Timeless

Chapter Eight

She's been expecting us. To most, this first remark would be recognized as very uncanny, but it does not necessarily shock Daisy and me. Since we cannot find the correct words to respond to her, we do not say anything.

"Well, you did forget one thing. Why are there only two of you here? What about the other Daisy? Fifteen years old. Did you two meet her yet?" she asks.

Daisy begins to shake her head, but I call out, "Yes! I have!" This is the girl who asked me those questions at the swimming pool three years ago and had me running away like a lamb from a lion.

And then I realize something: the number three. Daisy is nine years old, I am twelve, and this other girl is fifteen. All increasing in increments of three. The pool incident is also occurring at this rate.

"Zelda, I have a question, if you don't mind me asking," I start. I feel like I am speaking with God, someone who holds an incredible amount of power when compared with the feeble figure of mine. "What's with the number three? Is there some special meaning to it? Because..."

"Ah, what a clever little girl you are, Daisy. The mystery of threes is extremely significant, but that you will need to figure out yourselves. I know you three can do it.

"But, back to the topic, you will need Daisy to go on this journey. Now, I don't want you to receive a poor first impression of her, so let me tell you a bit about her. She is going through a very difficult time right now. Her mother recently passed on, her father became an alcoholic and frequently abuses her, and she is being cyberbullied by friends she once considered exceptionally close to her. Unfortunately, she is going through an existential crisis: essentially where she is questioning what her place on this Earth is.

"I know this is a lot to take in, but I believe both of you can help her elude from this depressing time. She lives right here in Manhattan, so it should not be too difficult to locate her. In fact, I am almost certain she is on a bench in Central Park right now. She always runs to that spot when she feels like sobbing, but doesn't want to do so in front of her dad. Why don't you two become acquainted with her? Central Park is only a few blocks away. Go and meet her. But, most importantly, make sure she gets here."

And with that, Zelda spins around and returns to doing something strange with her tarot cards. Daisy and I exchange a look of suspicion but head out the door anyway, still a bit uneasy from the circumstances. The radiant sunlight is nearly blinding after staying in that dingy room, causing tears to rush to my eyes for a moment. I quickly wipe them away.

"So, what do you think of this new Daisy?" Daisy questions. She is pretty young to be dealing with abusive relationships and the like.

"Well, I feel bad for her. If you think our lives are bad, then hers must be ten times worse. I mean, her mom just died."

"My sister died," Daisy whispers so softly and noble that I am not sure I heard correctly. If this is so, does that mean our moms will die and our dads will beat us? Just the thought prompts my heart to race like it is fleeing from a fatal fire spreading throughout the streets. I immediately erase the theory from my head and pretend I did not hear Daisy's murmur.

"Let's just try to be extra kind to her," I continue. "That way, it'll make her feel comfortable and she'll be willing to complete whatever tasks Zelda throws at us."

The corners of Daisy's mouth turn upward to form a grin. "You're right!" she exclaims. "I can't wait to meet her!"

During our stroll, we take in the fresh city air and observe the sidewalks, compacted with people. So many occupants in this one place. For most, it is a second home. I think it's nice that Daisy gets to live here. It can send her waves of hope and optimism when she is feeling down. After all, with the Freedom Tower in view, how can one not speculate all of the opportunities pervading this wondrous city? I would love to, in some sense, belong to this loving community.