The Future
Before Tsukasa stood a creature that had haunted his dreams since his exodus from the World. The monster was enormous, and looked as if he was a skeleton made of stone. But what frightened Tsukasa most, was what the creature had in his hand, for it was blood red scepter of sorts; a true instrument of death.
"Are you," asked Tsukasa, gazing in awe and terror at the creature. "The Ghost of Christmas Future?"
The spirit moved his head in the yes response.
"Oh please," begged Tsukasa, "don't take me. Just spend me home, I've seen enough. Please have mercy."
The spirit was mute to Tsukasa, as he pleaded. A noise came from the building next door. Tsukasa turned to see a TV on inside the display window, with a program of sorts on. He looked back to the spirit, who merely pointed back at the TV.
Tsukasa walked to the in front of the display window and watched.
"On tonight's edition of the Six O'clock News," said the newswoman. "The year 2010 in review."
"2010!" said Tsukasa, "but it's not even 2007 yet!"
The news continued deaf to Tsukasa statement.
"Our top story is of CC Corporation and their rise to power in the last four years. Under the world's youngest CEO ever, Tsukasa Hilling," said the news, flashing a picture of an older Tsukasa, in his early twenties. Tsukasa now was mesmerized by the TV. Indeed, for it what it said was true, then the meeting he was to have with CC Corporation tomorrow had indeed gone the way he hopped.
The newswoman started again, "It was four years ago that the young Tsukasa, only nineteen at the time. Left college and on Christmas day, 2006, and joined the ranks of the leaders of CC Corporation to conqueror the market place. After only a year onboard, Tsukasa quickly ascended the corporate ladder and became the first twenty year old CEO. Soon after this, a new game was released by CC Corporation. It was called the Quest and nothing like it had ever been seen, heard or touched before."
"Seen, heard, touched and smelled," said Tsukasa. "What the hell is she talking about?"
"The Quest was a revolutionary game," began the newswoman. "Not just in the size and scope of the game, but for the ability to actually live the Quest. It was the first game to ever touch upon all five senses, completely submerging the player in the game world. When asked how he created such a game, Tsukasa merely replied it came from 'Personal experience.' Currently over fifty million players all over the world are registered to the Quest, some going days inside the game world without any contact from the outside world."
"Oh God I created another World," said Tsukasa.
"No," said the spirit, in a deep raspy voice, "much worse."
"What?" said Tsukasa.
"There is a darker side to this story though," said the newswoman. "In the three years that the Quest came into the market, several hundred cases of players experiencing seizures and comas have been reported. When asked to comment on the effect of the game on players, Tsukasa had this to say."
The TV changed from the studio to Tsukasa, in a gray suit, inside his office. "Hey," began the annoyed Tsukasa, "video games have always caused seizures and comas, let's not kid ourselves. And to single out my game, I think is cowardly and just your station's way of creating a story where there is none. And any way, there have been only a few hundred cases of these instances, compared to the other fifty million healthy players, who play the game everyday."
Tsukasa was choking on his rage. Had his future self forgotten that hell, when he was trapped and alone in the World? Here he was doing the same thing, creating a prison just like the World for a new generation of players.
"Besides the comas and seizures," said the newswoman once more. "Due to CC Corporation's cut throat business policy. CC Corporation has a monopoly in every sense of the word, over the market. This has caused what competition there was before Tsukasa and his Quest, to disappear, making Tsukasa and CC Corporation the most powerful company in all of the business world today."
"Turn it off," said Tsukasa quietly. The spirit complied and there was silence again.
"Spirit," said Tsukasa. "What of BT's and Crim's company?"
The spirit, without a word, raised his scepter and threw it to the ground with a crash. A red wave was borne from the spot the scepter crashed, changing all in its wake. Gone were the towering buildings, replaced now with shabby row homes.
"What is this place?" asked Tsukasa.
The spirit pointed to the home in front of them, through the window Tsukasa could see two silhouettes. Tsukasa made his way to the home, and through the wall he entered, now in the presence of two very familiar faces.
"I can't believe this," said Crim. "The first time I meet the guy face to face, and he buys us out for thirty thousand dollars."
Crim was older now, and not just by four years, but by much more. His hair was gray and deep circles where etched under his eyes, which seemed to lose there once healthy flicker.
"It could be worse," said BT.
BT seemed to fair just as bad as her husband. Her body was disturbingly thin, and her hair was no longer that bright blonde of her youth. Both Crim and BT were truly at their wit's end.
"Spirit," asked Tsukasa. "Who are they talking about? Who bought their company out?"
The spirit lifted his hand and pointed at Tsukasa.
"Me!" said Tsukasa.
"Worse," came the cry from inside. "How could it be worse," Crim was near hysteria now. "Our company's gone! This thirty thousand won't last us a year! I can't get a job cause every other God damn business went under! And all of this because of that bastard Tsukasa!"
"Crim keep your voice down," said BT. "I just got our Tsukasa to bed."
"I'm sorry," said Crim. "I didn't mean to yell."
"But Crim we are fortunate that Tsukasa bought us out instead of waiting for us to go bankrupt like all the other companies."
"Fortunate," began Crim. "I'll tell you whose fortunate, that little bastard Tsukasa. If it wasn't for us that little shit would still be rotting away in that World. Christ I wish I never met the guy, then none of this would have happened."
BT was shocked. "Crim are you listening to yourself!?" She began, "You're right if you hadn't of met him, none of this would of happened. We would've never met and never fell in love and this life we built together would never have come to be!"
"BT I didn't," said Crim.
"Would you rather have Tsukasa still in the World and not have this!?" asked BT.
"Baby please," said Crim trying to comfort BT, but she was running to their bedroom with tears in her eyes.
A few moments past and a little boy came down stairs to see his father. "Daddy," said the small boy, "what was that noise?"
The boy was small and looked like a copy of his father save for his eyes, which were that of his mother's. Crim put smile on, "Why, Tsukasa, it was Santa Clause of course."
"Really!" cried the little Tsukasa.
"Yeah," said Crim, "but he heard you a coming and had to hide. Now go back to bed or else Santa won't leave any presents."
"Ok daddy," said Tsukasa as he ran to his room.
Crim sat down, exhausted and put his hands to his eyes. The holidays were always rough on him and his family. Especially with the sickly tree in the corner, with nothing to show under it.
Tsukasa turned from the scene and started walking with the spirit. "They're aren't any presents are there."
The spirit shook his head in the yes response. A shroud of mists appeared and as the two walked through it they appeared in what looked like a prison visiting room.
"What are we doing here?" asked Tsukasa.
Without answering the spirit lead Tsukasa to the visitor's window where none other but Bear sat. He looked exhausted, and his beard was thin and gray.
"Bear," said Tsukasa, looking stunned at his former company.
A few moments passed till a young looking prisoner was escorted to the opposite side of the glass, where Bear sat. The prisoner had sort dark hair, and eyes that seemed to look right through you. His body had undeniable signs of stress, with scars and bruises all across it. The prisoner and Bear both reached for the phone connected to their booths.
"Hello Sora," said Bear.
"Hey uncle Bear," said Sora. "How's every thing on the outside?"
"Not to good," said Bear with a sigh. "Tsukasa's suing me for character likeness in 'When I Dream.'"
"To bad, that was my favorite book," said Sora. "But why is he doing it, I'm mean he's got more money then he can spend."
"I think it's his way of saying hello," said Bear, trying to joke.
A few moments of silence past as the two looked at each other. Both thinking about what they had to say next. Sora went first.
"Did you hear?" asked Sora. "Tsukasa's dad died in here."
"Really," said Bear. "Well I guess you could say that's good news, at least for Tsukasa that is."
"Yeah," said Sora, "the guy had it coming."
Tsukasa didn't flinch when he heard of his father's death. He hated his father just as much as his father hated him.
Bear took in another breath, dreading what he had to say next. "Sora I have to tell you something."
"Ok, shoot," said Sora.
"It's about Lin," said Bear.
Sora took a breath and said, "Go on."
"She's...." he trailed off, trying to say the words that he knew could drive his friend to insanity. "She's dead."
"What," said Sora, shocked.
"She ran off a week ago," said Bear, holding back his tears. "It was right before the blizzard, and I went looking for her, but I just couldn't find her." Tears were slowly running down Bear's face as he said this. "And when I found her, oh God Sora I'm sorry. She inside a dumpster, frozen to death."
Sora sat quietly, and the phone dropped from his hands. He put his head down, and for a few moments not a sound escaped him. Then Sora quickly rose to his feet and in an instant grabbed his stool and began to beat ferociously against the glass. Screaming, his face red with rage, as the glass flew, "You were suppose to be there!" repeatedly until the guards beat him to the ground and carried him away, as he yelled, "Lin!" over and over.
Bear slowly hung up his phone, and sat for a moment. He finally got up, under the eyes of the guards and visitors. His cries could be heard, but just barley, as he walked to the exit.
Tsukasa stood and watched all this. Stunned by the news and the carnage that have transpired here. He asked the spirit quietly, "How old was Lin?"
"Fifteen," said the spirit in its nightmarish voice.
"A damn shame," said Tsukasa to himself.
When Tsukasa lifted his head to look at the room once more, everything changed. No longer was he inside the prison but was now on the streets of the city. Tsukasa was looking about trying to figure out his bearings, when someone brushed past him. She was tall, with skin a pale tan. Tsukasa immediately began to follow her, and began to notice things about her. Her hair was gray, with bits of amber, and her eyes, dull now, were of the most striking jade.
"Mimiru," said Tsukasa as he tried to touch her, only reaching out to air as his hand went straight through her.
He continued to follower her through the snow cover streets. As he walked he could not believe how much she aged, looking as if she was over fifty years old. Mimiru walked on until she stopped at an apartment building. Instead of walking up to the entrance she went down another set of stairs to the basement level. She took her key out and entered the room.
The apartment was dark, and when light did come, Tsukasa preferred the darkness. The apartment was bare of furniture, except for the mattress in the corner and the kitchen with its table and stove. Every where else, canvases and drawing boards stood, with their pictures like ghost of friends. Truly not the most pleasant of lodgings.
Tsukasa looked around at the art. The first painting he saw was of a boy sitting alone at a bench. In the background children seemed to be playing a game of soccer, but the boy sat at the bench with his head down. The next was of a giant in a suite who sat atop a building that resembled a throne. The streets seemed to run forever before him, and upon his head was a crown that looked like a mansion. Next, a lone figure with his back to Tsukasa walked down a lonely highway and into the sunset. There were others too. One of an angle ascending into the sky, bathe in a white light. Another of an abandoned city, with its lights off and the buildings scared with broken windows and collapsed walls.
Tsukasa was lost in the paintings when Mimiru put her things down by her mattress and turned on the answering machine.
"Hi Mimiru it's your agent again," said the voice. "Good news, I know you don't need it, but I got you a buyer for that new painting of yours. So, I'll bring the guy over around five the day after Christmas. Oh I almost forgot, the Metropolitan wants some more of your stuff, they're going crazy over it right now. Merry Christmas, and good night."
The message ended, and yet Mimiru had no reaction to the news of a buyer. It amazed Tsukasa to no end that Mimiru, who appeared to be somewhat of a successful artist, lived in such a dreadful hole as this one. With trash and art strewn across the room and with barely any luxuries. Mimiru was looking at a giant canvas on her wall, which Tsukasa couldn't make out, when the second message came.
"Hello Mimiru Kanno," said the business like voice. "This is the office of Tsukasa Hilling. We are calling to inform you that Mr. Hilling does not wish to meet with you over the holidays. Mr. Hilling also wishes me to notify you that he request you stop calling him. Mr. Hilling has a very busy schedule and has no time for distractions. Thank you."
The message ended and Mimiru, put her head down and her hand over her eyes. Tsukasa walked over to her and he saw it. The image made stop and soon he could not tear his eyes away from it. Two figures sat at an edge of a cliff, watching the sun go down. Both had their backs to him as they gazed into the infinitive, one was white and the other amber. Stars darted the sky like a million candle lights, and only the crimson shadow of the sun remained in the distance. Night was coming, but the two did not seem to mind, who seemed more than content just to sit with each over at the edge of the mountain.
"Our spot," said Tsukasa with his heart racing. For he had forgot all about it until this day. Seeing it recreated here, in the home of Mimiru, it made remember its beauty and the joy it brought him. He and Mimiru would spend the whole day there sometimes; usually never saying a word to one another, but that didn't matter. Tsukasa felt safe when he was there, as if the World could no longer harm him, like all his worries disappeared. He could forget everything when he was with her there, and he could finally be at peace.
Tsukasa quickly looked at the other paintings once more and he understood. For this one was the only one where two people were together. The rest were of solitary figures, and cold and barren landscapes.
"I've been painting you for forty years," Mimiru said to herself. "And they always turn out the same, just like you, Tsukasa," she seemed to be addressing the white figure in the painting. "Cause I'm always the same, just like you. And you never talk to me or see me, because just as you said the feeling's the same." She began to quietly weep to herself. "And now my feeling's the same. Cold and lonely, because everyone I ever knew or cared for is either locked up, or left, or dead." She clenched her fist and began to destroy her work. The paper flew across the room, like wounded birds crashing to the ground. Mimiru now collapsed before her ruined masterpiece. "And now I'm alone, just like you. And I don't even have your memory now, just this hole in my heart."
Mimiru curled up on her floor and wept. Tsukasa watched over her, to ashamed to say anything. Here was a friend he had ignored, who cared for him, who simply wanted to be there for him. Yet, he could not even allow that, and instead drove her to this. This state of hopelessness and despair and loneliness, that he created. Tsukasa wanted more than anything to reach out to Mimiru, and hold her, to comfort her like she used to for him. But he could not, for just as in life he was a mere shadow, never caring for anyone, even those who loved him. Tsukasa hated himself more than ever now, for Harold had been right, not only had he destroyed himself, but his friends as well.
But what of his other friend, what about her?
"Spirit," said Tsukasa finally able to tear himself away from Mimiru. "Where is Subaru, take me to her."
The spirit grabbed Tsukasa by the hand and led him through Mimiru's door. As they stepped through the door, the city streets gave way to a cemetery. It was a misty and cold night, with not a star in the sky. The spirit continued to march Tsukasa through the alleyways of tombs and memorials, until stopping at a small grave stone.
Tsukasa looked down and saw it.
'Subaru Nagumi,' read the stone, 'beloved daughter and friend. 1987-2007.'
Tsukasa sighed at the site of his friend's resting-place. He kneeled down. "Oh Subaru I'm sorry," he said. "I should have been there for you." His friend had died, and he did nothing for her. Such guilt Tsukasa felt, not just for Subaru, but for everyone.
He rose and began to address the spirit, but his eyes were still on the stone. "You know, when I get back I'm really gonna spend some ...." His gaze shifted from the stone to the spirit, who was pointing off into the distance. "What?" said Tsukasa startled, "another grave?"
The spirit shook his head yes. He pointed again into the distance, and Tsukasa followed his hand and began to walk. He stumbled along the way, until he saw it.
"No, no," said Tsukasa desperately. "It can not be!"
But there it was. Facing him now the grim truth, written in stone.
'Tsukasa Hilling," read the grave. "May he now find the peace that had so alluded him in life. 1987-2064.'
"I'm not dead!" he cried as he hands crashed against the ground. He slammed his fist against the ground repeatedly, until giving up and throwing himself on the stone. His furry gave way to tears that flowed like rain down his face.
"Oh God," he cried to himself. "Why? Why?"
He cried and cried clutching the stone. The spirit came from behind him. It stood for a moment listening to the pathetic cries of Tsukasa. "What do you want!" its voice bellowed like thunder.
"I want...." Tsukasa took in a deep breath and yelled. "I want to live! I want to go back and set every thing right!" He began to cry again, realizing all this time he was his own worst enemy. It was he who pushed everyone away, locking himself in solitude. Yet, his friends still tried to reach out to him, and be there for him like he should have been. He thought of Mimiru, for she was alone now like he was, in her world of art and memory. "I want Mimiru! I want us to grow old together. I want everything like it was.... Like it was suppose to be." He paused again, and he now raised his head to face the spirit. "I want us to be together."
"Then together is what you shall be," said the spirit, striking its staff into the ground. A magnificent light erupted from it, cleansing every thing and blinding Tsukasa. When Tsukasa opened his eyes, he was no longer in the cemetery but in his bed.
Next time, Tsukasa's redemption. Oh, and thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, and sorry about this one taking so damn long.
Before Tsukasa stood a creature that had haunted his dreams since his exodus from the World. The monster was enormous, and looked as if he was a skeleton made of stone. But what frightened Tsukasa most, was what the creature had in his hand, for it was blood red scepter of sorts; a true instrument of death.
"Are you," asked Tsukasa, gazing in awe and terror at the creature. "The Ghost of Christmas Future?"
The spirit moved his head in the yes response.
"Oh please," begged Tsukasa, "don't take me. Just spend me home, I've seen enough. Please have mercy."
The spirit was mute to Tsukasa, as he pleaded. A noise came from the building next door. Tsukasa turned to see a TV on inside the display window, with a program of sorts on. He looked back to the spirit, who merely pointed back at the TV.
Tsukasa walked to the in front of the display window and watched.
"On tonight's edition of the Six O'clock News," said the newswoman. "The year 2010 in review."
"2010!" said Tsukasa, "but it's not even 2007 yet!"
The news continued deaf to Tsukasa statement.
"Our top story is of CC Corporation and their rise to power in the last four years. Under the world's youngest CEO ever, Tsukasa Hilling," said the news, flashing a picture of an older Tsukasa, in his early twenties. Tsukasa now was mesmerized by the TV. Indeed, for it what it said was true, then the meeting he was to have with CC Corporation tomorrow had indeed gone the way he hopped.
The newswoman started again, "It was four years ago that the young Tsukasa, only nineteen at the time. Left college and on Christmas day, 2006, and joined the ranks of the leaders of CC Corporation to conqueror the market place. After only a year onboard, Tsukasa quickly ascended the corporate ladder and became the first twenty year old CEO. Soon after this, a new game was released by CC Corporation. It was called the Quest and nothing like it had ever been seen, heard or touched before."
"Seen, heard, touched and smelled," said Tsukasa. "What the hell is she talking about?"
"The Quest was a revolutionary game," began the newswoman. "Not just in the size and scope of the game, but for the ability to actually live the Quest. It was the first game to ever touch upon all five senses, completely submerging the player in the game world. When asked how he created such a game, Tsukasa merely replied it came from 'Personal experience.' Currently over fifty million players all over the world are registered to the Quest, some going days inside the game world without any contact from the outside world."
"Oh God I created another World," said Tsukasa.
"No," said the spirit, in a deep raspy voice, "much worse."
"What?" said Tsukasa.
"There is a darker side to this story though," said the newswoman. "In the three years that the Quest came into the market, several hundred cases of players experiencing seizures and comas have been reported. When asked to comment on the effect of the game on players, Tsukasa had this to say."
The TV changed from the studio to Tsukasa, in a gray suit, inside his office. "Hey," began the annoyed Tsukasa, "video games have always caused seizures and comas, let's not kid ourselves. And to single out my game, I think is cowardly and just your station's way of creating a story where there is none. And any way, there have been only a few hundred cases of these instances, compared to the other fifty million healthy players, who play the game everyday."
Tsukasa was choking on his rage. Had his future self forgotten that hell, when he was trapped and alone in the World? Here he was doing the same thing, creating a prison just like the World for a new generation of players.
"Besides the comas and seizures," said the newswoman once more. "Due to CC Corporation's cut throat business policy. CC Corporation has a monopoly in every sense of the word, over the market. This has caused what competition there was before Tsukasa and his Quest, to disappear, making Tsukasa and CC Corporation the most powerful company in all of the business world today."
"Turn it off," said Tsukasa quietly. The spirit complied and there was silence again.
"Spirit," said Tsukasa. "What of BT's and Crim's company?"
The spirit, without a word, raised his scepter and threw it to the ground with a crash. A red wave was borne from the spot the scepter crashed, changing all in its wake. Gone were the towering buildings, replaced now with shabby row homes.
"What is this place?" asked Tsukasa.
The spirit pointed to the home in front of them, through the window Tsukasa could see two silhouettes. Tsukasa made his way to the home, and through the wall he entered, now in the presence of two very familiar faces.
"I can't believe this," said Crim. "The first time I meet the guy face to face, and he buys us out for thirty thousand dollars."
Crim was older now, and not just by four years, but by much more. His hair was gray and deep circles where etched under his eyes, which seemed to lose there once healthy flicker.
"It could be worse," said BT.
BT seemed to fair just as bad as her husband. Her body was disturbingly thin, and her hair was no longer that bright blonde of her youth. Both Crim and BT were truly at their wit's end.
"Spirit," asked Tsukasa. "Who are they talking about? Who bought their company out?"
The spirit lifted his hand and pointed at Tsukasa.
"Me!" said Tsukasa.
"Worse," came the cry from inside. "How could it be worse," Crim was near hysteria now. "Our company's gone! This thirty thousand won't last us a year! I can't get a job cause every other God damn business went under! And all of this because of that bastard Tsukasa!"
"Crim keep your voice down," said BT. "I just got our Tsukasa to bed."
"I'm sorry," said Crim. "I didn't mean to yell."
"But Crim we are fortunate that Tsukasa bought us out instead of waiting for us to go bankrupt like all the other companies."
"Fortunate," began Crim. "I'll tell you whose fortunate, that little bastard Tsukasa. If it wasn't for us that little shit would still be rotting away in that World. Christ I wish I never met the guy, then none of this would have happened."
BT was shocked. "Crim are you listening to yourself!?" She began, "You're right if you hadn't of met him, none of this would of happened. We would've never met and never fell in love and this life we built together would never have come to be!"
"BT I didn't," said Crim.
"Would you rather have Tsukasa still in the World and not have this!?" asked BT.
"Baby please," said Crim trying to comfort BT, but she was running to their bedroom with tears in her eyes.
A few moments past and a little boy came down stairs to see his father. "Daddy," said the small boy, "what was that noise?"
The boy was small and looked like a copy of his father save for his eyes, which were that of his mother's. Crim put smile on, "Why, Tsukasa, it was Santa Clause of course."
"Really!" cried the little Tsukasa.
"Yeah," said Crim, "but he heard you a coming and had to hide. Now go back to bed or else Santa won't leave any presents."
"Ok daddy," said Tsukasa as he ran to his room.
Crim sat down, exhausted and put his hands to his eyes. The holidays were always rough on him and his family. Especially with the sickly tree in the corner, with nothing to show under it.
Tsukasa turned from the scene and started walking with the spirit. "They're aren't any presents are there."
The spirit shook his head in the yes response. A shroud of mists appeared and as the two walked through it they appeared in what looked like a prison visiting room.
"What are we doing here?" asked Tsukasa.
Without answering the spirit lead Tsukasa to the visitor's window where none other but Bear sat. He looked exhausted, and his beard was thin and gray.
"Bear," said Tsukasa, looking stunned at his former company.
A few moments passed till a young looking prisoner was escorted to the opposite side of the glass, where Bear sat. The prisoner had sort dark hair, and eyes that seemed to look right through you. His body had undeniable signs of stress, with scars and bruises all across it. The prisoner and Bear both reached for the phone connected to their booths.
"Hello Sora," said Bear.
"Hey uncle Bear," said Sora. "How's every thing on the outside?"
"Not to good," said Bear with a sigh. "Tsukasa's suing me for character likeness in 'When I Dream.'"
"To bad, that was my favorite book," said Sora. "But why is he doing it, I'm mean he's got more money then he can spend."
"I think it's his way of saying hello," said Bear, trying to joke.
A few moments of silence past as the two looked at each other. Both thinking about what they had to say next. Sora went first.
"Did you hear?" asked Sora. "Tsukasa's dad died in here."
"Really," said Bear. "Well I guess you could say that's good news, at least for Tsukasa that is."
"Yeah," said Sora, "the guy had it coming."
Tsukasa didn't flinch when he heard of his father's death. He hated his father just as much as his father hated him.
Bear took in another breath, dreading what he had to say next. "Sora I have to tell you something."
"Ok, shoot," said Sora.
"It's about Lin," said Bear.
Sora took a breath and said, "Go on."
"She's...." he trailed off, trying to say the words that he knew could drive his friend to insanity. "She's dead."
"What," said Sora, shocked.
"She ran off a week ago," said Bear, holding back his tears. "It was right before the blizzard, and I went looking for her, but I just couldn't find her." Tears were slowly running down Bear's face as he said this. "And when I found her, oh God Sora I'm sorry. She inside a dumpster, frozen to death."
Sora sat quietly, and the phone dropped from his hands. He put his head down, and for a few moments not a sound escaped him. Then Sora quickly rose to his feet and in an instant grabbed his stool and began to beat ferociously against the glass. Screaming, his face red with rage, as the glass flew, "You were suppose to be there!" repeatedly until the guards beat him to the ground and carried him away, as he yelled, "Lin!" over and over.
Bear slowly hung up his phone, and sat for a moment. He finally got up, under the eyes of the guards and visitors. His cries could be heard, but just barley, as he walked to the exit.
Tsukasa stood and watched all this. Stunned by the news and the carnage that have transpired here. He asked the spirit quietly, "How old was Lin?"
"Fifteen," said the spirit in its nightmarish voice.
"A damn shame," said Tsukasa to himself.
When Tsukasa lifted his head to look at the room once more, everything changed. No longer was he inside the prison but was now on the streets of the city. Tsukasa was looking about trying to figure out his bearings, when someone brushed past him. She was tall, with skin a pale tan. Tsukasa immediately began to follow her, and began to notice things about her. Her hair was gray, with bits of amber, and her eyes, dull now, were of the most striking jade.
"Mimiru," said Tsukasa as he tried to touch her, only reaching out to air as his hand went straight through her.
He continued to follower her through the snow cover streets. As he walked he could not believe how much she aged, looking as if she was over fifty years old. Mimiru walked on until she stopped at an apartment building. Instead of walking up to the entrance she went down another set of stairs to the basement level. She took her key out and entered the room.
The apartment was dark, and when light did come, Tsukasa preferred the darkness. The apartment was bare of furniture, except for the mattress in the corner and the kitchen with its table and stove. Every where else, canvases and drawing boards stood, with their pictures like ghost of friends. Truly not the most pleasant of lodgings.
Tsukasa looked around at the art. The first painting he saw was of a boy sitting alone at a bench. In the background children seemed to be playing a game of soccer, but the boy sat at the bench with his head down. The next was of a giant in a suite who sat atop a building that resembled a throne. The streets seemed to run forever before him, and upon his head was a crown that looked like a mansion. Next, a lone figure with his back to Tsukasa walked down a lonely highway and into the sunset. There were others too. One of an angle ascending into the sky, bathe in a white light. Another of an abandoned city, with its lights off and the buildings scared with broken windows and collapsed walls.
Tsukasa was lost in the paintings when Mimiru put her things down by her mattress and turned on the answering machine.
"Hi Mimiru it's your agent again," said the voice. "Good news, I know you don't need it, but I got you a buyer for that new painting of yours. So, I'll bring the guy over around five the day after Christmas. Oh I almost forgot, the Metropolitan wants some more of your stuff, they're going crazy over it right now. Merry Christmas, and good night."
The message ended, and yet Mimiru had no reaction to the news of a buyer. It amazed Tsukasa to no end that Mimiru, who appeared to be somewhat of a successful artist, lived in such a dreadful hole as this one. With trash and art strewn across the room and with barely any luxuries. Mimiru was looking at a giant canvas on her wall, which Tsukasa couldn't make out, when the second message came.
"Hello Mimiru Kanno," said the business like voice. "This is the office of Tsukasa Hilling. We are calling to inform you that Mr. Hilling does not wish to meet with you over the holidays. Mr. Hilling also wishes me to notify you that he request you stop calling him. Mr. Hilling has a very busy schedule and has no time for distractions. Thank you."
The message ended and Mimiru, put her head down and her hand over her eyes. Tsukasa walked over to her and he saw it. The image made stop and soon he could not tear his eyes away from it. Two figures sat at an edge of a cliff, watching the sun go down. Both had their backs to him as they gazed into the infinitive, one was white and the other amber. Stars darted the sky like a million candle lights, and only the crimson shadow of the sun remained in the distance. Night was coming, but the two did not seem to mind, who seemed more than content just to sit with each over at the edge of the mountain.
"Our spot," said Tsukasa with his heart racing. For he had forgot all about it until this day. Seeing it recreated here, in the home of Mimiru, it made remember its beauty and the joy it brought him. He and Mimiru would spend the whole day there sometimes; usually never saying a word to one another, but that didn't matter. Tsukasa felt safe when he was there, as if the World could no longer harm him, like all his worries disappeared. He could forget everything when he was with her there, and he could finally be at peace.
Tsukasa quickly looked at the other paintings once more and he understood. For this one was the only one where two people were together. The rest were of solitary figures, and cold and barren landscapes.
"I've been painting you for forty years," Mimiru said to herself. "And they always turn out the same, just like you, Tsukasa," she seemed to be addressing the white figure in the painting. "Cause I'm always the same, just like you. And you never talk to me or see me, because just as you said the feeling's the same." She began to quietly weep to herself. "And now my feeling's the same. Cold and lonely, because everyone I ever knew or cared for is either locked up, or left, or dead." She clenched her fist and began to destroy her work. The paper flew across the room, like wounded birds crashing to the ground. Mimiru now collapsed before her ruined masterpiece. "And now I'm alone, just like you. And I don't even have your memory now, just this hole in my heart."
Mimiru curled up on her floor and wept. Tsukasa watched over her, to ashamed to say anything. Here was a friend he had ignored, who cared for him, who simply wanted to be there for him. Yet, he could not even allow that, and instead drove her to this. This state of hopelessness and despair and loneliness, that he created. Tsukasa wanted more than anything to reach out to Mimiru, and hold her, to comfort her like she used to for him. But he could not, for just as in life he was a mere shadow, never caring for anyone, even those who loved him. Tsukasa hated himself more than ever now, for Harold had been right, not only had he destroyed himself, but his friends as well.
But what of his other friend, what about her?
"Spirit," said Tsukasa finally able to tear himself away from Mimiru. "Where is Subaru, take me to her."
The spirit grabbed Tsukasa by the hand and led him through Mimiru's door. As they stepped through the door, the city streets gave way to a cemetery. It was a misty and cold night, with not a star in the sky. The spirit continued to march Tsukasa through the alleyways of tombs and memorials, until stopping at a small grave stone.
Tsukasa looked down and saw it.
'Subaru Nagumi,' read the stone, 'beloved daughter and friend. 1987-2007.'
Tsukasa sighed at the site of his friend's resting-place. He kneeled down. "Oh Subaru I'm sorry," he said. "I should have been there for you." His friend had died, and he did nothing for her. Such guilt Tsukasa felt, not just for Subaru, but for everyone.
He rose and began to address the spirit, but his eyes were still on the stone. "You know, when I get back I'm really gonna spend some ...." His gaze shifted from the stone to the spirit, who was pointing off into the distance. "What?" said Tsukasa startled, "another grave?"
The spirit shook his head yes. He pointed again into the distance, and Tsukasa followed his hand and began to walk. He stumbled along the way, until he saw it.
"No, no," said Tsukasa desperately. "It can not be!"
But there it was. Facing him now the grim truth, written in stone.
'Tsukasa Hilling," read the grave. "May he now find the peace that had so alluded him in life. 1987-2064.'
"I'm not dead!" he cried as he hands crashed against the ground. He slammed his fist against the ground repeatedly, until giving up and throwing himself on the stone. His furry gave way to tears that flowed like rain down his face.
"Oh God," he cried to himself. "Why? Why?"
He cried and cried clutching the stone. The spirit came from behind him. It stood for a moment listening to the pathetic cries of Tsukasa. "What do you want!" its voice bellowed like thunder.
"I want...." Tsukasa took in a deep breath and yelled. "I want to live! I want to go back and set every thing right!" He began to cry again, realizing all this time he was his own worst enemy. It was he who pushed everyone away, locking himself in solitude. Yet, his friends still tried to reach out to him, and be there for him like he should have been. He thought of Mimiru, for she was alone now like he was, in her world of art and memory. "I want Mimiru! I want us to grow old together. I want everything like it was.... Like it was suppose to be." He paused again, and he now raised his head to face the spirit. "I want us to be together."
"Then together is what you shall be," said the spirit, striking its staff into the ground. A magnificent light erupted from it, cleansing every thing and blinding Tsukasa. When Tsukasa opened his eyes, he was no longer in the cemetery but in his bed.
Next time, Tsukasa's redemption. Oh, and thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, and sorry about this one taking so damn long.