Clara had no clue what to make up of the scene that befell her yesterday. Overnight, the house magically fixed itself: everything that had broken was somehow not broken. You would think that it was just a dream: it all having been in Clara’s mind.

Except the only thing that persisted from yesterday was Cynicism’s note. Which, if it were a dream, wouldn’t have stayed with her. Clara read over it again. And again. How did this person know where she lived? Her browser never asked her to share her location? And when was she told about what’d happen?

To answer these questions, Clara recklessly went back on her laptop and navigated to the page. There was still nothing. But maybe, it was just white text on a white background. She highlighted the text on the page. And there, in white letters on a blue background, was written:

“I’ll be in contact soon.”

So he did tell her. Just in the least expectant way possible. The note said “Catch me if you can” though. How would Clara find this person? Perhaps it was someone she knew. Yeah, right. She was friends with nobody and the quietest kid in her class. Nobody even knows she exists.

“Clara!” That’s her mum. She always calls Clara from upstairs in the most playful voice spoken by a human being. “You’ve got a letter from someone!”

Clara froze. She doesn’t get mail. Never has. Apart from the endless letters from her school telling her that her attendance is way under average. So who could’ve… “No. It couldn’t be.”

Perhaps it was him. Telling her what? The exact same thing as last time? Where to meet? A blackmail threat?

“Do you want me to open it for you?”
“Uh, don’t worry! I’m on my way down!”

Clara ran down the stairs, skipping every other step. She might’ve even fallen down the speed she was going down. And as she stepped into the living room, the horror on her face was apparent.

“Strange, huh? Normally envelopes are white or brown. But this one’s black. D’ya get into Hogwarts or something?” Clara’s mum was obviously joking. Seems like she had forgotten about everything that happened last night. What did this person do to her?

“Can I have it? It’s a bit of a private matter.”
“Oooooo, has missy here got herself a little secret admirer she doesn’t want her poor mother to know about?”
“N-no! It’s just… I don’t know how you’d react to it.”
“Alright. You know I was only teasing you, right?”
“Yeah yeah…”

Clara swiftfully snatches the letter off her mum. Somehow she had enough humour left inside of her to piss Clara off three quarters of the time.

Going into her room, Clara opens the envelope, extremely worried. What was this “Cynicism” fellow planning for her? Could this just be some wild goose hunt?

“Hello Clara. Miss me already? I know you have. You just visited my website again.”

Clara dumbfoundedly stared at the latter. How did he know? She’d only visited it this morning.

“Or.. maybe you didn’t. I’m just going off what human nature would do at this point.”

She sighed. At least she wasn’t being actively stalked by this person. Well, she was, but not at the present time.

“Our last conversation was very short. Too short for me to explain what I wish for us. You want to find out more about the theme park. What it is. Why it’s still there. Let me help you.

“By the time you finish reading this letter, I’ll be at the front gates of the park. Meet me there. Or don’t.

“Love, Cynicism.”

No way was she meeting up with some random stranger. She’s read so much about stranger danger. She knows not to trust anyone that says to meet up.

But, it was worth a shot going to see him. To find out what happened.