It was a day like any other, and Clara had nothing unusual to do. She was in a tavern and thought about going home when the conversation between two friends caught her attention.
"Near a waterfall, or entering the East Forest, or in any of the wilds, in short, in places like this, the barrier is completely visible. But if you have trouble seeing after dark, you can use a spell."
"I don't have any problem with that, quite the contrary."
"Right! Ah, there's a detail: We can only cross over to the other world during that day. The Phantom Moon overhead indicates the moment when the barrier opens and closes. If you happen to go there and don't return in time, you'll be stuck on that side for a year!"
"I know. But I'm going to have to take that risk. I need ingredients that are only found there. Tell me: Have you ever been to the Human World?"
"Yes, but it was only once and never again! It's a huge place, and chaotic, and full of humans!"
"There is! What did you expect?"
"No, you will never understand the meaning of the word "full" until you go there."
Clara listened to the conversation with interest until she realized her fellow citizens were leaving. Sad, she didn't take long to leave the tavern. However, she couldn't stop thinking about that subject.
She had heard hundreds of stories about the Human World, but until then, she hadn't thought it could be worthy of a journey. Meanwhile, the idea that every year, the barrier that separated the two worlds weakened to the point of allowing crossing to either side was intriguing, to say the least.
After having already flown over a good stretch of its usual path, Clara looked at the pitch below her. That night, the dense darkness of the East Forest seemed more inviting than threatening. Looking higher, she saw the moon and deduced that the passage to the other world was about to open.
ooOOOoo
Clara felt dazzled by the Human World. Her brief stay there was nearing an end, but being able to go long periods without sleep, she didn't waste a single moment of the available time.
Even at dawn, that city emanated liveliness. Now, at dusk, she contemplated the twinkling lights of skyscrapers, the electrifying mix of sounds and smells, and the endless expanse of avenues. Unlike her fellow citizens at the tavern, she found nothing chaotic there.
When she was among humans, Clara kept herself well camouflaged, with a suitable appearance and clothes, which allowed her to go unnoticed among the many passers-by. She felt satisfied and thought the crossing was worth the effort, but suddenly, a face in the crowd caught her attention.
It was a human guy with brown eyes and dark hair. His clothes looked disheveled, and his face was filled with a sadness so palpable that she could feel his anguish as if it were her own. So, she noticed when this guy sneaked into one of those beautiful buildings, and without knowing why, she decided to follow him.
She saw him run and pass by a strange door made of shiny metal, with two sides that closed in the center, like a portal. She used her powers to become intangible and invisible so that she could fly freely.
She never would have guessed how timely that skill would be at that moment. She soon discovered that the door that the boy had passed through did not lead into another hall but was, in fact, part of an apparatus that carried its occupants upward.
Thus, Clara floated very near the boy. As the apparatus rose, its doors opened, and people left its interior from time to time until the guy was the only one left inside. When he finally left, he stood before another door for a while.
Clara was attentive when the boy left the building's shelter and reached an open space. Afterward, she saw him walk to the edge of the building, which she only now realized was as tall as a mountain. In a split second, she understood what was happening.
Quickly, Clara materialized again, and a few moments later, the guy threw himself away. Then her gazes locked, and her life would change forever from that moment on.
"Who are you?" he demanded to know.
"Were you thinking of throwing yourself out of here?" she replied placidly, already accustomed to his language.
"What is this trick? Where are you leaning?"
Sensing his disturbance, Clara pushed him back.
"Stop! Get out of my way! I've made up my mind!"
"Why do you want to take your life?"
"It doesn't interest you! Get out of my way!"
Clara didn't move. Moments later, that human kneeled before her, crying like a child.