The last second
The
times won’t stop, it won’t wait for anyone else and it won’t come back no
matter what happened. Life is really short, it’s really close to the end and
what awaits us at the end of life? Of course, it’s death. Life’s deadline is
decided since the day a human born. Every human has a lifespan and somehow my
eyes can see it. I can’t do anything about that before, but everything changes
when I meet this girl. I can save the people from their death. It’s like giving
them the second chance to live. I want to save more people with this power, but
something really bad happens. Celica, the girl that holds the same power as me is
collapsed. She’s going to face her cruel fate soon. What can I do about that?
I’m in the waiting room with
Celica’s father right now. “So, you’re my daughter’s friend? I’m really glad to
hear that she has a friend.” He starts talking by himself. “She always isolates
herself in her room. Buying some snacks is the only reason she goes out. I’m not
really close with her. So, I didn’t know what she was thinking.” He starts
blabbering again.
“Did something happen between you?”
“Ah no, it’s not like that. I didn’t
have much time at home. Because of that, I rarely talk with her. Her mother was
passed away a long time ago. She must be very lonely.” He put his hand on my
shoulder. “That’s why I’m really glad she has you.” He smiled at me.
Celica didn’t have much time left.
It will be good if they go somewhere else together. I asked him to do that.
“That’s a good idea, but I have a
meeting two days from now. Maybe three days from now, we will go somewhere.”
Three days from now, that’s her last
day. I think she will be happy. Spending the last time with the family is a
good idea. Celica’s father left, he’s busy with his job. He asked me to told
Celica about their vacation. I can’t blame him. He didn’t know about Celica’s
lifespan. It would be a bad idea if I told him about that. Is there nothing I
can do for her? I’m not really sure about this power yet. Does it really
transferring our lives to someone? If so, I’m going to face my end too.
Whatever, I shouldn’t be bothered by that. I should find a way to save her.
After several hours, finally, I can
visit Celica’s room. She welcomed me with a warm smile when I come. She looks
fine and energetic as always. She said that nothing wrong with her and she can
leave the hospital tomorrow. I told her about what happened to her and her
numbers.
“Ah, I see.” She just a little bit
surprised. That’s an unexpected response.
“We didn’t steal someone’s life like
Adam did. Instead, we use our own lives for transferring.”
“Did you felt your heart skipping a
beat when we do our ritual too?” Celica seems curious about it. I don’t
understand what she talking about. “From that reaction, I guess it’s a no. When
we do the ritual my heart always skips a beat. Sorry, I didn’t tell you
earlier.”
What is that mean? Is that mean
she’s the only one who sacrifices her life? She said that she can’t do the
transferring alone. I don’t think she was lying since she can’t save that man
from the car accident and nothing she can do with Olivia until I arrive. I
think what she said in the Hospital’s park several days ago wasn’t a lie. So,
she losing her times to save others?
“I didn’t think you transferred your
life as well. You see, we can’t do our ritual alone. Maybe we’re like power
bank and USB cable. I need you to connect to the other people and you need me
to transfer the energy.” She explained happily. What a bizarre way to compare.
“That’s why even if I’m out of battery, you should keep doing your job as a
connector.” She looked at me seriously.
“Is there a way to recharge your
battery?”
“I don’t think so.”
There’s silence between us for
several seconds. Celica is always optimistic, but this time she’s not sure. I’m
really sure we’re not the only power holders in this planet, but can I make it
in time? While I’m thinking about that, someone’s coming.
“Excuse us!” it’s Tommy, he came
with Olivia.
“Hi Celica. Hi Eldrick.” Olivia wave
her hand.
They told us that it’s okay to leave the hospital tomorrow. What a coincidence, Celica can go home tomorrow too. Tommy
asks us to go somewhere else together to have fun. Celica really excited about
it and then everyone agreed in a second. I have to find another power holder,
but Celica forced me to join them. I guess I have no choice. Shoot, I almost
forgot to tell Celica about her Father’s plan. She’s really happy to hear that.
We decided to go to the games center and amusement park tomorrow, then beach
the day after tomorrow.
The next day, they left the hospital
in the morning and then going to the games center in the afternoon. Every one of
them is energetic eh? The games center is the first place we met. Celica shows
us her dance skill once again. Tommy challenge me in the duel again and lost
again. Olivia seems to enjoy her day, although she said that she didn’t really
like this kind of stuff. In the evening, we’re having fun at the amusement park.
This time, Olivia looks like a tour guide. She’s an expert at this. We tried some
rides and games. Then, eating the snacks together. It was really fun, but I
can’t take my eyes off from Celica’s head. The clock is ticking and nothing we
can do. We’re going home after it gets dark.
The next day, this time we will go to the
beach. Celica said that she never going to the beach, this will be a sweet
memory for her. Yeah, it supposed to be a sweet memory, but something bad
happens. Since we arrive, the rain won’t stop. We’re just chilling out at the
nearby restaurant. Everybody is disappointed with this, but I think it’s not
that bad. It’s very comfortable here, so relaxing. The rains make it better, it
sounds like music to my ears. It makes me sleepy.
“Eldrick, wake up.”
“Come on El, open your eyes.”
“Eldrick, good morning!
I can hear several voices trying to
wake me up. Oh shoot, I fell asleep. What time is it? I can see the orange
sunlight come from outside. I think it’s almost dark. The rain is stopping. I
think they won’t waste this chance. We spent all day in this restaurant.
“We can’t just sit down here. Come on
El, let’s go!” Tommy is fired up.
“We don’t have much time though, it
will be dark soon. Maybe we can just do a stroll. The sunset is beautiful too.”
Olivia said.
“I’m okay with that. Go!” Celica in
a high spirit.
Walking
in the beach with this scenery. Well, it’s not bad at all. The cool breezes
blowing and the sun is shining orange. It took minutes for us to realise that
Tommy and Olivia are gone. Where are they? Well, whatever it must be Tommy’s
idea. I want to enjoy all of this, but I can’t. Celica is dying right now. How
can I actually be happy in this situation?
Celica stopped her step and looked
at the sun. “It’s beautiful.”
“Yeah.”
“I really want to swim and do some
beach thing here.” She sounds really angry. “Well, ranting won’t make anything
better.” She sighed.
“So, how was your first time in the
beach?”
“Not bad, not bad at all. This
sunset is so beautiful. Getting to see it with you makes it more special. A
great exchange for the bad day.” She stares at the sun happily. “You know, I
didn’t make a lot of friends everywhere I belong. So, the vacation sounds
really special to me. My mother used to take me on a vacation. My father is
always busy with his job, sometimes it just two of us. Right now, she’s gone. I
know exactly when she’s going to leave me.” She shows a depressing face while
telling the story. “Having fun with someone and knew the time when they leave,
it sucks right?”
“Yeah, but it’s okay. After all, we changed
some of them right?” I tried to make this gloomy atmosphere a little bit
better. “We saved Tommy and Olivia and we having fun with them right now.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” She smiled
gently at me. “Hey look at that.” She’s pointing at an old woman who sitting
right there.
That woman has one hour to live.
Don’t tell me, she still wants to do that. “Celica, I know it’s our job, but
being selfish for this once is okay. You want to have fun with your father,
right?”
She shook her head “No, I can’t.
There’s someone I can save in front of my eyes right now.”
“Celi-“
“Eldrick!” She stared at me deeply. “In
the future, you will meet various kind of people. Can you save all of them?”
Dang! Is there no other way? It’s
true that we chose the hard way, but I never think it will be this hard. 49
hours left for Celica to live. It’s really short, but she still wants to give it
to other people. She’s too pure for this world.
She approach that old woman. “Hey
Grandma, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, I’m waiting for my son to come
home. He’s finally go home after sailing for three years.” She respond Celica
with an enthusiastic face.
Celica asked me to come. Actually, I
really want to say no, but I can’t neglect my responsibility. We do the
transferring and it almost transferred all of her lives. She has one hour
left. We say goodbye to the old woman and looking for someplace to talk. We
found a bench with a really good scenery. Both of us sit on it. Celica leans on
my shoulder. She looks really pale. We’re sitting here for some times and make
some small talk. I can’t believe she will leave me this soon. She only has
several minutes left.
“You will meet with the various person
in the future and part away with them.” I remembered what Adam said. “I guess
this is time I have to part away with you.”
“Well, it’s really a short time, but
It’s really fun. I wish I can meet you sooner.” She’s crying.
“I can’t explain how happy I meet
you. You give me a hope to stand once again. You push my back when I hesitate.
I want to know more about you.”
“You know, people said that life is
so short. I’m really glad I can use it to save people with you.”
“You’re such an optimistic and
energetic person, you’re like a sun to me.”
“You’re a gloomy and lonely person,
just like a moon.” She laugh softly. “Please reflect my sunshine to the
others.”
“…”
“If you’re brave enough to say
goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” She smiled.
“Yes, Goodbye Celica. Thank you for
everything.”
I promise I won’t hesitate anymore.
I will find another power holder in the future and save more people with them. No
matter how long it takes, I won’t stop until I reach my deadline. Celica,
please watch me from there.
Fin.
Alvine Labana R.
1830911039
7th Chapters