Andrei wakes early, the warm Manila sunlight streaming through the curtains of his unit. It's his sixth day in the Philippines, and he feels a subtle shift in his rhythm as he adapts to the slower, more relaxed pace here. Today, he decides to spend some time exploring Manila, taking in sights he's only read about from afar. He laces up his running shoes and steps out, feeling a mixture of anticipation and tranquility.
Starting his morning jog near Manila Bay, Andrei soaks in the sights around him. The air is thick and humid, with the scent of saltwater lingering on the breeze. Palm trees line the path, and he sees families, couples, and groups of friends enjoying the early hours by the shore. It's unlike anything he's seen back home, the warmth of the place seems to match the warmth of the people.
As he jogs along, he watches vendors setting up their carts, ready to serve fresh buko juice, skewered treats, and other local snacks. Children run barefoot on the grass nearby, their laughter ringing through the air. He notices how strangers exchange greetings with ease, a gentle nod or a quick smile, as if everyone's a familiar face. The openness feels inviting and strange all at once.
After his jog, he decides to stroll toward Intramuros, the historic walled city that once served as the heart of Spanish colonial Manila. With his camera in hand, Andrei wanders through the cobblestone streets, captivated by the preserved architecture. The old buildings, with their wooden details and grand stone facades, tell stories of a time long past, and he can't resist capturing each angle, each shadow cast by the morning sun. Every click of his camera etches a memory into his journey.
Midway through his stroll, his phone buzzes with a message. It's from Nigel.
9:47 AM
Nigel: Hey, how's your day going?
Andrei smiles slightly, finding the casual check-in oddly comforting. He types back.
9:49 AM
Andrei: Morning! It's good. Just out for a jog and exploring around the bay area. How about you?
A few moments pass before Nigel replies.
9:52 AM
Nigel: Nice! That area's beautiful. I'm just at work, but I might have a lead on a place you could check out for your search. I'll let you know if it pans out.
Andrei's heart gives a slight jump, but he reminds himself to stay grounded. The "lead" could be nothing, but Nigel's willingness to help touches him.
9:55 AM
Andrei: Thanks, man. Really appreciate it. Just let me know whenever you find something.
He puts his phone back in his pocket and continues walking. The day wears on, and Andrei finds himself enchanted by the sights and sounds of the city, taking photos of nearly everything. He snaps pictures of the colorful jeepneys parked on street corners, an elderly couple walking hand in hand, and the intricate details of San Agustin Church.
Every once in a while, his phone vibrates with a new message from Nigel. The topics are light, just casual chatter about local foods Andrei should try or tips on navigating the city. Nigel never brings up his own search for Lance again, and he doesn't press too much about Andrei's brother. It's a comfortable distance, enough for Andrei to feel at ease, even if he barely knows the guy.
By the time dusk settles, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Andrei has a camera full of memories and a strange sense of belonging. Manila is new, yet there's something grounding about it, as if the city itself understands his search, his quiet longing.
As he walks back to his unit, he feels the faint buzz of his phone once again—a final message from Nigel for the day.
5:34 PM
Nigel: Hope you enjoyed your day out there. Let me know if you need any tips on where to go next.
Andrei types a quick response, feeling a slight warmth from the simple gesture of someone checking in.
5:35 PM
Andrei: I had a great time. Thanks for the tips, Nigel. Catch you later.
With that, he slides his phone into his pocket, the city's evening lights flickering around him as he heads back to his place. The day feels fulfilling, yet he can't shake the thought of how, despite the miles he's covered, he's still just as far from finding Atlantis.
But for the first time, he's not sure he's completely alone in the search.
After his stroll through Manila's bustling streets, Andrei makes his way back to his condo. The warm, humid air from outside feels like a distant memory as he steps into the cool, quiet space. He lets out a sigh, feeling the day's exploration settle into his muscles. Dropping his camera and keys on the counter, he pours himself a glass of water and heads toward his desk. His mind, however, is far from the lively scenes he photographed today. It's drawn back to a single notification that's been nagging at him since Wesley first sent it over.
Setting his glass aside, Andrei powers up his laptop. The gentle hum of the device fills the otherwise silent room. He opens his messages and clicks on the link Wesley sent, his fingers moving with a deliberate caution. The glow of the screen reflects off his face as he scrolls through the website, his eyes narrowing slightly, the light casting shadows under his brow. He's focused, almost wary.
The post appears, simple but full of intention. It's Wesley's message, crafted with care, detailing Andrei's story and their search—a plea disguised as a simple inquiry on a message board for reconnecting lost people, places, and memories. Most replies are unremarkable, typical internet chatter that only offers false leads or well-meaning encouragement. But one reply stands out.
A single username, user_navi, catches his attention immediately. It's not flashy, but there's something different about it. Unlike the other comments, user_navi's response is brief but confident, as though they know something no one else does. As though they're certain they can help. Andrei's pulse quickens slightly as he clicks on the profile, letting the page load with an almost agonizing slowness.
The profile reveals little—no picture, no location, just a handful of cryptic posts on various missing persons threads. Each one is carefully worded, hinting at knowledge that lies just beyond reach, but never saying enough to be fully understood. Andrei leans in, studying the limited information, as if searching for any subtle clues hidden in plain sight.
He moves his cursor over the "Message" button and pauses. There's a weight to this moment, a tension that builds in his chest as he considers what he's about to do. He's been searching, following vague hints and small leads, hoping that each step will take him closer to answers. Yet something about this feels different—he doesn't know if it's the strangeness of the username, the directness of the response, or just his own desperation creeping up on him, but he can feel it. This feels… real.
Andrei takes a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly, gathering himself. He's not sure what he'll find on the other side of this conversation, but he knows he has to take the chance. Letting the air out slowly, he opens his eyes, his gaze fixed on the screen. With one final click, he opens the message box, his fingers hovering over the keyboard as he contemplates his first words.
For a moment, he just sits there, staring at the blank message field, his thoughts racing. But he knows he can't delay any longer. Finally, he begins to type, each keystroke feeling like he's inching closer to something he can't fully understand.
Andrei's fingers hovered over the keyboard, carefully crafting his message to strike a balance between honesty and caution. His introduction was simple, devoid of personal details, just a hint of his purpose. He chose each word with precision, aiming to convey his determination without revealing too much. He needed user_navi to understand that he wasn't open to games or deception; this search meant everything to him, and he couldn't afford recklessness.
He reread the message, took a breath, and hit "send."
Andrei
8:42 PM
Hello. I'm Andrei. I saw your response to the post, and… I'm looking for someone. A family member who went missing. I'm hoping to find information, but I need to make it clear, I won't entertain any kind of malicious intent. I've been careful with this search, and I won't take unnecessary risks. If you're genuinely trying to help, let's talk. But if you're looking to waste time or mislead, I'll find out soon enough.
The message was out there now, hanging in the quiet solitude of his condo. Andrei leaned back, exhaling as anticipation simmered beneath his caution. With no immediate reply, he occupied himself with mundane tasks such as tidying up, scrolling through news, and attempting to read. But every few minutes, he found his gaze drifting back to the screen, hopeful yet wary.
Time crept on, and just as his patience began to fray, a notification chimed softly. It was 11:17 PM.
He clicked on the new message without hesitation.
user_navi
11:17 PM
Hi, Andrei. I understand your caution, and I appreciate it. You're right to be careful, especially in situations like these. I don't know you, and you don't know me, so let's keep things simple for now. I'm here because I have certain skills and knowledge that might be of help. I'm not looking for trouble or games. I don't have time for that either. But I do know some things that could guide you in the right direction.
Andrei's eyes narrowed as he read the reply. It was calm, without any trace of eagerness or manipulation. User_navi's words carried a strange warmth, a grounded confidence. Still, Andrei wasn't ready to drop his guard. He needed more assurance before he could trust a stranger on the internet with something so critical.
He typed his response carefully, a probing question meant to feel out this unknown person.
Andrei
11:20 PM
What exactly do you know? And why would you want to help me?
A few moments later, user_navi replied.
user_navi
11:23 PM
Fair questions. Let's just say I know a bit about people who go missing… and where they sometimes end up. I've seen cases like yours before. As for why I'm willing to help? Call it a personal interest. I don't like seeing people disappear without a trace, and I know how frustrating it can be to search in the dark.
Andrei's fingers hovered above the keyboard as he read. There was something in user_navi's words, a familiarity that hinted at experience. But still, he couldn't shake the feeling of caution. He felt compelled to push a little further, to test the sincerity of this stranger.
Andrei
11:26 PM
I'm grateful, really. But understand that I can't fully trust you yet. You have to know how this looks from my side, someone on the internet, claiming they know about missing people? It's hard to take at face value. I need some reassurance here.
A pause, and then the reply came.
user_navi
11:28 PM
I get it. I'd feel the same. Here's what I'll say, I don't expect you to trust me yet, and I wouldn't ask you to. That's why I'd prefer to meet. Face to face, somewhere public. You don't have to give me any personal information until you're ready. But there are things we shouldn't discuss online. If you're serious about this, let's arrange a meeting. You can decide after that if I'm worth trusting.
The words seemed to leap off the screen, igniting a spark of adrenaline in Andrei's chest. Meeting in person felt like a risk, a venture into unknown territory. But then he thought of his brother, the vow he'd made to follow every lead, no matter how tenuous.
After a long, steadying breath, he typed his answer.
Andrei
11:32 PM
When?
Seconds passed, stretching out like an eternity. Then, the response appeared.
user_navi
11:34 PM
You decide.
Andrei stared at the screen, his mind already calculating the logistics, the potential risks. He sits in silence, eyes unfocused, lost in thought. He thinks of Wesley and he would agree to this. He knows he must consult him first. He considers asking Seb to accompany him, he's the closest person he can ask to look out for him. Then his thoughts drift to Nigel, who's probably still in Pampanga. Even though Nigel is kilometers away, he feels a sense of security at the thought of having him by his side if it came to that.
Minutes pass, and he still hasn't replied. His fingers hover over the keyboard as he weighs his options, his mind wrestling with caution and the desperation to find answers.
Then another message from user_navi appears.
user_navi
11:26 PM
I know this isn't easy for you. Take your time. I'll be here until noon tomorrow if you decide. I'm around Metro Manila, so I can travel wherever's convenient for you.
Andrei's shoulders relax slightly as he reads the message, feeling a strange relief in the stranger's patience. After a moment of reflection, he types back.
Andrei
11:28 PM
Alright. Thank you for your time. I'll get back to you.
There are no more messages after that. Andrei leans back in his chair, exhaling slowly. The decision still hangs in the air, unresolved, but for now, he knows he can sleep on it. Tomorrow would test him—his resolve, his patience, and perhaps, his faith in people. For tonight, he could only hope he'd made the right call in keeping this door open, even just a little longer.