Two Worlds around Us

4. The Disappearance

"Vanished?" The grey fox asked.

"Yeah." I replied.

"That's impossible." He said.

"I know," I said. "Do you have any idea how it could've happened?"

"Not a clue," He replied. "Are you sure you went to the right place?"

"Yeah, I know where my house is." I said.

"Was it not there when you got there or was there something else?" He asked.

"There was a sign that said the estate I live on was coming soon." I replied.

"That could only mean one thing," He said. "You've time travelled."

"Time travelled? That's preposterous." I said.

"It's the only valid explanation." He replied.

"I suppose, but how could I have time travelled?" I asked. He shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know. Maybe you're just dreaming?" He suggested.

"Pinch me," I said. He pinched me on the arm. "I guess I'm not dreaming."

"I'm sure we'll figure something out," He said. "Until then, you're welcome to sleep in Ash's room with me and him."

"Where do you sleep?" I asked.

"Under the trainset." He replied, his head dipping.

"Why?" I asked.

"Ash wanted me to sleep there." He replied.

"Oh.." I said, trying to understand this weird story. "How about you stop revising for a bit and have some leisure time?"

He looked at his pile of books for a moment.

"Alright." He said, getting up and showing me the way to where everyone went. After a few moments of walking through hallways, we came to a ladder. I went up first, then the grey fox did. When we reached the top, we were now in a barren field. I could see in the distance that Ash was running between two posts. They were clearly playing Cricket.

"Come on, slow-pokes! Get over here!" A white animal yelled, pointing towards us. We did as we were told and jogged over to him. "Why are you so late?"

"I was revising, coach." The grey fox replied.

"Revising for what? Being slow?" He snapped.

"No sir, it was-" The grey fox began.

"Kris, if you didn't catch the memo, I don't care. Wait here as a substitution," Coach replied. "And you. What are you doing here?"

"Watching." I said suddenly.

"Not anymore, kiddo," Coach said. "Wait there as a substitution."

I stood next to the grey fox, or 'Kris' as Coach called him.

"So you're name's Kris, huh?" I asked, trying to make conversation.

"Yeah," He replied. "Short for Kristopherson."

"Why that name?" I asked.

"I don't know, my dad picked it." He replied.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"He's dead." He replied.

"I'm so sorry," I replied. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened?"

"Double Pneumonia." Kris replied.

"That must be awful." I commented.

"It is." He replied.

"Hey! Don't throw that bat at people!" Coach bellowed from beside us.