The days passed quickly. Today is their fifth day in the Villa del Francia. Their plans are going well and they will be able to complete their conduction in just a few steps. Observation is all that is missing for them to make a conclusion.

Eris is also thankful because she doesn't have nightmares anymore. But she was stressed by what was bothering her. She feels old. Her brain was too occupied because of that place.

She was really curious about what was in Villa del Francia. What the old woman said before she left their hometown came back to her memory.

"What is the connection of that thing to what is happening now?" She asked herself.

She also tried to connect what Sky said and what Aya's parents said but she couldn't think of any conclusion. Everything just became more chaotic for her.

She really felt that her colleagues were hiding something in this place. That's why she decided to investigate the surroundings.

If only there was internet there, she would have already searched for what was available in that place. But it looks like she can do it again when she gets home.
As she thought deeply, she gradually began to smell something strange—like the smell of burning and decaying.

She looked around. She didn't see anything that could be the source of the fire. People are busy fixing broken things while children are just running around happily. The women are already cooking their breakfast.

She looked around again. She saw Aya and Fumiya talking seriously but she didn't pay attention to that. What she was looking for was the source of that foul smell.

She stood up from her sitting position and walked slowly. There were no eyes looking at her so she took that opportunity to look everywhere.

She walked around and didn't see anything bizarre but only green plants and houses. But, what she can smell is really overwhelming and she is wondering because it seems like her companions can't even smell it.

She walked through the dense part of the trees. As she got closer to it, the pungent smell got stronger so she covered her nose.
When she got close, she parted the leaves and revealed to her a huge round hole but it was covered with straws.

Her brow furrowed due to curiosity so she came even closer to it and confirmed that it was indeed that.

She was about to open it when suddenly a hand landed on her shoulder.

"Aaaahhhh!" She felt her heart jump out of her chest in shock.

"Eris, it's me." She faced it and saw Aya.

"You're scaring me! I will have a heart attack because of you!"

"We've been looking for you for a while, we're about to eat. Wait, what are you doing here?"

"I smelled something like burning earlier. I looked for it and my feet brought me here. Can't you smell it?"

"Huh? Fire? What are you talking about? Are you okay?"

"Aya, I'm sure of what I smelled. It's right here, right here in this hole. It's not just that, its vapor also stinks," insisted Eris.

"You know, you're getting insane. What are you saying? The hole you're referring to is a storage place for garbage. Everything is stored there and then burned. I think they just finished burning that's why you smell it," Aya explained.

She was not satisfied with her answer but she just nodded.

"Come on, let's go back. Get a checkup when we get back to Manila."

Her friend pulled her out of there. She glanced at that thing again. She felt something inside it.

Is it just garbage or is there something else?

"Hey, Aya, where did you two come from?" Fumiya showed up to them.

"I've been looking for Eris," Aya answered.

"Oh, maybe she just wandered around here. You know, she probably wants to enjoy the freshness of the air here before you leave again. Isn't that right, Eris?" Eris nodded.

"Oh, let's eat! Aunt and Uncle cooked that!" Fumiya said cheerfully. The Aunt and Uncle it refers to are Aya's parents.

Eris looked at the dishes. Broiled vegetables and meat, but she doesn't like that.

"Ah, I'll just cook mine. I have a lot of things to cook. It would go in waste if I wouldn't cook those," said Eris.

"Is that so? Oh fine, but once you've cooked the things you brought, come with us, right?" She nodded again.

She went back to their room and took the canned goods. She just fried it and returned to her companions.

While eating, she noticed Sky staring at her, so she smiled.

"Hello, Sky? How are you feeling?" Instead of answering her, the boy just stared at her evilly. The boy's mother noticed that so she scolded him.

"I'm sorry, Eris. He just woke up and he's not in the mood." She nodded and the mother spoke to the child.

She just finished her meal. They didn't have much to do that day so she relaxed herself first.

She is currently sitting on the grass. People also rest during those times. She was quietly contemplating her surroundings when Captain Miguel suddenly appeared in front of her.

"How are you, hija?" He greeted her with a smile.

"Good day, Captain! I'm fine," She replied kindly. The man nodded.

"How is your stay here?" He asked still smiling.

"It's okay. I can say that this place is very quiet and the air is very fresh. It's far from pollution. I only regret that I didn't grow up in this place," said Eris.

"You can come back here if you want," said the Captain.

"That's exactly what I'm planning when we finish our defense. I want to help this community."

"You are a very kind child, Eris. Your parents raised you right."

"Ah, yes. It's just that Dad isn't always at home. He's there, but only once in a while." The girl's face saddened.

"Maybe your Dad is just busy working, so you can get an education. You know Dads, right? They show their love for their children by doing things like that."

"I actually understand Dad." The sadness on Eris' face could still be seen so the Captain patted her on the shoulder.

"Just two more days, you and Aya will be going home. You know, when you go back, maybe he's already there, right?"

"I hope so."

"Well then. I'll go first, hija. I have a lot to take care of at the office. Just enjoy yourself."

The Captain smiled at her again and she smiled back. After their conversation, she took a siesta then.