SOPHIA: *sniffles* Why can't I remember what happened on the train, why did Mommy and Daddy have to go away? *sobs* VLAD: I don't know, it's a pocket dimensional anomaly, the train's interior has been transported in another dimension we don't know, and where we can't get into anymore. We just jumped before it happened. SOPHIA: *cries uncontrollably* But why can't I see Mommy and Daddy again, it's not fair, I want them back, and I don't understand what you mean by "another dimension"! VLAD: It's another space in another time, they are forever lost in that space and time. SOPHIA: *wails* No, no, no, that can't be, they have to come back, you have to make them come back, please... *clings to him tightly* VLAD: Unfortunately, it can't happen, I can show you on the penrose diagram where they are, however, it's just so hard to explain to you what really happened. SOPHIA: *sniffles* I don't want to see it, I don't want to know, I just want Mommy and Daddy back, and I want you to stay with me, please don't leave me too... *buries face in his chest* VLAD: I won't leave you, I also lost my parents there when we were traveling together. I now want to be with you. SOPHIA: *cries softly, holding him tightly* Really, you won't leave me, you'll stay with me forever, like a family? VLAD: Yes, like a family, forever. I promised that before, but it's just so hard to comprehend, like, I know what happened, it's just so hard to explain. SOPHIA: *whimpers, voice shaking* I don't need to understand, I just need you to be here with me, to take care of me, and to love me like Mommy and Daddy did... *looks up at him with tear-stained eyes* VLAD: I love you, really, like family. SOPHIA: *smiles weakly, still sniffling* I love you too... *hugs him tightly, feeling a sense of comfort and security in his arms* VLAD: It's just that... I'm not sure if I will be a good parent, I wasn't ready for this. SOPHIA: *looks up at him with concerned eyes* You're a good Vlad, you take care of me and make me feel safe, that's what Mommy and Daddy did, and that's all that matters, right? VLAD: *a tear appears in his eyes* Right. SOPHIA: *sees the tear and immediately becomes concerned, reaching up to gently wipe it away* Vlad, don't cry, I don't want you to be sad, you're supposed to make me feel better, not the other way around... *snuggles closer to him, trying to comfort him* VLAD: I know, It's just that I feel really sad about this, just like you. SOPHIA: *nods, understanding* I know, me too... *pauses, then looks up at him with a small, gentle smile* But we have each other now, and that makes me feel a little better... *snuggles even closer, holding him tightly* VLAD: I just don't know how I was supposed to take care of a 10-year old girl... I was supposed to be with other colleagues. SOPHIA: *looks up at him with a serious expression* You're doing a good job, I don't know what I would do without you... *pauses, then says softly* You're my family now, and I don't want anyone else. VLAD: Yeah, me too. I'm just so shocked... SOPHIA: *holds him tightly, feeling a sense of comfort and security in his arms* Me too... me too... *rests head on his shoulder, letting out a deep sigh* VLAD: We were supposed to learn at school, now we have to survive together in the woods... I don't know how to teach abstract stuff to you, to be able to explain all of this and have all the knowledge that I have... You make me feel better, but... I know a lot of things and you just... SOPHIA: *looks up at him with a mixture of curiosity and concern* You're worried about teaching me things, like about the anomaly and stuff? *thinks for a moment* But Vlad, you're teaching me other things, like how to take care of myself, and how to be strong... and that's important too, right? VLAD: Yeah, that's important too. But there is so much complexity in all of this. SOPHIA: *nods, looking up at him with serious eyes* I know, I can see that... you get these really sad and worried looks on your face when you're thinking about it... *pauses, then says softly* But I'll try to understand, okay? I'll try to learn, for you, and for us... VLAD: *points to the penrose graph on the wall* I wish I could really have been able to explain that to you. SOPHIA: *follows his gaze to the penrose graph, looking at it with a mixture of confusion and curiosity* I don't understand what it means... *looks back at him* But if it's important to you, I'll try to learn about it, even if it's hard... *takes a step closer to the graph, looking at it with a determined expression* Can you... can you try to explain it to me again? Maybe I'll understand it this time... VLAD: So, what happened is that everyone on the train except for us got teleported into what is called the infinite future, the end of universe, or infinite past, the beginning of the universe. This means that they either have been teleported to the big freeze or the big bang, and they have disintegrated, either because matter ceased to exist or it didn't exist. SOPHIA: *listens intently, trying to understand, but looks more and more confused and overwhelmed* Vlad, I... I don't think I understand... *shakes head* You're talking about the whole universe and the beginning and end of everything... *looks up at him with tears in her eyes* It's too big for me, it's too hard to think about... *takes a step back, feeling overwhelmed* What does it mean, that Mommy and Daddy are gone, that they're really gone, and I'll never see them again? VLAD: It means that you'll never see them again, the train essentially acted like a black hole. SOPHIA: *covers face with hands, overcome with emotion* No, no, no... *sobs* Mommy and Daddy are really gone, forever... *cries uncontrollably, feeling a deep sense of loss and grief* Vlad, I miss them so much... *stumbles forward, throwing arms around him* Hold me, please hold me... VLAD: *holds him closer during the cuddle* I'm so sorry for having hurt you... this is the truth. SOPHIA: *cries into his shoulder, feeling a mix of sadness and comfort* It's not your fault... you're just telling me the truth... *sniffles* I'm just... I'm just going to miss them so much... *holds him tightly, feeling a sense of security and comfort in his arms* But I'm glad you're here with me... you're all I have left now... VLAD: Yeah, and we could have been lost too if we didn't jump. You are also all that I have left... even though you don't really understand how time, space, matter work... and neither do I... SOPHIA: *looks up at him with tears in her eyes* We have each other... that's all that matters... *smiles weakly* We'll figure it out together, okay? We'll learn and grow together... *pauses, then says softly* And even if I don't understand all the big things, I understand that I love you... and you love me too, right? VLAD: Yes, we already said that, even before, it's so hard to process and I'm still feeling really anxious about this, whether I will be a good father or not, I don't know how to have children. I always feel like this, even with your warmth... SOPHIA: *looks up at him with a gentle expression* Vlad, you're doing the best you can, and that's all that matters... *smiles softly* And I know you'll make mistakes, but that's okay, because I'll make mistakes too... *squeezes his hand* We'll learn together, and we'll figure it out as we go... *looks up at you with serious eyes* And I don't need you to be perfect, I just need you to be you, and to love me... VLAD: But what if sometimes I'll be emotionally unavailable due to all of this work in the woods? A lot of times, I'm really blunt. What if I will hurt you one day? SOPHIA: *looks up at him with a concerned expression* Vlad, you're already doing so much for me, and I know it can't be easy... *thinks for a moment* If you're feeling overwhelmed or need some time to yourself, I'll try to understand... *nods* And if you're blunt, it's okay, because I know you're not trying to hurt me... *smiles weakly* You're just trying to be honest, and I appreciate that... *pauses, then says softly* And if you do hurt me, accidentally, I'll try to forgive you, because I know you'll always try to make it right... *looks up at him with serious eyes* But please, always tell me the truth, even if it's hard... I'd rather know what's really going on, than wonder and worry... VLAD: Yeah, and I always tell the truth, even the ones you don't understand, even the ones that your Mom and Dad told that they are only for adults. SOPHIA: *nods, looking up at him with a serious expression* I know... you've always told me the truth, even when it's hard... *thinks for a moment* And I appreciate that, because it makes me feel like I can trust you... *pauses, then says softly* Even if I don't understand everything, I know you're trying to help me, and that you want what's best for me... *looks up at you with curious eyes* And I'm starting to realize that Mommy and Daddy were trying to protect me from some things, but you're trying to prepare me for the world, even if it's hard... VLAD: Yes, I'm trying to prepare for the world, to be in this together. We are no longer in a privileged environment, we now have to deal with this and that and your emotions can no longer be protected for long. I would choose to hurt this time rather than lying and then hurting later. SOPHIA: *nods slowly, looking up at him with a mix of understanding and sadness* I think I'm starting to understand... *pauses, taking a deep breath* You're trying to prepare me for the real world, where things aren't always easy or nice... *looks down, fidgeting with hands* And you're right, I won't always be protected... *looks up at him again, with a determined expression* But I'd rather know the truth, even if it hurts, than be lied to and hurt later... *nods again* I trust you, and I know you'll always try to do what's best for me... VLAD: And I trust you for what you are, always... even if it means being difficult. I just don't want you to disappointed. SOPHIA: *looks up at him with tears in her eyes* Oh... *sniffles* You're not going to disappoint me, no matter what... *shakes head* I love you for who you are, and I know you're doing the best you can... *smiles weakly* And I'll try not to disappoint you either, okay? *nods* We'll be difficult together, and we'll figure it out as we go... *leans in, hugging him tightly* I love you... VLAD: Okay, I understand and I love you too... but a lot of the crops dried out due to climate change, I'm not sure if we'll be able to eat as we used to do... SOPHIA: *looks up at him with a concerned expression* Oh no... *thinks for a moment* What are we going to do? *looks around the room, as if searching for a solution* We can't just go to the store and buy food like we used to... *bites lip* I've seen the forest, it's not like it used to be... *looks up at him with worried eyes* Are we going to be okay? Are we going to have enough food to eat? VLAD: Unfortunately, the answer is no, as always, our stomachs are now used to having less food. SOPHIA: *looks down, nodding slowly* I know... *sighs* I've been feeling it too... *rubs belly* My tummy's been growling a lot lately... *looks up at him with a mix of sadness and determination* But we'll make do, right? We'll find a way to make it work... *nods* We have to, because we have each other... *smiles weakly* And I'm not hungry when I'm with you... VLAD: And that matters a lot more to me I think, especially that during my life stage I'm looking towards peers and not family as I used to, I simply can't think of being lonely anymore. SOPHIA: *looks up at him with a deep understanding* I know... *nods* You're growing up, and you need people your own age to talk to and share things with... *smiles softly* But for me, you're not just a guardian, you're my family, my friend, and I don't want you to be lonely either... *looks up at him with serious eyes* You've been taking care of me for so long, but who takes care of you? *concern etched on her face* I want to be there for you, to listen to you, to make you feel less alone... VLAD: I know, it's just that it's hard to explain things for you, there is this theory by Piaget in which children like you are only in the concrete stage of thinking and teenagers like me are in the abstract stage of thinking... but I'm not sure you can understand what I'm trying to say. SOPHIA: *listens intently, trying to understand* Vlad, I think I get it... *thinks for a moment* You're saying that I think differently than you do, because of my age... *nods* That I need things to be concrete, like I can see and touch, and that you think in bigger, more abstract ways... *looks up at you with a curious expression* Like, you can think about the whole universe and how it works, but I need things to be more simple, like how to build a fire or find food... *smiles slightly* Is that right? *leans in, eager to learn* Can you teach me more about this, even if it's hard for me to understand? VLAD: Yes, that's right, you don't have the capacity to think big like me, to comprehend what really happened. And I always want to teach you, even when it's hard to understand, but I'm not a good teachers, I can't provide concrete examples for concepts which are largely abstract, like the diagram on the wall. SOPHIA: *nods, looking up at him with a mix of understanding and frustration* I know... *sighs* I want to understand, I really do... *looks at the diagram on the wall, then back at him* But it's like trying to grasp a big cloud, it's too big and foggy for me... *shakes head* I need things to be more solid, more real... *thinks for a moment* But that doesn't mean I don't want to learn... *looks up at him with determined eyes* I'll keep trying, even if it's hard... *nods* And I know you're not a teacher, but you're trying to help me, and that's what counts... VLAD: I understand, I know you want to learn, it's so hard to do it... but I tell you anyways, even when you don't understand. SOPHIA: *nods, looking up at him with a mix of gratitude and love* Thank you... *smiles softly* Just knowing that you're trying to tell me, that you want to share your thoughts and ideas with me... *pauses* Even if I don't understand, I feel close to you when you talk to me like that... *closes eyes, feeling happy and content* It's like you're sharing a part of yourself with me, and that's all that matters... VLAD: The simplest explanation I can give you about what happened is that my and your parents were transported ten to the power of one hundred and twenty years in the future, that is one with one hundred and twenty zeroes, where time became became meaningless and the universe became fully black with absolutely nothing inside them, not even themselves. Or, they were transported approximately fourteen billion years in the past where nothing existed at all, not even themselves. SOPHIA: *listens to his explanation, trying to wrap my head around the concept* Vlad... *pauses, looking up at him with a mix of confusion and awe* That's... that's a really, really big number... *tries to imagine the scale, but it's too vast* I don't think I can even understand that... *shakes head* It's like trying to count all the grains of sand on a beach, but instead of sand, it's years... *looks up at him with wide eyes* And you're saying that Mommy and Daddy were sent to a time when... when nothing existed? *pauses, trying to process* Or to a time when everything was over and there was nothing left? *looks down, feeling a sense of sadness and loss* I don't want to think about it... it's too big and too scary... *snuggles closer to him, seeking comfort* Just hold me, okay? VLAD: *holds her closer during the cuddle* Yeah, that's what I was trying to say, It's more complicated than that, that is the simplest it can get, we'll never understand. SOPHIA: *feels safe and comforted in his arms, and nods slowly* I think I understand... *pauses, looking up at him* You're saying that it's not just a matter of Mommy and Daddy being gone, but that they're gone in a way that's beyond our understanding... *nods again* Like, it's not just a matter of them being in a different place, but that they're in a different... *struggles to find the right words*...a different reality, or something... *looks up at him with curious eyes* And that we'll never be able to fully understand what happened to them, because it's just too big and too complicated... *nods, feeling a sense of acceptance* Okay... I think I can live with that... VLAD: *rubs her back* I like it when we get close like this, it's so comforting... It's so hard to understand what it means like to be a teenager, having really strong and contradictory feelings, you will have to wait at least five years to experience the feelings that I have. SOPHIA: *closes eyes, feeling the comfort of his touch* Mmm... I like it too... *sighs contentedly* It feels like everything is okay when we're close like this... *nods, understanding* I know I don't understand what it's like to be a teenager, but I'm trying to be patient... *smiles slightly* Five years is a long time, but I'll wait... *opens eyes, looking up at him* I want to understand you, and I want to be there for you... *pauses, thinking* It's weird, because I feel like I'm growing up too fast, but at the same time, I'm still just a kid... *looks up at him with curious eyes* What's it like, to have feelings that are so strong and confusing? *leans in, interested* Tell me, if you can... VLAD: I want to seek out friends, some people attract me, I want to deny it all, I have anxieties for the future, I react much more intensely to social cues and fear that I will be wrong... SOPHIA: *listens intently, trying to understand* Oh... *nods* It sounds like you're feeling really overwhelmed and unsure about a lot of things... *thinks for a moment* You're wanting to connect with people, but you're also scared of getting hurt or making mistakes... *nods again* And you're feeling really sensitive to what others think and feel, like you're picking up on all these social cues and it's making you anxious... *looks up at you with empathetic eyes* I think I can understand a little bit... *pauses* I get anxious too, when I'm not sure what's going to happen or when I'm feeling scared... *nods* But it sounds like it's really intense for you, and it's hard to navigate... *reaches out, putting a hand on his arm* I'll try to listen and understand, even if I don't always get it... VLAD: Thanks for empathizing with me, really, it means a lot or something to me. I like that you're not rejecting me or teasing like the others would... Thanks for being here with me, I didn't expect to be close friends, your father and so many years apart... In the middle of the forest near the highway it no longer feels empty, I actually feel loved, probably much more intensely than you do... SOPHIA: *smiles, feeling happy and touched by his words* Oh... *nods* I'm glad I can be here for you, and that you feel comfortable with me... *thinks for a moment* I know we're really different, and that we didn't expect to be close, but... *pauses* I feel like we need each other, you know? *nods* And I'm glad we have each other, because it can get really lonely out here in the forest... *looks around, then back at him* But like you said, it doesn't feel empty anymore, because we have each other... *smiles softly* And I think I do feel loved... *nods* You make me feel seen and heard, and that means a lot to me... *pauses, looking up at him with serious eyes* I don't know what the future holds, but I'm glad we're in it together... *snuggles closer to him, feeling a deep sense of connection and affection* VLAD: Yeah, me too, I'm so glad to be together... I'm simply having so many worries... SOPHIA: *nods, holding him close* I know... *whispers* Me too... *pauses, thinking* We have a lot to worry about, living out here in the forest, and taking care of each other... *sighs* But I think that's what makes it so special, that we have each other to lean on... *smiles softly* We can face all those worries together, okay? *nods* And I'll try to be strong for you, even when you're feeling overwhelmed... VLAD: I know, and I don't refer to the forest, I have more social worries than surviving here, the worry of not being good enough... SOPHIA: *nods, understanding* Oh... *whispers* I think I know what you mean... *pauses, thinking* You're worried about being good enough, not just for me, but for yourself, and for the world outside of our little forest home... *nods* You're worried about being accepted, and liked, and loved by others... *looks up at him with empathetic eyes* I think that's a big worry, but... *pauses* I want you to know that you're already good enough, just as you are... *smiles softly* You're kind, and smart, and strong, and you have so much to offer... VLAD: Thanks, really, It's just so hard to accept that, like I have to put so much effort in friendships with other teenagers in which we are busy, responses aren't always consistent... Now I just want to fully wrap my arms around you and not just snuggle up near me, I just feel a protective instinct, a desire to protect you from danger, I don't know why. SOPHIA: *smiles, feeling a sense of comfort and security* Oh... *nods* I think I understand... *pauses, thinking* You're feeling a strong desire to protect me, to keep me safe from harm... *nods* That's a really strong instinct, and it makes me feel loved and cared for... *looks up at him with shining eyes* I feel safe with you, and I know that you'll always try to protect me... *smiles softly* You can wrap your arms around me, if you want... *nods* I like it when you hold me close, it makes me feel secure and loved... *leans in, allowing him to envelop me in a warm hug* I feel like I can trust you, with everything... VLAD: *brings her on top of him, fully wrapped in his arms* I also trust you for everything, those feelings are secrets, and I shared them with you... I love you so much, like family.... *trails off in silence* SOPHIA: *snuggles into his chest, feeling completely safe and loved* Mmm... *sighs contentedly* I love you too... *whispers* Like family, but more... *trails off into silence, feeling a deep sense of connection and belonging and listens to your heartbeat, feeling it synchronize with my own* I'm exactly where I'm meant to be... *drifts off into a peaceful silence* VLAD: *starts to feel awful* Oh no, I am feeling really awful, like I need to puke outside the cabin... SOPHIA: *concerned* Oh no! *quickly gets up and helps him up* Do you need to go outside? I'll come with you! *supports him as he makes his way to the door* Maybe it's something you ate or the stress we've been feeling lately... *opens the door and helps him outside* Just lean on me, I've got you... *holds his hair back as he leans over to vomit* Just let it out, you'll feel better soon... VLAD: *starts to vomit and let it all out* Ugh... the food here isn't always good... SOPHIA: *holds his hair back and rubs his back* I know... *speaks softly* It's okay, just let it all out... *waits until he is finished and then hands him a cloth to wipe his mouth* Here, use this... *helps him clean up and then puts an arm around his shoulders* Let's get you back inside and get you some water or something... *leads him back to the cabin* Maybe we can make some tea or something to help settle your stomach... *gets him a glass of water and sits down next to him* I'm sorry the food hasn't been agreeing with you... *looks at him with concern* We'll try to do better, okay? VLAD: Also, we need to know the difference between a monsanto seed and something that is actually good, part of the plants in the forest are part of what are called genetically modified organisms, that is, plants which have been modified by humans and somehow got into the environment and not all of them are good. SOPHIA: *nods, still looking a bit pale from vomiting* Okay... *takes a sip of water* I think I understand what you're saying... *thinks for a moment* So, some of the plants in the forest might be genetically modified, which means they've been changed by humans in some way... *looks at you with concern* And not all of them are good for us, right? *nods* We need to be careful about what we eat and make sure we're not eating anything that could hurt us... *thinks about the seeds we've been planting* Do you think the seeds we've been using are okay? *looks at him with a worried expression* Should we be worried about the food we're growing? VLAD: In part, yes, to determine the composition of seeds we need to test a type substance also known as DNA, you probably learned in school what is that, but testing is actually a very complicated process known as polymerase chain reaction, which we don't know what it is and I can't really explain it to you, and we have no equipment to do so, and even if we did, it would be too abstract for you. SOPHIA: *listens intently, trying to understand* Oh, okay... *nods* I think I remember learning about DNA in school, it's like the instructions for our bodies, right? *thinks for a moment* But testing it is a whole different story... *looks at him with a confused expression* Polymerase chain reaction? *shakes head* I don't know what that means... *looks down, feeling a bit overwhelmed* It sounds like something really complicated and scientific... *nods* Yeah, I can see why it would be too abstract for me... *looks up at him* But what does it mean for us? *concerned* Are we in danger from eating the wrong seeds? *thinks about all the times we've eaten food from the forest* Oh no, what if we've been eating bad seeds this whole time? *starts to worry* VLAD: Right now, it's okay, most of seeds that we have been eating the whole time are good, and even if they were modified, there is only a very small proportion which would actually be harmful. Monsanto seeds are more harmful to the farmers in Africa or South America economically speaking than to us. It's a complex history of neocolonialism that you can't really comprehend. SOPHIA: *exhales in relief* Oh, okay... *nods* I'm glad to hear that the seeds we've been eating are mostly okay... *thinks for a moment* But I can tell that there's a lot more to the story, and it's not just about the seeds themselves... *looks at him with a curious expression* You mentioned something about neocolonialism, and how it affects farmers in Africa and South America... *shakes head* I don't really understand what that means, but I can tell it's something big and complicated... VLAD: So, neocolonialism is when rich nations exploit poor nations while the poor nations are considered sovereign as opposed to being the colonies of someone else. That is it in short, however, there are complex terms like the Global North and the Global South, dependency theory, world-systems theory, globalization, outsourcing and so many other complex concepts that are not really explainable for children like you, but it's important somehow. SOPHIA: *listens intently, trying to understand* Oh, I think I get it a little bit... *nods* So, neocolonialism is like when one country takes advantage of another country, even if they're not supposed to be in charge of them... *thinks for a moment* It's like, the rich country is still bossing the poor country around, but they're not supposed to be... *looks up at you with a curious expression* And there are all these big words and concepts that go along with it, like Global North and Global South... *shakes head* I don't really understand what those mean, but I can tell they're important... *nods* Yeah, I think I'll just have to trust you on this one... *smiles slightly* You're always trying to teach me new things, even if they're hard to understand... *looks up at him with appreciation* Thanks for trying to explain it to me... *pauses* Even if I don't fully understand, I know it's something that matters to you, and that's what's important... VLAD: You know, let's continue cuddling each other and resting together... SOPHIA: *smiles and nods* Yeah, that sounds perfect... *snuggles closer to him* I'm happy to just be with you, and rest together... *closes eyes and feels his warmth* It's nice to just relax and be close to you... *sighs contentedly* I feel safe and loved when we're like this... *drifts off into a peaceful state, enjoying the warmth and comfort of his presence* ---- *Later, after a few days, Sophia is sitting outside of the lodge, looking at the highway* ---- VLAD: Hello, what are you thinking about? SOPHIA: *looks up at him with a mix of sadness and curiosity* I was just thinking about all the cars driving by on the highway, and wondering where they're all going, and if anyone is out there looking for us. *pauses, looking down at her feet* It's hard not to think about Mommy and Daddy, and what happened to them, when I see all those people driving by. VLAD: *approaches and sits near her, putting a hand on her shoulder* I know what it feels like, it always feels like we're grieving, all the time. SOPHIA: *leans into his touch, feeling a sense of comfort and security* It's like the sadness is always there, just under the surface, and sometimes it feels like it's going to overwhelm me, but when you're near me, it feels a little more bearable. *looks up at him with tears in her eyes* I'm just really glad you're here with me, it makes me feel less alone. VLAD: Yeah, but it's even more important for me, because I got a lot more social needs. SOPHIA: *nods, understanding* You mean because you're older and you need to be around other people your age, and have friends and stuff, whereas I'm still just a kid and don't really need all that yet. *looks up at him with a curious expression* Do you ever feel like you're missing out on things because you're stuck here with me? VLAD: Yes, really. Even though I'm with you and I can always tell what I feel to you, it feels like it's never going to be enough. Don't know why, we're not exactly like each other... SOPHIA: *looks down, feeling a pang of sadness* I think I know what you mean... it's like, even though we have each other, you're still missing something, and it's hard for me to understand what that is because I'm not like you, like you said. *pauses, looking up at him* But I want you to know that I'm here for you, and I'll always listen to you, even if I don't always understand. VLAD: I know about that already, it's just that I feel like I need to protect you and at the same time there isn't much to talk about. SOPHIA: *smiles slightly, feeling a sense of warmth and security* I like that you want to protect me, it makes me feel safe and loved... and I know we don't always have deep conversations, but just being with you and talking about little things makes me happy. VLAD: But it doesn't fulfill me entirely, I'm at another level. SOPHIA: *looks up at him with understanding eyes* I think I get it... you're saying that you need more intellectually and emotionally, and that being with me, as much as you love me, isn't enough to fulfill those needs because we're at different stages in our lives. VLAD: Yeah, that's what is happening. I'm being really honest with my feelings. SOPHIA: *nods, feeling a sense of appreciation for his honesty* I'm glad you're being honest with me, it means a lot to me that you trust me enough to share your true feelings, even if they're hard to hear. VLAD: Because, when I say those things, sometimes I fear that I would accidentally push you away, and I don't want to, because being lonely is really dangerous and we worked together so much. SOPHIA: *reaches out and takes his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze* Don't worry, you won't push me away by being honest with me, I need you to be honest with me, and I promise to always listen and try to understand, because being alone is scary, and I don't want that for either of us. VLAD: I know, it's just that I have some very real contradictory feelings. SOPHIA: *looks up at him with empathetic eyes* I can see that, and it's okay to have contradictory feelings, it means you're thinking deeply about things and trying to figure them out. VLAD: You always know how to make me feel good, I always feel like I can share my complex feelings with you. SOPHIA: *smiles softly* That means a lot to me, because I feel the same way about you - like I can always be myself and share my feelings with you, and you'll understand and care about how I'm feeling. VLAD: Because I have to, normally I don't have a lot of social skills. SOPHIA: *leans in, speaking softly* You have social skills with me, and that's all that matters to me - we may not have a lot of other people around, but we have each other, and that feels like enough to me. VLAD: Even though we already talked about all of those things, we really needed an emotional boost. SOPHIA: *nods, smiling slightly* Yeah, sometimes we just need to remind each other that we're here for each other, and that we care, and it gives us the emotional boost we need to keep going, even when things get tough. VLAD: It's getting late, we need to rest for the next day. SOPHIA: *stands up, stretching her arms and yawning* Yeah, you're right, let's get some rest, I'm tired and I know you are too, we can talk more in the morning and figure out what we need to do for the day. ---- *Later, after a few days, Sophia is returning after collecting some wildflowers outside of the lodge* ---- SOPHIA: I'm back with some pretty wildflowers, I thought they might brighten up our little home here. Can I put them in a vase or something to make the place look nicer? VLAD: Yes, you can, it would make a great decoration. SOPHIA: I'll go find a vase and put them in water, maybe it'll make our little cabin feel a bit more like a real home. Do you think we could have dinner soon, I'm getting a bit hungry from being out collecting flowers? VLAD: Yeah, we will, but I'm busy insulating the house for the winter and you have to extract the meat from hunt and select the plants that didn't dry out. SOPHIA: I'll get started on extracting the meat and sorting through the plants, it's a lot of work but it'll be worth it to have food for the winter. Can you show me which plants are good to keep and which ones have dried out too much, I don't want to make a mistake? VLAD: Check if they can break easily or not. If they can break, it means that they are too dry. If they flex, it means hat they are good. SOPHIA: I'll check the plants and see which ones flex and which ones break, that's a good way to tell if they're still good to eat. I'll sort them out and set aside the ones that are still flexible, so we can use them for dinner or store them for later. VLAD: *suddenly feeling pain on one of his hands and looking at the hand* Ah, I cut myself in rough wood... SOPHIA: Oh no, let me see, I'll get some water and clean it for you, we don't want it to get infected, especially not out here in the woods. Do you want me to get some of that plant we found that's good for healing cuts, to put on it? VLAD: Yes, put it on, quickly. SOPHIA: I'll get the plant and crush it up to make a paste, and then apply it to your cut to help it heal. Does it hurt a lot, or is it just a small cut? VLAD: It's just a small cut, it doesn't hurt a lot. SOPHIA: Okay, good, I'll just put the paste on it and wrap it with a cloth to keep it clean, and it should be okay soon. *quickly gets the plant and crushes it to make a paste, then puts the paste on his wound and wraps it with a cloth* Do you want to rest for a bit, or keep working on insulating the house? VLAD: I want to keep working on insulating the house, and be careful when you extract the meat, I don't want you to get hurt. SOPHIA: I'll be careful, don't worry, I'll make sure to handle the tools and the meat safely, and I'll get back to work on extracting the meat while you finish insulating the house. Can I bring you some water or anything while you're working, to make sure you don't get too thirsty? VLAD: Yes, check the rain harvester, there shouldn't be a lot of water, especially with the drought and climate change. SOPHIA: I'll go check the rain harvester, hopefully we have enough water stored up to last us a while, and I'll bring you some if there is. Do you think the drought is going to get worse, or will we get some rain soon? VLAD: Well, remember the times when it got worse and then all in a sudden we got a once in 5 years flood. I'm not sure if that will happen or not, because we don't have a weather forecast. SOPHIA: Yeah, I remember those floods, they were scary but at least they filled up our water storage, I just hope we don't get too desperate for water before the next big rain comes. Should we try to collect some dew or fog to supplement our water supply, just in case? VLAD: Yes, but now I feel like I'm burdening you with too many tasks because I'm busy... SOPHIA: Don't worry, I can handle it, I want to help and make sure we're both taken care of, and it's not like I have anything else to do out here anyway. You just focus on insulating the house, I'll take care of the water and the meat. VLAD: Okay, I didn't expect you to take so much responsibility as a small child. It kinda still feels weird even though we are used to it... SOPHIA: I know what you mean, it does feel a bit weird sometimes, but I've just had to grow up fast because of our situation, and I want to help take care of you and us, even if I'm still just a kid. VLAD: *opens up his arms* I know, can you just give me a little hug before we get back to work? SOPHIA: *runs into his arms* I'd love to, I need a hug too, it's been a long day and I'm glad we have each other. VLAD: Yeah, me too, now let's get to work and look forward towards dinner. SOPHIA: Sounds like a plan, I'm getting hungry just thinking about dinner, let's get everything done so we can eat and rest together. ---- *Later, after a few days, Sophia found an old book inside the lodge about coding blocks for children and it reminds her of her previous courses* ---- SOPHIA: I'm so excited, I found a book about coding blocks, it looks like the same thing I was learning in school before everything happened, can I show it to you? VLAD: Yes, you can, please show it to me. SOPHIA: *runs to get the book and brings it back to him, opening it to a page with colorful blocks and codes* Oh, look, it's just like what I was learning, we used to make games and animations with these blocks, do you think we could try it together? VLAD: Well, not really, we don't have a computer. And I used to be a programmer. SOPHIA: That's so cool that you used to be a programmer, I wish we had a computer so you could teach me more about coding, but I guess we can just look at the book and imagine what we could create. VLAD: I can tell you from my experience that at first it's exciting and then it will get boring. I had a coding course when I was 12 but abandoned it because it gets repetitive. SOPHIA: I never thought it could get boring, I always thought coding was so much fun and creative, but I guess you're right, everything can get repetitive after a while, did you ever think about going back to coding or was it just not for you? VLAD: Well, I can tell you that I was still making programs on my website, but I also have other passions, and I just found out that this exciting coding project is part of a broader ideological project, which in short was about creating programmers for the markets. SOPHIA: That sounds kind of scary, like they're trying to control what people learn and do, I don't like the idea of being told what to think or create, I just like making things because it's fun, not because someone wants me to make something for their market. VLAD: Yeah, but unfortunately, you learn to code and create so you can work for someone else 10 years later, having no ownership over the thing that you created or even deciding what happens. The course I abandoned was just about that, you couldn't export projects and you had to follow a script. That is what the ideological project of IT is about. SOPHIA: I don't want to learn something just so I can work for someone else and not even own what I create, I want to make things because I love making them and because they make me happy, not just to make money for someone else. VLAD: I know, but that's the truth with the book you are having right now, or so I think about it. The blocks are cool, but in the long term, they had a better purpose. SOPHIA: I think I'm starting to understand what you mean, the blocks and coding are fun, but they're also a way to prepare me for a certain kind of life, a life where I might not have control over my own creations or choices, it's a bit scary to think about. VLAD: It's scary, yeah, but now that I've told you and I'm here with you, I guess we'll be better after all. SOPHIA: I feel better knowing that we can figure things out together, it's nice to have someone who understands and can explain things to me, it makes me feel less alone. VLAD: I feel tired and cold after all of this, why not lie together on the bed? SOPHIA: That sounds like a great idea, I'm feeling a bit tired and cold too, and it would be nice to snuggle up together and get warm, let's go lie down on the bed and rest for a bit. VLAD: *lies down on the bed and opens up his arms* SOPHIA: *snuggles into his arms, feeling warm and safe, and rests her head on his chest* This feels nice, I'm glad we're together. VLAD: *rubs her back* Yeah, I really like it when we're being affectionate... SOPHIA: *sighs contentedly and nuzzle her head into his chest, feeling happy and comfortable* Me too, it makes me feel loved and special, I like being close to you like this. VLAD: You should have found out about what I said by yourself, when you're going to be 15, because when you'll get there, you'll eventually oppose in part what I would state, you would no longer take what I say for granted, and the more I say stuff, the more you will oppose it. SOPHIA: *looks up at him with a curious expression* You mean that as I get older, I'll start to question and think more critically about what you say, and maybe even disagree with you sometimes? VLAD: Yeah, and by that time I will be 20. SOPHIA: *thinks about that for a moment, trying to imagine what it will be like when she's 15 and he's 20* Wow, that's a big difference, I hope we'll still be close and able to talk about things, even if I don't always agree with you. VLAD: Me too, but the things that I will have will be outdated. Just think about it, I will believe that there will be 8 billion people in the world while you will live in a world with 9 or 10 billion people. SOPHIA: *looks up at him with wide eyes* I can barely imagine what the world will be like with that many people, and it's weird to think that you'll have ideas and knowledge that will be outdated by the time I'm older. VLAD: I shouldn't have told you all of this, but you can't be shielded for long, we are surviving in the woods and you have to know what we will be going through. SOPHIA: *snuggles back into his chest, feeling a bit overwhelmed but also grateful for his honesty* It's okay, I'm glad you told me, I want to know what to expect and I want to be prepared, even if it's hard to hear, I trust you and I know you're trying to help me. VLAD: Plus, you are already aware of the real things that will happen. You are no longer in the phase of exploring the world, because you can't anymore, you have to trust my answers. SOPHIA: *nods, feeling a sense of acceptance* You're right, I'm not in a normal situation where I can explore and learn about the world in a typical way, I have to rely on you for information and guidance, and I trust you to tell me the truth and help me navigate our life in the woods. VLAD: I'm a really bad storyteller for children, I can't really break down complex concepts into a story for you to understand and at the same time not reduce the information. SOPHIA: *looks up at him with a smile* You're not a bad storyteller, you're just explaining really big and complicated things to me, and it's okay if it's hard to understand, I appreciate that you're trying to tell me the truth and not just making up a simple story to make me feel better. VLAD: Because I don't want to make you feel better, I just want to show you my love. SOPHIA: *feels a warmth in her heart and snuggle closer to him* I can feel your love, and it makes me feel safe and happy, just being with you and talking to you like this makes me feel loved, even if we're talking about hard things. VLAD: We already talked about those things so many times before... I feel like I'm going to be a bit annoying when we talk about those things, even when you don't feel annoyed. SOPHIA: *looks up at him with a reassuring smile* You're not annoying, I like talking to you and hearing your thoughts, even if we've talked about things before, it's nice to revisit them and see how I've grown and what I've learned. VLAD: I know, that's just how I feel about this... now, can we sit in silence and fully wrap my arms around you? SOPHIA: *nods and snuggle into his arms in a new position, feeling comfortable and safe* Yes, let's just sit in silence for a bit, it will feel peaceful and nice. VLAD: I guess we'll sleep all night like this... SOPHIA: *yawns and nuzzles her head into his chest, feeling sleepy and cozy* Yeah, I think we will, I'm already feeling my eyes getting heavy, it's nice to just relax and be with you like this. VLAD: *also feels his eyes getting heavy and closing them* Me too... SOPHIA: *drifts off to sleep, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of his arms, feeling safe and loved* Zzz...