[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbfq4x-d9284776-fc10-4fcf-9395-cd65cc8fd374.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZnE0eC1kOTI4NDc3Ni1mYzEwLTRmY2YtOTM5NS1jZDY1Y2M4ZmQzNzQucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.ch4ggT4d7-gQRSWkir0jK_-w5EIUGmCGVlMhrZtnRlI]
Traveling amongst the stars myself, a Being and Traveler originating from Earth, I came across a young Being's story I collected while in the Great City that I wanted to share with you, now that I am able to finally sit down and put it together. Her life has changed the way I've seen our universe and she, herself, has changed the fate of our universe. I don't get to travel as often and I've stopped soaking up all the wonders the universe has to offer when it comes to personally being there, so now I listen to other Beings tell me stories while in the Great City. As an account of what I've collected from these other Beings tell me, since Hailey has touched their lives and I've not been blessed with her presence, I give you her story as it unfolds in the order of what I believe is important. Having been here for so long, I haven't been able to see some of these events unfold myself but the good thing about being in the Great City is the stories here, since we're all different, coming from worlds all over the universe, are somewhat instantly transferred to my consciousness. Some of the Beings have even collected Hailey and Allijah's thoughts and memories, that I have then collected myself, as if they were my own. I don't need to know these other Being's language and we greet each other in the kindest ways since, well, there isn't any pain or suffering here to keep our souls tormented. It's a nice place and I hope you all are ready for Hailey's story, the story of how we're not all dead. The story of how a simple, troubled girl, from another planet, saved us from universal doom. It's great that you're all still here and can read this. If Hailey didn't do what she was meant to do, I wouldn't be sitting here, writing her story. Maybe one day, after I send this out, she'll come visit me, finally. Maybe one day you'll be able to see her as well.
There will be from time to time, a few things I fill in, to make sure what she's going through has a good foundation because, of course, not everything will be from Hailey, but from my recollection and travels, as well.
Intrigued by her life, her memories, her will, her commitment, her everlasting love for Allijah, and as a template for all Beings who wish to become a 'Kind', let's begin with the two lovers, here, not too long ago....
"You were here before, sweetheart." Allijah says.
"What do you mean?" Hailey pauses, now staring at Allijah.
"In essence, this has always been your home." Allijah continues.
"You know babe, being here with you, I had this feeling that something was strange about this place - not that it is strange, but that I’ve known it. I guess you may be right." Hailey responds looking out at the burning horizon with an assuring smile.
"I had long thought the other world was home until I came here, but I’m glad you’re finally here with me now, babe. I’ve found out a lot since then. I’m glad you gave me this chance and I'm thankful I could give it right back to you." Allijah says smiling as he pulls her closer to him looking at the star setting low beyond the Great City.
Lights flickering from the horizon's orange and pink glow above the bright city are seen past the two's loving embrace like fireflies surrounding them. All that's left, as the main star settles, is the silhouette of the two holding each other tightly, and a foray of beautiful colors surrounding them, whimsically changing shades and patterns across the couple's faces. In this form, they're able to change how they appear but this time they chose to return from their most recent form when they were on Gannicus. From a distance on this peak, the two appear as one.
Light reflected from the heavenly, postured, poised, and beaming at the two below as if they too are here, now, to see the Beings embrace, a show unbeknownst to the couple. A blue pearlescent supergiant, out of line of site and appearing to offer a couple moons as an audience in the distance like a reflection of the two souls above the Great City, beams light around this place and on to its these patron moons. Their presence is like two goliath blue eyes resting on the horizon where the fire fly lights flicker, enjoying the show from the couple's embrace.
A hub to the light, Beings appear and disappear all the time throughout this Great City to rejoin, rejoice, reflect, remember, and meet other Beings from different worlds that are, colorful, charismatic, and full of stories that they overwhelming want to share as soon as they're back to the Great City.
With a little help of this future, let's jump into the past to see where our story begins:
A long time has passed since Hailey has seen Allijah but luckily his actions have penetrated throughout space and time. He reached through to her, in their home world, to guide her to this clandestine place. All who gather in the Great City, see this place as it is because it's where their soul returned - a supplementary place that services the wildest dreams of all the Beings that are able to return to it. Allijah was lucky enough to find Hailey in their home world, Gannicus, to empower Hailey, to embrace and control time's lies, and to perfect the imperfect.
Paths do not always cross nor are they always concretely laid. Time within our Earthling mind has no comparison in this universe. Our most deepest desires, the wealth we accrue, the games we play, the tether to a physical world, are all shed as the husk is removed and our Being resets - carrying over only what we've been through.
Too often we see our destination as ascension or descension. Too often we are left with a road split into two paths where we reluctantly and extremely sway between. Who is there to welcome us to our real home? Who's there to show us the path hidden between the two extremes and guide us to the stars created for us and us alone?
In another part of the universe, far away from the Great City, a leather bound book lays open on an altar within a temple on Earth. Imagine seeing the book and not being able to read it - nothing discernible to humans, even by polyglots and scholars. If Hailey attempted to read it, she too would have trouble.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg02d-722d1d42-9931-44b9-97ef-22811e09ab80.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzAyZC03MjJkMWQ0Mi05OTMxLTQ0YjktOTdlZi0yMjgxMWUwOWFiODAucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.HDNJw5epXXf9qjV6NIbN7MjOz4eKV2EC_aukwzleKdo]
The temple that the book resides in has markings all over the outside. These markings are alien to even Earthlings. They appear to be in a variety of languages and all seem ancient, abandoned. There’s no telling where the rocks have come from to form this temple but they seem to be beaten by sand storms and possibly water. A look over from the west shows the temple has had its worst from there as a small valley has opened over the years. On top of this, the temple towers above sand in a hopeless desert surrounded by more rock slabs that have no markings - only a flat surface. All are the same except the exterior slabs, that have markings facing up from their square presence. These surround the temple in what appears to be an attempt by the temple’s creator to let the large lettering be seen from afar. Interestingly, no sand has stagnated around the temple - the flat slabs and the temple are still visible from a distance. Further away, the desert is silted with cliff-like dunes that seemingly touch the horizon and sun. The desert is typical of any other except this one has very treacherous dunes around the temple. It does not appear a person, at least at this time, could trek them without falling a hundred feet to a sandy death. Nothing is anywhere near this temple but at some point in time, someone has been here. Mysteriously and often, when sand smacks against the temple and the slabs below it, a blue aura lights up the sand-wind that touches it and the markings on the slabs, even on the exterior, almost like blue bioluminescent algae crashing into a shore. Obviously, the slabs and tower still seem energized even this many years later.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg029-d0fe2694-4d02-40a4-859a-522e1f91f1a1.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzAyOS1kMGZlMjY5NC00ZDAyLTQwYTQtODU5YS01MjJlMWY5MWYxYTEucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.BWI7LuJy8yDHiaah-gWAJAtUMEfkcWnxONuz4WM_UWk]
Suddenly, the doors of the temple slam open and the book ruffles itself from the sand-wind and displays the following text (translated from an ancient language - the book is titled as Létt-kubva-Nèi-zikh):
'Look beyond, inhabitants. Look beyond these walls or any walls within your short term here. No words could ever be spoken to prepare you for what lies ahead. We are travelers amongst the stars. We are not here to help you in your day to day lives but throughout your history, those who claim to do so, will be at every step. It is our intention to prepare you to reenter the places where you once were. Our souls, your souls, must remain within this vessel until it is time to return. These halls were built in honor of the sole deity that rides the solar waves throughout time and space and that has given us the insight into traveling without being. Be it known that this temple stands forever in place of ‘The Beginning.’ The beginning of something we had hoped for a long time would heal our souls. It stands as a memory of who you currently are, even if it is a drop of water of who you were in heaven's ocean. For the unknown gathers densely in the sky and has served as a beacon in our lives, giving us the direction to wander past our worldly safety. Let it be the stars that guide one's own spirit and let no one man contemplate another man's destiny. For we share the same light within us all from the stars that shine, our brother's heart in this world may burn from other beacons, so in time, we must return to our own light individually. Therefore, one's successful end in this world can only be acquiesced when one finds their true beginning beyond this world. Furthermore, it should be said, that the same successful ending grants the spirit a new beginning in any manner a pure heart desires. Be only in contempt of this world and not of yourself. Not doing so will endanger your soul to be forever here. Not reading these words within this book will put our home in perilous doom. With all travels through light, be it the very next time we see you and safely. One’s soul must return so …..' (the next page lays unturned).
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg026-f952f4f1-6c35-4afe-acf0-e6fedd6daf84.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzAyNi1mOTUyZjRmMS02YzM1LTRhZmUtYWNmMC1lNmZlZGQ2ZGFmODQucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.Jqq3kpvJzc88c2Z5CigdT0I5ujCSxJkDU_3B4icrv-Y]
One must wonder plausible if our home's true place is in the stars. The night sky lends credence to the imagination of heart and the fondness of mystery's delight in that respect. Yet here we are. Here we sleep. Here we burden the tether. Where our mind wanders is painted in distant places every night. Fray, altruistic fetish of fantasy, our minds long for answers as we lay our heads down to wonder, becoming ever so disappointed as we come closer to death. We do this consciously as we dream of better things, burdening the day, and we do this unwillingly, as if we are being given the truth, by night. We wander brightly lit places of grandeur, craving lucidity when we are there, and remorse when we wake. As I lay down tonight, may I cut ever so slightly into my ego, as those that may want to wander suffer not and fly unburdened from that fantastical flight. Be it your heart lit tonight, wanderer. Be it your soul lifted.
Reason for us being here, sentient and all, escapes most of us. It's understandable. It’s been explained in a lot of religious books throughout history on Earth but just as the ancient book Létt-kubva-Nèi-zikh mentions, there will always be those who try to explain existence and will do it poorly. It also warns doing so would endanger ‘home’. Létt-kubva-Nèi-zikh hints at the middle path of life, for a reason, and Hailey is unaware this book even exists (since it’s on another planet).
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg342-5bf0d59f-a5d6-4eaa-a12d-1c1e05a33f2f.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzM0Mi01YmYwZDU5Zi1hNWQ2LTRlYWEtYTEyZC0xYzFlMDVhMzNmMmYucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.Z7dN4vS5Y5iiWkSu89oumEiCvuHqcJ3nlBT8c180o5c]
On a planet much like Earth however, Hailey stands in front of a clerk at a shop in the district where she grew up. Hailey is a short brunette bipedal with long hair to her hips. Her hair doesn’t necessarily look and feel like that of a human’s but it’s pretty close (think different proteins than Earth based ones being consumed on another planet by its inhabitants as to why). Even so, her hair is luscious and deep. It loves to be curled and waved by the wind on her planet. Their local star within their solar system blesses Hailey’s hair when it sees it too, as her hair shines deep orange in the morning and afternoons.
Hailey’s attire seems that of a typical 1980’s girl. It’s a light blue denim type outfit made of a local, dye-able plant that’s as sturdy as cotton but doesn’t go by that name nor would anyone on Earth be able to wear it since the plant from this planet may cause a rash or irritation on any Earthling. Her socks are hidden behind her denim-like pants but have a popular character on it from her home world. No Earthling would recognize the character, of course. Hailey is obsessed with socks of different colors and the way they feel. She goes so far sometimes by trying them on her bipedal foot with 4 toes when she is shopping to get a feel for them before she buys. This strange liking to socks has been with Hailey since she was young and living on the streets in another district. Hailey only remembers bits and pieces of her morning. She doesn't really think about the afterlife or existence although at one time on Gannicus, she had Allijah around to plant the seed. Since she's alone now, widowed, and struggling to get through her day, she's in for a realization that she is a part of something, way bigger:
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
(dialogues from Hailey and Allijah have been translated into Earth-English - no I'm not aware of any other Planet-English - just being specific)
"What's wrong, Ma'am?" the coffee clerk says with her two vocal chords.
Hailey slowly moves her eyes back to the coffee clerk in front of her as she settles and collects herself. Her eyes are somewhat different than a human's - they appear larger with a little bit bigger pupil. Replying back to the clerk, she speaks in a disconcerting tone:
"I felt something push on my chest, you know, like something was..."
"Ma'am, other people are waiting." The clerk abruptly quips while rolling her eyes. The clerk then stares at Hailey like she’s a bit off in the head but also as if she’s too young to be complaining about her chest.
"Oh, uh, sorry. Thirteen you said?" Hailey says in a calmer voice as she still tries to collect herself.
"Yes Ma'am, I need thirteen Centurs in change, please." the clerk responds. Centurs are a form of basic currency on this planet, at this point in time.
"So sorry. Here you go." Hailey says as she gives a quick smile and holds her hand out with the change.
The coffee clerk reaches for Hailey's change then asks her to move to the receiving part of the coffee counter in a human-like ‘go away’ motion. She stumbles, glancing back at the clerk, then back down at the floor to cover her eyes in a bit of shame. The inhabitants on this plant express shame sometimes with a miniscule amount of color change in their skin.
She doesn't understand what just happened. She grabs her coffee from the receiving side, rushes towards to the door, and then asks herself:
"I woke up from a sound this morning." She says aloud while repeating what she thought she heard, then avoids eye contact with strangers as she passes them on the street. In dismay and walking away from the coffee shop, she continues: "I woke up. Now I'm here. I don't understand. Wait..."
Hailey jumps abruptly into a nearby alley to remove herself from the public eye. Raining lightly, she finds temporary shelter beside a dumpster feigning with the food chain's lesser creatures. At nearly her breaking point she finally recants this morning's events in excited joy:
"Singing! I heard singing this morning! I do remember!" She screams, as flying creatures much like pigeons on Earth race away from the nearby rooftops. Her coffee is as pleasant as Earth’s coffee but it’s not called coffee and it’s made from a plant that does not look anything like a coffee bean. The beverage is just as comforting however if a human were to drink it, there would either be no effect to the human’s body, or their heart would instantly explode. She pauses then tries to sip a little more of her coffee - forgetting how hot it is:
"Ow! My lip!" she yells pulling the coffee quickly away from her mouth while kicking the dumpster in rage. After she kicks the dumpster, a recently printed magazine unfolds in front of her from a rusted crevasse at its base.
"What the...?," she says, turning her head slowly as she moves closer to read the titles on the magazine clearly.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg3d7-1e1eb59a-ba58-4b98-a34a-fdfe709175bf.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzNkNy0xZTFlYjU5YS1iYTU4LTRiOTgtYTM0YS1mZGZlNzA5MTc1YmYucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.GNYwswjUNAAA0JasOSTJmobqf6gKcNxckaqlkvcvads]
'...SCIENCE NOW...How Will Our Future Unfold?....Scientists Investigate Claims of Afterlife By Neuron Discharges....Links In DNA Explain Where We Came From....Probe Travels To Deep Space To Look For Extrasolar Life...'
"The afterlife?" she mums as she picks up the magazine. The magazine is covered in local spoiled food and a few other things Hailey doesn’t recognize.
“Yuck.” She says rubbing the unknown coverings on the side of the dumpster then flipping to the ‘afterlife’ article’s page. It's not typical of her to pick up random, yucky things, but today's been off like a Earthly politician on a coke binge.
'...With the patient's permission and dying on their deathbed from terminal illness, scientists use sensors to detect pulses from within their brain. The sensors stay on until the patient's time is ultimately called and after they pass. Scientists are looking for possible activity from the brain when the patient renders unto death. Scientists have also set up cameras that can detect certain types of light not visible to the eye. A patient's last vestige of consciousness and existence may be caught by these cameras. Unfortunately, this will be the last experiment in Hope's Passage Hospital because funding has lapsed from criticism of their research. The scientific community responded weeks before they started this experiment calling it 'Bordering on spiritual pandering...of which we are not interested in.' The scientists hope this time to find something conclusive to show others in the community the research is well founded. Enough to investigate further....'
"Huh. That's only a few miles down the road. I had no idea they were doing this." she says arching her back to hover over the magazine to protect it from the rain.
Hailey has been stressed since she lost her job last week and has been acting very strange. Her emotions have run high and her mind feels alit from a fire that's been burning for a very long time within it. As she has gotten older, her past seems like it's being erased but she's too young, a lot like humans, to have old age or debilitating mental illness, affect her.
On whim, she decides to return to the coffee shop to continue reading the magazine, almost like she's simply taking a break from reality, and trying something different, for a change. Most of the crowd that was there before has left to return to their jobs but a few remaining patrons perk their heads up to see a strange girl holding a smelly magazine. The downtown area was swamped, with people and vehicles, but as she started to sit down, time seemed to slow immensely, and not a lot of anything is around anymore.
Not everything on this planet has an Earthly counterpart so some things will be described on this ride to give an idea of what it may look like, how it feels, or compare it to something close you Earthlings may recognize.
The coffee shop enjoys a peaceful quietness now she intends to use and saves her from the rain as she continues to read:
"This looks interesting. I wonder how they'll try to find life?," she says excitedly looking for the next article's page.
"...Life within the solar system seems apparent as we've always called it home. What about the millions of extrasolar destinations that lay just outside our solar system's border? A probe sent by the United Space Agency intends to find out..."
Hailey doesn’t read stuff like this. She has had a rough morning not remembering things so this was out of place for her to act this way or to even pick up an old magazine from a dumpster. She is also unaware of certain aspects about the things that go on, daily, on her planet because she’s never really liked them. Space being one of them. She’s always enjoyed looking at the stars, especially when she was younger, but never really nerded-up when it came to the sciences or recent space events.
Some of this will appear like techno-drivel but I promise these are important things we'll need to know as we peek into Hailey's life.
So a brief history of the United Space Agency (a translated title of course but it’s pretty close):
United Space Agency: (from the planet’s government run internet-like communication network’s site)
Is a conglomeration of many nation states with the interest of space travel and science. The USA has put many spacecraft into orbit and beyond. Our sensors fly far past anything we could ever reach by current spacecraft. Our private sector competitor can’t even reach how far our sensors have gone with their sensor technology. It’s our endeavor to bring the unknown, closer to home. With the many scientists and engineers from around the world in the many nation states, we hope, unlike our private sector counterpart, that our technology and our people help our planet see the future, now.
A man shuffling a business newspaper distracts her from reading momentarily. She notices that the paper was printed today, Dicenah the 5th. This planet has a monthly cycle as well but they’re not called months and there are 24 of them. We’ll discuss these planetary mechanics later. She cannot recall anything past today's events. Shaking the worry off from her previous experiences, she continues reading:
"...With only decades old technology from back when it was launched, the Deep Space Sentinel intends to find life beyond what we've known. A couple weeks before the dually hyped Ancient calendar ends this year on the 21st of Dicenah, the probe will be well beyond the outer limits of our solar system and onto its way to its first destination: Lumen. Lumen has served as a beacon in the sky for astronomers alike. Its point within space has been used for decades to track movement of our now demoted dwarf planet Placid and other smaller objects on the outer perimeter of our solar system. Scientists want to understand why its position beside a brightly lit yet dead dwarf star is stalled. Most planets have an orbit around their closest star or stars but Lumen has remained in the same position for a millennia, scientists say. The probe intends to identify life and possibly identify the homeostasis of the planet. Its size is 0.7 times our home planet Gannicus so it will be interesting to hear the feedback from the probe once it sends back data. The size of the planet has interested independent space agencies in the past, though their current endeavors have had issues traveling outside of our magnetic belt, in comparison to the USA, which has had successful missions for a decade now. USA has promised new projects to travel and possibly migrate to the planet if the Sentinel confirms Lumen is habitable. They have also provided space travel demonstrations for world leaders. The private sector has not been able to match however in comparison to these advances. Scientists have speculated Lumen's atmosphere is close to our planet's and with the imminent arrival of the probe, life here as we know it may change. Let's hope DSS will find inter ...."
"You know that whole mambo jumbo is fake right? We’re in a simulation designed by aliens. It’s the truth. There’s no spacecraft and the sky is a giant display screen." a random guy standing in front of her exclaims, breaking Hailey's concentration. The guy appears to be a little nerdy with glasses and shaggy hair.
"Um. Well...," she pauses looking at him. She believes whole heartedly, and naively, there’s people working on the best of things for Gannicus and that it would be a big conspiracy to hush up a lot of folks, if this guy is serious about what he’s talking about. Hailey pauses before she speaks again - trying to figure out if this guy is serious or not.
"I’m just kidding! Sorry to bother you ma’am. I work here and we’re trying to clear out this morning’s batch of bagels. I see you bought one of our coffees,...would you like a bagel...for free?" the strange guy says as Hailey realizes he is apparently an employee by his bright red coffee shop shirt.
Hailey hasn’t eaten all day so the sound of a not so fresh bagel still entices her gut.
“Oh ok. Hahaha. You’re too funny. Yeah I’d like one.” Hailey says, trying to shake off what she just heard this strange employee say. She still has her reservations about him being a creep, however.
“Thank you!” Hailey says with delight as the bagel is transferred to her table via the weird guy within a napkin and picked up by a tong-like utensil.
I’m glad he didn’t touch the bagel! Hailey thinks as the guy walks off, carrying a smile, and weirdly looking back at Hailey.
"You're welcome, Hailey." The strange employee says as he hunkers down to push the cart in front of him that’s laden with old bagels. Baffled, she glares at the coffee shop employee as he steps away quickly. She throws up her hand to try to get his attention:
"Hey.....How do you know my name..."
A coffee mug at the counter breaks from being dropped by someone behind the counter as she tries to get the coffee shop employee's attention. While the disruption abruptly happens, she moves her eyes from the clamor at the counter back to the shop's employee who gave her the bagel.
"Where did he go?" she says quietly looking around the room to find him again.
Still wondering where he might have gone and why he knew her name, she begins to devour the bagel because instinctually eating is more important at the moment.
Amidst the question she intended to ask the shop employee, she notices something strange. Signs all over the coffee shop exclaim different types of beverages and options for them but do not display one thing:
"They don't sell bagels.," she whispers in disbelief as her eyes widen and her heart starts to pound.
Customers come and go as she looks around for more confirmation. She does not believe he gave her something they do not sell and she does not want to learn that the shop employee who handed her the bagel, did not work there.
"Does this place sell bagels? I mean I know it sounds crazy because I'm holding what's left of one...."
"No.," the cashier says plainly with a raised brow responding to Hailey's request after Hailey rushed the counter in front of a small group of customers.
Getting flustered and swiping her hair back from her eyes, she hysterically asks:
"Does a nerdy looking guy with glasses work here, then?"
"No Ma'am. I'm sorry. Please excuse me, I have to place their orders." The clerk's snippy response leaves Hailey blank and in shock.
Walking back slowly, she gives a cutesy thanks to the cashier, acting as if everything is okay and 'she's not crazy' to other customers that are looking in her direction. She apologizes broadly to all the customers in line for her rude insertion. Now walking away, she smiles at everyone then bites her bottom lip and makes her way back to her booth where the magazine lays.
Upon sitting, a customer opens the door to leave, lets in a gust of wind, and her magazine rolls over to a new page she has not read.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg3d1-06194e9e-b48c-4bf0-bca7-914be3f0c4bb.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzNkMS0wNjE5NGU5ZS1iNDhjLTRiZjAtYmNhNy05MTRiZTNmMGM0YmIucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.fbtMyQzGNhyhbXRstA8FcyWYpyuRKYncTiYL4zcMYko]
Hailey notices the new page, its contents, and tries to appear she's still not crazy to other people in the coffee shop. She just wanted to sit down and get away from the weird things that are happening around her. She buries her face in here hands and then pulls her hair back. The coffee shop's energy finally dwindles down after a few minutes of her looking away from everyone so this gives her a little more room to breath. Now settled, she looks over the new page intently, realizing what's displayed:
"Oh my goodness!" Hailey exclaims while a few of the coffee shop patrons glance over at her, getting concerned something may actually be wrong with the girl. The contents of the magazine show an artist's portrayal of the celestial object Lumen. She realizes then that she has seen this in a dream she had the night before.
Studying the image as best as she can and comparing it to her memories, someone opens the front door to the coffee shop, reflecting light in her face that breaks her concentration.