When I get home, I search for mom but she is nowhere to be found. The darkness surrounds the house. I turn on the lights and move around in my used to be room. The room resembles a faint memory and as I walk around the memories are becoming more vivid now. A letter drops from the cupboard when I open it. It is addressed to me.

  "I will be out for a few days. Please go to your grandmother's house this instant by following the road through the forest. You know the way, right? Carry some food to eat, drink water at regular intervals, and avoid getting into anyone's routine as always. Please avoid going on the road or to school at any cost. Steal someone's routine if something happens. You know how. Love, Dad".

  It is written on a paper from Dad's daily diary entry dated 22 March 2059, exactly 5 years before when Dad got a job with the Master research department.

  A sudden chill run down my spine. Where's mom? How come I am finding this letter just now?

  I lurch to the sound at a distance. Mom is standing at the door with barely any energy left. "Can you read it", she asks with a hasher voice.

  "But Mom, this is a letter from Dad five years ago. How come I am finding it now? He asked me to run to my grandmother's house. What is all that?", I rattle everything off in one breath.

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  "I am sorry, I just wanted to protect you. I have to go but follow this letter now. Run as far as you can". Then she runs hurriedly outside.

  "Mom, where are you going? I need to ask you about Dad, what is all this? where are you going?". I jump out to follow her.

  She stops for a second, run towards me, and hugs me tightly.

  "Remember I am doing all of this because of you. Because I love you. You have to live to protect all of us. You will meet your dad someday. I never regretted meeting him. I loved him with all my heart. I don't see him as a criminal. Please remember this. He loves us very much."

  "Where is Dad?", I ask.

  "Do not try to find him, just follow his letter and don't blame yourself for what happens from now on. You have to live to meet your dad someday. I have to go now.", then she hurries into her car never to be seen again.

  I keep shouting after Mom and crying but it is of no use. She is gone.

  I move hysterically into the house. I do not know what to do? Where to run? Grandma's dead. How can I forget that? Besides what is going on? Dad was gone five years ago and now mom has also left me. Where should I run to? Should I ask Izzy about it?

  An unknown presence fills me with unease, urging me to leave the house. Stepping into the jungle scares me even more, so I keep walking along the road. I carry my school bag, with a few eatables and a drinking bottle inside. After some hours of walking, I find myself at my school again.

  Maybe it’s because that is the only way my mind knows. I’m so exhausted that I don’t even notice myself falling asleep.