Zack walked away, leaving Mareo alone with his thoughts, "there was no one there?" Mareo asked, looking back to the parking lot where he saw the personage, however there was no one. Having work drag on throughout the night, with customers coming every hour or so, and finally the morning sun started to break from the horizon. Quickly looking at this watch it told him the time 6:38, Mareo became excited, knowing that he was almost free from work. The workload picked up with the morning commute, people filling their tanks for the day, and everyone frantically rushing to work, however once it had slowed down at his watch, he saw the time: 7:58.
Having a grin on his face, Mareo started to wander inside, and waved to his co-worker coming on his shift for the day. Passing the automatic sliding doors, he made his way to the counter and to the cash register, and began his tedious paperwork, calculating money, gallons pumped and other factors and after he was finished, he left with a smile on his face and looked at the morning sun, "well…I have the rest of the day…" Mareo yawned aloud, and then started to wander to his car parked in another lot. "I should get some sleep before I have to come back tonight…" Mareo talked to himself as he slammed the door and fumbled for his keys and then started the car and started to drive home.
Arriving at his destination, he got out of the car and wandered to the front door of his apartment, and unlocked the door and let himself in. Closing the door behind him, he tossed both his wallet and keys onto the counter and noticed a red blinking light: someone had left him a message. Pressing the "play" button, the automated voice announced what time the call was made and the message played:
"Son…I know it was your decision to move out and live life on your own terms…but honestly…Can you survive between going to school full time and working full time? I hear you are barley making the rent from month to month…and your grades are slipping…I just want you to know that we are here for you…"
Mareo listened to his father's words, but they went in one ear and out the other. Walking away from the machine, he made his way down the hall and threw his work clothes into a black plastic hamper and grabbed the towel hanging from his door. "I know what I'm doing… Its really hard now…but I'm fine…" Mareo talked to himself and then smacked his forehead, "I gotta really stop talking to myself…" Stepping into the bathroom he turned on the shower and let the water get hot and then stepped in, "I know my father is there for me…but I can't go back…not after what he did to Mom…" He thought to himself, his mind rewinding the scenario. Mareo's father had left the family, and was only now, 2 years later trying to mend everything, recalling that his mother wanted nothing to do with him, she left.
This pained Mareo, from his early childhood he remembered his parents and siblings being happy, and lively. Now it was mess. Shutting of the water after soaping down his body and washing his hair, he stepped out of the shower and grabbed his towel and dried himself off wandering back into his room and he got dressed. Wearing a long sleeve blue shirt and a pair of white khaki pants he moved from his room and went into the kitchen, and opened the fridge, Mareo simply looked at the shelves, bare and without food, "looks like I need to go grocery shopping today…" he sighed as he shut the refrigerator door, and then grabbed his keys and wallet and walked outside, his eyes being temporarily blinded by the sun. Locking the door behind him, he made his way back to the car and got in, "oh…I should see what time I work tomorrow…" With that, he started the car and drove back to his work.
Parking close to the building, he wandered inside and gave clerk behind the counter a wave and went on his way finding the items he needed. Walking to the clerk with the items in hand and let him scan them, and then Mareo saw something. Turning his head left, he saw the same figure standing on the terrace of the gas station, and he raced outside, "I'm not letting this chance pass me again!" Mareo thought as he ran, and finally reached him. The figure in black slowly lowered his head, his hood had hidden his face, "Who are you? What do you want?" Mareo shouted to the stranger, however there was no response, "I know your from Kingdom Hearts…You're a member of the Organization! Tell me what you want!" he shouted, and the figure erupted in laughter, "well it seems you have hit the nail on the head, your right. I am a member of the Organization…but not the one you're thinking of." Mareo became confused, "what do you mean?" The man stretched out his hand, "you and I…we are not that different…" "I don't know what your planning…but I wont take part in it!" Mareo shouted, and the man laughed again, "you don't get it…Do you?" Suddenly Mareo's mind stopped. "I've heard this guy's voice before…Who is it?" he thought to himself, "I know you better than anyone…" the figure said raising his hands and removing his hood, "because I am you."
The brown hair, the dull blue eyes it was like looking a mirror for Mareo. "Who…Who are you?" he asked, but the duplicate shook his head, "no I should be asking you that question. I am the true self. You are part of my memory I need." Mareo took a step backwards, "I'm…" he began, but then shook his head, "NO! I am my own person, not some memory! I have my own emotions and memories! I HAVE A HEART!" Mareo shouted at the top of his lungs, but the figure simply watched, "there is not doubt about it…you are part of my memory…" With that, the figure vanished, leaving behind an echo of laughter…
