Chapter 4: A Second Chance

Section 9: Hammer

"He has been such a great help to us," said an elder woman, "I just don't know what we would do without him."

"He has been a blessing," replied her husband, "he could be a bully sometimes, but he has always had a good heart."

The sun rays came down on the Lost Ground. It was dawn and the dew on the verdant grass shone like diamonds.

The clanking sound of wood being thrown down moved through the crisp air.

"Oh, my dear, you're here so early," the woman said with a smile.

The visitor continued to add wood to the stack. He was a relatively large man, with black shoulder-length hair and wore a red open vest that showed his bare chest.

"Biff, my boy, would you like some tea?" the elder man asked.

"That's alright sir," Biff said, looking around, "say, does anyone have a hammer?"

Section 10: Tryst

It was a beautiful day, the sun's rays came down and warmed the earth. A few white clouds floated through the sky, carried by the light breeze.

Ayase stood in awe, looking down at the Lost Ground from an outlook. She lifted her hand and brushed her brown bangs from her eyes.

Kimishima stood next to her. It was an amazing view, but he found what was by his side to be far more breathtaking. He couldn't take his eyes off of her as he watched her eyes take in the sites.

"Beautiful," Kimishima said softly.

"Yes," Ayase replied as she looked out at the ocean, "it really is."

Kimishima smiled, "I wasn't talking about the view."

She turned to look at him with a slight look of surprise on her face. Her cheeks lightly colored at his remark.

He looked at the view for the first time since they arrived on the cliff. The back of his hand lightly bumped Ayase's, she laced her fingers with his. The two inners looked at the beauty around them.

Section 11: The Cricket's Music

Kimishima and Ayase walked on the road back home. It was twilight and the music of the crickets was just starting to fill the air.

They arrived to the front of Ayase's home. "Thank you, for today," she said as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Your welcome," he whispered into her ear.

An almost blinding light shot through the sky. It made a sound like a sonic bang, and the ground shook.

The lover's embrace broke as a result, and they both looked around.

"What was that?" Ayase asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't know," Kimishima answered, "Ayase, you should go inside. I'm going to go find out what happened."

"If you go then I'm going with you," she stated.

"I'll be fine," he said, putting his hands on her shoulders.

Ayase opened her mouth to protest but was cut off.

"Please Ayase, just stay here. I'll see you in the morning," and with that he lightly kissed her on the cheek and ran in the direction that the disturbance came from.

The song of the crickets grew louder and the girl stood there and watched as the one she loved faded into the darkness of the night.