Dying Light - Simulata Civitas (English)

12) The Top of the Building

With the sniper rifle slung over my shoulder, I followed Meg up the stairs until we reached the top floor. There was a new door in the right wall that doesn't exist on the lower floors. When we opened it, we went up the stairs and finally reached the terrace.

The place was big, inspiring and beautiful. The wind was slightly strong and the breeze blowing past us was cool and refreshing. Of all the cities I've been to, I think this one has the most balanced weather. I wonder what season it is.

From here I could see almost the entire city. The view was so urban and beautiful that it left me mesmerized for a long time. The buildings were grayish, tall and modern with a color palette of blue, white, gray and mirrored that was repeated throughout the city in a balanced way. Some buildings had neon decorations and also flashy billboards that gave off a lively and completely urban tone. Besides the electricity, what surprised me most was seeing that some trees still had green leaves, but they appeared to be starting to change color. This city seems to be able to sustain itself somehow and that makes me both curious and surprised.

Some windows were large in most of the buildings and the glass, which had previously been blue due to the reflection of the sky, were beginning to turn yellow with the sunset. The streets were extremely wide, surprisingly clean and the asphalt was still dark, but most of them had vehicles, objects and some zombies in the way. At the top, there were some steel wires connected that could be used to go from one building to another, but the risk of losing balance and falling is huge. There seem to be a lot of them around the city, so I can use them to avoid the streets if they're crowded.

I could also see the sea that surrounded Celestial and the two bridges that lead out of the city, but I couldn't see the other two due to the distance and some buildings blocking my view. Everything looked very beautiful and I couldn't believe that I had finally found the ideal place to live. I just hope I don't have to leave like I did with all the other shelters. I'm tired of running away.

The sun was shining brightly on some of the plantations on the edge of the building and on the other mirrored building. The light illuminating the building at this time of day was so strong that it almost blinded me. But it didn't stop me from appreciating that spectacular view of an apocalyptic city bathed in sunset. I know it's weird, but I find it fascinating how you can see beauty in chaos itself. It makes me believe that the world can still go back to the way it was before. But I don't know if it would be better. I think I need more time to answer this.

As we approached one of the traps Meg mentioned around the edges of the building, she looked at me and crossed her arms.

Meg: - So. What do you think?

Hannah: - I think this is the most satisfying view I've ever seen.

Meg: - It really makes such a good impression in the spring. But you should see it in the summer. I have never seen a more beautiful view in all my life. Maybe it's because I don't go out of the city much.

Hannah: - I used to think country sides were beautiful until I came here. I think I missed an urban view. And living in a city.

Meg: - Fortunately it's less dangerous here than outside the walls.

Hannah: - I can imagine.

Meg: - "Less dangerous." - She said making quotation marks with her fingers. - But I don't think that's good for you since you're used to the wild life out there. It will probably be too easy for you here.

Hannah: - It's good to have a change every now and then. It's not like this city doesn't have dangerous zombies too. I'll love to extinguish the volatiles from here.

Meg: - Good to know. Looks like our nights are finally going to be safer then.

Then Meg watched the view one more time and remembered something as she looked at the buildings. Some of them were half destroyed and others were still on fire. They must have been destroyed recently.