Summer vacation was to be a time for any teenager to enjoy themselves before the beginning of a new school year. Those who graduated looked forward to college, starting a job, or perhaps even enlisting in the military. For four years, everyone’s path flowed as one as a single solitary line advancing towards the same destination but at the end of those four years, everyone’s lines would no longer run parallel to each other. They would splinter into many directions and the lives traversing those paths would change. All people would inevitably walk their own path but one night, a man who had been walking his path for the second time learned that the destination couldn’t be changed. As the police sirens cried in the background, two paths splintered, one of them coming to an end. The other path must continue without its parallel to keep it company.
It wasn’t long before local news stations picked up and reported on the incident.
“Two were killed yesterday evening in an accident at the Two Rivers shopping plaza. The accident occurred at A.R. Dragonfly art studio when a vehicle lost control and drove into the front doors, killing one teenage girl. The girl has been identified as eighteen-year-old Serah Annhearst; however, the driver of the vehicle, who is also deceased, has not yet been identified. The girl was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident while the driver was pronounced dead at the hospital Medical staff at the hospital have reported that it appears that the driver had suffered a heart attack behind the wheel prior to the accident.”
Almost as if time had rewound, Mikomi and Serah stood there outside of A.R. Dragonfly’s. Mikomi was about to turn and walk away when Serah stopped him in his tracks.
“Why are you leaving?”
Mikomi was a bit confused by that question. He turned around and looked at Serah with a puzzled look. She seemed rather concerned about his departure and he didn’t know why. It had become a routine for him to drop her off at art class and then come back to pick her up when it ended. Mikomi shook his head for a moment and then answered Serah.
“I’m dropping you off. This is your final art class, remember?”
“You’re abandoning me, aren’t you?”
Serah took a step forward with a worried look on her face. Mikomi was a bit shocked to hear her say those words. He had put forth a great effort to change the world line and ensure that Serah would never be never alone in this world. She hadn’t exhibited these emotions in years but as he looked her in the eyes, he could only wonder where this relapse came from. He knew he had to say something to calm her down.
“What? Abandon you? You know that I would never do that, Serah! I’ve been dropping you off here for the past year. I’ve always come back to pick you up, haven’t I? Why would tonight be any different? I’ll be back to pick you up when you get out, just like I always have!”
“You’re lying. I’m never going to see you again, am I?”
Mikom’s emotions swirled around inside of him. Something had happened to Serah to cause her to relapse but he didn’t know just what that cause was. All he could do was comfort her and assure her that he wasn’t going anywhere. He took a step toward her and reached out with his arms to embrace her in a hug.
“I’m not lying, I’m going to be right–”
Before Mikomi could finish, everything became bathed in a bright white light. The blinding light caused him to stop dead in his tracks and shield his eyes. Through his fingertips, it was as if Serah became nothing more than a silhouette in the blinding light before fading away. A thunderous crash exploded in Mikomi’s ears before he let out an ear-piercing scream.
Suddenly, Mikomi was elsewhere. His face was covered in cold, drenching sweat as his eyes jolted around frantically, trying to ascertain his surroundings. Mikomi’s breathing was heavy and labored as a voice jolted him even further.
“AGAIN!? Geez, man. This is the third time this week and it is only Thursday! Now I’m starting to understand why your other roommate bailed on you. How is a guy supposed to get any sleep with your damn nightmares!? Seek help or something, man.”
“S-sorry, Derek.”
“Whatever. I’m going back to sleep.”
Mikomi sat up in bed and took a look around the room. Even though it was nighttime, the moonlight illuminated the room enough for him to realize that he was in his college dorm at MUT. His bed was up against the left wall while his roommate, Derek Carter’s bed, was up against the right wall. There was enough room in the dorm for one desk which was set up between their two beds underneath their only window. This was the place he had called home for the past month and a half and while things were cramped, he was making it work as best as he could. His last roommate, Caleb, moved out just last week after getting sick of putting up with Mikomi’s nightmares. At this rate, Derek wouldn’t be far behind.
Six months had passed since Mikomi lost Serah. It was a day that constantly haunted him. He could only think about it and nothing else during the day and could only relive the horrible experience in his dreams at night. He thought that he had changed the future but in the end, the same fate waited for Serah and he felt powerless to stop it. Mikomi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and laid back down in his bed, wide awake. He closed his eyes and began to think to himself.
These nightmares… How much longer must I endure them? Is this my punishment for failing to change the future? Still… something doesn’t feel right about it at all. I just can’t understand how I was able to change so much and still end up with the same result. Serah died in the original timeline on the same exact day as she died here. Given everything that has happened, that shouldn’t have been the case. What did I miss? What error did I make?
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
No matter how many times I replay the situation in my head, I can’t think of what I missed. There had to be something that I overlooked, something so obvious that was staring me in the face. At this point, whatever that is, it must be laughing at me... ridiculing me for being so inept. The only saving grace to all of this is that everything since then has gone on as I remembered it. It feels like I’ve started back at zero once again. Where do I even go from here? Am I supposed to just follow this path like some sort of subservient drone? If that’s the case, then what was the point of all of this?
Mikomi took a deep breath and sat back up. He realized it was futile to try and sleep so he decided that some fresh air might help clear his head. He stood up and grabbed his winter coat and quietly exited his dorm room. He made his way down a hallway and pushed a button to summon the elevator. He stepped inside, thankful to have the entire elevator to himself. He pushed the button for the lobby and the doors closed. As the elevator began its descent, Mikomi began to think some more.
Every night I’ve had to deal with this uneasy feeling. While it has subsided over the past few months, I still can’t rid myself of it completely. It’s almost as if I don’t want to get rid of it because it’s the last piece of Serah that I have left. It’s my constant reminder that I failed. This truly is my punishment.
The doors to the elevator opened. The sounds of the doors opening echoed through the front lobby as there wasn’t a single person in sight. Then again, you wouldn’t expect to see many students walking around at 2:30 in the morning. Mikomi headed for the front doors and exited, sticking his hands into the pockets of his winter coat. He walked towards one of the rest areas off to the left of the dorm entrance as his thoughts continued.
Some nights I can sleep all the way through and then there are nights like tonight where I just can’t. I admit I’ve gotten better since the accident. I remember not being able to sleep for an entire week. I would just sit in my room in complete and total silence. Then, one day, my body completely gave out and I collapsed in bed. That’s when the nightmares began. I couldn’t sleep a full night after that. I had lost my appetite and even had to be treated for anemia. I, honestly, didn’t want to live anymore after that.
Mikomi made it to the rest area and found a bench. He stopped in front of the bench and looked down at it for a moment. Mikomi closed his eyes and then took a seat on the left-hand side.
After I was released from the hospital, I realized that giving up wasn’t the answer and I still know that today, but what can I do? If I were to change anything else, would it matter in the end? I couldn’t save Serah. How am I supposed to save anyone else?
“I just wish… I knew what to do…”
Mikomi said those words quietly, almost under his breath as he stared down at the cold, hard ground. He sat there in silence for a few moments but a faint sound behind him caught his attention. It sounded like something was being dragged across the ground. The sound got a little louder and was accompanied by what sounded like footsteps in the grass. Mikomi knew that these sounds were more than just random noises in the background. He turned his head and looked over his shoulder. He instantly recognized the person who had walked up behind him, but he wasn’t the least bit surprised to see him. Instead, he turned back around and continued to stare down at the ground.
The man walked around and stood in front of Mikomi.
“Mind if I have a seat, my dear Mikomi?”
Mikomi said nothing as Sebastian had appeared in front of him for only the second time in six months. Sebastian disregarded Mikomi’s silence and took a seat on the right side of the bench, crossing his legs and resting his gold cane on top of them.
“I don’t want to hear what you have to say.”
Sebastian let out a sigh and patted Mikomi on the leg.
“Mikomi… how much longer are you going to-”
“Just leave!”
Mikomi’s words were sharp. They pierced through Sebastian’s skin and it caused him to become a bit startled. He uncrossed his legs and looked as if he were going to stand but he stopped himself. Sebastian crossed his legs once again and even folded his arms.
“On second thought, no… I’m not going to leave, Mikomi. We never did finish our chat from a few months ago. I was the gentleman and gave you your space and now it’s time that you face the conclusion of that conversation.”
“I’m not interested in what you–”
“Your interest is irrelevant. I’ll follow you back to your room if I have to. I’ll materialize for the whole world to see and awaken your new roommate who’s about one disturbed sleep away from choking the life out of you. I’ll do all of that just for the sake of finishing our conversation. Remember… you’re away from home now. Nobody will question who I am. For all they know, I’m just some visitor you know that’s come to keep you company. I can be less secretive here. I could bug you every minute of every day until you cave. Besides, after you hear what I have to say… it might make you sleep better but then again, it might not. It all depends on how you interpret the information.”
Mikomi let out a deep sigh as he knew that he had no choice. Sebastian was going to keep hammering away until he caved so Mikomi decided that he would do just that.
“Fine… I’ll listen. Say what you have to say and make it quick. It’s freezing out here.”
“As you’re well aware, I’m sure, I’m constantly watching you. You should know my job description by heart at this point so you know the reasons why. I saw the accident and I’ve watched you suffer because of it. I saw you at Serah’s funeral and how absolutely devastated you were but throughout all of that, when you wanted nothing more than answers. I kept my distance because I felt that you would be just as you are now… unwilling to listen, only worse. I decided to come to see you, thinking I had given you enough space but perhaps I hadn’t and for that, I sincerely apologize; however, I have one question to ask. Just how much longer are you going to throw this pity party for yourself?”
Mikomi glanced over at Sebastian and gritted his teeth. Mikomi was on the brink of just letting loose and decking Sebastian in the face, but he held himself back.
“The cold, hard fact is Mikomi… Serah died and you couldn’t change anything. That look in your eyes tells me that you knew I was going to say that. I’m not trying to stir you up… I’m merely stating the facts. I told you everything about shaping and changing this world, Mikomi. I warned you about-”
Mikomi shot straight up and grabbed Sebastian by his jacket. He pressed Sebastian up against the bench as hard as he could.
“DON’T YOU DARE SAY ANYTHING TO ME ABOUT BALANCE! THAT’S ALL YOU EVER SAY! BALANCE THIS… BALANCE THAT... AND YET, YOU TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A DIFFERENT TIMELINE… THAT I COULD MAKE THE CHANGES I WANTED TO! YOU EVEN AGREED TO PROTECT THE WORLD I CREATED AND YET… SERAH’S STILL DEAD! DON’T LECTURE ME ON BALANCE!”
Sebastian let out a sigh and then disappeared into thin air. Mikomi lost his balance and stumbled forward. He had to use the bench to brace himself and keep himself vertical. Sebastian reappeared behind Mikomi and fixed his suit jacket. Mikomi turned around while Sebastian crossed his arms behind his back and began to walk away.
“I’m sorry, Mikomi. I simply can’t give you the answer you desire. You are correct, though. I did agree to protect the world you created and I did encourage you to find a new path to discover who killed you, but the world threw you a curveball and, I’m sorry to admit, it threw me one as well.”
Mikomi was stunned by that remark.
The world threw him a curveball? What does he mean by that?”