Sakolomé was in his training area a little in the heart of nature, it had been several weeks since Melinda had disappeared, the only and last thing that Sakolomé had of Melinda was his teddy bear.
Sakolomé always came to this place every day hoping to see Melinda come out of nowhere and tell him as she knows so well how to do that it was a joke, but hope was starting to fade.
The next day, Sakolomé had to get ready to go live in town with his uncle Baham, he still came to this place for a farewell, he is silent but feels something, something he had never felt before, he did not know how to describe it but it made him feel uneasy, it was a mixture of doubt and sadness, he was heartbroken and asked himself countless questions at once since Melinda's disappearance.
"Could she have left on her own?"
"Could she have been devoured by a mutan?"
The possibilities are endless.
With an outraged sigh.
He holds Melinda's stuffed animal in his hands and says.
Sakolomé:
Melinda...why? You left without saying goodbye?!
He looks at the sky and a light tear comes out of his eyes.
The wind carries the leaves and seems to take with it Sakolomé's last hopes.
At the killer man's, Niyus was checking his children's objects for tomorrow's trip.
Niyus: I hope you're not missing anything!
Meanwhile, Amu was in tears, because it would be a first for all her children to be so far away from her.
Amu: My babies, my poor little babies, I'm going to miss you so much... it's not possible, I'm devastated!
Niyus gets up and takes Amu in his arms.
Niyus: It's nothing my dear, they're not going to disappear for good, besides I think that soon we too will go and settle not far from the city, that way they can come to our place!
Amu doesn't seem to listen to what Niyus was saying, she was still saddened by the departure of her children.
Amu: My babies!!!!
Niyus is embarrassed not to be able to calm his wife down, he is even more embarrassed by this incompetence under the disapproving gaze of Bakuzan who was watching their situations leaning against the wall.
Another situation distracts Bakuzan's gaze, it was an argument between Salomé and Bakuran.
They are both holding a t-shirt that each pulls on their side.
Salome: Drop it, Bakuran!!!!
Bakuran: Never, it's mine!!!!
It seems that they are arguing about who owns the t-shirt.
Bakuzan walks towards them and rips the t-shirt off.
Bakuzan: What's going on between you two?!
He asked with the t-shirt in his hands.
Salome and Bakuran explained themselves at the same time, which made it difficult to understand because the words were intertwined.
Bakuzan: Stop....you two can't talk at the same time, we don't understand anything anymore!
Salome replies.
Salome: It's Bakuran, he doesn't want to give me back my t-shirt even though it's mine, Sakolomé gave it to me!!
Bakuran responds with a contradictory tone.
Bakuran: Pffff, Salome you lie like you breathe!
Salome: No it's not true, I'm not lying at all!
Salome looks at Bakuzan and says.
Salome: Bakuzan, the t-shirt is mine, if you want, we can ask Sakolomé!
Bakuzan smiles.
Bakuzan: Well yes, it's a very simple idea, we'll wait for Sakolomé, for the moment the t-shirt is with me, continue to put your things away!
Bakuran and Salome meet each other's eyes, then Salome sticks her tongue out at Bakuran, Bakuran replies with a nonchalant sigh then each goes to their own business.
Bakuzan: Look at that!
Niyus: Hey Son!
Niyus called out to get his son's attention.
Bakuzan turns around and looks at his father.
Niyus was in front of Bakuzan and said.
Niyus: Son, we need to talk, you and I, meet me outside!
Bakuzan nods.
Bakuzan and Niyus find themselves outside, face to face.
Niyus: Bakuzan, you are....
Then he stops, he looks in front of him and sees Sakolomé arriving.
Niyus silent, looks at Bakuzan and Sakolomé then.
Niyus: hey Sakolomé!!!
He shouted to attract Sakolomé's attention.
Sakolomé hears the call and goes towards his father and brother.
Sakolomé: Yes father, I'm here!
Niyus looks at Bakuzan then looks at Sakolomé again.
Niyus: Very well, you are the two biggest children I have in my eyes, I would like you to know even more the importance of what that implies!
What Niyus was saying made Bakuzan and Sakolomé take by attention, they wanted to know more about what their father was saying.
Niyus: You are going to monor city, for a whole school year, I will ask you both to keep a close eye on Salome and Bakuran, you Especially Bakuzan, you should keep an eye on the three, I am talking about Sakolome, Bakuran and Salome, you are going to town, people know that the killer men have done harm before, so you must do everything so that hatred if possible and if it happens that your brothers receive does not affect them, they and you yourself will have to remain as calm as possible and not pay attention to all this, understood?!
Bakuzan: But.... father, we already know all this, and we continue not to be affected by these!
Niyus: I think it is always useful to tell you, in my opinion you can never be too warned!
Bakuzan sighs.
Sakolome: It is understood father, we will do that!
Niyus smiles and notices that Sakolomé was holding a stuffed animal on his hand.
Niyus: Sakolomé, where did you get this teddy bear?!
Sakolomé looks at the teddy bear and replies.
Sakolomé: I found it in my little training ground!
Niyus: Hmm... and what do you do with it, imagine that it's a mutated mutant?!
Sakolomé: It's unlikely, if you want you can inspect it yourself father, I can guarantee that it's safe!
Niyus smiles.
Niyus: I believe you, you have a good boy Sakolomé!
He then strokes Sakolomé's head, which made the latter smile.
Niyus: Now go finish putting away your bags, I'll continue to comfort your mother!
Sakolomé (surprised): Comfort mother? She has a problem?!
Bakuzan speaks.
Bakuzan: Let's say that mother is very sad at the idea that we're going to be away from her tomorrow for a very long time!
Sakolomé (relieved): Oh... just that, I thought it was worse than that!
Niyus responds with a look that is both worried and mocking.
Niyus: She loves you so much, it must really hurt her to be separated from you like that, she's been inconsolable since then, I would have liked you to sing a group song to say goodbye to her but given the situation I'm afraid it will make things worse!
Sakolomé and Bakuzan are suddenly skeptical.
Niyus continues to dissuade this.
Niyus: there's no point in thinking children, we're not going to do anything, because you know your mother well, doing that will make everything worse!
Sakolomé and Bakuzan look at each other again and nod at the same time.
Bakuzan: Yes father you are right!
Niyus nods in turn and goes to his wife.
It is evening and the big tidying up is finished, the young people are all in their rooms about to go to sleep.
Sakolomé was lying on his bed, holding Melinda's teddy bear, he was only looking at it.
His gaze thoughtful, he no longer seemed to be disturbed by anything else or even by sleep.
*knock knock knock.
Someone knocks at his door.
Amu: Sakolomé, can I come in?!
It's his mother, Sakolomé puts the teddy bear away and answers.
Sakolomé: Yes mother, you can!
The door opens and Amu looks at Sakolomé lying on the bed.
Amu comes closer to him and asks.
Amu: Sakolomé, is there something wrong with you?!
Sakolomé sits on his bed and looks at his mother.
Sakolomé: What are you talking about?!
He asks, looking intrigued.
Amu comes closer to Sakolomé's bed and sits next to him.
Amu: Sakolomé, I'm your mother, I know you better than anyone, and there's a strange change in your mood, I've never noticed it before, I want to know what's happening to you, tell me!
Sakolomé remains silent, still thoughtful.
Amu was really worried about her son and his behavior was not indifferent to her.
Amu: Sakolomé, is it because you're going to town that you're making that face?!
Sakolomé: No, it's not that, it's something else and...and I don't think I'm ready to talk about it now, mother!
Amu: Hum.... very well... fine.... but sort out this sadness very quickly otherwise I'll have to force you to tell me.
Sakolomé looks at her mother in a stunned manner.
She gets up and heads towards the exit door of Sakolomé's room.
She grabs the doorknob and adds.
Amu: Sakolomé...my son...seeing you in this state hurts me so much, you don't know how much a mother in the line of dragon men is attached to her children, they are so attached that they can feel their suffering and their pain without having endured them, yours is due to the disappearance of a loved one is that it?
Sakolomé widens his eyes and feels like an open book, his mother had hit the very middle of what made him sad.
Amu: It's like you met someone you finally found affection for, as much as you have with your family, before losing them for good, I don't want to intrude too much on your life, but a word of advice Sakolomé, never show people that you're suffering, no matter how much suffering you'll experience, accept it, it's a reality that you have to get used to, the more you run away from reality the more you suffer, just tell yourself that it's something that happened to you and that can happen to anyone, accept suffering inside and smile outside my child, as a mother I....
Amu is interrupted by what Sakolomé was doing, the latter gets up from his bed and runs to his mother.
Amu: Sakolomé what are you ....
He throws himself into his mother's arms and hugs her.
Amu is amazed and prays with sorrow and empathy, this scene reminds her of the same with Salomé that day at the market.
Sakolomé cries while hugging his mother.
Sakolomé: Mother...I loved her so much but she disappeared without a trace....sniff..sniff...she didn't even say goodbye to me...what the...sniff...what the hell did I do wrong!!!
Amu is even more taken with empathy, Sakolomé is a strong boy, he hadn't cried like that for a long time, Sakolomé is someone quite strong in emotion, but making him cry like that. Amu understands very quickly that this person was very dear to her son.
Amu (whispering): So that's it...so it was a girl, you were in love with her?! You loved her a lot?!
Sakolomé, his head pressed against his mother's chest, nods in his chaotic tears.
Amu: It's because of her that you didn't sleep at home a while ago I suppose, my poor son, the first romantic relationships are always the strongest for people like us, so she disappeared without saying goodbye to you?!
Sakolomé nods again.
Amu: Maybe she had a problem, it doesn't matter if she loves you I swear she'll come back, if she never comes back it's because something very serious happened to her that may have cost her her life... cry my child..cry, it will allow you to free yourself, don't let anyone else see your weakness like that OK?!
Sakolomé nods again.
Amu spent the evening trying to comfort her son as best she could, then she left him only when he fell asleep.
Day breaks and it should be the big departure.
A bald man in a black suit was on the scene with a plane that had a man in military uniform inside, this bald man in a black suit is uncle Baham.
He came to pick up the children.
Standing in front of niyus and Amu in tears in niyus' arms, they try to comfort Amu.
Baham: Well come on... Amu... your children will always be able to come see you, they won't disappear for good!
Niyus nods.
Niyus: Exactly, that's what I try to tell her over and over again but she doesn't listen to me!
Amu: My babies!!! Sniff... sniff...!!
The young killer men had already packed all their stuff in the plane.
Bakuzan approaches Baham and says.
Bakuzan: Uncle Baham, we're done!
Baham: Alright, go take your seats now, we're going to leave.
Bakuzan nods.
Bakuzan gets closer to Niyus and Amu.
Bakuzan: Father, mother, I'm going to have to say goodbye to you!
Niyus smiles and says.
Niyus: Goodbye my son, watch your brothers and sister carefully.
Bakuzan smiles and nods.
Amu takes Bakuzan in her arms and says.
Amu: My boy...my little boy...sniff...know that I'm your mom and that I love you all!!!
Bakuzan feels a little embarrassed but is still happy to hear his mother say it.
Bakuzan: We love you very much too, mother!
Amu: take good care of yourself..sniff..sniff, my darlings!
Bakuzan: Don't worry mom!
Salome comes out of nowhere and hugs her parents' abdomen because of her short height.
Salome: Goodbye mom and dad, I love you very much!!
Niyus smiles and lifts Salome.
Niyus: Dad loves you too my darling!!
Niyus looks at Amu and adds.
Niyus: Okay..amu now we have to leave Bakuzan, they have to go!
Amu leaves Bakuzan, still in tears.
Baham looks at Amu's situation and takes a tissue from his pocket.
Baham: Amu, I have a tissue for you!
Amu takes the tissue and says.
Amu: Thank you Baham, that's nice of you!
She then blows her nose.
Bakuzan takes Salome and puts her on his shoulders.
Bakuzan: Okay, we're going to get on the plane. There's Sakolome and Bakuran who have certainly already taken the best seats, haha!
Niyus: Have a good trip, kids!
Bakuzan leaves with Salome on the plane.
Baham: Well, Niyus and his charming wife, I think the time has come for us, we're going to have to leave!
Niyus: So be it, my brother, we're entrusting our children to you!
Amu: Baham, especially take good care of them, and Salome hates eating sardines, never give her any!
Baham: Haha... Amu, you're really a mother hen towards your children, don't worry, I'll listen to them anyway and if there's a problem with food or anything else, I'll call you right away!
Niyus: It's understood!
Baham turns around.
Baham: See you both, keep a close eye on the terrain!
Baham then heads towards the plane and gets in.
Baham looks at his pilot and says.
Baham: You can take off!
The plane starts moving, Amu and Niyus take a few steps back and watch the plane climb into the sky and take off to head straight for the city.
Amu is overcome with grief and puts herself in Niyus' arms for comfort.
Amu: My babies, I'm going to miss them so much!!!
Niyus: Don't worry, I'm telling you, they'll be fine.