I can't sleep. I've tried everything... I counted all the sheep in the world but I couldn't sleep…

In my bed, it is impossible to find sleep with all the turning and tossing in different positions that remind me of a prisoner restless because of his thoughts. The room’s darkness hugs me stronger like the anxiety of my every thought that is consuming me alive. A dark, ominous storm cloud of an imposing exam looms over me. It represents years' worth of hopes, anxieties, and expectations condensed into a single test. This is my last chance.

Enough. I cannot just lie here any longer, suffocating beneath my problems. So with a determination fierce enough to shatter the earth's foundation, I chuck my sheets off. My feet slap against the cold floor, and barefooted, I pad soundlessly across a room full of slighted sleepers. The night is calling me like a siren song on frayed nerves.

I open the window, and the hinge tells nighttime stories. The cool air kisses my face, as free as a billow of smoke. I crawl out slowly, with caution and planning. The world seems ancient outside, silvery by nighttime—the moonlit game of shadows and light.

Towards the city walls, my feet take me, my own footsteps echoing back from empty streets, resounding with the sound of nothing else. It is a journey of secret steps and quiet insurrection against all that binds me. This night's a cloak about me, each empty step but a stitch come undone from the fabric of my anxiety.

I'm trying to escape from my thoughts by walking, but with each step I take, they also accelerate. The city walls rise before me, ancient and foreboding. They serve not only as a symbol but also as a barrier of stone and of life unchosen. I reach out, my fingers tracing the rough texture of stones. This wall, it isn't merely a physical barrier; it is that line between who I am and the person who I'm supposed to be.

Beginning the climb. Each handhold is one small victory and each push upwards takes me a step closer to something else, something more. The scramble is my silent scream for freedom, the physical manifestation of my inner need to break free. I'm scaling the walls of my own fears and doubts, not just the wall itself. I know how to find my way between the stones day or night because I have climbed this wall thousands of times before.

Reaching the very tip, I pause for a while to regain my breath. The city sprawls beneath me like a quilt of light and dark, beautiful but at the same time suffocating as well. For a moment, just one, I'm free.

Yet again, that freedom is short-lived. I see the light blue dome covering the entire city. Because of this dome, I am imprisoned as long as it remains over the city. This dome is supposed to protect us, but it also limits us here. Only those with the system can pass through the dome. This reminds me why I'm trying so hard to enter that damned Academy. I break out in a cold sweat. Just when I think my efforts have finally paid off and I've managed to push it out of my mind, anxiety about tomorrow's exam swiftly engulfs my entire being. This is my last chance; failure is not an option.

I try to distract myself. As I stand atop the walls, I can't help but be awestruck by the grandeur of the magical dome. Its immense expanse, shimmering under the moonlight, strikes a chord of both awe and suffocation. I’m repeating to myself: This dome, intended as our shield, our safeguard against the unknown perils beyond, feels more like a barrier, a luxurious prison of sorts. It's undeniably beautiful, yet this beauty belies the truth that it holds us captive. In this enigmatic, glittering enclosure, freedom feels like nothing more than a mirage.

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I look up at the sky, finding comfort in the stars and moon. Their peaceful glow, untouched by the dome, provides a brief view of the enormous, unexplored cosmos outside of our walls. These celestial orbs, distant and untouchable, render the impending exam and its associated worries trivial. For a moment, caught in their eternal allure, I forget my earthly troubles, lost in their serene beauty. However, a sense of being a caged bird under this vast expanse tugs at my heart.

My gaze then drifts towards where I imagine the Academy to be. Although it's not visible from this distance, I've heard tales of its magical, castle-like appearance. "I must escape this cage by any means," I whisper to myself again, a silent pledge echoing in the still night. The Academy, as the stories describe, with its imposing walls and soaring spires, represents more than just an educational institution. It symbolizes a potential future, a beacon of hope, a key to my longed-for freedom.

In the midst of these overwhelming reflections, my attention is captured by a small, unexpected sight. Tucked among the rough stones of the wall, a solitary flower blooms, defying the harsh environment. The sight of its delicate, yet bold petals brings a gentle smile to my face. "Life finds a way," I muse. This small flower, flourishing against all odds, ignites a spark of hope and tranquility within me.

This humble bloom, standing resilient in its quiet rebellion, reflects my own inner battles. It serves as a subtle yet powerful reminder that even in the most improbable places, under the toughest conditions, there is opportunity for growth, for life, for a fragment of freedom. In its delicate presence, I discover a kinship, a newfound strength, a whisper of bravery to confront the trials that await me.

As I marvel at the flower, its delicate splendor stark against the severe walls, a surge of determination floods through me. This resilient bloom, flourishing in spite of adversity, stands as a testament to life's endurance, a vivid emblem that beauty can arise even in the most unforgiving circumstances. Its very presence softly reminds me that, amidst the limitations surrounding me, there's always potential to grow, to thrive, to carve out a fragment of freedom.

I linger there, immersed in contemplation, with the flower as my silent confidante. It serves as a modest yet potent tether to the here and now, anchoring me in the unnoticed elegance of this secluded instant. The walls, once perceived as confining barriers, transform in my eyes into a bridge to a deeper comprehension of my own capabilities and promise.

As time slips by, the moment arrives for me to depart from this isolated retreat. Casting one final, grateful glance at the flower, I feel a heartfelt thankfulness. Descending the walls, each step I take is more grounded and confident than before. The once uncertain night air now wraps around me like a shroud of serene assurance.

On the journey back to my abode, my mind revisits the night's occurrences. The impending challenges and anxieties – the exam, the societal expectations, the uncertain future – still exist. Yet, the encounter with the lone flower has altered something fundamental within me. My footsteps are lighter, and a tranquility resides in my heart, a newfound serenity I hadn't known earlier.

Quietly, I re-enter through my window, greeted by the familiar embrace of my room. The moonlight, still casting its gentle glow across my bed, bears silent testament to my nightly odyssey. I slide back under my blankets, the turmoil of prior thoughts now replaced by a peaceful clarity.

As I lie there, eyes closed, visions of the flower atop the walls dance in my mind. It represents more than a mere floral entity; it symbolizes my resilience, echoing the inner strength I possess. This comforting and empowering realization gently guides me into a restful sleep. I go to sleep for the first time in a long time with a hopeful heart and a calm mind, prepared to take on whatever challenges the day ahead may bring, rather than exhausted or desperate.