep it, and although I don't know how I will get there, I promise, I will go there. Thank you, Tomo."
She turned and proceeded to enter the dimly lit road. Tomo walked behind her. They reached the dimly lit road and ahead of them, they could see a room. The same room as the photo on the mantelpiece. Tiara's jeans and checkered blouse were neatly folded. So this must be her real-time, or is it?
Tomo moved a step forward to see where he was. He was nowhere to be seen. He knew that it was not his real-time.
Although sadness, surged all over him, he tried to stay calm and said cheerfully to Tiara. "Hey, there's your mom. So, no reason to be sad, and you have the map with you," he reminded her.
He walked with Tiara. As Tiara got closer to her room, he was suddenly thrown backward, but not before having seen Tiana enter her sleeping figure on the bed. He ran forward with all his strength, just in time to see Tiara open her eyes, before being flung farther this time. Tomo decided not to oppose, as he knew that Tiara's safe at home.
He went to the only road left. So I guess this is my destiny. He walked, trying not to look behind, and entered the transporter, to be in his own real-time.
He saw Dave and Mika waiting for him. As seen in their expression, Tomo knew that they knew. So he didn't say anything and just smiled and hugged them. No words need to be said.
Waking up
Tiara opened her eyes. She smiled at her grandmother, whom she called mom. She tried to move her legs, but they felt stiff. "So this is my real-time. I am glad I am not an orphan, I have a mom, and I will spend the rest of my life making her happy.
"Can I have a drink?" She asked her grandmother. "I'm so thirsty."
"Of course child, you slept for almost 11 hours, after that fall."
"Did I fall picking blueberries?"
"You didn't remember? You slipped because of the snow."
"Snow?" She suddenly remembered the memory of the police bringing her the bad news. "Where's mom and dad?"
"It's still Monday. They said they will be here on Saturday, as usual. Why?"
"Were they planning to take me to the beach?"
"In winter? I don't think so."
"What's with all these questions?"
"I'm not sure. I have a memory or a dream, that they died in a car accident as they were planning to take me to the beach." She answered while looking out of the window. Everything was white. it was just like a winter picture on a postcard.
Her mom stayed still. "No dear, I didn't see anything of an accident."
"It happened when I was a child."
"Then it must be a dream. You're grown up now. Your parents and I are old. So yes, we may get ill and pass away. But if it is a natural thing, I wouldn't have known.",
Tiara got up and looked at herself in the mirror. "Yes, I'm Tiara the adult and I'm not an orphan."
"Am I going somewhere, wearing the checkered shirt?"
"No, You just washed it and ironed it before you went out and fell."
"Tiara, what's on your mind? Tell me everything. Maybe I can help."
Tiara told her mom everything from the day she was an orphan, until the battles that she had, and Tomo."
"Tomo?..... I think I met him when he was a child. A nice boy but quiet and lonely."
"You described him well, " Tiara smiled, but her mom's words ticked her memory. "Do you know Tomo when he was a child?"
"Yes, our family knew each other, but we sort of lost contact for some time,"
Tiara got up and took a piece of paper and a pen. "Tomo gave me this and I have to draw them because it will erase itself in a week." She showed the map on her inner arm.
"After you have finished drawing, you can scan it and save it in your computer, then print it, just to be sure"
"All right, I will."
Bit by bit Tiara tried to regain her memories concerning her life with her parents and mom. But it seems to be very difficult, especially as the condition of life was getting more and more difficult from time to time. So she just sat in front of the fireplace and looked at the snow falling on the already white surface.
The lonely genius
After he got back, Tomo became more and more absorbed in his work. He made life in both places as similar to the earth as possible. It's still possible as the structure and condition of both places are very similar to earth, though it is more advanced and modern.
When he felt, he has reached the maximum, he told Dave and Mika that he was going to help his father to revive the earth. "I will do whatever I can to help.
Tomo left everything to go to earth and help to rebuild it. The evil-minded and uncaring people have made the earth a desolate place. Extraterrestrial weapons were made without considering the earth, and wars made the earth in the worst condition it ever was. Sickness, lack of medicine, and hospitals made the death toll even worse.
There was only a small part of the earth that still survived. Those places are where people try to balance life needs and environmental needs, try to live modestly, and constantly keep a good heart.
Deep in his heart, Tomo hoped to be able to see Tiara, even if it was in another dream.
Meanwhile, Tiara drank her juice and decided to close her eyes again. She remembered the last minutes. She knew that Tomo was flung twice. She didn't want Tomo to see how sad she was. She promised herself that she will not be a burden. She has decided to lead a full and happy life with her grandmother.
"It's okay to be sad," she said. "The sadness will pass in time, and the memory will slowly fade. Although it will never completely disappear. don't reject the feeling, but embrace it so it will not hurt anymore. Upon hearing her grandmother's words, tears started to trickle, but she will embrace them so the sadness will pass and she can live happily.
After a week, after she had fully recovered, Tiara started to continue her life in an off-grid house on the hill, quite far from other houses.
She continued her study and then work as a volunteer for orphans.
She enjoyed her work and her life, although sometimes, she felt her life was not real. "Could it be that I wanted this place to be my real-time because I wanted so much to be with 'mom'?"
She sometimes wondered about the story of how she ended up in the hospital. It was said that she was the only survivor of the plane crash, and even her clothes weren't ripped or had stains.
Tomo's logic
Tomo also continued with his life. After the Earth's catastrophe, Tomo decided to help his father in rebuilding the world to be a better place.
He let Dave be the head administrator of both The Place.
After 2 years of trying to rebuild the world, Tomo decided to take a break from work. It was his last day of work, when he decided to travel to Mojo island, a remote place, uninhabited, untouched by the catastrophe, untouched by irresponsible human hands.
He only took a couple of cows, chickens, and seeds of fruits and vegetables with him. To build a new place for more families to live.
He decided to start from scratch while trying to keep the environment clean and make the nearest islands, environmentally healthy.