Mirrored

Chapter 8 - The Way It Should Be

"We're ready now." Karisa spoke on behalf of her and Naya.

The guy nods his head at them. "You both should be. Karisa is just an extra and will be removed out of the story soon so we should hurry."

He then asked the two if they're alright. Karisa nods her head, saying she will be even though there's a lot of memories she'll leave behind. The mistake that the guy call it, it was still an opportunity for her to get to live as Karisa, an eighteen year old girl that lives in countryside with her grandparents after her parents died when she was still young. Karisa is a character that always look at the bright side and that have grown mature and independent at a young age. She was the character that will be introduced to Naya and will become friends but only after a short time and will be out of the story. It was a great switch for her since Karisa is such a special character.

"Do you still wish you could stay as a main character, Naya?" The guy turned to her and saw the sadness in her eyes. Naya wished to if she could but she has no choice anymore. Living the life as Naya was extremely awesome for her since she was the main character of the story and is always the spotlight. She lived in the small city and had great friends and loving yet strict parents. Her character though was quite timid and loves to stay in the comfort zone. But overall, living the life of Naya was amazing. She had lots of memories and even made one with the girl she didn't like before, Candice. But she's not the real Naya and will go back to her real role now.

"I wish i could but i can't, right? What will happen after i will get switched back?" She asked, but her eyes was not on the guy but on the ceiling as she was slumping on the couch.

The guy pitied her but it's not the way she should react. She should be happy because she'll get back to the life she loved before she got switched to the main character. "You'll forget every memories you had as Naya and the memories you had before will came back as you live and be back as Karisa. The story will continue and you will not remember this moment."

Karisa quirks her eyebrows at him, with  a sad look. "We'll forget about you too?"

The guy nodded, telling them they won't even remember him talking to them about the issue because when the issue will be fixed, it will return to normal like there was no issue to fix in the first place. Karisa and Naya thought about it. What a sad day it is. They'll not only miss all their families but also the guy.

"For the last time, could we all hang out together?" Naya asked the two as they began to think about it.

"What is it for? Making memories? But you'll both forget about it."

Karisa then grabbed his arm and insisted him to hang out with them. "It doesn't matter. Like just what they say, even if you forget every memory you had when you had cherished it, you'll remember it on your heart." She made him stand up and the guy groaned, reminding her that the clock is ticking and there's not much time left. He'll be out of the story as well as the character Karisa.

"It's just for today." Naya pushed him out of his house and they all got out there.

*~*~

The trio went to the park and bought ice cream. While eating the cold dessert, Karisa suggested that they play tag which Naya agreed. The guy complained about it since the game was just for kids and they're not little anymore. But Karisa didn't listen and tapped him on his back, saying 'tag' and ran away from him. Naya ran as well and the guy sighed, but gave in and ran after them.

Soon enough, they were all laughing and chasing each other while they all take turns in who's the tag. Trying to catch their breath from all the running, they all sat down on a grass to relax a bit.

It was afternoon that time and there were not many people in the park. But there were children playing and mothers or parents with them. The gust of wind in the place was refreshing and cool and it helped dry off their sweats from all the running.

Naya suggested to buy them ice cream again so they'll cool down which the two agreed as well, so she went to the ice cream a little far from them. As she was paying them, she noticed someone familiar from a distance but couldn't tell who it was. She just shrugged and went back to the two and gave them their ice creams.

"By the way, we still haven't know your name. Care to tell us or are you going to stay mysterious until we forget about you?" Karisa nudged the guy with them who was silently devouring the dessert.

The guy glanced at her for a second and to Naya, who rose an eyebrow at him. He chuckled and reminded them again that they will just forget about it also. Karisa complained and keep on persuading him to tell his name, telling him that she'll always remember his name in her heart even though her brain forgets about it. That made Naya look at her suspiciously and ask her if she likes the guy.

"Hey! It's not like that. I was just repeating a saying.." Naya then began teasing the two and there was a slight blush on Karisa's face.

The guy laughs a little and then he coughed. "I'm Zion, the author's boyfriend."

This got the two to stop in their tracks. What? He's the boyfriend of the author? So, the author is a female. The two girls were shocked.

"Wow, um.. i don't know what to say. So, you know the author. Tell us her name!"
Karisa pleaded with him but Zion refused to and told them they can't know it. She was disappointed. Why can't they know the author's name?

"Wait, i have a question. When a character will be out of this story, will she be able to live her life or will.. she die? Because when i return to my original role, i will be removed soon." Naya saw this as a problem. Because, what if she'll die immediately after getting switched back as her original role? That would be terrible.

Zion shook his head and assured her she won't die but will just be out of the story. That doesn't mean she'll be out of this world but she'll be living a life normally in this world just like him when he get out of the story, he'll spend time and live a life happily with the author in real life.

Hearing those words comforted Naya and she sighed and laid down on the grass. "If that's the case, will i regain my memories back when i will be removed from the story?"

"Probably, but since you'll be out of the book, you will think it's just some crazy dream you had." Zion answered.

"That's kinda sad." Karisa commented.

"I'm gonna miss you, Karisa and.. Zion."

Karisa will as well. Even though she just met Naya for a day, she thinks of her as a friend already. And she's going to miss the Zion too. Mysterious yet interesting. As for Zion, he might not have spent a lot of time with them but he have grown to like them even just for a day. He will miss them. But unfortunately, they won't even remember him at all while he, probably will since he'll be out of the story and is not part of it.

"Let's now switch you back to where you belong. I don't have much time left." Zion turned to them as he watched their facial expressions. But, this time, the girls didn't respond to him but just kept silent. In their eyes, the guy could see that they are now ready as ever even if the memories of the character they're playing now will be left behind. That's good. He didn't waste anymore time and did what he must do.

He held both Karisa and Naya's hands and repeated the words that the author gave him to switch them back.
"The time has come to patch things up. Let the story continue the way it was written. May the characters be put in their right place on how it was been."

After he spoke those words, a bright light shines on the two, that only they could see but all the other people around had no idea of what's happening. The two characters suddenly disappeared from the spot they're on, leaving Zion behind.
He then sighed. Finally, his work inside the story is done and he can go back to the world that he also belongs.

He glanced at the park one more time as he see things are just well arranged. The scenes, the people and their lines. Everybody's story is written even though some are not inside a story like Naya and Karisa. Everything that's happening in their lives.. is the way it's supposed to be.

Whatever they're role in their story is, he can assure that everything will be okay soon just as the author has written. He smiled at the place and disappeared into thin light.