In the Twinkle of an Eye

Yin and Yang

"More and more protests have begun to emerge, though it appears as though there seems to be no connections amongst the protestors, with each individual have their own reasons for heading out into the streets to have their voices heard. If there is an underlying motif to be extrapolated, it would appear to be an expression for the need to personally express themselves aloud." Said the slick haired news reported in a serious monotoned announcement.

The inhabitants of New Manchester, like many other cities across the dream world, had found themselves divided into two distinct groups, chaos and order fluctuating and dancing between bitter rioting and a calm civility. The musicians and artist refused to stand down in the growing threat of physical violence.

Group provocateurs and covert agents mingled and stirred up trouble amongst the increasingly divided groups. The situation had begun to exacerbate with increasing frequency in the two weeks prior to Belle and Kaiser heading off to Hacienda.

Crime, however, was not something that was increasing in frequency, in fact almost all crime had begun to diminish with a quickening haste. Though there were the occasional outbursts of violence, such as fist fights, these occurrences were generally a rarity. There was, however, many fervent exchanges, but generally speaking, there was an unwritten rule not to harm one another. Something Kaiser and Belle had characterised this as the unconscious union between the two divided factions: Hot and cold becoming heat, yin and yang becoming the circle of life.

From the beginning of the second week, the tides turned coldly once again. The smell of fear shook the still air and grabbed a hold over everyone within the dream world. The heated exchanges intensified. The fear clutched at those who once embraced the thought of freedom, dragging them back to the comfortability of their old ways. Though this was no mere once sided arrangement, as those who once feared the growing changed now began to embrace the change that was coming, the numbers ever so slightly larger than those who had retreated in their fear. Those that had began to accept the awakening proclaimed that freedom was inevitable, and it was as though they had been disillusioned from an all-encompassing spell of some kind; their eyes were now open and it was astonishing that they had lived their lives so blindly.

The ebb and flowing of life was pulsating with ever more resplendence. The tides were moving from shore to shore like a quickening newton's cradle. Two was to become one; one way or another.

...

The day had finally come. The day in which Kaiser and Belle were to fly to the ancient town of Hacienda. Belle turned on the television and switched on some soft jazz music whilst preparing for the journey. An urgent news report disrupted the music; another town off the coast of Chani, and all of its inhabitants had vanished into thin air. "Can you hear this Kaiser? Another one has disappeared! That's the third one this week!" Mid announcement, the news reporter placed his finger to his ear. 'though we have just received the devastating news regarding the town of Eclonsew, it appears as though the village known as Tempordian, from the South Pacific region, has manifested itself back into reality! Ladies and gentlemen, it appears we are in for one heck of a ride!'

"I'm not entirely sure how anybody could not suspect that this was a dream at this point." Shouted Belle through the bedroom door.

"That's amazing, but can you bloody well hurry up! Were going to be late for the flight at this rate."

On the way to the airport, they passed the quiet village Kaiser once resided. They made a quick stop at the Angel Wings Café, saying their goodbyes to Donna and Scott. There was genuine sadness in the eyes of the two jolly café owners. The way Scott and Donna grabbed hold of the two of them and held them tightly, gave Kaiser the distinct inkling that perhaps they would not see each other again. In fact, he knew this to true, though he didn't have the heart to divulge to a fervent Belle what he had foresaw.

They drove past the cobbled road leading down towards the Thinking Man pub, Belle didn't care to look. Kaiser peaked his head around the corner of the window to catch a glimpse of a strange looking man sitting on the floor just by the alley. Taking a right turning at the end of the street, they decided to take a glance at the Mearding Street library; for one last time.

Heading down the main road as they turned the corner, they drove past another alley, much like the one Kaiser caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. This time he glimpsed the silhouette of a long slender figure pulling a suitcase, 'could that be? No...'

"So, Kaiser. What makes you want to go the Mearding Street Library route after all that whinging? Will we not be cutting it kind of close going this way?"

"argh, I just wanted to see the place for once last time; the place where the best thing in my life happened. Where I first met you."

"What do you mean for the last time? We don't know how things are going to turn out just yet."

Kaiser opened his mouth but didn't allow himself to say the words out loud. Belle noticed his silence and didn't allow herself to think the thought dancing around the edges of her mind.