chapter34：Tom's New Mission

When Tom showed up at the living - room doorway, Steve caught sight of him.

A flicker of worry flashed through Steve's eyes. He quickly put down the phone and walked towards Tom. "Tom, did you hear everything?" Steve asked softly, his eyes full of concern.

Tom looked up at Steve, with tears glistening in his eyes. He sobbed and said, "Dad Steve, I heard it all. I don't want to leave here. This is my home. I want to be with you, Kelly and Jack all the time."

A gratified smile spread across Steve's face. He gently embraced Tom as if he were holding the most precious treasure. "Silly child, this will always be your home. As long as I'm here, I won't let anyone hurt you, let alone make you leave this home."

Just then, the vintage radio in the room suddenly emitted a strange sound again. It was no longer the previous "creaking" noise but a melodious tune, like music coming from a far - off time and space. Both Tom and Steve looked towards the room in astonishment.

Tom asked curiously, "Dad Steve, why did the radio suddenly make such a strange sound?"

Steve frowned and said, "I'm not really sure either. I found this radio by chance in a flea market. I thought it was very special at that time, so I bought it. I didn't expect it to make such a strange sound today."

Tom slowly walked towards the room, with Steve following behind him. When they reached the radio, the melodious melody became even clearer, as if an invisible force was attracting Tom. Tom reached out his hand and touched the radio gently once again. Suddenly, a soft light radiated from the radio, enveloping Tom completely.

Tom's eyes widened in surprise. He wanted to call out to Steve but found that he couldn't make a sound. Steve was also stunned by the sight in front of him. He tried to reach out his hand to pull Tom but was bounced back by the light. "Tom, Tom!" Steve shouted anxiously.

In the light, Tom saw some strange scenes. He seemed to be in a vast universe, with stars twinkling and galaxies intersecting. He saw some blurry figures, and those figures seemed to be telling him something, but he couldn't hear clearly.

Suddenly, a clear voice rang in his mind, "Tom, you are the chosen child. Your ideas about science fiction and fantasy will usher in a new era. You should bravely pursue the truth and explore the unknown world."

Tom asked in surprise, "Who are you? What's going on?"

The voice continued, "I'm a guardian from the future. This radio is a time - space bond that connects different time - spaces. You should make good use of it to find those hidden secrets."

Just as Tom was about to ask something else, the light gradually disappeared and he was back in the room, standing in front of Steve.

"Tom, are you all right? What just happened?" Steve asked anxiously.

Tom shook his head. His eyes were full of determination and excitement. "Dad Steve, I'm fine. I think I have a new mission. I want to explore the unknown things, just like those science - fiction and fantasy stories I read in books."

Looking at Tom's determined eyes, Steve knew that this child was no longer the little boy who needed his complete protection. He had begun his own adventure journey.

"All right, Tom. No matter what you do, I will support you. But promise me that you must be careful." Steve said.

"I will, Dad Steve." Tom replied.

On Amy's side, in order to re - establish contact with Tom, early on Saturday morning, Amy drove her brand - new car to the downstairs of Building B in the United Nations Apartment Complex. Five days after she returned from the time - shift, Amy quickly spent a few thousand US dollars on a second - hand American - made car. In the past, she had been living a tight - fisted life. Buying a car or a house was like an unattainable dream for her. She was always alone, living a monotonous three - point - one - line life. But this time, she just wanted to treat herself.

She still clearly remembered that before the time - shift, she lived in Room 202, Building B. It was in that room that she accidentally discovered that radio. She even had a very bold guess: perhaps her time had been flowing backwards all along, while Tom's time was moving forward. If it was really as she speculated, the time of the first case in the "Footless Case" was September in the year which was 15 years before her current time - line. At that time, Tom was in junior high school. Moreover, because of some changes on her side, Tom's death time - line had been advanced from the first year of college to the first year of high school. She must contact Tom as soon as possible and confirm the specific time on his side so as to prevent the homicide from happening.

Since she returned from the time - shift, Amy had changed her job, so she had not lived in this apartment building any more. When the security guard saw her, he didn't recognize her and was a little suspicious and vigilant towards her appearance. "Miss, hello. Who are you looking for?" The security guard finally couldn't help but come forward to ask.

Amy was taken aback for a moment, and then she said with a smile, "I used to live here. I'm back to have a look today."

The security guard frowned and said full of doubts, "Used to live here? How come I've never seen you before?"

Amy's heart skipped a beat, but she still tried hard to keep smiling and explained, "I moved away for a while because of work reasons. I'm back for some business now."

The security guard looked her up and down, as if still hesitating whether to let her in or not.

Just at this moment, a familiar voice came from beside. "Amy, is that you?" It turned out to be an old lady who lived next door and was walking back while leading her puppy.

Amy was like grabbing a life - saving straw and quickly responded, "Yes, ma'am. Long time no see."

The old lady looked at the security guard and said to him, "This girl used to live here. She is a good girl."

Only then did the security guard let down his guard and stepped aside to let Amy in.

Amy breathed a sigh of relief, thanked the old lady and walked into the building. She came to the elevator, pressed the button, and the elevator slowly ascended. Looking at the mirror in the elevator, her thoughts drifted back to the days when she used to live here. At that time, she could never have imagined that she would be involved in such a time - related suspense event.

Amy came to the door of Room 202 and knocked gently.

The door opened, and a lame man appeared at the doorway. There was vigilance and strangeness in his eyes. Before Amy could speak, he said impatiently and loudly, "Who are you? What are you doing here? Go away, go away!" As he said this, he started to close the door.

Amy hurriedly explained, "I used to live here. I just want to come in and have a look."

The man was unmoved and said in a stiff tone, "I live here now. There's nothing to see. Go away!" With that, he slammed the door shut.

Amy was very helpless. She knew in her heart that it was impossible to break in by force, but she was really unwilling to give up the radio just like this.

While she was worrying, she found that the elevator was out of order and she could only take the stairs. When she walked to the corner of the elevator, suddenly she heard a faint radio beeping sound. She was overjoyed and followed the direction of the sound. Sure enough, she found the radio in a cardboard box.