The Philosopher's Stone: An Escape from Reality

CHAPTER 11: THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

The crowd is getting thicker and thicker. Flashes of camera were everywhere. I was sitting in front of this hue crowd for a press conference.

"What was this manga you wrote all about?" a media man asked.

"It's about a person who made a mistake and tried to find herself around the world with a friend," I answered with a smile on my face.

"What did you feel hen you got the news that it had a lot of readers around the world and it's likened by well known people?" another media man asked.

"Well, as a mangaka, it's very heart-warming when a lot of people love the the things you wrote and drew. There were a lot of efforts in making this story but it's worthy enough. But I hope that this story will give you good values that you can apply to your lives," I explained. 

And then, I saw doctor V standing and then, he raised his right hand.

"Is it really necessary to be fictional? I guess, there's no need for that. You should open your eyes and see it for yourself," doctor V said.

And so I stood up and banged the table with my hands because of anger.

"Reality and fantasy are almost completely different from each other, yes, I admit that! But as an artist, I should always be imaginative," I said then suddenly, the crowd became scruffy. 

Some took the side of doctor V and some took my side.

A riot occurred inside the press conference room. People inside threw things to each other. Some tweaked each others' hair. Some punch each others' stomach or face.

"Do you think fantasy is the only way for you to become successful? Well, you're wrong," doctor V stated.

He went on the stage and grabbed the mic angrily.

"Reality is reality! It is better to read a story based on a real life situation, not on an impossible one! Did you hear that, Camille?! It's not good for the readers to read a thing like magical because in reality, there is nothing that is magical!"

"Oh, is that true? Let's kill her!" a media man shouted.

The crowd ran unto me and a bullet of gun was heading towards me so I closed my eyes. But instead of being hurt because I was shot by a gun, I felt a hug from a person. I felt that there's someone who is always by my side to protect me. And so, I opened my eyes and looked up to see the face of the person who's hugging me at that moment.

I was surprised because the were tears flew down from his eyes.

"Don't be scared. Because I'm always here for you. I won't let you get hurt. I promise," he said as his tears keep on streaming down to his cheeks.

"So why is it that you were scared back then? We were just walking together and you were smiling. Then suddenly, you just screamed and cried so loud. I did not know what to do and so I hugged you and tried to calm you down. Is there something wrong?" he worriedly asked.

I shook my head and answered, "I had a daydream that I became a successful mangaka again but you disagreed about its concept and then riot occurred inside the press conference. And then, someone shot a gun on me, then I came back to reality, wherein you told me something that calmed me down." 

"Tsk tsk tsk. Daydreams. You're just trying to escape from reality. If I were you, I won't allow myself to do that. Yes, that can help you satisfy your happiness. But it's just a temporary happiness. I you'll come back to reality, it's completely the opposite," he explained with worries on his face.

"Thank you for giving me some advice. I learned something. And that is; I should not daydream a lot. I should know my limitations because reality and daydreams are may be completely opposite to each other. It can be our way to escape the problems that we have but we should also face the fact that we should do something in order to make our dreams come true. And that is, by facing the reality. As what I had read, we live in a fantasy world, a world of illusions. And the great task is to find reality."

As I said those words, the philosopher's stone inside my pocket lightened up and everything became black, as expected.