Nott surrendered to reality after spending a long time crying. Tears flowed relentlessly, as if they were the only way to ease the pain that engulfed his heart. Regret slowly consumed his soul, and guilt pressed down on his chest until it felt as though his breath would be cut off. He imagined the screams of those he had lost and their faces.
Wilson, Rion, Novin, Ira.
It wasn't just the destruction of a city; it was the destruction of his entire life. He felt as if he were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands, and that was more than any eleven-year-old child could bear. How could he endure the thought that he was the cause? How could he face himself anymore?
Two hours and 21 minutes passed, and his tears had dried. But he realized, despite all the pain, that crying wouldn't bring them back. It wouldn't fix what had happened, and it wouldn't change what was written. He realized that regret alone wasn't enough and that he had to move forward. He had to keep living, even if living in this shattered world.
Nott slowly began to let go of the idea of bearing the weight of this massive destruction on his shoulders. He stood up slowly, his legs barely supporting him, while remnants of tears still clung to his cheeks. With his trembling hand, he wiped away the tears that were a silent expression of the pain that had engulfed him. His hand wasn't just wiping away traces of tears, but also some of the weight of the guilt that had started to fade, as if his heart was beginning to breathe slowly after a long period of suffocation.
He decided to search for food and water. He didn't know how long he would stay in this deserted place. He dragged his feet with effort, each step weighing heavier on his heart than the one before it. He walked through the empty streets, examining stores that were once filled with life. Now, there was nothing but remnants of ash and ruins, the remains of a city that was once teeming with life and dreams.
After another hour and 34 minutes of searching, with renewed optimism, Nott found some remaining supplies in stores that hadn't been severely damaged. He was lucky when he found food and drinks that hadn't burned or spoiled yet. He also found a half-torn and worn-out bag.
Nott: "This could be useful."
Nott found some tape and repaired the bag, then decided to leave his city and head to the neighboring one. The road was long, about 475 kilometers, which meant he would need to find a car to travel. After an hour and 13 minutes of searching, Nott stopped in front of a car that seemed to be in relatively good condition.
Nott, optimistically: "Yes! This car looks better than the others."
He opened the door and began checking the car from the inside.
Nott: "Well, according to what I learned from Wilson, there should be a manual here."
After a few moments of searching, Nott found the manual.
Nott: "Yes!! Let's see, it looks worn, but I can read it..."
| Manual: "If the car won't start or the key is lost, remove the plastic piece under the steering wheel until some wires appear in front of you. You will find two red wires (for power generation) and two brown wires (for ignition)." |
Nott: "Hmm, let me check."
He carefully removed the plastic piece.
Nott: Alright, the wires are showing now. What now?
| Manual: "Check the wires, and after putting gloves on your hands, use scissors to cut the two red wires and then connect them." |
Nott: "Fortunately, I have a dagger with me. I'll use it instead of the scissors."
Nott pulled out his dagger, cut the two red wires, and began connecting them.
| Manual: "At this point, some indicators will appear on the dashboard." |
Nott: "What indicators?... Hmm?"
Nott started wiping the dashboard of the dust.
| Manual: "Now, cut the two brown wires and expose some copper wires. Place the exposed copper wires from the two brown wires on top of each other until you can start the engine." |
Nott: "Alright, let me do this."
Nott cut the brown wires and placed the copper wires from the two brown wires on top of each other. But suddenly,
Nott: "Yes!"
The sound of the engine started to appear, and the car shook slightly, with steam rising upwards.
Nott: "But what is this!?"
Nott quickly moved away from the car, and then a huge sound rang out in the distance, shaking the earth and rising to the sky. In an instant,
The car exploded in the middle of the street. Metal pieces flew in all directions, and columns of black smoke rose into the sky.
Nott stopped in shock, his eyes expressing astonishment and concern.
Nott: "This is impossible! What happened!?"
He froze in place, watching the chaos caused by the explosion, as black smoke filled the sky, leaving him questioning his fate in this destroyed world.
Nott, screaming to himself: "Damn! I almost died if I hadn't teleported at the last second."
He sighed deeply, trying to regain his composure amidst the chaos around him.
Nott: "Now I have to look for another car. I have no choice."
After an hour and 12 minutes of exhausting searching, Nott stopped in front of a car that seemed to be in relatively good condition.
Nott, examining the car optimistically: "This looks good, let's just hope it doesn't explode like the last one."
He began repeating what he had done with the previous car, recalling the information from the manual.
Nott, muttering: "Come on, let's begin!"
He placed his hands on the wires, ready to deal with them once again.
The sound of the engine began to appear, and the vibration intensified.
Nott: "Damn!"
Nott quickly moved away from the car, hesitating in place.
He turned and looked at the car with suspicion.
Nott: "Huh? Why didn't..."
Before he could finish his words, the car exploded in front of him suddenly. He tightly closed his eyes. The sudden wave of heat hit his face and body, causing him to stagger backward with weak steps, rolling on the ground in a desperate attempt to avoid the destructive explosion.
Moments of Silence and Chaos
After moments of silence and chaos, Nott rises, feeling dizzy.
Nott, with frustration in his voice: "Damn it! How much longer do I have to search?!"
He begins searching for a third time, determined to find a way to survive.
After 54 minutes of continuous searching, his eyes light up when he spots a slightly worn but usable car.
Nott: "It looks a bit worn out, but... no other choice, I'll give it a try."
He carefully opens the car door, then begins to follow the manual's instructions for the third time, determined to succeed this time.
After a moment of focus, the engine sound echoes in the distance.
Nott, shouting from the depths: "Please, work!!"
The car stops making the annoying noises, and Nott starts watching the indicators on the dashboard.
Nott: "Huh? Does this mean it actually worked?"
His heart starts racing as he notices the lights flashing in sequence.
Nott: "Yes!! Finally! This is really great!"
Nott was preparing to take off, filled with hope despite all the failures he had faced earlier. He spent a brief moment gathering his courage, placed his hand on the steering wheel, his foot on the gas pedal, and got ready for the journey.
Nott: "Alright, I still haven't mastered driving completely, but I learned from Wilson during my time at the academy. Who knew it would help me like this..."
In a soft voice, a mix of tension and excitement, Nott drives the car toward the unknown, leaving the city, where destruction was everywhere. He heads to the neighboring city of "Raymar" and stops at a few remote stores on the way to gather more food and drink, in case something unexpected happens.
After 6 hours and 46 minutes of continuous driving, the road is still long before reaching "Raymar," and the night begins to dominate the horizon.
Nott: "How much further? The road never ends, but there's no other choice."
Suddenly, the car stops slowly, followed by a heavy silence. Nott feels a sense of dread.
Nott: "No, no, no... Damn it! Not now!..."
He nervously looks around, seeing nothing indicating that the problem is with the engine or any other part of the car. He starts flipping through thoughts in his head, trying to understand the cause, until his eyes fall on the fuel gauge.
Nott: "Wait? ...No way!"
Nott looks in shock at the gauge pointing to E.
Nott: "Damn it! What am I going to do now?!"
He quickly exits the car and opens the trunk, searching for any signs or spare fuel canisters. But everything is empty.
Nott: "Great... no fuel, no help... I'll have to continue on foot."
He grabs his bag, gathers whatever strength he has left, and begins walking slowly along the road, leaving the car behind. Every step takes immense effort, and the long distance makes him feel increasingly alone.
After 3 hours and 14 minutes of continuous walking, the darkness has swallowed everything around him, with only the faint light of the moon barely illuminating his path. Nott felt as though his legs had become like stones, heavy beyond endurance. He stumbled and fell to the ground several times, his body collapsing, but his mind never gave in.
Nott: "No, I can't stop now... I can't disappoint them."
Each time he got up, it felt like the entire world was pressing down on him, but his mental strength kept pushing him forward. The road wasn't easy, but he kept going, relying on the food and drink he had wisely packed, prepared for any emergency.
The responsibility, guilt, and desire to survive formed a wall of willpower he couldn't abandon, despite the pain overwhelming his body.
Nott: "I have to get there... I can't stop now."
But after another hour and 33 minutes of continuous walking, his energy completely fades.
Nott: "Why do I feel... so heavy? ...I can't... keep going."
In a moment of total collapse, Nott's 11-year-old body couldn't take it anymore. He falls to the ground, his eyes slowly closing, feeling the cold invading his tired body.
After six hours and 11 minutes,a distant voice echoes in his ears, but his body remains heavy, as if unable to move.
In a hospital – Emergency Room, 4:04 AM.
Rescuer 1: "Make sure he's still alive!"
Rescuer 2: "Let me check his condition... Yes, there are vital signs, but he needs immediate treatment."
They carefully move Nott to a safe place, where they start administering first aid, trying to revive him and bring him back to consciousness.
After two hours.
Man 1: "This boy might be the only one who knows exactly what happened. Let's wake him carefully, we don't want to pressure him too much."
Detective 2: "Okay, it might be a shock for him."
Nott breathes slowly as he gradually wakes up, the room's light piercing his weary eyes. He tries to sit up, but he feels extremely weak.
Nott: "Where... am I? And what happened?"
One of the people bends down toward him, his voice calm and reassuring.
Patrick: "My name is Patrick, and this is Rafael. We're detectives from Raymar City. We found you there, alone. Can you tell us exactly what happened?"
Nott stares at the ground, his thoughts racing as he still tries to process what happened.
Nott: "[Does this mean the world didn't collapse? Just Arcadia?...]"
Rafael: "Hello? Can you hear me?"
Nott, in a faint voice: "I'm... not okay right now. Can you leave me alone?"
The detectives exchange glances, then Patrick speaks in a calm voice.
Patrick: "Of course, we won't disturb you if you're not feeling well. Let's go, Rafael."
Rafael sighs: "We'll be back shortly, young man."
They leave Nott alone in the room. The door closes behind them, and an eerie silence fills the room.
Nott, after moments of reflecting on the cold walls.
Nott: "It seems these walls carry more than they can find from me..."
He sighs deeply, his thoughts tangled.
Nott: "I can't tell them I'm from the past... I'll just say this..."