Chapter 31 - Kindred Spirits

"I was really surprised when I reached the entrance. Khoohk. The glass doors are broken, Khoohk, and the robot knight is destroyed. Khoohk. What happened to this place? I thought to myself. It's like a car crashed inside the building. Khoohk.

As I looked around, Khoohk, I caught a glimpse of you. Khoohk. I was so happy! I finally caught up with you! Khoohk! My scientific hunch is correct! Khoohk! I'm so smart! Your destination is the skyscraper all along! Khoohk."

(Lionel's thoughts: Are you happy because you found me? Or because you were right and smart?)

"But that happy feeling changed to dread. Khoohk. Why? It's because you're going up the stairs. Khoohk."

Silence...

"HOW AM I GOING UP THE STAIRS IF I GOT A HEAVY OXYGEN TANK AND DEXTROSE WITH ME?!! KHOOHK! KHOOHK! KHOOHK!"

(Lionel's thoughts: She's scary!)

"Thank goodness there's an elevator. Khoohk"

(Lionel's thoughts: Wow... Her mood changed so fast! She's really emotional when telling stories!)

"I figured out that you're going to the top floor, Khoohk, because you're weird,"

(Lionel's thoughts: I'm... weird...?)

"So I went to the penthouse. Khoohk. Finally! I'm ahead of you! Khoohk!

When I arrived at the penthouse, Khoohk, I figured out that you will not get here easily. Khoohk. So, I took the liberty to lie down on the soft, big couch, Khoohk, and have a good rest while waiting for you to come. Khoohk. You see, I was really tired and, Khoohk, the couch is very soft. Khoohk. The air-conditioning was great too so... Khoohk. I fell fast asleep. Khoohk."

(Lionel's thoughts: Well, I can't blame you for that. Even their carpets is soft and plush.)

"I woke up when I heard a voice. Khoohk. I looked around and saw you..."

Elisa's tone became serious.

"You're outside, Khoohk, at the very edge of the building... Khoohk. Pulling that signal light out... Khoohk. I caught you just in time before you almost broke that bulb... Khoohk. You know the rest of the story... Khoohk."

Silence...

(Lionel's thoughts: Everything is really just a dream... It's so hard to accept this...)

"So that's what happened, huh... Khoohk."

"Yup. Khoohk."

Silence...

"There's no Kaoru in the beginning... Khoohk."

"You're walking all alone. Khoohk."

Silence...

"Why...? Khoohk."

She looked at me

"?"

"Why did you save me...? Khoohk."

Silence...

"There are many others you could have chosen and saved... Khoohk. Why choose me? Khoohk."

(Lionel's thoughts: You should have left me alone... I want to be with Kaoru...)

Silence...

"You could at least say thanks! Khoohk!"

"I'm sorry... Khoohk."

"Sigh... Khoohk.'

Silence...

"To be honest, Khoohk, I really don't know. Khoohk."

I looked at her.

"Maybe it's because we're the same age. Khoohk. And I also think it's because you would believe me, Khoohk, if I tell you my assumptions. Khoohk. I know you would hear me out and understand me. Khoohk. Unlike the older ones... Khoohk. I know that you would let me tag along, Khoohk, and will not leave me alone in a 'safe place,' Khoohk, saying, 'Don't go anywhere! I'll come back for you!' Khoohk!"

"..."

"I guess... Khoohk. When I first saw you, I really think you're a kind person, and you would help me, Khoohk, in any way you can. Because I think we're quite the same, Khoohk, weirdos. Lionel, I want to save this city and I can't do it alone. Just look at me. I need you, Lionel. I need your help. Will you lend me your hand?"

Silence...

(Lionel's thoughts: How can I say no to that? You chose me, even if I'm a complete stranger! You believed the good inside of me... Thank you... For trusting me... I will not let you down!)

"Thank you for saving me, Elisa. And yes! I will give my all and help you save this city! Khoohk."

"That's what I want to hear! That's the spirit! Khoohk."

(Elisa's thoughts: Finally! The little sad boy has awakened!)

"Khoohk, I'm sorry for all the trouble that I caused you, Elisa. Khoohk."

"Forgiven! Khoohk!"

"So... What are we going to do now...? Do you have a plan or something? Do we even know where to start? Khoohk."

"While we're talking, I figured it out! Khoohk!"

(Lionel's thoughts: Uhmm... You did all the talking, Elisa.)

She stood up and picked something from a shelf.

"This is a map of our city. Khoohk."

She spread the map on a table.

"We're here. Khoohk."

She pointed at a red dot on the map.

"In the outskirts of the city, Khoohk, there's a nature preserve. Khoohk. That's where we'll find the Tryffyds. Khoohk."

"Are you sure...? Khoohk."

"It's the only nature preserve in this city. Khoohk. If we're the first city infected by the Tryffyd pollen, Khoohk, this is definitely where they came from! Khoohk! Because we're the nearest target! Khoohk!"

"So what's the plan, Elis? Khoohk."

"We'll go there and eliminate the source! Khoohk! We'll stop the Tryffyds and their spreading pollen! Khoohk!"

"Uhmm... That's quite far, but I'm with you! Khoohk! How are we going to eliminate them? Khoohk. May I suggest something? I think fire is very effective against them. Khoohk."

I showed the lighter and newspaper that I got from the counter.

"No Lionel. Khoohk. We can't risk a forest fire. Khoohk. That's arson and there'll be too much collateral damage. Khooohk! We might burn the city and kill innocent lives. Khoohk! No can do, Lionel. Khoohk. We can never do that! It's a good suggestion though, but still no. Khoohk!"

"Aw..."

I returned the lighter and newspaper.

"What's your solution, Elis? Khoohk."

"Follow me."

We went to the far end of the convenience store.

"OH MY GAASH!! KHOOHK!! WHAT IS THAT?!"

She tugged a string switch three times...

"TUDDUHDUHDUH!! TUDDUHDUHDUH!! TUDDUHDUHDUHDUH!! DDRRRRRRRRRRZZZZZZ!!!!!!"

"Good. Khoohk. It has gas and it's working properly! Khoohk!"

"What is it?!! Khoohk!"

"It's a Rolling-Blade Grass Cutter 3000!!! Khoohk!"

She turned it off.

"Tudduhduhduhduhduh..."

"This is what we'll use to eliminate the enemy!! Khoohk!! Carry this for me"

"O - Kay... Khoohk."

What kind of a convenience store is this?!

"But how are we going to the nature preserve? Khoohk."

"Just follow me."

We went to the other end of the convenience store.

"Sigh... They don't have electric golf carts. Khoohk! But this is the next best thing. Khoohk."

"OH MY GAASH!! KHOOHK!! A TRICYCLE WITH A PASSENGER SEAT!!! KHOOHK!!!"

Seriously! What kind of a convenience store is this?!!

"With this, we can go to the nature preserve! Khoohk!"

"Uhmm... Isn't this stealing...? Khoohk."

"Stealing is such a harsh word, Lionel. Khoohk!"

She turned to the cashier.

"Hi sleepyhead! Khoohk! Here's another 50 Pesos! Khoohk! We're just gonna rent these, okay? Okay. Khoohk. We'll return it after we save the city. Khoohk. I hope you understand. Khoohk."

The head of the sleeping cashier slowly dropped and slammed at the stainless steel table of the cash register.

"I consider that as a 'yes' nod. Hey Lionel! Put the grass cutter in the back and let's go before he wakes up! Khoohk!!"

She's unbelievable... And amazing at the same time!

"Okay! Let's do this!!! Khoohk!!"