Once his injuries were no longer deemed critical, Jake was discharged from the hospital (the doctors were very much surprised, considering that these types of injuries takes days, not hours, to heal, even with the latest technology).
As he collected his belongings frombthe reception, he wondered where the final flash of light come from. That flash, that flash reminds of... nah, but can't be. After the whole... debacle, Jake lost the book.
Devastated, he immediately thought of re-entering the ruin, but by then, it was closed by the Federation. He knew that without a sufficient enough reason, he would not be able to enter the ruin at all, especially with the current situation at hand.
In the end, after several deliberations, he decided in his better judgement, to just give up, for now, and return back home. He knew that whatever excuse he makes, whatever he does, it will not excuse that he had lost the book. He knew, deep in his heart, that it was not something ordinary.
It was something... extraordinary.
Ad he trudged home, in defeat, he thinks to himself, what he had become. I thought that I was something special, that fate had grand plans for me. Turns out, it was nothing. All it just shows is that once a failure, always a failure.
Mood deep in depression, he reached his home, where he pulled up in front of the door. As he took out the keys to open it, a gruff, yet kind voice called him out.
"Boy, hah... come here." As he turned around, a large build of a man was seen. Wearing his customary navy blue sweater, stood Edward, holding groceries in his hands. "Come into MY house for dinner tonight. Looks like you need it."
Bedfor Jake could do anything, Edward swung back, marching back into his home, expecting Jake to follow his orders to a tee. Smiling softly at this, Jake just shrugs wistfully before entering his home.
As night rolls around, he gets himself ready, before going over next door. "Heya kiddo. I... heard what happened to you. I know it's sad, but... I don't know how to say this: You must move on. I don't know who they are, or were, but I know they must have been important in your life. Remember them, for they will only truly die when nobody remembers them."
One of his neighbours, a small Rabbitus, twiddled with his paws, fidgeting with his head, before finishing with "If... if you need anything, be sure to give us a call. Wife'll be glad to... have you over."
Feeling loved, he gave a short thank with his head, before knocking the door, and entering Edward's house. He put his jacket onto the coat hanger, and went into the dining room, were a small dinner was laid out, just forbthe two of them.
As soon as he sat down, Edward came out, wearing a small, frilly apron, carrying a dish of what he calls... 'bratswirst' (???) casserole. Despite its obvious weird name, Jake could smell the dish.
The tantalizing aroma of the spicy meat, wafting from the bed of scabbige, it's juices oozing from the split casings. Although the tanginess of the pickled veggies made his eyes water, it also struck his stomach.
Feeling hungry, he no longer cared here he was, nor did Edward, as both started wolfing down the casserole, along with other dishes from his native country of 'Jurmani' (??). He did not know where it existed, for it did not belong to any of the maps present of the Earth, so he always imagined that he must have come from outer space, running away from his past, or even better, his enemies.
As the dinner came to a close, both sat down, facing each other. An awkward silence is created, as no one wanted to start the conversation.
Being able to bear the silence no longer, Jake broke the silence "H-hello old man. So, uhmm... look, I just wantosaythatiamsorry. I phel-" Biting his tongue in anxiety, he stopped mid sentence, too busy trying to save his tongue (and what remained of his dignity).
"Jake, I want to say I'm sorry too." Shicjed, he slowly turned his head towards the old man. He never thought that he would be the first one to properly apologise after what happened. Just before he could say anything, Edward continued on "I knownut was wrong of me to mention anything about your parents. They were wonderful, one of the best parents you could have." Here, Jake swore that he could see his eyes dimming considerably, before returning back to their usual selves. Smacking his dry lips, Edward continued "But it was necessary. This was, and still is, one of the easiest way to unleash your potential: Anger."
Just before Jake could interrupt again, Edward held up his right hand "Before you say anything or interrupt me again, know that the answer to your questions are rar too dangerous for you to know now, so you must be patient. Be patient." The atmosphere turned dark, very dark, for a split second, before turning back. For the first time in his tiny life, Jake felt fear.
Primordial fear.
Before he could make sense of this, Edward hugged him, before playing games with him, not the electronic ones, but archaic board games, not requiring any electronic devices.
Feeling relief and peace, Jake stumbled home, drunk on the feeling of having his guilt relieved. After retuning home, he changed his clothes, before going to bed. He turned off the lights, and went to sleep.
Just as fell asleep, a small flash of light illuminated itself, deep in the recesses of his mind.