Touch the Sky

02.

I was completely hypnotized for the entire week. I was evaluating if it was worth a shot while holding Jack's card. I'm reluctant, but there's no hurt in trying–or at least, I hope there won't be any harm in trying. Yes, I first met him when we were both kids. He has grown up so well and fine, but who knows what's on his mind? Based on his lethal smiles and actions, he could be a psycho. Yup, it is so. It must be so.

So here I am at Jack's house right now. His house has a simple and minimalist exterior. Most of its color is beige in tone. It's like the classic Barbie Show themed house, but even cooler.

"Sam!" I was snapped back out of reality when Jack's presence dragged me out of my fantasies.

"You're here!"

I rolled my eyes out of shock.

"Obviously I am."

He smirked as he gestured his hand to the entrance of his big house. It's probably too much for him. Or maybe all his weirdness and whatnot as a psycho-scientist are here?

"Aww, you're being judgmental. Be pleased I like you," he said as he began to walk swiftly, leaving me dumbfounded.

What exactly did he say?!

I don't believe that he can read minds. For my part, I think he's simply analyzing me based on my actions. Or is it possible that he has implanted a device in my head?

I'm a bit paranoid, to be honest.

He offered me food, but I declined. I was still full now, and I was worried that his food might have been tainted with poison. He just smiled humbly and started to lead the path. I couldn't help but think of a way to describe his powerful physique. His toned figure and broad shoulders were in complete contradiction to the Jack I had met a decade before.

"I was actually looking forward to witnessing some out of this world inventions, huh. As if you had a flowing in the air house and magical abilities in your hands—" I pinched my brow as he stopped to pick up some keys in his pocket to open a maroon painted door.

I blabbered a lot and judged its façade but as I entered a room, I was in awe. I knew from that moment that I should have said enough.

"Welcome to my world, Samantha Amber."

With my eyes, I wander. There are several programs, equipment, and other stuff in Jack's lab that aren't very unusual for a scientist. But everything is of the highest caliber. I've only ever seen cell incubators, clone pods, and a slew of other gadgets at Jimmy Neutron's show! And some of them are inventions I've never seen before in my life, and I felt like I was behind the times from that point on.

"Any words?"

"Oh," I said, a little moved out of indifference.

He brushed his hair with his hand and looked at me, barely laughing at all. He smiled as he stretched out his arms and pulled up his long sleeves that showed off his toned arms.

I restrained myself from complimenting his beauty now that I am silently convinced that he can read my mind. But everything is still unclear to me.

"You're blocking your thoughts. How can you do that?"

I looked at him with satisfactory admiration, finding enough words, but all that I could hear was the beats of my heart.

"Are all of these working?" I tried to divert the conversation to another channel.

"Yes."

"Then it could help me cure my mom. Will I be able to understand her and know her side of the story? "

He gently set his eyes upon me, "We'll get through there, Sam."

"But," I said quietly, but he hushed my voice.

"Everything takes time, Sam. Time."

It had made no sense to my mind, but I took care not to say anything. I just shrugged and listened but my mind was wandering. All that I care about is answer. Nothing more, nothing less.

He started sharing some of his inventions, explaining some of their powers and functions. I was following his gestures and lips as they moved. I am wholly unacquainted with this world, but he still persevered in sharing his magical life.

And for that moment, he threw me for a moment out of the world of realities.

"This is what we'll use for your mother."

I was agitated, but he persisted in ushering me into the dichotomy of reality and fantasy.

"I call this Navis Alveum," he pointed out two human cell incubators with a transparent shell and some buttons on their left-wing. "One is made for navigating one's unconscious mind," he said, pointing to the clear incubator with a black plug. "Where a conscious person can travel back in time through mind reversal." And the second incubator, with its glossy design.

As I wandered around, I saw a body in the lab and asked Jack, who was he? He said it was his father. He preserved his body because his father asked him a favor: that he wanted to be with the love of his life.

And I was moved. Everything has its own reasons, indeed. A scientist will never aim to be a scientist for nothing.

"I was kind of reluctant, you know. The idea of making his favor come to life was such an insane motive for me. But it was his last wish; in fact, it has always been his wish."

"How about your mom?"

"I haven't met her ever since I was a kid. I don't even have any pictures of her. Growing up, all that I have ever desired was to see my father's smile. I never thought that it would be this taxing. But what else can you do for the sake of love?"

His eyes had a trace of anguish in them. I could not help but wonder how brave we were as kids, despite the truth that we are forced to carry the grief of our parents. We were perhaps too courageous and foolish enough to dream the same dream that our parents once had. "Do it. Do it with me." I urged him.

"But I've never tried any of these, Sam," he gulped.

He dropped his head, so I approached him and lifted his head with my hand.

"I believe in you," I said with a smile.