The One Who Holds The World

Fear In The New Age

Lars sat on the worn-out bus seat, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past. The day had been an ordeal, and he found himself replaying the events at Aling Nena's shop over and over in his mind.

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As he handed over the strange stone, Aling Nena's eyes narrowed with curiosity. She carefully examined the stone under a magnifying glass, her fingers deftly turning it this way and that to catch the light.

"So, where exactly did you find this?" she asked, her tone casual but her gaze intense.

Lars had anticipated this question. "I found it in an old junkyard while scavenging for parts. Didn't think much of it at first, but it seemed... different," he lied smoothly, hoping she wouldn't probe further.

Aling Nena continued her inspection, her mind racing. The stone bore a striking resemblance to one she had seen years ago, right after the alien spaceship had crash-landed on Earth. But she kept her thoughts to herself, masking her recognition with a practiced indifference.

"Hmm," she mused, "looks like an ordinary rock to me, albeit with some interesting properties." She placed the stone on a small scale, measuring its weight and density. "You sure you didn't find this near any alien wreckage? It's rare to see something like this just lying around."

Lars shook his head, maintaining his story. "Nope, just an old junkyard. Figured it might be worth something, so I brought it here to get your expert opinion."

Aling Nena's eyes flickered with suspicion, but she kept her voice even. "Well, I don't think it's anything extraordinary. Probably just a space rock with no significant value." She handed the stone back to Lars, her expression unreadable.

He took the stone, trying to hide his disappointment. "Thanks for checking it out," he said, slipping it back into his pocket.

Aling Nena nodded, still watching him closely. "Be careful out there," she advised, her tone carrying a warning. "Sometimes things aren't what they seem."

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The bus jolted to a stop, pulling Lars from his thoughts. He glanced around, realizing his stop was next. As he stood to disembark, he couldn't shake the feeling that Aling Nena knew more than she had let on.

While walking towards the next bus stop to catch the last bus home, Lars noticed a beautiful woman standing at the edge of the sidewalk, seemingly preparing to cross the road. She had an elegance about her—dressed in a chic yet simple outfit, carrying a stack of books and a sleek laptop case. Her skin was a creamy white, contrasting with her long, flowing hair that framed her face perfectly. She wasn't too skinny or too chubby; she was just perfect. Lars noticed they were of similar height, with him being slightly taller by a few inches.

As he approached, Lars saw that she was holding a cane, her eyes closed. He realized she might be blind and in need of assistance. Summoning his courage, he nervously stepped closer and spoke, "Excuse me, miss. Do you need any help?"

The woman turned her head slightly, a gentle smile spreading across her face. Her voice, when she spoke, was like that of a professional—clear, articulate, and with a touch of sweetness. "Oh, thank you for asking. I would appreciate it very much if you could help me across."