When Lisa had planned her trip, she had imagined snow and cold winds. She imagined a land of delicate beauty and frozen waters and overall to be something out of a winter wonderland.
Maybe she should they should have more attention when planning this vacation. but things had been so busy with her latest book, a critique of the treatment of mental illnesses in Japan. Shibizaki had promised her he would take care of the details while she was shuffled from interview to interview. And so Iceland had remained the mythical land of her teenage dreams.
She hadn't expected to hike the side of volcanoes or to watch geyser spit out scalding water. Iceland had glaciers true, and she had visited museums dedicated to warriors that sailed in long boats, still it was so much more than she had expected.
Just now, while her guide tried to secure their reservations for her next event, she ran across a black beach with sand as dark as the night. It stuck to her bare feet like mad, but she was too enraptured with the experience to care.
Lisa looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. If she slowed down for a few seconds she could see their faces clearly, as bright and lively as they used to be. Still the years have dulled the pain, and now she could look back on those memories without crying again.
"Are you happy for me?"
Nine, Twelve, Five? Look at little Lisa traveling the world, getting to see the sights you so wanted to see? Will my prayers rest your souls now? Will you get to move on just as I have?
Her train of thought was interrupted by the buzz of her phone. It was Yuna, bright and lively as ever.
Enjoying your trip, dear? (*^▽^*) ∩(︶▽︶)∩ o(｀・∀・´)○
Lisa laughed at her wife's playful texting style.
Yes, wish you were here
Awwww (*≧∀≦*) Still someone has to managed things while you're gone at least you got to go with Mr. Shibazaki tho
She wondered what he saw when we looked at the land of the Number Children's dreams. Did he get the same nostalgia she experience? He didn't have happy memories of the Summer of 2014 like she did, but to cope he must have at least found some reason in the matter like she has.
I wish they could met you Yuna
Hopefully someday when they were finally at peace, the three of them reunite with the Terrorist Twins and Snow White. Lisa had learned to adore every second on this Earth, but death seemed less scary with what she believed awaited them on the other side.
A.N. A day late for another ZNT week, sorry, but I have been really making progress with my novel and so inspiration has seduced me from the Sphinx Trio. A different style still I hope you find it enjoyable!