I was sitting in my room later in the evening with a towel wrapped around my hair. The sea water was far too salty to leave on, so I showered thoroughly to get it all off. Then I had changed into a fresh set of clothes since my other outfit was soaked with salt water.

As I sat on the bed in my purple pajamas, I mused about the big day coming up. To and from the mainlands was as far as I went in my life. It was going to be different going out farther and on a homemade raft built by us.

What if we sailed right into a storm?

The raft was sturdy enough to handle the waves, I was sure. But, a severe thunderstorm was probably enough to break it apart. Then, there was the need for a food source. Tomorrow was the day we would pick up all of the provisions needed, but I had my worries.

Riku, before I got home, reassured me that everything would be okay with him being in charge. I feigned relief, but I was still a little concerned.

Well, I was going to have to bring along a fishing rod or two. The ocean had its fair share of raw meals, but seafood was easy to work with. Hopefully everything would work out just fine.

I sighed and laid back on the mattress.

"Are there really other worlds out there?" I pondered out loud, and my eyes locked onto the glowing dots in the night sky.

The very idea sounded just as unthinkable as the Paopu legend. If there really were other worlds, then how were we supposed to see them all. There were a lot of stars in space, so I was taught. What if the number of stars was the same as the number of worlds?

It would be a pain to try and explore each one, and I did not think that they were all connected by an ocean. Certainly, if there were other worlds, then we needed to come up with a different kind of method for travel.

A rocket?

That sounded reasonable. But, we were just kids. No adult would ever make a rocket and let us fly it around through space, if that was where the other worlds were. All of this thinking made my head hurt... I almost wished that Riku did not think of anything concerning leaving this world.

I shifted onto my side so that the window was to my back and focused on the dim nightlight plugged into the wall.

This world is just too small...

The words bounced around in my head, and I agreed with them. There had to be something more than just these islands. I narrowed my eyes and moved the pillow under my head.

"Somehow, we need to get off this world and see what there really is," I said quietly to myself. "But, what can I do right now?"

It was already nighttime, so the others were bound to be asleep already. So, I was stuck in my room. Thinking. But, then I noticed something on the corner of the nightstand next to my bed. I was not sure how I missed it, but I sat up and picked it up into my fingers.

"A letter?" I mumbled under my breath, cocking my head to the side out of curiosity. "How did I miss this?"

The white paper inside the envelope was neatly folded. I pulled it out and switched the light on so that I could see. Unfolding the paper, I read all that there was on the front page.

Kara,

It has been a long time since I last saw you. I hope that you are doing well.

It must be tough taking care of yourself all alone, but I know that you have your friends to count on.

There is something I need to tell you, but you might not understand right away.

Something has happened.

The world as you and I know it will soon meet its end at the hands of the darkness.

All of it is the doing of a great and mysterious power, surely.

I won't be able to help you, so please take these words of guidance.

Do not let the darkness scare you, even if it takes away all that you love.

Do not be afraid to go on this journey. You have the power to

Perhaps it will lead you back to me in the future.

Sincerely...

I was finished reading the last line but found that the signed name was partially erased. The only legible letter at the bottom of the letter to me was an 'a'. Could it have been from one of my parents? It sounded to me like someone who I must have known fairly well. But, where did it come from? There was no address, just my name.

"Something happened," I furrowed my brows together. It sounded serious and personal. "I don't know what this is all about, but... maybe I should keep an eye out for the others."

Slipping the letter into the drawer, I switched the light back off and slid under the warm blankets. It may have been something important, but none of it seemed really urgent. Heck, it may not have been a legit issue. Some person down the road may have been trying to pull a prank on me. Nonetheless, I shut my eyes and thought no more of it.

I needed to be ready for tomorrow.