It was getting dark now and Ponyo lay on the bench. Cold and wet. The umbrella and her coat was now soaking wet. Then a car passed and the pulled over. It was Kumiko.
"What are you doing in the rain, Ponyo?" she asked.
"I am waiting for Sosuke" Ponyo replied.
"You mean, Sosuke isn't back yet?"
Ponyo nodded her head silently.
Kumiko went beside her.
"Did you call Sosuke?" she asked.
Ponyo nodded again.
"What did he say?' Kumiko asked.
"He didn't get the phone or reply my messages. I am so worried Kumiko. I don't know what to do" Ponyo replied.
Then Ponyo cried harder. Kumiko tried to confront her.
"Well, Ponyo. I think the best thing to do now is to go to the community centre with me. You will get sick and catch a cold if you stay here" said Kumiko.
"But, what if- what if, he doesn't come back? Or if he did come back, do- do- do yo- you thi-think that-that he-he will know where-where we are?" Ponyo was now shaking.
"Yes, Ponyo, he is smart. He will know where we are and will know that we are safe. And I am sure he will be back soon. Come on, I need to hurry because I have my twins with my husband waiting for me at the community centre" Kumiko said and grabbed crying Ponyo to her car.
Ponyo never said anything or never opened her mouth during the drive to community centre. She just kept on crying. Kimiko wasn't sure about Sosuke so she was silent as well.
"Ponyo, we are here" said Kumiko .
Ponyo nodded slightly.
Then they entered the community centre where every resident have evacuated.
Kumiko's family came and hugged her. Ponyo's eyes searched for Sosuke but there was no sign of him. She stood down and laid down with her tears rolling on her face. She was cold and she just wanted to see Sosuke. Kumiko gave her a blanket and a community leader gave her new coat and a sleeping bag.
It was time for dinner. And everyone gathered up to eat. The dinner was mac and cheese with mashed potatoes and coleslaws . Ponyo didn't speak at all and ate silently. She sat on the window side and looked up to the beach, and no sign of any boats or any human. She sighed. What if Sosuke never came back? And what if he was never found, or reached a different destination. But please come back, Ponyo begged in her head. Please, please, please. Then she remembered about Koichi who didn't come back for two days or so. He did came back but Ponyo just remembered what he said it about. He once said about giving up hope but then Goddess of Mercy came to the sea and the engine went back on. Then she remembered, the goddess is her Mother, Granmamare. Then she thought of her fish friends. She then made up her mind of what to do. She was planning to go to the water and ask her mother and her friends to help. But when? The door will be locked soon. She thought of ways getting out. Then she thought of going to the toilet which is outside, pretending but goes to the beach instead.