For the first time in his life, Miko didn't want to enter a nursing home. Not that his mother cared. She'd drag him inside if she had to. Which, she did.
The receptionist was friendly as always. She gave the number to Grandma's room and his mother thanked her politely. Then she hurried Miko along the blue and purple wallpapered hallways and stopped in front of a grey door. She squeezed her son's shoulders encouragingly but he knew she was trying to comfort herself, not him. She reached out and turned the knob.
The sunlight shining through the window above her bed gave her an angelic aura. It also hid her face. He slowly stepped forward, his mother staying by the door. When he reached her side, he saw what part of her face not hidden by the sun turn towards him. A wrinkled pale hand reached up and cupped his right cheek. "Grinchkin..." her voice was frail. "Hi," he mumbled back. "You've grown so much," her lips tightened into a weak smile. He grunted in reply. "I have something to for you."
She moved her hand to her bedside table and brought over a dark blue box that fit in the palm of her hand. He raised an eyebrow curiously. She chuckled then opened the box to reveal a necklace. The centerpiece had a stone as black as Miko's hair. "For me?" he questioned. "Yes." She picked it up and placed it around his neck. He noticed how her hands trembled. "Don't you look splendid," she joked. He briefly touched it. "It'll help with your dreams." He looked at her in alarm. "I mean, make them clearer. Not stop them." He visibly relaxed.
"Speaking of which, have you had any?" He nodded. "But the police don't think they're 'substantial'." Anger warped his features. "Grinchkin." She held his hand and squeezed it firmly. "Why doesn't anyone believe me? Is something wrong with me?" "Grinchy, listen to me," he locked eyes with his grandmother. "Nothing is wrong with you. People tend to ostracize what's different. It's in our nature." "But I'm trying to help!" "I know, but people don't care. They think you're crazy and will use anything to prove that. It's how the world works. Get in line or be delegated to a psychiatric ward. Well, guess what I got." He wrapped his hand around the centerpiece of the necklace. "Why me Sobo? Why do I have these dreams? Why do I hear these voices? Why do I see those creatures? What's the point if no one believes me?" "I believe you," she grinned. "You're my grandmother. It's in your nature to believe me." She laughed at his play of her words. "I suppose so."
Suddenly her jaw set firmly. "Grinchkin, listen to me. The answers you seek are-" She began to cough violently. He squeezed her hand. "Where? Where's the answer?" he pleaded. "Water," she croaked.
His mother rushed to the grandmother's side holding a cup containing the cool liquid. She put the cup to the old woman's lips, allowing her to slowly drink the water. "Ah, much better," she managed to say. "Sobo, you were saying?" he tried to hide the fact his heart was pounding. "Oh yes. Now, all the answers you seek to your questions are in the Tree in the woods." He looked at her puzzled. "A tree in the woods?" His mother sounded incredulous. "Sobo, which one do I look for?" he asked. His mother flashed him a look. His grandmother's eyes only twinkled. "You'll know when you find it." His eyebrows knitted together and he twisted his lips. "I'll explain later," she waved dismissively. His mother sighed.
"Himari! I didn't see you there." Her eyes widened in childlike delight. "Of course you didn't." She kissed the old woman on the cheek. "Goodbye mother," she said. "You too sweetie. And Grinchkin, remember, I'll tell you about the Tree next time," she hollered. Miko only nodded as his mother escorted him out of the room.