The Eternal Flame

Chapter 3 - The Metropolis

"Attention all passengers. We have arrived at our destination. Welcome to Ambis," a voice over the intercom said.

We had arrived.

Gail burst through the door, not even noticing us hugging. "We've arrived, come on!" she exclaimed. She grabbed us by the arms and dragged us down the hall.

She practically pushed us out of the train doors and onto the platform. Cal was already on the platform, just about standing upright. "You all right, man?" Drew asked. Cal held onto his arm for balance "I'm great," he slurred. "Our chariot awaits!" he exaggerated, opening the door to the car waiting for us and falling in.

Gail stared in shock for a moment before she shuffled over in her heels and swung her legs into the car. Drew and I followed them into the car, then the guard slammed the door shut.

We drove through the Capital, Ambis, which was ten times the size of our city. More like the size of ten cities put together to make a supercity. The roads were wide and packed full of cars in all different shapes, shades and sizes. Skyscrapers lined the streets, reflecting blue and white off of them.

People walked down the streets in thick layers of makeup and funky-looking outfits. All bright-coloured shirts, flared pants, and heels that were practically vertical. A completely different world from our neck of the woods.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the tallest building in the city. I jumped out of the car and followed Gail and the others inside. The building had tall ceilings and a foyer bigger than my entire house.

Two girls popped up out of nowhere and led me down a hallway. I looked back at Gail, confused.

She gave me a nod of approval, so I continued walking with them into the dressing room. Drew was taken off into another room.

They sat me down in a leather chair facing away from a large mirror and started chatting away. They babbled away about how young I was and gushed over "What a little beauty" I was. I couldn't get a word in edgewise because they both talked so fast. They poked and prodded at my face, plucked away at my eyebrows, rubbed creams on my body and styled my hair with weird-smelling gels.

After what seemed like three hours they both stopped and stared at me in awe. "You look dazzling!" one of the girls said. They both looked like twins with their matching electric blue jumpsuits, bright red hair and heavy makeup. Tweedledee and Tweedledum I'd call them. "I think this is my best work!" Tweedledum chimed in. Tweedledee twisted the chair so I was facing the mirror. And... wow.

My once round face was contoured into sharp edges. My eyes were lined with eyeliner to give me the eyes of a cat. Silver eyeshadow brushed over my lids. My hair was twisted up into a bun, styled so wispy bits fell around my face.

I couldn't stop staring at myself.

"What do you think?" Tweedledee asked expectantly. "I... love it. Thank you," I said, turning to them. They both squealed in excitement and hugged me. "Oh careful, we don't want to ruin our masterpiece!" Tweedledum said, yanking Tweedledee off me, "Now it's time for the dress!" she continued.

She grabbed a black bag off the rack and unzipped it. It was a dark, navy gown. It had one shoulder which twisted around the back of the neck into a sleeve on the other side. It fell so it was just touching the ground. I got undressed and the twins helped me into the dress.

It was light and smooth and rippled every time I moved. Tweedledum slipped on a pair of silver heels that twisted around my legs.

I turned back to the mirror and just kept staring at myself. I looked like a queen. No, not a queen, a goddess.