The last epilogue.
I stare at the wall for fifteen minutes, listening to the news go on about how unusually warm it is for November. 60 degrees for most of the day, dropping down to 49 by seven tonight. "And we turn to the main story today, has Eggman finally given up his conquest? Some young eyewitness tells us…"
I thought it was going to be cool to have Erick as my teacher but it's exhausting. If I stay in bed any longer, I'm gonna be late for training today. And if I'm late that means twenty laps around his office, I learned that on the second day. I take the covers off, haul myself out of the comfort of my toasty bed, and head into the bathroom. There are dark marks on the side of my cheeks from where I broke out, always to remain there no matter what I put on them. My hair hasn't really grown either, and it's still dull and flat-maybe if I have enough money by the end of this week I'll get a weave, they started getting popular. "And these eyes, they're not even that Asianesque and some kid called me Squinty four days ago!" I complain aloud, turning on the sink and reaching for my toothbrush. I remember what happened when I got off my stop on "the boat of destiny".
"Mizuki Ayano, this is your stop." I was so excited to see a brand new world and meet new people. I yanked my suitcase up and rolled it outside, the moon casting shadows on the deck. The attendant handed me a paper with an address on it as he let me off the bridge. When I read the address, the smile was wiped clean off my face. "Is this some mistake? Did you guys mess up?" I demanded, crumbling the paper and throwing it on the deck. "I shouldn't be here."
"I'm ordered to tell you that address Ms. Ayano. Sorry for the confusion." The attendant went back up on the bridge, untying the rope. "Best of luck." Why the hell was I back in the city, in Metropolis? I had already checked out my room, packed up everything, and what, to be back there? Oh hell no, this was ridiculous.
I shoved open the door, slamming it against the wall, and stomped into Erick's office. "Good night Mizuki," said Erick politely.
"What did you mess up? Shouldn't I be in another world right now, not in the same city I just left?"
"No, this your proper destination. I figured last minute that it would be best for me to teach you first for six months," replied Erick nonchalantly. "I don't see why you're upset. I thought you would be happy to be in the city for a while longer."
"But I don't have any friends here, and now that Mia and Risa are gone, I really have no one," I said, refusing to lower my voice. "Why couldn't you just tell me earlier instead of me going through all that?" He gestured for me to calm down but I slammed my fist on his desk, only hurting my hand. "Ow, ow-no, I'm not calming down, this is ludicrous. I already cleared out my hotel room."
"I am a master at traveling between worlds Mizuki. For the next six months I will educate you on time and space, helping expand those powers of yours while you do some self-training. Your other teacher will make sure you don't hurt your hand when you punch," he said. As I scrunched my face together and raked through my scalp, he laughed a little. "If you had done that to your other teacher you'd be running laps until you drop."
"Shut up."
"All I can tell you now is to go back to the hotel, get your key back, and unpack. Training starts tomorrow at eight in the morning. If you're not up for that, then go back and don't come here." He thought he was so smart and so clever tricking me like that. Even though I was pissed, I couldn't imagine a better teacher for me available in Metropolis. "You know, I gave Risa and Mia chips so that I know what world they're in. I can help you understand those chips and you can visit them when you improve." My eyes widened. "It's your choice."
I walk down the block with my hands in my pockets. My skinny jeans finally stretched and I can walk in them normally; I admire my new teal, black polka-dotted shirt with a black scarf wrapped around my neck. If I was doing any physical training, I wouldn't be able to don this sick outfit-everything I'm doing with Erick is all about the mind, that's the best part about training with him. I just have to stock up on Pain Relief! pills later for the persistent migraines and headaches. By the time I'm done today, my skull is splitting open.
I stop at the corner, gazing off to the left. If I go down this block, I'll end up below Angel Island, where Risa would come from. I really do miss her, despite how deadpan she sounded, she knew how to hold a conversation. She was my first true friend here. Arriving at Erick's office, I greet him gloomily, "G'mornin'."
"Morning. Don't get comfortable, we're heading out. We need some space for today." He has on the same outfit he wore when I first met him.
"Where are we going?"
"The park, perhaps?"
' ' '
Why am I going there? Mia's not gonna be there, she's not gonna be there for a long time. Yet here I find myself strolling down the unused road to where Mia used to live at ten thirty at night. My body is telling me to turn around and return to my bed but my heart is bringing me here for a reason. I walk down the little pathway, glancing side to side to observe the shedding flowers and decayed leaves all over. The branches of the bushes are revealed without the lush, green leaves hiding them. Without Mia here, they've lost their shine. Don't be ridiculous, it's part of the natural cycle of plants. I make it to the front of the house, staring up at the two-story house with the balcony facing me. Mia never used that, she has a fear of heights-God, my head. I unscrew the cap of Pain Relief! and drop two pills in my palm. I pop them in my mouth and swallow them dry, gagging at the bitter taste of the Skittle-sized drugs.
"What're you doing here?" I wonder aloud, turning to the side of the house while tucking the bottle in my pocket. "Don."
"That's a surprise, you always call me Leather Jacket Guy." He comes out with his arms folded, wearing a double-buttoned long coat and black baggy jeans. "Long time no see. I'm a drifter, I have nowhere else to go."
"Funny how we both ended up here then. You're not wearing a leather jacket anymore," I point out, observing the balcony. "Why are you wearing a coat? It's not that cold. And you can't get cold I assume."
"To blend in. What're you doing here?"
"Longing for the past of course. Isn't that what all of us do at some point?"
He doesn't answer, he just looks up at the balcony.
"Don't you miss her?"
"More than anything."
"You should've given her a farewell kiss."
"I was nervous."
"Wow, Leather Jacket Guy is admitting to me that he gets nervous around a girl he likes?" I sarcastically ask, watching his steadfast expression soften. "Why not send her a letter?"
"That's a terrible joke."
"Who's joking? Put a note in a bottle and let the waves carry your feelings to her. There's nothing silly about that," I reply seriously, making him leer at me. I smirk at his cross expression, meant to hide his hurt and pain. I've brought despair to him, too. "I've visited a lot of worlds for the past two and a half months, I'm a little smarter now. Remember this, we all share the same skies and the same waters. They might look different but they're all the same. Good night." I turn and start walking away until I remember the future, when he attacks me but Future Mia stops him. Something within these next couple of months is going to drastically change him, another consequence of treading down this path. "Can you promise me something?"
"What?"
"Don't do anything stupid. If you get the urge, please stop yourself."
"Whatever."
Mia's not here to keep this idiot in check anymore and I can't babysit him every night. All I can do is have faith that everything will be alright for when Mia and Risa return. Alright, it's time to go to the hotel and I'm not walking there. With the palm of my hand I thrust forward, opening a yellow-bluish portal for me to walk through. I step inside, feeling Don's eyes burning into my back-Leather Jacket Guy, don't screw up this world for us, it's our temporary home. By getting on that boat, I've led this world down a dark path and I need help to save it when the time comes.
Le fin~ See, short and simple. Hope you guys enjoyed the stories.
