Someone could have easily stolen it. Dad had carelessly left the door to the house unlocked when he left. But it was a lead, a breakthrough discovery. He had to take the chance. He put two 'Back' rings in his pocket and put on the 'There' ring. Now he had to think. Where would his son go that day? He needed to enter his son's happy world. "He would go...," he thought deeply. "...that day, he would want me there at his baseball game! I would be at his baseball game!" Immediately, the machine transported Dad to Nick's baseball game. Everyone was cheering "Nick! Nick! Nick!" He even saw himself in the crowd with...Mom? He looked everywhere for his son but he couldn't seem to find him.

Just then, in the midst of the chaos, he heard a soft cry coming from the corner of the stadium. And there he was, Nick, bended down, seemingly saying something over and over again as tears fell down his cheeks. Dad grimaced and rushed forward to meet his son, knowing that this was an opportunity to prove himself worthy as a father. When he reached Nick, he heard Nick chanting, "It's not real, it's not real, it's not real..."

Lightly, Dad tapped him on the shoulder, saying, "Son, it's me. The real me. Let's go home."

Nick raised his tear swollen eyes and said softly, "Dad? My real dad from the real world? It's been so long! I've been waiting for so long! This place isn't real! It just tried to make me happy! But halfway through, I realized it was just an artificial land! I told the machine that I would be happy if I could go back to the real world but it fought back and restrained me from leaving! It tried every forceful way to keep me occupied and I couldn't find a solution and so I've been here ever since...I'm so sorry Dad I didn't mean to-"

"There's no need to be sorry," Dad interrupted. "It was my fault you left. But now, you can come back to the real world with me because I've brought the 'Back' rings! When we get back, I will always pay attention to you and do everything with you. Please just come with me..." Dad choked up a little, remembering the countless times he had put off his son to work on this god forsaken machine.

"Dad, I love you," Nick hugged his Dad tightly. "Let's go home." "Yes, let's." Dad took off the 'There' rings and took out the rings labeled 'Back' and slid one on his son and his fingers. The fantasy landscape disappeared in a blur and they were back, standing in the dusty work room.

Breaking the silence, Dad, breathing heavily after their long adventure, said, "So Nick, wanna play catch?" And they walked outside, hand on shoulder, with true happiness in their hearts.