Second World

Chapter 23

As the other passengers take their time to exit the train, I peer out through the passing windows.

Outside, a white clear platform floats in the air. It's shaped like a flat circled disk and there aren't any walls at the edges of it. A ramp spirals upwards at one side, leading to another similar white platform above.

It seems like the train has stopped on the lowest level.

Finally, it's our turn to get off the train and when I do, the air is so much cooler, driving away any exhaustion I was feeling on the ride. Instinctively, I wrap the scarf a bit tighter for warmth.

I can't imagine how those other ladies must be coping.

My gaze travels down into the distance below the train and almost immediately regrets it when my legs tremble from the height. I stumble onto the white floor immediately.

"This is the art gallery?" I ask. My brows scrunch in confusion, scanning the place. "Where's the art?"

"You're standing on it," Zacturre replies from the side and my eyes widen.

"He's jesting. It's out there, little lady." Someone who probably overheard us tries to correct the misinformation. The person gestures into the far distance outside of the circle.

I still don't get it. Does he mean that philosophically? Or literally?

"Welcome to The Stella Art Gallery!" Uriel Benlock announces from the front of the crowd once everyone settles on the floor. "We have a certain item here that you'll need to experience the art. Remember to pick one before proceeding to the next floor. Besides that, pay heed that the train will be leaving in two hour's time but do not fret, stay wherever you are. The train will stop at every floor to pick up passengers for the departure. Without further ado, have a wonderful time and enjoy the art!"

Zacturre and I approach a table to see the items Uriel mentioned display neatly on the table. There is more than one and I pick up the gadget to inspect it.

"What is this?" I turn over the item which looks like a hairband on my hand. I spy others from the corner of my eye to see how they put it on.

Oh. It's like wearing glasses but from behind.

Weird.

I do as the others do and when it's in place, the gadget changes its size to fit around my head nicely. The stems lay on each of my ears and the two ends end up poking out slightly lower than my eye level.

"Seems like you're smart enough to figure out yourself." Zacturre comments and I roll my eyes. "Come on, let's go."

We go up to the floor above and it's exactly like the one below. There's nothing.

"This isn't the art of imagination, is it?" I throw him an incredulous look. With a scoff of amusement, he grabs hold of my arms and starts dragging me to the edge of the circle. "Woah! Did you bring me here just to push me off? I-I'll haunt you for life if you do that!"

"Don't be silly, dimwit. Look." Zacturre points to the floor and there, on the ground, is a small circle glowing dimly. "Stand near this indicator and look out there."

I do as he tells me after sending him a warning glance not to try anything, then I look out into the night sky. Despite being very cloudy on our way up here, now it is clear yet somehow there aren't any stars.

Now that I notice that, confusion pools in my mind. "I don't see any-"

Zacturre's finger taps on one side of the device around my head and suddenly what I'm seeing is zoomed a thousandfold. It's almost like seeing through a telescope.