by I'm Not Mister Mxypltk and Tobias Christopher
Shirley Francis closed the door of her office in the temporary headquarters. She picked up the phone on her desk and started dialing a long number written on a piece of paper she took from her pocket. It was obviously a long-distance call.
"Hello?" she said when someone picked up the phone on the other end of the line.
"Yes?" a female voice replied.
"Um... Mrs. Harrison?"
"Yes, I suppose that's me. Who is this?"
"My name is Shirley Francis, Mrs. Harrison... and I'm engaged to your son."
"Karl is getting married?"
"No, Mick..."
"Mick is still alive? Oh, look at that..."
"Wait, Mick has a brother?!"
"Twin brother, dear. If you're with him for the looks, I should tell you that Karl does much better than Mick and looks the same way."
"Uh... Look, I was calling you to tell you that the wedding is gonna be pretty soon."
"Oh. So?"
"I was... hoping you'd come."
"Umm... I suppose I could go..."
"Good! I'm sure Mick will be happy to see you."
"Are you sure we're talking about the same Mick here, honey?"
"Yes. Now we're living in La Perdita, an island in the Caribbean."
"I don't know why that doesn't surprise me."
"The city the wedding will take place in, Puerto Mibela, has several hotels you and Mr. Harrison can stay in."
"Wait, you want Harry to come, too?"
"Well... yes."
"I suppose I could ask him the next time I see him."
"Is that going to be soon?"
"I hope not, dear."
Meanwhile, after unpacking his belongings in a spare room, Tobias Christopher approached Daniela, who had been sitting on a chair staring at a wall for the whole day, to introduce himself.
"Hi, I'm Tobias Christopher, but you can call me T.C.," he said, offering his hand to her.
She didn't react.
"Is she always like that?" T.C. asked Mick Harrison, who was passing by.
"Not always," Mick answered. "She's been like that since the hurricane. She's barely said a word since then."
"Something really awful must have happened to her," T.C. commented, feeling pity for her.
"You bet," Mick replied, shrugging as he left.
"Do you like flowers?" Tobias asked as he produced a flower seemingly out of thin air by running outside and picking one before the girl blinked.
Daniela just continued to sit there.
"You know, you kind of remind me of someone I used to know," Tobias said as he pulled up a chair. "I'm kind of hungry. Want to grab a bite to eat in the kitchen?"
The girl didn't say anything or even attempt a smile, but she stood up and offered Tobias her hand as they headed toward the kitchen.
The Philippines, days ago:
In the kitchen of a beach house, a dark-haired woman heard the door opening as she cooked breakfast.
"How was the beach, honey?" she asked as she heard steps coming and going through the living room.
She received no answer. Immediately she realized that she did not hear the door close. That was odd. Tom was always concerned about safety.
"Tom? Is that you...?" she said, turning to look at whoever was approaching the kitchen. She then saw her husband Tom. She was relieved to see that it was him, until she noticed his eyes were covered with light.
"I have to go to Italy," he said suddenly, before she could ask what was the deal with the light.
"Wh-why?" she asked as he passed by her side.
"I don't know," he replied without turning to look at her. He then opened the kitchen door and stepped out of the house without closing the door on his way out.
She watched as he walked away, heading for Italy.
"Um..." she said, confused, "...take care."