Solanne stared at the pamphlet she was holding. She read the paragraph for a second again before shifting her gaze to the child that was holding her the hem of her clothes.
"Is there something, Sister?"
The child's eyes were wide, sparkling, and full of innocence. She was anticipating, waiting for her answer. For some reason, she reminded of herself back when she was a child. Is this world playing tricks on her. That thought alone was enough to make her annoyed.
Solanne smiled back. She was calm. Far calmer that she expected.
In times like this, she feels like she needed to be shock yet, she doesn't have any thoughts at all besides feeling annoyed. Is this world toying with her?
All she could ever think of was, "As I thought." Her head was abnormally blank. In times like this, she was scared of her own self.
What is this? Solanne felt like there was something wrong inside of her head. Why can't she feel any emotions?
"There's nothing," Solanne answered back. She held the child's hands. "Is there somewhere you want to go. Just like I told you before, I do not know any places here. Just like you, it's my first time."
"Huh?" The child smile even wider. Solanne felt chills down to her bone. There was something in her gut that was telling her that she won't like the next words of the child.
"Please don't lie, Sister. Our Elders told us to not lie. If you are a stranger to this place, why are you wearing that?"
'What is this child saying?' Solanne frowned. Yet she followed the direction the child's index finger was pointing.
For some reason, she saw her reflection on one of the towers walls.
The moment she saw her reflection, Solanne's eyes widen. Half of her face was transformed into an elemental canvas that brings the symbolism of the fierce beauty of a mythical phoenix. The symbol of flames that brings rebirth and ethereal elegance that can only be seen through flames and her eyes seemed to glow in sync with this world's mysteries and secrets.
The wind blew, her clothes had been changed. The tapestry that she was wearing felt like it has a rich cultural heritage. It stands as if it was a testament, woven by this world mysteries at the same time Solanne can tell that her clothes have been passed through generations.
How did this happen?
A stranger. Solanne can feel it. She was looking at a reflection of a stranger who has her face.
Still, despite of this bizarre changes, she was still far calm.
But, this mystifying changes were still not done.
In her head, was someone's memories. Suddenly, this stranger place has become familiar. Her eyes were wet. Was she crying?
"Sister?"
The child's voice drawn her back from her trance.
The pamphlet glowed again. "Be back at midnight. Remember."
Three times. The pamphlet has already reminded her three times. She needs to be back at midnight. That's the most important thing she should remember.
"Aren't we going yet?" The child was persistent. And she has been tugging Solanne's clothes non-stop.
"Yes," Solanne's tone changed. Even her voice sounded like a stranger. "Where do you want to go?"
"The dreams. My options. I want to know everything. I want my dream to be perfect!" The child's voice was beaming with excitement.
Solanne heard the sound the sound of fingers being snapped. Different information flew to her head as she said, "I'm sorry but it's according to the book of rules that those who came here to choose their dreams should find their own path without anyone's help."
"What?" Solanne smiled apologetically.
"I will only serve as your witness."
"Witness?"
"Yes. A witness." Solanne simply said.
The child's gaze was on her. She was waiting for her next words yet, Solanne just smiled at her. The moment Solanne raised her head, the scenery changed. No, it's not the scenery but the number of people that were now present.
There were far more people who dressed like her and some of them were also conversing with a child. Solanne swallowed, these unexpected changes. She can feel fear sipping through her. Would she be able to come back here by midnight?
The child started to walk and Solanne was just behind her. Looking at the child's back like this she can even feel her excitement for an endless adventure.
A place for dreams? Solanne thought, looking at the place once again. She can't still believe how mesmerizing it was. It's like those barbie movies she had watched when she was a child. A world full of magical transformation.
Yet at the same time she can feel that something was hidden in this place.
She can conclude this much from the child's words and the pamphlet that serves as her warning.
The moment they started to walk; a magical stardust started to fall from the sky like a snow. Solanne wasn't able to have a clear view from before, but some of the towers were floating from the clouds. Each bridge were made with an ethereal glow, that Solanne doubted that such bridge would be able to support her weight.
Yet looking at the people walking on it, it seems sturdy enough. The child continues her path following different directions, her instinct was her own guide and her eyes were wide awake, she seemed to be taking every information she can and every steps she takes, she never forget to take note of it.
Each stops have maps in case they were lost. Each place they went has different attraction that can hook a child and their curiosity. Dreams. Solanne had a thought in her mind she doesn't want to entertain, yet, the longer they walk, the more she was sure of herself and her thoughts.
Right as she observed, this place was full of heroes and spiritual figure that seemed to attain the highest form that they could attain in this world.
The term heroes were the term the child has used to describe those who had found their dreams. The heroes have job to take care of this place and bring this fantasy like world into a place full of harmony. This place has a ruler. One that stands above all, and according to the child, the ruler was above them.
Each of them has purpose and just like a bitter society, Solanne can't help but compare to her own reality from this world.
This world just like what it was called was full of nothing but illusions, a mirage that can be easily taken down if someone has intervened yet, all of their mouths were shut. All of these people know, especially, those who wear the same thing as hers.
'The reality shifters.' The one who knew the truth. Or does she really know the truth or that she refused to look at what was in front of her because she was afraid and she was a coward.
Solanne was even more conflicted than before. This place was far more confusing that it's names.
Solanne's eyes wondered again. Her eyes traveled from place to people.
These heroes for her were nothing but slaves. Their own dreams were their own shackles. But she's not the one who has the right to talk. She's nothing anyway. She was only a stranger on this place.
Perhaps, they're okay being a slave, if its their dream, then they'll be able to live happily.
Perhaps, she was harsh in calling them a slave when in fact they have a purpose.
Being useful and being able to be harmonious in this world, that was what the child has been thought and she's religiously following it.
Solanne can't voice her opinion. The pamphlet doesn't allow her to.
Their walk felt like it was endless yet Solanne can't feel any tiredness inside her body. She remained true to her job and acted as the child witness.
They have passed several towers and several people. The child was bubbly and social friendly enough to talk to strangers and ask them about their dreams.
As they walk, the child mull over, wanting to pick the one who has the coolest kind of dream. Her options pilled up.
In the end, the child was undecided.
"Sister," The child looked up. Her eyes full of hope. "What should I do? There's so many. How can I even choose just one?"
Solanne's eyes sparkled with interest. She has a thought, an idea even. Yet, her mouth won't move.
The child waited. Still, Solanne didn't speak.
"I'm wasting my time with you!" The child has become frustrated. "I want to be the best! I want to be useful! I want to every people to look up to me! That's why my dream needs to be something! Something different! Something far more!"
They were on the edge of this magical mirage. Solanne knew that. Because from her perspective, and from her line of sight, she knew that a horrible place is already waiting for them if they go beyond these illusions.
She doesn't know whose memory she has right now. Yet, Solanne knew, because of these memories that those children who went beyond these illusions, had their dreams stolen from them.
'No. the child who went beyond, had seen reality,' there was a whisper in Solanne's ears. 'They have given up their dreams.'
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