Scars of Time

Chapter 71: "Reset"

Jo's POV

Two years later...

Today, I’m supposed to meet with Maya, but I’m really not sure I want to go. Since this morning, I’ve had an odd sensation that’s making me uneasy. However, I know she would be furious if I decided to cancel. These two years have been quite chaotic. On a brighter note, I’ve finally graduated and received a promotion! I’m now the executive assistant at the company, working alongside Mr. Gonzalez’s son, Ramon, since Mr. Gonzalez has retired.

Thankfully, my workplace isn't overly stressful. While it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, Mr. Ramon is genuinely kind and really looks out for his team. On a different note, Maya is busy building her own business, and our schedules rarely align. Today, though, I absolutely must catch up with her since it’s been a month since we last met. Plus, I know that chatting with her will lift my spirits.

When the clock reached five, I gathered my belongings and closed my laptop, ready to make my exit. At that moment, the door next to me opened, and Ramon poked his head in to greet me.

"Going home?" He asked.

"Nope. I have a meeting"

"Do you need a ride? I'm heading that way"

"Which way?"

"Whichever way you're going."

"Aren't you busy? Let me remind you that you have a meeting with 'SharEd' at seven."

"I know. So I have some time until seven. I can accompany you."

"Nope. You need to get ready for your meeting. Let me tell you the CEO of SharED is very punctual. And likes to work with smart people."

"Are you implying that I'm dumb?!" He teased.

"Let's say you're just a little unfiltered."

"I can’t help but wonder how you pulled off that appointment for me. I’ve heard that their CEO is quite particular and only teams up with that "K.O.H" company that everyone seems to be raving about."

"Carl is a good friend of mine. So I put in a good word for you. Now it's up to you to leave an impression."

"Fine. Don't worry. I won't embarass you."

I said goodbye and exited the office. As soon as I stepped outside, the winter air hit me like a wave, sharp and cold. I pulled my coat tighter around me, feeling the chill seep in through the seams. The ground was covered in a thin layer of snow, and the bare trees stood against the gray sky, their branches etched against the backdrop of the fading light.

Just then, my phone rang with a call from the hospital, sending my heart racing. This could mean either wonderful news or something troubling. It’s been two years since I’ve received any good news, yet I refuse to let go of hope.

"Hello, this is Josephine speaking....yes I'll be there as soon as I can."

I hurried down the stairs and, lucky for me, a taxi was just pulling up. In no time, I found myself at the hospital, talking to Scott.

Alex is awake! It feels surreal. The nurses finally let me in, but as soon as he saw me, his face fell. I think he was anticipating a different visitor.

"Jo?" he said, his voice trembling and barely rising above a whisper.

I could no longer contain my tears; they flowed freely. The relief washed over me knowing he was okay, yet I couldn't understand why the tears kept coming. I wanted to be the strong one, but they just kept spilling out.

I sank down onto the pavement, struggling to catch my breath, but it seemed impossible.

I remembered how I had run tirelessly to get to the hospital. She told me that Time was dead, and then she revealed that Alex was gone as well, her sobs echoing in my ears. Why was I the one who had to hold it together? It was a heavy burden for her, yet the news crushed me completely. I found myself trying to comfort her, even though I felt utterly lost.

Why did she pick me to call? Out of everyone, what made me the one? Maybe it’s because I’m the only person who could relate to the exact hurt she was feeling right then.

It was utter chaos, and the police had blocked off the area, which was drenched in blood. My mind was racing, trying to grasp the reality of it all, yet I felt an overwhelming urge to glimpse the face of the person lying on the ground, shrouded in a cloth from head to toe, even though I knew it was futile. She said that Time was dead, but I couldn’t help but hope that the bloodied figure beneath that covering wasn’t him. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing him like that.

Cameras were flashing all around, and the police were doing their best to prevent anyone from getting too close, myself among them.

"They are not dead. I need to see with my own eyes. Hope, please tell me this is not true."

"Th-that's Evan Astor," she stammered, her finger trembling as it directed my gaze to the lifeless form. For a brief moment, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "He... he tried to take me away... but... but... Aleeeeex..." Her sobs grew louder. "He just wanted to help me, and my... my grandma... she shot him... she shot him over and over."

"Where is Alex now? And Time, where is Time?" I kept pressing for answers even though she was not in a state to answer all those questions. But I needed to know.

"Hope tell me....where is Time...?" A faded echo of my own voice reverberated in my momory sending a shiver down my spine that brought me back to reality.

"Where is Hope?" Was his first question towards me.

"I'll tell you everything." I answered as I stepped foot inside the room. And I know exactly where I should start.

...........................

Alex's POV

Had I been the same Alex from a year ago, her presence would have made me the happiest man on earth. But I’ve changed, and I can never go back to who I was. We both know this deep down. That’s why I asked, "Where is Hope?"

For a moment, she looked at me, and then, without warning, she dashed over and wrapped her arms around me.

"I was terrified. I feared you might never open your eyes again." she said, her voice trembling as tears fell. I couldn't resist pulling her close, offering solace. "I'm alright. But Time... He is..." The words hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. Before I could finish, she cut me off.

"Time is all right," she claimed, and I was left speechless, my eyes widening in disbelief. Is she truly unaware of the reality?

"I mean, I think he is. Even though I haven't seen him in two years."

As I listened to her, I found it hard to follow her thoughts, with my pounding headache getting in the way of clarity.

"Two years? What do you mean two years?"

"Alex, you've been in a coma for two years, don't you know?!"

"What?! Then....then I have to find Hope. I must find her." I attempted to rise once more, but it was yet another futile effort. While my mind insisted that only a few minutes had passed, my body was clearly telling a different story. I can’t even manage two steps without ending up on the floor.

"Just get some rest. I’ll explain everything when you’re feeling better," Jo said, gently guiding me to the bed, but I was desperate for answers.

"Please, I need to know everything right now."

"Alex, you’ve just woken up from a coma. It’s important for you to rest and not stress about anything else. I’ll get the doctor." With that, she turned away, leaving me once more in the hands of the medical team, who were busy running various tests on me.

The doctor shared that my awakening was nothing short of a miracle, and I owe my gratitude to Jo. She made the crucial decision to keep me on life support, and it turns out she has been covering my hospital expenses for the past two years.

Days passed, and Jo stopped by each evening after work, sharing stories about her new boss and the role she had taken on. Yet, the names Hope and Time were never mentioned. No matter how persistently I inquired, she brushed off my questions. Had they vanished from our lives entirely? Were they just products of my imagination? I felt as though I had been transported to the past rather than the future. To the moments when Jo and I were blissfully happy, just the two of us!

Perhaps I should just let it go.

The nurse came by one day with my things, and among them was the ring I had worn around my neck for ages. I had always thought it would one day be Jo's, so I made the decision to give it to her. I was feeling a bit better, and the doctor mentioned I could be discharged from the hospital soon. I owe it all to her.

But before I go through with it, I need to confirm something first.

I retrieved my phone from my belongings and attempted to call Hope, only to discover her number was no longer in service. Determined, I decided to search for her online. When that didn’t work, I looked up Time instead. And just like that, I found it.

(The son of the esteemed businessman Evan Astor has been implicated in a criminal organization that is being investigated by law enforcement for the sale of the illegal drug identified as the red pill. This accusation has generated considerable public uproar, particularly after it was revealed that he had been concealing the fact that his father was alive. Some members of the online community speculated that he was under his father's influence, while others believed he was keeping his father hidden in a hospital to claim his estate.)

Another publication remarked: ("Was it Time Astor who killed Evan Astor, or did someone else commit the crime?" The prominent businessman Evan Astor was fatally killed for the second time today. As the community grappled with the shock of his earlier survival, he was shot five times by an unknown female assailant in front of ****** Hospital. Police subsequently confirmed that the shooter was the biological grandmother of Time Astor, suggesting a possible collaboration in the attack.)

I really sympathized with him. I can't help but think if he had anyone to lean on during that tough time. It appeared as though the whole world was against him. If only they understood the reality of the situation. This time, I found myself clicking on a YouTube video that opened with a question, "Where is Time Astor now?!"

(Time Astor is a name that many of you are likely familiar with. Today, I realized that he hasn’t been a topic of conversation for quite some time, so I took it upon myself to investigate further. It turns out we humans are not great at learning from our past errors. Two years ago, we were all too eager to judge him and lay the blame at his feet because it was the trendy thing to do. But what if I told you he was innocent? You’d probably just shrug it off, right? Exactly, because he is innocent, and yet no one has written a single article about it. So, where is he now? I can’t say for certain, but if I were him, I’d be seeking refuge far away from this country, away from people like us.)

A wave of relief washed over me. Even though Hope wasn’t mentioned by anyone, I found comfort in the fact that her name would have come up if something had happened. Time appeared to be fine as well. I can only hope that they’re safe now, far away from that useless human being.