The coffee that was prepared was already gone, and what was sitting on the coffee table were nothing but mugs that has traces of the coffee. The door was already closed, and all of the lights were already turned off except for the small lamp that was on the right side of the Christmas tree.
Solanne was still on the sofa, she was in the middle of a very interesting chapter on the webnovel she was reading, while Yael was already half in the second season.
He was so interested with what he was watching that he's already lying on the floor with the cats. He was hugging one of the throw pillows, and eyes was just glued on the television.
Not feeling any tiredness on her body, Solanne looked at the time on her phone. It was already two in the morning and none of them had any thoughts of going to sleep. They both don't know what they're trying to prove here, but, still, they remained seated doing their own personal thing, waiting for the time.
Solanne was actually curious. Still, what would happen next if they didn't sleep? Half way through the chapter, Solanne's gaze up and begun watching the anime. None of them cared what time it was and they were just happily spending it.
Time ticked, and after a while, several minutes through the episode, Solanne noticed the two cats suddenly sprung on their feet. Both of them meow, Yael doesn't seem to noticed. Solanne just ignored it, and went back to watching. She feels so comfortable that she even wants to sink in on the comfortable cushion of the sofa.
They both look so comfortable that none of them knew the changes that were happening around them.
The two cats, as if they know what was happening, suddenly jumped through the window, and went outside. The two cats elegantly looked at the dark sky watching the full moon.
Orin and Laurie looked at each other. "Meow," both of them meowed, and went deeper into the forest.
Just as the same time, the shine of the moon has glowed strangely bright and the cabin was right in the middle of that ray.
The clock's hands continue to move as if it has a specific destination. And right at the moment the short hand of the clock landed on the number "3"….
"Huh?"
Solanne blinked, at the same time, Yael frowned, both of them has a puzzled expression on their face. "Eh?"
"Are we really dreaming right now?" Solanne can't believe it. Her eyes wondered around the space only to see the specific interior of the train they were always riding whenever they were dreaming.
Still, she could sigh a breath of relief seeing that Yael was with her. He seemed to be in the floor, as he was previously lying there before they got here. She even had the throw pillow she was hugging. Solanne was amused. The throw pillow was here but her phone was not? She knew perfectly well that she's holding it before this.
"How?" Solanne sighed and hugged the pillow. This time, as she observed there were only a few people riding on the train.
Yael clicked his tongue. "I'm in the middle of a very good development arc," He sat down looking at the place. "Still, we can conclude that even if we're sleeping or not, we'll eventually end up here after the clock strikes three."
"Well, that's what I thought too but then, if the specific time was three, then, how could we explain what happened in the beach? The time there was only eight and we went back after twelve midnight. It doesn't make sense."
"Does this dream even make any sense?" Yael and Solanne after experiencing several phenomena like this, their reaction had become too bland and boring since they have already gotten used to what was going on.
Besides, this time, they're still in the train and not on their destination. "Where are we going?" Yael asked. Solanne sighed. If she remembers clearly, before she was transported back in the previous dream, she was holding a train ticket.
And she was right. Beside her seat was an old brown paper, with the words, "Mirrors and cities."
"Mirrors and cities?" Solanne repeated after reading it.
Yael frowned. "Are we going on a place with mirrors now?" He sarcastically asked. And right about that, the train conductor appeared. His right palm was opened, asking for their train ticket.
Solanne already used to his presence, gave the ticket. She expected him to go away after punching a hole on the paper, however, when his eyes suddenly met both of their gazes, Solanne felt all of the hairs on her body stood up giving her chills.
She swallowed.
The train conductor smiled. "We have a guest in this train."
"Guest?" Yael repeated. He was stiff as a rock for just like Solanne he too was on guard about the train conductor.
The train conductor nodded. "Yes. He's special." He simply said as he added. "This is a warning. He doesn't like people staring at him. He doesn't want any noises, he often talks about himself, but do not engage. He often drifts into the different world searching for something, do not help him. Never."
Solanne and Yael looked at each other. Yael swallowed as he was about to ask something when the train conductor was already leaving. Solanne and Yael followed his figure only for them to see a strange man, dressed in nothing but bright colors of red, blue, and yellow.
His nose was red, and his face was like a canvas full of a child's artistry, adorn with features that do not suit his face and well-being. And he had this exaggerated smile that stretches from ear to ear
A clown, Solanne shivered. It was a clown.
'Was this the guest that the train conductor was talking about?' She asked as her eyes wondered through Yael and yet, his gaze was already on the floor, afraid to even look up.
Solanne can feel the nervousness traveling from her stomach through her throat. It's painful and unbearable yet, she can't do anything about it.
She copied Yael's actions, but still she can remember the clown's eyes painted, and behind those eyes were the glint of mischievousness that sparkled as if he plans to spread nothing but mischief while he travels the world.
Through their ears, they can hear the clown's footstep getting closer and closer. Solanne observed that the passengers were also trying their best to avoid the so called "guest."
That was the moment Solanne had realized that they were in a very serious situation.
Yael and Solanne heaved their breaths praying to God that the clown won't notice them.
However, right as the clown pass through them, it stopped.
A shiver went down on their spine and they were trying their best not to panic. "Hi?"
It was the clown's voice. Contrary to its appearance, his voice was deep yet cold at the same time. It was as if it was masking some kind of loneliness from deep within.
Yet, just like what the train conductor has said to not talk to him, Yael and Solanne kept their gazes down, acting like they haven't heard anything. "Can I sit beside you two?"
Solanne's eyes widen in disbelief. How come this happens all the time? She frustratingly bit her lips, trying her best to control her emotions because if she's not, she might run away from her and beg the train conductor to take them back on their place.
Still, keeping in mind what the train conductor has said, Solanne and Yael didn't speak. Their eyes were glued on the train's floor counting any imperfections on the wooden floor.
And just as about Solanne reach the 100th number she was counting, she saw a very long, pale like corpse, almost bones, feet that walked pass their gazes, and sat down on the floor. Immediately Solanne and Yael's gaze shifted up, their gazes met and just by looking at their eyes, they both understand what's the meaning of their gaze.
"It's my first-time seeing humans board the train," the clown had said. Solanne and Yael doesn't know what expression he was making as they were trying their best not to look.
"Your world and ours are different. Only the human world has the privileged to be protected, you know."
"How curious,"
"That's why I am asking, are there any special reason both of you are boarded in this train?"
The clown persistently asked yet both of them did not answer.
"Hehe." The clown muttered. He was laughing. Was this situation laughable? Is there something funny? Solanne was frustrated, annoyed, and even more angry. Yet, she can't do anything.
"Why so stiff? Can't I ask something? Right, should I make you laugh? It's my job for almost a millennium now. I am very skilled at making people laugh."
Yael's eyes widen. He was nervous. It was also the same for her. They feel like they're walking on the edge of a cliff and any minute now, they'll die. Can they even die?
Why are they even experiencing something like this? Is there anything in this dream that make any sense?
"Hey?"
"…."
Silence.
Silence was the only answer to the clown's question.
And as if he was getting bored, he sighed and stood up. Immediately, Yael and Solanne directed their gazes in a different direction.
"No fun," The clown muttered and decided to walk to whatever destination he had in mind.
Solanne and Yael subconsciously were trying to hold their breaths waiting for the clown to pass through. Their gazes were begging, and was desperate. And when they haven't heard and footsteps…
"What was that?" Solanne hissed but before Yael could answer…
"BOO!"
The clown had appeared once again. Scaring the shit out of them.
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