At an old ragged train station, a young child with clean but worn-out clothes, can be observed tightly gripping her small luggage with her right hand while gently holding the hand of a skinny sick man with her other hand.
She seems to pay attention to the sickly man with great concern as if scared that he might disappear at any moment. The sickly man affectionately squeezes the young child's hand as he notices her worried gaze. But before he can reassure his niece that he is okay, a coughing fit seizes him.
"Are you feeling okay, Uncle?" full of anxiety the young child tries to pat her uncle's back to help ease his coughing fit. Who else can this child be, but Lyra.
"I'll be fine. just give me a moment, Lyra." Fum tells Lyra with a weak smile.
"Take your time, Uncle." Lyra leads her uncle to a bench full of bullet holes. She takes out a thermos filled with hot water and offers her uncle a drink. Fum couldn't help but let out a mocking chuckle.
"It's funny, Lyra that I intended to show you that I'm okay. But, it seems I'm only making it harder for you. Your Uncle really is troublesome."
"Don't be stupid, Uncle. I never thought of Uncle being troublesome. Just a little bit annoying!" Lyra pouts. Fum let out a hearty laugh.
"Ha!ha!ha! Oh, Lyra." Fum gives Lyra's head a soft pat. " I'm glad you only view me to be just a little bit annoying." he smiles.
"Attention all passengers, the train is arriving in approximately 20 minutes. Please make your way to the boarding platform within that time period. Once again, attention to all passengers the train is arriving in approximately 20 minutes. Please make your way to the boarding platform. Thank you."
The sudden full of static announcements about the train's arrival from an old speaker above their heads, startle both the Fum and Lyra.
"I guess it's time for us to go there, Lyra. I'm pretty sure this time I'm fine."
"Okay..." Lyra weakly replies while putting the thermos away and slowly getting off the bench.
"Do you want me to help you to carry your luggage?" Lyra shakes her head slowly. "Alright then, let's go."
Holding her uncle's right hand tightly, she slowly walks towards the boarding platform.
Fum notices her unnatural slow pace but he couldn't help but indulge her in this moment. He could only wearily smile and lead Lyra slowly to the boarding platform.
At the boarding platform, the place that both of them hoped to never reach in the hopes that they could walk side by side forever.
Alas, even with their slow pace they have reached the boarding platform. They are just quietly standing there.
Both wished deep in their hearts that the train would be delayed. And yet, once again with a loud announcement that echoes throughout old train station,
"Attention all passengers, the train is arriving in approximately 5 mins. Please make your way to the boarding platform within that time period. Once again, attention to all passengers the train is arriving in approximately 5 mins, please make your way to the boarding platform. Thank you."
"I guess this is it, Lyra. The train is about to arrive." Fum looks at Lyra with teary eyes. Lyra grips her uncle's hand with no intention of letting go. Fum couldn't help but also gently squeeze her hand back. "Lyra, I know it will be hard adjusting to your new hom-"
"IT WILL NEVER BE MY HOME! it can't be my home since you won't be there, Uncle." Lyra yells with all her might her tiny body trembling. Then hugs her uncle tightly with no intention of letting go.
Lyra's voice cut through the noise, raw and shaking, a sound he had never heard from her before.
Not from his niece, not from Lyra.
She has always been quiet, always composed, and far more mature than a child should have to be. He had thought—hoped—she understood, that she knew this wasn't what he wanted. That it was something he had no choice but to do.
But now, standing on the platform, watching her yell at him for the first time in her life, he realized—
She was just a child.
A child desperate not to be left behind.
His chest ached as he hugs back, his trembling hands gently patting her trembling back.
"Lyra, I'm sorry." Fum tighten his embrace and whispers,
"Listen to me," he says, trying to keep his voice steady. "This isn't forever."
Her fists clench at her sides. "Then why does it feel like it is?"
He had no answer.
Because the truth was, it might be.
His body is failing him. He had fought for as long as he could and pushed himself past the limits of reason, but his time was running out.
And she—she deserved better than to watch him wither away.
She deserved a future.
She deserved to be with someone who could protect her when he no longer could.
The train's whistle blew, a stark reminder that time was slipping from his grasp.
Lyra shook her head, stepping back, her face twisted in frustration and betrayal.
"You're sending me away," she accused. "You're leaving me."
"No," he whispered. "I'm giving you a chance to be safe."
"I don't care about safety—I care about you!"
The sheer, unfiltered pain in her voice broke something inside him.
She had always been so strong—too strong because she had learned from him that strength meant not showing weakness.
But now she was breaking in front of him.
And there was nothing he could do to fix it.
"Attention all passengers, the train is now boarding please make your way towards the conductor now. To all passengers please start boarding the train. I repeat, Attention all passengers, the train is now boarding please make your way towards the conductor now. To all passengers please start boarding the train. Thank you."
Hearing the announcement, Fum really wanted to ignore it but knowing that ignoring it wouldn't solve anything, he reluctantly loosen his embrace on Lyra.
He swallowed hard, forcing a smile he did not feel as he reached out and cupped her face with both hands.
"I love you," he said. "More than anything in this world."
Tears slipped down her cheeks again, but she didn't wipe them away. She just shook her head again, one last act of defiance before she whispered:
"Then don't make me go."
His breath hitched.
If only he could grant that wish.
If only he were stronger.
If only he had more time.
But life had never given him the luxury of if onlys.
So he did the hardest thing he had ever done.
He let go.
The final boarding call rang through the station. His time was up.
"Lyra, it's time for you to go." Fum gently reminds Lyra while wiping her tears and snot with his sleeves.
"I really don't want to go, Uncle." *sobs,sob*
"I know. I don't want to let you go either." Fum pats her head, "But, for your brighter future will you agree to this selfish request of your Uncle to go, please." *cough, cough*
"I...I... I don't want to...." Lyra looks down, "But if Uncle really wants me to then I can't really argue."
"Good girl." Fum lifts Lyra's chin and smiles at her. "Now, let me help you board the train." Fum suddenly picks up Lyra. Lyra hugs her uncle's neck and buries her head on his shoulder. Fum walks toward the conductor while carrying Lyra and pulling her luggage with his free hand.
"Her first time riding the train?" asks the conductor.
"Yeah. It's her first time. Would you mind looking after her?" Fum asks as he lets Lyra down and hands over her ticket to the conductor.
"Of course, Sir! It would be my pleasure!" The conductor saluted while grinning widely.
"You have my deepest gratitude, sir."
"Leave young miss safety to me, Sir!" the conductor confidently taps his chest.
"Uncle," Lyra standing still not moving an inch towards the train doors. Looking at her uncle with her swollen eyes and puffed cheeks she says "Will you promise me, that you'll call me often?"
"I promise." Fum noticing his niece's somber face, lifts her up and embraces her one last time. Then he kisses her forehead.
"I promise to call you often and even send you letters the old-fashioned way."
Fum let Lyra down and urged her to go to her designated seat on the train quickly.
Lyra multiple times looks back at her uncle. Fum could only restrain his grief and smile as brightly as he can. Even as the doors of the train closes, Lyra sight never left her uncle. She even went to sit near the window making sure that she could see her uncle.
"Attention all customers, the current train is now departing. All doors on the train are now securely closed and boarding is now unavailable. If you wish to board the next train, the next train is estimated to arrive within 26 hours. I repeat, Attention all customers, the current train is now departing. All doors on the train are now securely closed and boarding is now unavailable. If you wish to board the next train, the next train is estimated to arrive within 26 hours. Thank you."
As the train starts to move Fum's face can barely maintain his smile but he can't let it go since Lyra is still intensely looking at him through the window to the point that her face is almost plastered on it.
If it was another time maybe he would let out a hearty laugh seeing her face plastered on the window, but right now, all he wanted to do was to take her back and let her stay in his arms as he saw her anxious and innocent face looking at him with tears once again as the train departs.
Lyra on the other hand tries to burn the image of her uncle in her memories. Her eyes try to focus on her uncle's figure even as the train leaves the boarding station. She sees her uncle trying to run alongside the train and frantically waving his arms with tears in his eyes. Even, though she couldn't hear the words he was shouting she could clearly imagine what he was saying.
"Take care, Lyra. I'm sorry!"
"Stupid Uncle, no need to apologize. I understand. I wasn't strong enough to stay by your side." Lyra whispered while tears in her eyes clouded the image of the fading figure of her uncle.