I find myself jogging as quickly as I can toward the swimming centre, billowing smoke my only guide as I made my way through a relatively cleaned up disaster zone. To think this was once full of people, it certainly brought my own perspective into question. Was I so determined to find you that I'd shut everything and everyone else out? All these damned questions, I cannot keep track of those I've yet to answer.

For now, I simply hurry. Whatever that explosion was, or still is, I'm sure it's related to you in some weird and whacky way. I know my chances are slim, I know... At least give me this chance to try, to come forward and actually do something rather than watching it all unfold before me. I've gotten smarter, Chloe, and I'll prove to you that I am truly a force of nature. That time in the pool... It was like we were pirates all over again. I'll never forget it.

The extent of the damage wasn't something I was expecting, really. For the most part, the outer walls were pretty intact, it was just the fact that half of the roof could be seen sticking out from a fair way away that made one think. Maybe something heavy crashed down, and caused this? I wouldn't put it past a heavy truck or something, but what do I know about physics, huh? My powers can't really be explained by it, or so I think.

While this place has seen better days, I can certainly say that it's still rather remarkable. To be able to stand after such a storm, it must have taken a miracle or two to do that. Not that I believe in those, given what I can do. The front entrance was blocked by rubble, so I had to find my way around it; it almost reminds me of the time we explored near the lighthouse all those years ago, and the ways we tried to make our own ruins to ransack; we were certainly modern day pirates then! Ah... Good times, really.

Back on track, I make my way around the building, looking for a way, until I stop in my tracks. Looking up somewhat, I find myself in shock and awe as a huge flock of bluejays fly about in some circular pattern; what the fuck was going on? There were so many, thousands of them at least! I decide to make my way onward, I had to get inside here no matter what, there was no way these birds would distract me-

Oh, they just had to, didn't they.

One by one, these small blue birds begin dropping from the sky. I know this can't be real, but I watch on regardless; I'm almost inclined to see how this plays out. This wasn't normal at all, that much was known. At first it was only a few birds, but then, it just became heavier and heavier until I simply had to stop.

They fell like raindrops, as though the sky itself wept for what these birds represented. I began crying, because I knew exactly what this was after all.

Chloe.

This was the card fate had given you. A price made up of your life to account for imbalances in the universe, ones I was likely responsible for. By doing all I had done, by learning all that I had, maybe I was responsible for this cruel card. I can't let this current sacrifice be in vain; I won't let your very being fade away into nothingness! I had a mission, and while I didn't know how I was going to manage it, I knew I couldn't give up on you. There was no time to do that, not after so long.

It was here where I seemed to return to reality, only, there were no birds anymore, and there was a sizeable hole in the wall, no fucking coincidence about it. Whatever, I just could not spend the time to properly look into this, for there was an explosion to explore right here. For once in my miserable existence since that week, I decided to take a picture of this hole left by those birds. Maybe one day it would come in handy, but that day wasn't anytime soon.

Going inside of this place after so long was quite the experience indeed. The pool itself... Geez, I haven't seen water that green in a long time. Of course, without anyone able to clean up this particular mess right now, it would be hard to keep clean as it once was. It's quite a sight to see the roof within the pool, these two years of decay have made their mark on the fallen structure.

Continuing on from my urgent sightseeing, I walked around to where the girl's change room would be... Were it not for another chunk of roof in the way. I sigh softly, before noticing something right at my shoes; they're more like boots, kinda like yours... But that's a matter for another day. There was so much to do now, and yet, I've barely made any progress beyond pissing your mother off with my ramblings, and perhaps walking down a road I don't want to know. However...

There was a photo at my feet. It certainly wasn't there when I stopped in this place, and my eyes widened at the fact.

I swear I stopped breathing when I discovered it, but I quickly knelt down and picked it up, blowing dust and dirt off the surface, my eyes widening at the content within the small white border. It was us, and it was from a long time ago. This must have been before I left the Bay, but... It was a start. This was the first piece of the puzzle, if it could be called that...

All I know is, regretfully, Mr. Jefferson taught me one thing here: it has potential. Before I went on a rampage in a carefree place like this to the thought of his fucking existence, I focused on the picture, and hoped like hell it would give me something, anything to sate my thirst for new knowledge.

I'm on my way, love.