Atlas Towers

Two.

"Can I ask why?" Xander breaks the uncomfortable silence in the metal box of an elevator that we awkwardly stand in. His voice is deep as it lingers a moment too long. One of the two giant men turns his head towards Xander, riddling a silent response with his eyes. "Or not," Xander sighs. Scottie fixes his head towards the empty conversation, just as eager for a response as Xander. The guards, dressed in darkened shadows, sway with the rhythms of the elevator. The five of us now silent as we wait for our anticipated stop.

Bing.

I look up at the glowing screen. We're on the Canopy floor now it states. For as worshipped as these elevators are, they sure are slow. The machine stops and starts again as the door remains shut. One of the guards scans his identification card again, reassuring the tower that we are indeed headed for the Sky floor.

This can't be real.
This has to be another dream.
Maggie has to be okay.

Scottie nudges my shoulder, surely noticing the visible distress in my face. His smile stretches across his freckled cheeks. I grin back, but my thoughts are mourning my reality. Why aren't I ecstatic for this?

The soft tunes of the elevator subsides as we begin to slow to a stop. I feel my heart thumping viciously in my stomach. My body and thoughts are in shock. I look to my side at Scottie, who is still holding onto his smile. Xander, on the other hand, is tapping his foot violently. His eyes are fixed on the sliding mirrored door. I meet my own gaze as it slowly begins to open.

A light that I had never experienced floods into my view. I lift my hand to cover my eyes as they adjust to this new world.   Sounds of water flowing and trees swaying against one another permeate the atmosphere. As my sight adapts, I see colors that I hadn't known existed besides in my dreams.

"Woah," I whisper. I feel Xander and Scottie's reactions to the sides of me. We're in complete awe. How did we not know a world like this existed?

The Sky floor is made of many floors, like each of the five levels, but centered around floors of balconies is a glass dome of a ceiling which spills in fresh sun rays and dancing shadows of cotton clouds. The air tastes crisp as it fills my lungs. Waves of floral scents fill my nose as I look around and am met with gardens of real and fresh flowers. Couples with white baby carriages walk above us, peering down curiously from their balconies. Women dressed in purple and red silk sit along the garden beds as they throw their heads back in conversation.

"This isn't real," I hear Xander laugh. I shake my head in disbelief as I spot a bed of poppies. I wish I could show Maggie what they look like and how their petals are so soft to the touch. My smile falls at the thought.

"Follow us, please." The guards instruct us as we begin down a stone pathway and over a bridge. Water rushes under us as we follow. I think I spot a few orange fish as I continue forward. Along the thick paths are smaller buildings which have signs posted above their doorways. I read all of these shop's names as we pass by. Bernie's Barbershop's windows are open which allows me to be greeted by a man getting his hair done. I nod back as he smiles. A hat shop displays massive brimmed hats with flowers and ribbons pouring from the sides. It's simply called Lady's.

A new world that I hadn't even dreamed of.

'This is where each of you will be staying until permanent housing is assigned." The guard looks back at as he motions towards a building with round windows. "You will each have a room and a bathroom. It is only temporary." We each nod obediently as we continue to follow the guards inside. "This evening you each will be joined by a family to assist with your transition to the Sky floor. Each of your rooms have a wardrobe. Dress accordingly. You will be expected to be ready by six o'clock even." Xander eagerly enters into his room, then Scottie into his, and then me into mine.