Chapter 21 – I Know That for Sure

November 2nd 2027 16:23

‘We can sell these tickets and get money,’ Carrie said, happy.

‘Huh? What?’ Pov didn’t hear her wrong. ‘Carrie, you were lucky enough to get a ticket! For the spaceship! You can survive the calamity!! Surely you understand that this ticket matters enough and that you shouldn’t just sell it!’

‘We need money. That’s what matters.’

‘But don’t you want to go through 32nd December?’

‘Sure.’

‘Then we’ll ride the spaceship.’

‘No.’

‘Carrie, you were doing fine. You went up onto the ship, remember? Surely you can also go up onto a spaceship?’

‘I’d rather die.’

‘Carrie… I don’t want you to die…’

‘… I’m not going into a spaceship.’

‘… You can knock yourself unconscious! It’s simple!’

‘No. What did I tell you about never forcing me into a vehicle?’

‘I know, I know… but—but I really don’t want you to die… I want you to go through 32nd December…’

‘… Thanks for the concern, but it’s best to sell this ticket. It’ll fetch a good price.’

‘You’re being ridiculous. Abandoning your chance of survival like this! It’s like you’re being stuck inside a hole, someone gives you a way out, but you refuse because the only way out is by riding a vehicle!’

‘Sounds about right.’

‘Carrie… Let’s find a way to overcome your fear, okay?’

‘Shut up.’

‘I’m serious.’

She slammed the table. ‘Look, if you care about the calamity this much, then go on your own on that spaceship. That’s your choice. You’re free to choose. But I choose to sell my ticket.’ She stood up, then started walking away.

‘Carrie, wait!’ she followed her.

---

17:02

Pov tried as best as she could to prevent Carrie from selling her ticket. Throwing away her way out of the calamity was ridiculous. Pov would even say that was idiotic. Like throwing away a chance that she had been granted. For what? For money! For food!!

‘You… you really did it…’

Carrie was counting the money that she had gotten. She now had a luggage full of paper notes, that of the highest denomination. The person who had purchased the ticket from her was over the moon, jumping in joy.

‘Mm-hm. We can get a good place to stay the night. Good food too.’

‘You’re… you’re stupid, Carrie. For doing this.’

‘From my view, you’re the stupid one, for wanting to go into a vehicle. But you don’t hear me say that do you? So, shut up and mind your own business.’

… This whole thing about the ticket got Pov frustrated.

---

November 3rd 2027 19:24

A day left before the spaceship launched.

For the whole day, Pov had accompanied Carrie in trying out different foods. She was filthy rich because of selling her ticket, so much so that she could invite her to eat all the luxurious food that the capital city had. They were all good food, but… due to her frustration over Carrie’s ridiculous action, all the food felt… tasteless…

It also didn’t seem that Carrie was enjoying the food either.

‘… Pov,’ she called, placed her knife and fork down on the table, ‘do you still have my pocketknife with you?’

‘Oh, right, sorry. I forgot to return it.’ She had been holding onto it since the ship thing.

‘You can keep holding on to it. Carry it with you onto the spaceship. Who knows if you might need it.’

Who knew if she might need it? As in for stabbing someone?

Regardless, that was beside the point.

‘… I’d rather you there with me than this pocketknife.’

‘No way.’

Pov sighed. Yes. There was no way. Not after she had sold her ticket. I… ‘If you want, you can take my ticket. Take the spaceship.’

‘Why would I?’

‘I want you to survive—to live.’

‘What’s with you and wanting me to live?’

‘I…’ She was… someone whom she could call a comrade. No. She was willing to face her personal fears to help her with hers. She was more than a comrade. ‘I think of you as someone who’s precious to me. Really.’

‘… Treat me like one and stop forcing me into a vehicle then.’

‘Nothing will change your mind?’

‘Nothing.’

‘Then… I guess… we’ll say goodbye soon…’

‘Guess so.’

‘I guess… you’ll be happy to finally be rid of me.’ Pov forced a smile.

‘… Mm-hm.’

‘… What’s that hum supposed to mean?’

‘Mm-hm.’

‘Always so mysterious… but… you’re not a horrible person. I know that for sure. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me, Carrie. I’m sorry that… I couldn’t help you find food that tasted good.’

‘… Mm-hm.’

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November 4th 2027 07:33

The weather was clear. Pov was waiting in line, without Carrie around, about to hand in her ticket and enter the spaceship. She could see that there were lots of people inside the spaceship, a crowd. She wouldn’t be alone there. An impossibility.

… Nothing to be scared about.

The line kept progressing. Finally, it was Pov’s turn.

‘Your ticket.’ The guard demanded.

Pov searched her pocket, and—found the pocketknife that Carrie had given her.

There were so many people here.

And yet… she felt…

lonely…