5 years ago, in the Philippines…
Violet; And that's how I met your father, on this spot, on this very beach.
This amethyst haired woman said this while relaxing on a white beach chair holding a tropical cocktail.
Jessie; Wow, so now, can you tell me about human repro…
? walking towards them with a wide grin; Oh, what are my two favorite women up to?
Violet; oh, just stories.
Jessie; Daddy, I didn't know you fraught bears.
Dmitri; well Siberia was a harsh place, had to do all I could to survive. But all that is behind me now, all that matters is us my dear.
Jessie then placed her hand on Violet's belly.
Dmitri; don't worry, he'll join us soon.
Jessie; I can't wait to meet him.
Dmitri; neither can I.
Anyway, let me go get some more punch, is there anything you like?
Jessie; Apple juice please.
Dmitri; right then.
After Dmitri left…
Jessie; can you tell me another story?
Violet; maybe later sweetie.
Jessie; aw come on. Hmm, what if I go get you something, then would you tell me?
Violet; mmm, sure then.
Jessie; alright!
A few minutes later…
Jessie; Hey mom I'm…
And there I stood looking at where my mom had sat right next to the mat, my hand felt empty for some reason, I wondered why. Then I realized it, I dropped bracelet I was planning to give mom but for some reason I couldn't even move, I couldn't feel or hear anything, like all my senses had paused and my vision was in slow motion, that one instant felt like an eternity until…
Dmitri; Jessie, JESSIE! What happened to your mother!
Jessie; I, I don't know.
And that was when it hit us, a gust of wind so strong anything that wasn't nailed down was blown away. My father held me tight while I watched the mat we were sitting on get blown away, along with nothing more than blood, and organs.
Tom; it's worse than I thought. Jake told me what happened to your mom, but I didn't know how to bring it up, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Jessie; don't be, it had nothing to do with you.
Jake; we came to make sure everyone was safe, that and to track down the speedster.
Jessie; what about Jerry?
Tom; he woke up from a coma just 3 days ago.
Jake; they got him off guard, however they won't get us the same way.
Jessie; OK, what do I need to do?
Jake; our original plan was to inform everyone and have this town evacuated, but that could just scare him away. So, we're just looking around for anyone suspicious.
Tom; It might take a while, but luckily, this town has fewer than 100 people living in it.
Jessie; So, what do I do then?
Jake; it's simple, when we find the terrorist, we'll send you a signal, when you receive it, warn as many people as you can and get to safety. Worst case scenario, this whole town gets leveled and the terrorist escapes.
Jessie; alright then, but let me add one condition.
Tom and Jake; What is it?
A few hours later…
Jake; It was nice seeing you again Jessie.
Jessie; Don't mention it.
Tom; By the way, I'm still sorry I forgot to see you after all this time.
Jessie; it's fine.
Jake; We'd love to see you soon.
Jessie; I know you will, you've come here every two weeks.
Tom; Jake!
Jake; what? Her dad makes really good steak, and his beef Stroganoff is to die for.
Tom; Then hire him as a Chef.
Jake; I tried, he said no.
Tom; really?
Jake; yeah, my dad even offered to pay him higher than a diplomat.
Tom; What!? So why did he say no.
Jake; it's not about the money he said, turns out, there are some things money can't buy.
Later…
Jake; alright, see you soon.
Tom; take care.
Tom, walking home alone; *Itona's probably cooking dinner again, I should take lessons someday*
Tom wasn't aware of this, but a certain device was blinking in his pocket.
*I wonder how I should make it up to Jessie, I should probably get her something nice* wait a minute, where am I?
At this moment, Tom realized he had walked into a desert a few kilometers away from the town. Jake then looked around in confusion wondering how something like this could even happen normally. Then suddenly the ground broke underneath him causing him to fall in.
Months earlier, at a cliff…
Rose; is it over?
Lara; yes, I've sent the mental projection of you into Tom's head. You just saw it yourself did you not?
Rose; will he be able to tell?
Lara; only time will, but honestly, he might never stop thinking about this. Sending him that image, meant I had to look into his head, and he hasn't forgiven himself for what happened to you. Tell me, why do all this?
Rose; I don't know honestly, as much as I want him, I just can't be with him.
Lara; and why is that?
Rose; As things stand, I don't think I'll live to see morning.
Lara; why didn't you just stay?
Rose; Trust me, it's better this way, for Tom. Also, for the first time I feel like I actually have a choice of what I get to do with my life.
Lara; I see.
Rose; you have someone don't you?
Lara; …
Rose; according to psychology, you only treasure something the most when you lose it, so cherish the time you have with them, you never know what might happen. I hope you keep that in mind.
Rose then walked to the edge of the cliff while looking at Lara.
And fell off while facing the sky as she smiled.
Tom, waking up, in a dark place; *what happened? Who's flashing all that light in my face? *
?; Who are you?
Tom; I could say the same.
?, while pointing a shotgun at Tom; Listen, I'm not here to play games, so either tell me who you are, or have your head in more pieces than when you got here.
Tom; OK, OK, fine.
It's Tom Wilson. I was just passing by when I fell from the surface.
?; then looked up and finding no signs that the earth had been deliberately tampered with, then lowered his gun.
?; follow me.
Meanwhile…
Jake in front of a motel room; *sigh* here goes nothing.
*knock, knock, knock*
Nino after opening the door; Jacob.
Jake; Hey Nino.
EOC