Discover Me

When we got back to our old "home," we noticed how the town is basically more deserted than before. It was obviously the same place, but much different. Dilapidated houses, barren streets... And most notably to the pair, every other section of the town had up very worn down missing posters with pictures of a young Taiga. From the ones that could still be read, they saw that the police were the ones who put these up.

"Makes sense... Especially after what happened." Taiga thought out loud, speaking in a more absent-minded tone. She couldn't stop wondering what her parent's house now looked like, and thinking about how they both actually traveled to a whole other state to evade all of this. Everything that's happened...

Being here was clearly hard for the both of them. Understandably so. But they truly didn't want to run from this anymore, despite what their natural instincts were screaming at them to do for so long.

Spark suddenly spoke up as well, saying: "They all probably felt unsafe after the news got out."

"I get it... I also get why they'd give up the search. I even surprise myself when I think about how we're both even still alive." Taiga responded. "I know we're stronger together," She looked down at Spark. "But it's all so surreal."

Sometimes Taiga was paranoid that the government might be tracking her. Especially ever since the days when she would be tested on and was put in some medical/research books for a while. But maybe they came to the same assumption as this town's local police, and thought she was dead. Even so...

It's like every time she tried to blend in and not alert anyone in those kinds of positions, something crazy would happen. And the last "cop" she came across, it certainly didn't end well.

Understatement of the century!

"Yeah..." Spark's current expression was showing his pain more than Taiga was used to seeing; and it hurt so much to take it in. She knew he had feelings like anyone else, but he was so used to bottling it up and acting like nothing phased him. Taiga tried to help him as well, but didn't know if she was doing the best thing at times.

Taiga sighed and put back down the poster they were studying. "I think I'm ready to go see the house... Are you?" "...I am. I won't leave your side."

-----

It was about as much as they had figured, except thankfully not left exactly the same as before. Taiga was shaking the closer she got to the door. It was sealed still, from what seemed to be when the residence was pending inspection/inventory. Taiga stepped over to the side to wipe off leftover grime from the window in front of her. At least, as much as she could with only her hand to use. She peered in past the slightly murky textures to try and see what was left inside, letting out a breath she was unconsciously holding.

It was like everything else was left untouched, slowly collecting dust with age, besides the area where the... crime took place... It was different in the sense of whatever was stained was used in their investigation, most likely. Probably put away in the police's endless collection of other evidence or something, after finding no answers... Because there's no way they'd have figured out what really went down. Probably ruled it out as another "everyday" murder.

Taiga clenched her fists. There's no way they'd even listen to her, but she KNEW someone must have been intelligent enough to realize something extremely fucked up and unnatural happened. After the state her parents were left in-

Taiga quickly turned away to lean over against this side of the house to collect herself.

...It's not like it's their fault they didn't know what happened. But at the same time, Taiga was stuck between keeping the truth to herself or being laughed at, possibly along with being seen as "sick," and locked away. So many ways it could go even worse. How would that help anyone?

Spark watched Taiga, not wanting to look in as well, but was thankful something worse wasn't waiting for them. Last time he was here, he could barely keep it together himself. He went around to where Taiga's old room was and remembered something. Smiling slightly while on the verge of tears, he started reminiscing. "Remember how many times you would sneak out before you were caught...?"

Taiga looked at him and smiled slightly too, thinking back on it too. "Yeah... Sometimes I wish I could go back to those moments. With you... And Luci. It was what I looked forward to most in life back then."

Spark chuckles a bit after a while, and jokes about how he was always annoyed when Luci would tease him about her birthday and being a couple months older. But now he misses it.

Taiga giggles herself, remembering too how much those two would get into it, but it was usually all in good fun regardless. If there ever were any fights, they'd truly make up at some point.

Taiga teared up as well now, when thinking about how for each of their birthdays over these past years, they kept making sure to always pay respects to Luci. They both never had much for presents in the first place, but it's not all about that anyway, and they did what they could.

Just having each other was enough most days.

Taiga spoke up once again while her tears spilled over; her voice cracking slightly.

"I feel like I haven't been there for you enough... Like you have been for me, Spark. I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have to put on that brave face of yours so much. But you do... Not just for yourself. You're so tough, but of course you need help too." Taiga shuts her eyes tightly and sinks down to the ground, letting out a shaky breath. You always do a lot, but I should have done more-"

Suddenly she felt a familiar embrace. Spark was hugging her as tightly as she could and breaking down himself, for the first time in a while.

"I never blame you. Neither of us asked for this. I don't expect you to fix everything. But we can keep getting through it easier together. We both are not perfect whatsoever. But the fact you even try to be better, and are patient with me, especially when I don't open up as much, means so much."

Taiga started crying even more, but was fully paying attention while he continued. "I think I'm supposed to be strong all the time and am not supposed to have these "weak" feelings a lot, but you help me realize it's ok not to be one hundred percent all the time, because that's impossible, and my feelings aren't who I am... It's ok to have them as well. Sometimes true strength is letting it all out and rising back up again; being honest with yourself and loved ones. I feel so guilty when I can't save those I care about, but just like you, I do all I can in our circumstances. It's hard to accept sometimes, but I want to keep trying too, and I'm sorry as well for not letting you know sooner. For myself, and you!"

Taiga genuinely smiled down at him.

"You being yourself and fighting for us is enough. Please, let's keep trying not to beat ourselves up. You've done so much for me; I can't even express my gratitude... I know we've both felt stagnant in life for a while, and sometimes even worse, but it's ok. We're not supposed to be perfect and always know what to do."

"But still, I really have no hard feelings towards you though, Taiga. You're my best friend, and I love you."

They were both sniffling a lot and felt much better now with those things off their chests.

Taiga started hugging him back, and she knew Spark genuinely meant what he said and felt relieved, happy... All quite like him at this moment. As per usual, he was right, and Taiga knew it deep down. Spark was smiling now too. "I love you too... Thank you for everything, Spark."

"Likewise!"

They stayed like that for a long time, happy they both respectfully heard the other out again and could still have the capacity to understand.

Taiga's mind started to drift off, thinking of the past again. But then an impactful memory that had been buried deep within her subconscious rose to the surface.

Unlike her plushie that she purposefully physically buried that long time ago...

Aito. Taiga's eyes widened a bit. Her expression was now a bit sad of course. That was not a pleasant day. Yet she wondered if it was still there.

Taiga figured she might as well check since they were here anyway. And she also filled in Spark about it, who looked sympathetic. "I doubt it's in good condition now, though. I put him in one of my old boots underneath the ground, but I doubt that'd protect a plushie from the conditions down there..."

"Well, even if that's so, maybe we can clean him and patch him up."

Taiga smiled a bit again. "I'd have to learn how, but I'm up for that!"

-----

It took a while to get there, especially because it was so nearby the same area where Taiga first met... Her. And the two were both anxious after what occurred. But they kept slowly pushing on after some reassurance from both sides. Besides, Spark said he didn't want to leave her side, and Taiga just felt like she had to do this. Eventually, they made it to the old abandoned playground. It was even more rusted than before, but it was still pretty much intact.

Taiga sighed slightly in relief when all seemed calm, but still kept her guard up. Either way, they both have a purpose.

Trying to remember where exactly she put it.

'...By the merry-go-round, right?' She thought, and went over to start digging.

Spark helped her, and for a while it seemed like the wrong spot, but spreading out a bit more, they saw the top of a faded out and filthy pink boot. "That's it!" After pulling it out and untying what was left of the boot strings, they were relieved to see Aito was still in there. Surprisingly, he was mostly just very dirty... And smelly. But thankfully no mold spots or anything of the sort.

Taiga didn't know why, but she was still so attached to this plushie, and it all came rushing to the surface. She smiled wide, despite feeling a little dizzy, and started sobbing. "I can't believe it... I'm so glad..." Spark didn't judge Taiga whatsoever and was happy for her.

But out of the corner of his eye, he saw something and looked down into the hole again. Just like he thought, there was something there.

Spark dug a little deeper and pulled out an old box. Seemed more protective than the boot. Taiga wiped her tears after pulling herself together, and was now more focused on this box. It seemed very familiar and then it hit her. "Oh my god..."

It was even farther back than when she buried Aito, but she could remember this now as well. And Taiga started to tell Spark.

It was back around when Luci and Taiga first met, and Luci discovered what she'd go through at home. It hurt Luci so much to see her struggle, but she knew she couldn't magically solve Taiga's problems. She tried to be there for her as much as possible, but still usually tried to think of any best solutions and outcomes. Luci got the nata from her late grandfather. But was never allowed to use it most of the time, because she was still young and her family didn't want her to get hurt.

Regardless, Luci snuck it out of her house and gave it to Taiga, so she would never have to feel scared just in case things got especially bad, and like Luci was watching over her, even when she couldn't be around. It meant a lot to Luci, especially since she loved her grandpa very much, and it even came all the way from overseas when it was gifted to him by an old friend. But Luci felt Taiga would use it better, and needed it more for that matter... She knew she would be responsible and take care of it. Taiga would never want to hurt anyone unnecessarily, but when her parents found it, it did not go well. Taiga had to hide it as well ever since.

She realized that she forgot from all the stress, as well as the experiments that took place on her... It took a toll on her memory, but Taiga was relieved that she remembered. Not wanting to forget who she truly is, Taiga went to a sharp edge sticking out of a part of the broken playground's set, and carefully carved "Mika" into it's handle to have another visual reminder, with the physical. Taiga decided to clean off the slightly musty nata before touching it up more, and tying Luci's ribbon around her carving. Taiga would continue to carry it around with her in her pocket until then.

She felt even more determined now, and gripped the handle tightly. "I won't rest until we find you, Luci." Taiga repeats to herself.

"Neither will I!" Spark declared beside her.

Filled with their shared sense of purpose, they started to devise a plan on getting their life back on track, while of course also not forgetting to focus on the task of tracking down Séthyan and finding their dear, long-lost friend.

-----

It took them a year to get where they were now. Their own apartment... The two couldn't believe it, but they were proud of each other. It sure wasn't easy; two states away. Leaving their old town again was hard as well, but at the same time, refreshing in a way. And of course they still had struggles. Taiga's most reoccurring flashbacks were of the man she severely hurt.

Wondering if he was still alive or not. But recently, whenever she thought about it, she'd have dreams or maybe... Visions? All of a woman, it seemed, and she's so... Otherworldly, is the best way to describe it. Not like Séthyan. She felt very calmed by this woman's presence.

But Taiga felt like she'd seen her before.

So, whenever she went to any library, Taiga kept trying to research to try and figure out who she is, but has had no luck.

Regardless, she'd try to ignore that weird feeling and focus on other goals she had for herself as well.

Researching about actual healthy exercises for what she was working on, and better fighting/training techniques. Ever since she successfully was getting better at touching up her nata and Aito, Taiga got a bit more confident in herself. Some days self-conscious hit, but she still wanted to try. Especially with Spark and Taiga helping the other in their aspirations.

She was telling the truth whenever she told herself or others: "I know it's all such a process, but it's one I'm willing to go through."

Determined to better their lives after everything, slowly trying to recover and continually cope with their feelings... The two want to never want to truly give up in life at the end of the day. Despite any bumps, it's not a dead end. And they're not dead yet, so they choose to fight. For each other, and Luci.

-----

It's now the present day, and the police are putting up more and more missing person posters lately. Some people around are starting to get worried because they're noticing a pattern with said recent posters...

Each now only have children shown on them.