Location: Downtown

  Exactly Three Years Ago

  Karsurik Mall

  In the blink of an eye, we return to a few years in the past, to the moment when, within minutes, the entire city — along with the capital — would face one of the worst events in its history, one that would claim the lives of many innocent people and families.

  During the first half hour of the school trip, Téo and Victoria, who were only seven years old, played carefree with one another.

  [Téo – Cheerful & Playful Voice] …Can you believe it, Victoria? A special episode of “Between Two Worlds” just came out! -

  [Victoria – Cheerful & Happy Voice] I’ll only believe it when I see it. I’ve watched every single episode so far, and I had no idea a special was released! -

  While the school trip was still underway — organized by the school with a schedule that included going to the movies and then attending an event that would start a few minutes after the film, in the park area located on the lower floor of the mall — the two children kept playing without much concern.

  This event was the highlight of the excursion, planned to take place on the mall’s second underground level.

  [Téo – Cheerful & Playful Voice] That’s weird. It feels like we’re walking in circles, Victoria. Wait a second… [Slightly Worried Breathing] -

  But the two, distracted while playing and not paying attention, ended up following someone they thought was their teacher and the coordinator of the trip — in the middle of the crowd that filled the mall at that time of year so close to Christmas.

  [Victoria – Cheerful & Happy Voice] What are you talking about, Téo? We’re following Ms. Laura, and… [Lightly Confused Sigh] -

  When Téo and Victoria finally realized they were following the wrong person — after she turned around and revealed she wasn’t Ms. Laura — a small tremor shook the floor beneath them, making the large chandelier in the hallway sway faintly.

  [Téo – Confused & Tense Voice] …Did you feel the ground shake too, or am I going crazy? -

  [Random Voices Talking Cheerfully & Spontaneously]

  Téo and Victoria stood still in the middle of the hallway. They looked at each other — Téo turning one way and Victoria the other — trying to catch sight of Ms. Laura. But it was difficult with the crowd filling the mall, everyone talking and laughing during their outing.

  [Victoria – Slightly Scared & Trembling Voice] No, you’re not going crazy, Téo. I felt it too… -

  [Random Voices Talking Cheerfully & Spontaneously]

  Few people noticed the faint tremor in the ground, and before Victoria and Téo could even think about seeking help from a mall security guard after getting lost, a new and singular tremor—much stronger—struck, seeming to ripple through the entire city in a matter of seconds.

  [Random Voices – Frightened & Disbelieving Conversations]

  The sudden jolt immediately triggered panic, leaving everyone momentarily frozen and nearly losing their balance as many fell to the floor at once.

  [Random Voices – Confused & Worried Conversations]

  Téo managed to catch Victoria just in time, as she was about to fall backwards onto the floor in the middle of the hallway after losing her balance for a moment.

  A few seconds later, the earthquake—which had seemed to weaken—actually surged in intensity across the entire city, growing far stronger and sending several more people crashing helplessly to the ground.

  [Screams of Terrified & Desperate People]

  While Victoria clung to Téo tightly, trembling with fear, they watched from the end of the corridor as people further ahead fell into complete panic, desperately searching for a safer place amid the surreal, escalating tremor.

  [Victoria – Frightened & Shaking Voice] Téo, I’m scared… -

  [(Téo – Thought of Disbelief & Apprehension) This is a very strong earthquake… I have a bad feeling about this…]

  Seconds after Victoria’s question, Téo caught sight of something that left him utterly frozen, both disbelieving and horrified.

  [Victoria – Frightened & Shaking Voice] Why are people running and screaming like that, Téo? Why do they look so terrified? -

  Téo’s eyes widened as the world around him seemed to slow down. In a sudden, shocking moment, he saw part of the ceiling at the far end of the corridor begin to collapse—still far from where they stood, but unmistakably real.

  [(Téo – Thought of Disbelief & Terror) This can’t be real, no… No, it can’t… (Shaky, heavy breathing)]

  Téo saw clearly as more than a hundred people in that section of the corridor, confused and searching for shelter, couldn’t react in time— and were all brutally crushed by the falling debris.

  A split second later, a shockwave burst through the entire corridor toward where Téo and Victoria stood, making their clothes and hair whip violently and nearly knocking both of them to the ground.

  [(Téo – Thought of Disbelief & Terror) All those people… They were crushed… They… (Shaky, heavy breathing)]

  Instinctively, a few moments after the tremor, Téo grabs Victoria’s hand tightly and pulls her quickly in the opposite direction of the collapse unfolding before them, through the smoke and the cries of pain and agony that make the atmosphere almost unbearable.

  [Téo — Panting & Frightened Voice] Victoria! Don’t look back! Keep running! [Deep, Anxious Breath] —

  In the first seconds he is among the first to react, while many others remain frozen, completely motionless. Téo feels his legs shaking as the ground begins to crack beneath them while the earthquake rages on.

  [Téo — Panting & Frightened Voice] And don’t let go of my hand, understand me, Victoria?! [Deep, Anxious Breath] —

  [Screams of Terrified People Running & Utter Horror]

  [Victoria — Incredulous & Horrified Voice] Téo, those people… things came out of their bodies — red things, after… [Trembling, Broken Breath] —

  The place where Téo and Victoria were standing a moment before starts to give way, and people a few meters away, running for shelter, begin to lose their lives.

  [Victoria — Incredulous & Horrified Voice] After part of the ceiling fell on them, they flew… [Trembling, Broken Breath] —

  [Screams of Terrified People Running & Utter Horror]

  All around, amid terrified and desperate screams from those who cannot react to anything other than weeping at what they see with wide eyes, there lies a collapsed corridor and a viscous, red liquid being flung forward among the rubble.

  [(Téo — Frightened & Fearful Thought) Oh no… She saw it, damn… [Angry, Panting Sigh]]

  From a general view of the mall, not only do the floors of the second and first levels develop increasing cracks and collapses across several sections due to the intense tremors.

  But one of the three central pillars of the mall is also seen to give way after a large portion of the second-floor ceiling falls onto it, bending it.

  [Victoria — Incredulous & Horrified Voice] Téo, parts of those people went everywhere, along with that “red liquid” — that was… [Trembling, Broken Breath] —

  [Screams of Terrified People Running & Utter Horror]

  [Téo — Reassuring, Breathless Shout] THAT WAS NOT BLOOD, VICTORIA! DO NOT LOOK BACK AND KEEP RUNNING HOLDING MY HAND, PLEASE—OBEY ME!!! [Trembling, Driven Breath] —

  Many people lose their lives brutally: trampled in the panic as crowds frantically seek refuge, and crushed by falling debris within seconds, in a surreal, terrifyingly fast way — with no time to escape.

  [Screams of the Desperate & Pleading for Help]

  Amid the chaos of people running desperately because the tremor continues with surreal intensity, the focus shifts to Téo, who runs down one of the corridors, gripping Victoria’s hand tightly.

  [Téo — Gasping & Frightened Shout] VICTORIA!! KEEP RUNNING, PLEASE!! [Deep & Anxious Breath] —

  Victoria runs, breathless, her legs nearing their limit, side by side with Téo, who is also gasping for air.

  Faced with so many screams coming from behind her and Téo, she feels the world seem to slow and glances back. She sees many people and families screaming and running as well, seeking refuge somewhere.

  Lives are being lost in a few moments, while a few meters behind her and Téo everything collapses as the structure loses support and creates a domino effect.

  [Victoria — Trembling & Disbelieving Voice] Téo, what is happening, why is everyone hurt... [Trembling, Breathless & Emotional] —

  As the two run alongside a few other surviving people stained with the red liquid and covered in dust, Téo and Victoria find themselves among them.

  [(Téo — Gasping & Frightened Thought) We’re almost at the safe place, please... (Deep & Anxious Breath)]

  Each of those people unexpectedly loses their life along the path toward the part of the mall that, even amid the earthquake’s chaos, remains intact at the end of that corridor where he is running.

  Because the two remaining support pillars are still standing amid all the turmoil. Téo, with cuts on his face from the flying debris, is visibly more injured than Victoria, who is coated in dust from the desperate run.

  [(Téo — Gasping & Frightened Thought) Give me strength so I can at least save her, please!! (Deep & Anxious Breath)]

  Turning into one of the last corridors that will take them to the mall’s northern safe area, Téo is determined to reach the end of that corridor at any cost, where several people are sitting and lying down, some crying and others praying, relieved to be safe.

  [(Téo — Angry & Emotional Thought) PLEASE, I DON’T WANT TO LOSE ANYONE I LOVE AGAIN!!! (Deep & Anxious Breath)]

  [Unknown Voice — Curious & Faint] Interesting... [Single Distant & Echoing Laugh]

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  Téo, running while holding Victoria’s hand with all his strength and pulling her forward, felt his body tremble even more as he noticed that the cracked floor was becoming increasingly stable with each new step toward the end of the corridor.

  [Téo – Trembling & Incredulous Whisper] Wait, please, no… [Broken Breath & Very Breathless] –

  Less than ten meters away from reaching the people who were there, shouting for the two of them to run with all their strength, he whispered, trembling and incredulous.

  [(Téo – Trembling & Incredulous Thought) We’re almost there, hold on a little longer, you damn fool!!]

  [Victoria – Frightened & Breathless Whisper] Téo! We’re almost reaching the end of the corridor, we’re going to make it, we’re going to save ourselves… [Happy & Relieved Sigh] –

  While the path ahead remained clear, several parts of the ceiling and the floor began to give way. Even so, Téo and Victoria kept running, jumping over some small holes that opened beneath them.

  [Sound of Falling Debris & Loud Echoing Collapses]

  With a single synchronized leap, they shouted with joy for managing to stay close enough, and the world literally slowed down around them.

  [Intense Sound of Falling Debris & Loud Echoing Collapses]

  At that exact moment, they saw the ground where they expected to land after the jump break apart, collapsing and affecting an area of approximately five meters around where they were.

  [Téo – Breathless & Desperate Scream] …NO!!! [Deep, Angry Breathing] –

  With the ground literally crumbling, Téo and Victoria froze, screaming in despair as they fell toward the abyss of debris, dust, and smoke.

  [Victoria – Frightened & Completely Panicked Scream]

  Part of the ceiling simultaneously gave way above them, collapsing together with the floor, causing the people ahead to panic and scream desperately at the sight of what was happening.

  For the situation was surreal and extremely hopeless, especially because Téo and Victoria—two innocent children—had been so close to reaching a safe area just a few meters away from them.

  [Téo – Breathless & Desperate Scream] VICTORIAAAA!! –

  [Victoria – Breathless & Frightened Scream] TéOOOO! –

  Instinctively, Téo — even though he was exhausted after running so much — wrapped his arms tightly around Victoria during the free fall, crying out of fear and anger for having failed.

  And even then, Téo was willing to do everything he could to ensure that Victoria had at least some chance of surviving, even if he ended up seriously hurt in the process.

  This quick and desperate movement from Téo, as he tried to save Victoria, resulted in his body crashing against parts of the debris several times as they fell the remaining meters toward the ground below, all while he held Victoria in his arms, the impacts severely injuring him.

  Within seconds, they disappeared beneath the smoke and dust rising rapidly from the place where they had fallen, amid the screams of people who had witnessed their descent, crying in complete shock and sheer panic.

  Present Day

  Exactly 3 Years Later

  Near the City Center - 8 A.M.

  Victoria is seen beside Harry on their way to school, the two of them talking while using their smartphones at the same time.

  Meanwhile, their parents talk among themselves about who will pick up Harry and Victoria’s younger sister, who is only two years old and still in preschool.

  [Mila – Cheerful & Serene Voice] …Honey, don’t forget to pick up Kaida’s test results at the clinic today, okay? —

  [David – Calm & Affectionate Voice] Yes, my love. Good thing you reminded me. I thought it was next week, but I’m sure the results will come back negative. —

  [Mila – Serene & Hopeful Voice] I hope so, my love. I’m so afraid she’ll get sick again like last time. —

  As David and Mila continue their conversation, the focus shifts to the back seat, where Victoria listens to music through her earphones. She watches the scenery through the avenue window, seeing buildings and vehicles pass by beside the car she’s in.

  [Echoing Voice of Téo (7 Years Old) From the Past] …VICTORIA!! You have to get out of here!! Forget about me and save yourself, PLEASE!! —

  Victoria holds her brother Harry’s hand — a gesture that always made her feel safe whenever something frightened her.

  [Echoing Voice of Victoria (7 Years Old) From the Past] No! I’m not leaving you here alone! [Angry, Defiant Breathing] —

  [Echoing Voice of Téo (7 Years Old) From the Past] PLEASE!! VICTORIA!! [Heavy, Labored Breathing] —

  It is revealed that, in Victoria’s mind, the voices of a traumatic event echo once again, bringing back all the emotions and sensations that make her instinctively hold Harry’s hand, searching for safety without even realizing it.

  [Echoing Voice of Téo (7 Years Old) From the Past] …I DON’T WANT YOU TO GET HURT EVEN MORE BECAUSE OF ME!! [Heavy, Labored Breathing] —

  [Echoing Voice of Victoria (7 Years Old) From the Past] SHUT UP, TéO!! [Angry, Defiant Breathing] —

  [Echoing Voice of Téo From the Past – Heavy, Labored Breathing]

  Harry squeezes Victoria’s hand, noticing that she is remembering the incident at the Karsurik mall again — but more intensely than usual.

  [Echoing Voice of Victoria (7 Years Old) From the Past] Listen to me, you big idiot!! [Deep, Trembling Breath] —

  [Echoing Voice of Téo From the Past – Heavy, Labored Breathing]

  [Echoing Voice of Victoria (7 Years Old) From the Past] I will never leave you here alone, Téo! You’re my best friend, and best friends never abandon each other, you hear me! [Deep, Trembling Breath] —

  Harry, also wearing his headphones, decides to gently squeeze his sister Victoria’s hand, reaffirming his presence beside her in the present moment, even if she doesn’t want to share her fears with their parents or with him now—or afterward.

  [(Victoria – Melancholic & Reflective Thought) ...Once again, I’m remembering that day when I lost you, Teo. (Deep Breath)]

  [(Victoria – Melancholic & Reflective Thought) Today marks three long years since the Karsurik Mall incident. (Deep Breath)]

  Victoria feels the firm pressure of her brother Harry’s hand around hers, and gradually her thoughts become lighter, while the tightness in her chest slowly begins to ease.

  [(Victoria – Melancholic & Reflective Thought) Everything was so terrifying... And after that damned day, I was never again able to hold your hand, not even once, Teo. Not at school, not anywhere else in this city. (Deep Breath)]

  A small, gentle smile naturally forms on her lips, because her brother Harry is by her side—not only as her older brother, but also as her best friend—making her feel safe even as her heart still aches softly.

  [(Victoria – Melancholic & Reflective Thought) Teo seems to have disappeared for some reason I still don’t understand... And no one seems to remember him anymore, except me... (Deep Breath)]

  Mila, who was talking with David, glances briefly while still in conversation, noticing through the car’s rearview mirror the beautiful sight of Harry holding his little sister Victoria’s hand.

  [(Victoria – Happy & Confident Thought) Teo, I won’t give up on finding you... I promise, my best friend with the white eyes! (Hopeful & Comforting Sigh)]

  For a moment, Mila feels the world slow down, struck by that uniquely tender scene—her two children sitting in the back seat, smiling in such a sweet and affectionate way.

  [(Mila – Happy & Emotional Thought) This bond between the two of them over the past three years has become something so strong and at the same time so beautiful to witness, even knowing the wounds that Victoria now carries in her heart. (Warm & Caring Sigh)]

  While they look at the landscape through their respective sides of the car window, each of them immersed in their own inner thoughts, they still show how happy they are to have the other by their side.

  [(Harry – Cheerful & Confident Thought) I’ll be right here with you, little sis… (Soft Happy & Emotional Laugh)]

  [(Victoria – Happy & Confident Thought) Thank you, Harry… For being by my side, big bro… (Soft Happy & Emotional Laugh)]

  Even though the two of them are sitting in the back seat, focused on their thoughtful gazes in opposite directions, they keep listening to their music through their earphones, never letting go of each other’s hand.

  Strengthening even more that bond not only as older brother and younger sister, but also as best friends—without needing to say anything to make the other feel safe during moments of fear or anguish.

  [(Mila – Happy & Emotional Thought) And what I love even more is the way each of you, my little angels, takes care of the other whenever something is troubling your tiny hearts. (Joyful Sigh)]

  The perspective then pulls away from the car, where the four of them are now enjoying that moment while heading toward Victoria and Harry’s school.

  After dropping them off, their parents, Mila and David, will go on to take care of some important matters downtown.

  A Few Moments Later

  Above One of the Commercial Buildings

  Near the City’s Main Avenue

  Revealing itself in a single blink of an eye, the perspective shifts to focus on a boy who is sitting at the top of one of the buildings near the avenue where Victoria and her family were traveling by car.

  The boy was seated on the edge of the building, his legs gently swinging as he observed the bustling city below him, giving him a sense of happiness for being able to see it again this way after such a long time.

  It was evident that the boy was the same age as Victoria and was wearing the same school uniform as hers, the same school that her brother Harry also attended.

  [Young Boy – Serene & Sad Voice] I wish I had been able to recover my memories more quickly… [Deep Breath] —

  The young boy’s eyes softly followed the car carrying Victoria’s family toward the school, his expression both joyful and emotional at the same time, trying as hard as he could not to show the deeper feelings burning within him in that moment.

  [Young Boy – Serene & Sad Voice] After finally returning to this place… after you helped me without even realizing it. [Deep Breath] —

  The young boy’s eyes seemed distant and carried a melancholy not connected to what he was looking at in the present, but rather to what he was remembering simultaneously about the past.

  At that moment, a gentle yet stronger breeze passed by, making his short white hair sway softly. It became clear that this young boy was none other than Téo himself, now a little older, also ten years old—just like Victoria currently was.

  [Téo – Serene & Sad Voice] It’s been only a few weeks since I managed to return to the physical world, I… [Deep Breath & Subtly Tearful] —

  Téo is still sitting, remembering the traumatizing event at the Karsurik Mall — exactly three years ago on this very day — the collapse and tremor that newspapers named the “Alpha Earthquake.”

  Around Téo, the environment appears slightly distorted, affected by an invisible force that gently emanates from his body, a direct result of the emotions and feelings in conflict within his heart.

  [Téo – Serene & Sad Voice] I will return the favor, I… I promise you, my first and only best friend. [Soft Happy & Slightly Tearful Laughter] -

  This leads him to close his eyes and take a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions after vividly remembering the last happy moment he had beside Victoria in that mall — just before everything that happened minutes later.

  The perspective focuses on Téo’s closed eyes as they slowly open, revealing a surreal change from what they once looked like.

  Now his eyes are completely white and opaque in tone, without pupils or irises, while Téo slowly lifts his gaze toward the sky.

  He watches the clouds drifting above the city, carried gently by the soft winds, moving toward the horizon on that beautiful morning without any definite destination.

  [Téo – Serene & Nostalgic Voice] Just like you took care of me that day, when the two of us first met as children, and… [Motivated & Joyful Breath] -

  A happy expression appears on his face even as a few silent tears fall, sliding down from his eyes onto his cheeks, immediately wiped away by one of his hands the moment he notices them.

  [Téo – Serene & Nostalgic Voice] After that incredible moment for me, when you continued to do that over and over again… [Angry & Painful Breath] -

  In a smooth forward motion, Téo seems to hurl himself toward the ground from several stories high — the height contained within the construction of the building where he had been sitting.

  [Distant Echoing Voice of Victoria (Age 6) — From the Past] …Hey, why are you crying, little boy? [Worried & Gentle Sigh] -

  As Téo plunges in free fall, his clothes and school bag now pressed against his back, something that should feel surreal to any other person seems strangely ordinary to him.

  Despite falling from such a height, he appears completely calm, as if the entire experience were perfectly normal — reflected in his unconcerned expression.

  [Distant Echoing Voice of Victoria (Age 6) — From the Past] Hey, you don’t need to cry… I’m not going to hit you. I don’t think your white eyes are scary at all. Actually, they’re… Really cute. [Subtle Embarrassed Sigh] -

  [Muffled & Echoing Voice of Téo (Age 6) — From the Past]

  Then, spinning in mid-air while falling, Téo seems to use his feet to push off the glass windows of one of the building’s floors as he drops past it. With that fluid forward-launching motion, the impact of his feet lightly cracks the glass.

  [Distant Echoing Voice of Victoria (Age 6) — From the Past] My name is Victoria… And what would your name be, little boy? [Subtle Sigh of Doubt & Curiosity] -

  [Muffled & Echoing Voice of Téo (Age 6) — From the Past]

  The world seems to slow down at this exact moment, giving him a surreal view of Téo’s entire body wrapped in an invisible force that distorts the environment around him.

  [Distant Echoing Voice of Victoria (6 Years Old) From the Past] — I understand, your name is Téo. You look like a little angel with those completely white eyes, you know? [Gentle & Happy Laughter] -

  [Muffled & Echoing Voice of Téo (6 Years Old) Coming From the Past]

  Téo looks forward toward the horizon and the city, his eyes completely white, while his hair and clothes sway softly as if submerged underwater. Téo simply surged forward through the air with determination, flying ahead.

  [Distant Echoing Voice of Victoria (6 Years Old) From the Past] — Téo... You… Do you want to be my very first best friend? [Gentle & Happy Laughter] -

  [Muffled & Echoing Voice of Téo (6 Years Old) Coming From the Past]

  As he flew, a smile of pure happiness spread across his face — a reflection of the many memories he had held onto, the same memories that had helped him keep going and not give up during these last three long years.

  Even if they were simple, they were the most important to Téo, fueling his determination not to give up on reaching Victoria once again.

  After three long years, Téo was finally about to meet Victoria again, after the incident at the Karsurik mall. It was clear that, as he moved forward, a few centimeters of air around his body shifted — a sign of the invisible force enveloping him.

  A force that made him completely imperceptible to anyone who might otherwise catch sight of him flying toward his current destination: the school he attended that year, the same school Victoria went to.

  [Téo — Happy & Confident Voice] Enough of this distance between us! [Excited & Joyful Laughter] -