1

Morning rays shone through one stratum, and lit the pillars that held another stratum, rays passed through the pillars and left long shadows on the houses below. Inside the pillar is a long spiral staircase, and pipes. The sun rays hit and lifted up the morning fog that somehow formed on every stratum. And once the fog hits the celling it turned into a mist and then liquifies and fell as a light rain. Mile did not know how that happens and what sort of mechanism is in place for that, but the rain is responsible for the huge tree that grew in front of her.

Mile stared at the tree, then the pillars, it stretched so far up that the vibrant colours faded the further up you traced it. Huge crowds are moving behind her as a stream. People moved about looking for the place they have to be. Then she moved her legs also, going to a place she where needs to be. Huge speakers sang a joyous song, and people walked while their eardrums are drummed with the same melodies and vibrated the same way. In this bustling city, this song is a morning routine.

As she walked however, she tried her best to think of something else other than the song, she stared at the two stories building with beautiful carving, stared at the open window, at the man smoking a Silver Stars cigarette, at his yellowed nails. Then her eyes darted to the lady drinking coffee at the building’s opposite, her hands softly gripped a newspaper and once in a while the cup touched her lips, Faye wondered what the headlines are, the woman seemed unperturbed by the music, absorbed in reading. Mile then walked again and found out that the first few words of the headlines are “Gather and unite”.

Mile walked hurriedly, ignoring the commotion that rose up from the café nearby. The streets are filled with people, and many did the same. She, and the rest of the citizen, are far too busy to get caught up in other’s business.

The man who walked in front of her tripped, it seemed that one of his shoelaces are untied. His top hat fell and revealed a balding head, Mile covered her eyes, the morning sun shone and the sweat on his head glimmered. She sidestepped the man and glanced at his face. Contrary to his hair, the shape of his face could be called handsome, perhaps even a golden standard for some people. She imagined him with the hat on, and find that she liked the way it looked. The man reached for his hats, his hands sometimes is stepped or kicked accidentally by the passing crowd, but finally reached and put the hat back. Mile is in front of him now, perhaps she thought, that man is slowing her down.

After walking for a pretty long time, she saw a waiting line on a payphone booth. The upper layer casted shadow on this stratum and the city dwellers started to turn on their lamps, some, a more conservative bunch, keep theirs turned off. The line is pretty long and the crowds sometimes bumped into it. Nobody grumped however, they were pushed and pulled back by others in the crowds, and felt that the bumping is their fault.

Mile stopped walking and waited for a rift to form within the crowds, and slowly she stepped closer to the tail of the line, people parted when they saw her aiming to go there, she politely nodded as a sign of thanks, and others replied with their own nod.

The woman in front of her wore pretty shoddy clothes but her high heels shone, and around her necks are a fur muffler. The woman tapped her foot, waiting impatiently. Annoyed, Mile made note not to do that.

The line moved slowly, and not long after she queued, she was next in line, the woman is speaking with haughty expression on the phone, and behind Mile is another line, about the same length, but the composition is different. The woman slammed the phone and walked away.

Mile picked the phone and dialled a number she has memorized this morning. It came to her from another phone last night, about a mile from here. It beeped three times then the phone was picked up.

“It’s Mile” Mile said

The other side is silent

Then Mile panicked “Is this Lilac’s residence?”

“Where have you been” the phone said flatly, it’s a woman’s voice

Mile’s heart shook, she started to doubt calling is a good choice. “I’ve been busy” she coughed “How’s Kars?”

The other side breathed out a long sigh “It’s been three years”

Mile did not reply, and the phone booth is occupied only by the sound of breathing. Mile shifted the phone to her other hand.

“Kars is fine” The other side finally broke the silence, there is a sound of sniffling after she spoke, “He’s been attending school diligently, never missed a day, the teachers loved him and so does his friend” Another sniff through a wet nose.

Silence once again descended, after a while a knock could be heard, Mile glanced and saw a displeased man beyond the phone booth. “Mom” she said.

Mile could hear rough breathing from the other side, and another sniffling “Will you come back?” Mom asked.

“I’m sorry” Mile’s eyebrow frowned “I’m” she breathed in and closed her eyes “I’m calling to say goodbye”

“We made soy-soaked chicken yesterday” Mom spoke “There is still some left on the fridge” Mile could hear the voice wavered near the end. “Kars’s been stealing a bite, so it may not be much”

“Mom, I’ll be leaving tomorrow” Mile cursed herself for wanting to call home. Why, did she suddenly felt an obligation to at least let them know? She found no answer.

“Will you be back by dinner?”

“I don’t know when or whether I’ll be back” Then there was silence. Only breathing and sniffling came from the phone. Mile bit her lower lip and put the phone back. A beep resounded, then the line cuts.

2

On a café near the pillar, the yellow light shone through the window and enlightened the room. The server efficiently managed the customers; old lonely men, highschooler hanging around after school, and some individuals that maybe only used this place as a comfortable place to work. The sounds ranged from talks, laugh, giggles, pen on paper, and the eloquent sound of uncomfortable silence between two people sharing a table. There is a music box, it played Bach’s cello arrangements. Mile listened as the magnet rods imitated the sound of vibrating strings. She sipped her coffee and frowned, it’s way too sweet.

The man in front of her, has been getting way too many jealous looks, but he did not notice, he did, but pretended not to. He rather welcomed the looks, Mile is undoubtedly beautiful, he thought, that the jealous looks only boosted his superficial self-esteem. He would purposefully made romantic gesture to show off his relation with Mile. He smiled and rubbed both of his arms then placed them at the table, drumming it lightly, as he waited Mile to speak. But she never did, no matter how long he waited.

He ventured “Well, if you disliked it, we can just postpone it and wait until next month and do Plan B instead”

Mile placed her cups on the table, then as if just noticing it, stared intently at her fingers. She released the cup and bought her hand level to her eyes. She extended her fingers and stared, sometimes curling her fingers and stared at the nail.

“Plan B?” she asked tiredly “How many have you got?”

“As many as you’d like it to be” The man showed his teeth with a wide smile. Mile glanced through the gaps of her finger and thought his smile looked disgusting. He’s better off not smiling she said, somehow his face looked way better then.

“No” Mile sighed and put her hands on the table, and traced the mouth of her cup. “I can’t continue pretending for another month”

The man nodded, his wet hair fell and sweat beaded on his forehead. Mile only stared as it fell into his cheeks then his bended down on his chin.

He said “They wouldn’t wait either” Then he glanced at his surroundings, his eyes darted amongst the highschooler, then back to Mile. “Been preparing for five years for this second rehearsal”

Mile’s hand held the cup and brings it to her lips. She frowned again, and held the cup level to her eyes. She inspected how the coffee sloshed around.

“Look” The man said, and so Mile does, she placed the cup onto the table and stared squarely at his eyes. His face now suddenly serious “I know how you feel about the composer”

“Transcriber” Mile corrected him

The man nodded “Our patient right now is the priest” he stared back at Mile, she could feel her minds probed maybe this is how it felt like she thought “I’ve built this plan with that in mind, the transcriber will be there, do not touch him. Mile, do not even think about deviating from our plan”

Mile nodded “A single misstep could be fatal”

“Yes, as always, we must mask our ego when executing a plan” The man coughed, and stared at his watch “You’ve bought it right?”

Mile nodded tiredly, and stared at her nails. Then she stared at her fingertips.

“Alright” he looked up from his watch “You understand why we have to do this right?”

She nodded “To buy time”

“That’s right, that priest is a real central figure. By treating him we’ll push our time limits by years. Him being treated won’t be a minor setback” He nodded “We’ll be fine, I promise. I’ve planned this, our final act will be flawless. You’ll get to leave this city safely and I’d be able to find my son. I think this is a pretty good deal for both of us, so we must not mess this up”

Mile stared at his face trying to discern something “And the world will continue on for another few years” She played with her fingers

The man nodded “Yes, the transcription must not be perfected”

Mile leaned back, and stared at the hanging lamp. “When will it start?”

“In a few minutes” The man replied

The cello continued on and the man’s face slackens. His eyes comfortably scanned the surroundings, he noted everything into his mind, from the way that highschooler talked, and how that lone man sometimes buried his face inside his hands. Then he stared at Mile, observing her. Mile however, stared blankly at the light dancing on her coffee. Her hands twitched sometimes. She then watched the surroundings and then bought her hands level to her eyes again and stared silently. Her face void of emotion, the man couldn’t read any sort of excitement nor regret, there isn’t even a hint of sorrow. I wonder how her reunion went, the man thought silently

Mile stared intently at the small twinkle on her fingertips, as the cello repeated, she played the plans over and over in her mind, yet she cannot see herself using it. ‘I’ll be alright’ she thought, but there is just something bothering her, something eats away at the edge of her consciousness. She cannot put her finger on it, maybe because it’ll vanish as soon as I touched it. Maybe I’ve known but avoided it. Then from the gaps of her finger, she saw the man staring at her. He seemed flustered being caught staring, and so averted his eyes. She drank her coffee. It’s way too sweet she thought

3

At night vibrant light filled each and every stratum, The rehearsal is held near the main pillar that connected this stratum to the higher one. Beautifully carved marble buildings, three stories high surrounded the empty concrete field around the pillar and each building shone with its own colours, completing the colour wheel. One building is higher than the other, there is a tower in front, with bells. The bell toiled, and echoed throughout the stratum. Crowds flowed and flocked onto the concrete field as the gates opened.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Mile was one of them, she bumped shoulder to shoulder with everyone and tried to push her way on one of the buildings. The crowds parted just as usual, but this time since everyone was trying to get at something, it took a really long time for her to arrive at her destination. Everybody moved to make way for someone, only to block some other people, which was trying to make way for another person. Mile felt nauseous, and she had almost puked, but she continued anyway, her eyes looked for gaps and her legs quickly reacted. She passed many kinds of people, from happy couples, grumpy adults, and lost kids. And finally, the thin damp air gradually freshened as she neared the edge of the crowds, and then finally she stepped out. She felt tired, and so, gulped the fresh air of the night, then fixed her ballroom dress.

She walked through the open door of the building and the surrounding changed into one of an ornate hallway. Her heels touched furs and each steps felt soft. Under her feet is a red carpet, the celling is high and hanging chandeliers lit the room. The room ended on a wide reception desk with three rows of waiting line. The line isn’t as long as the payphone this morning so she was relieved. She queued to the tails of one of the lines and saw the balding man from this morning standing in front of her.

The hall is wide, there is seats lined up along its length with civilians taking rest from the crowds. Securities are pretty tight, there are police everywhere, chattering on their walkie talkies and finding something to laugh about. They carried pistol and baton on their hips, and wore a very generic police suit. The queue quickly shortened and finally it was her turn.

Mile gave the receptionist a look. It was a good-looking man, but his smile creeped Mile off and ticked something within her unconscious, it was as if the receptionist has no other expressions and emotions than bliss. She gave him the invitation card, he inspected it and looked surprised that it is an invitation card. He stared at her with a perplexed expression, but smiled so wide and made Mile felt uncomfortable, his face is one of joy and then he congratulated Mile for being invited. She wondered if he reacted this way for every invitee.

The receptionist rings a bell and someone, a butler, Mile would presume, came for her. She was led upstairs, and given a nametag. Mile stared at the butler and found out that he was stealing glances at her. She felt uncomfortable, no she has felt this way since this morning. Something, I don’t know what, is wrong she thought.

The butler left her inside a huge ballroom, there are tables, flowers and seats. On the middle of the room is a huge cake. She stared up and found speakers surrounding the room, every corner and every edges. She returned her sight back, and found someone staring at her. He smiled, but something in his eyes struck her deeply. The man is Samuel, the transcriber. His eyes is filled with, she probed her heart, forgiveness? She wondered. She felt deeply disturbed, the room is filled with crowds, but the transcriber, the famed prodigy, many considered a prophet. Stared at her with such an eye.

Something, I don’t know what, is wrong. She averted her eyes and briskly walked towards tables numbered 204, the same number plastered on her tag. She took a seat and breathed in deeply. She hadn’t noticed till now, but her legs are shaking. Tracing the embroidery on the table she started to count prime numbers. Mile shuts her eyes but it didn’t work. Something invincible is moving about, creeping along the gaps of people.

She focused her minds, reminding herself to mask her ego and fears. The priest! Right, I need to find the priest. She took a deep breath, and a mask came down to her face, now an empty void filled her face, no emotions can be gleamed.

The room is filled with crowds some formed groups and laughed and some just walked around aimlessly. And as time goes on, the room is more and more tightly populated. She needs to find the priest quickly. The crowd moved and she felt something observing her. A sound of high heels tapping rhythmically could be heard. She stopped walking, stared down, its not hers. She continued, something, she thought. Then she found the source of the tapping, the sound irritated her.

Mile shook her head and continued looking for the priest. But no matter how much she looked; the priest is nowhere to be seen. The room is filling up and then, the light dimmed. The show is about to start. Mile walked briskly and felt her legs getting heavier, then she realized her legs are shaking so much that it made a two tapping sounds every time she took a step. Every time she stopped walking, there would be two taps, when she walked there would be taps between her steps. The room dimmed. Something invincible is moving about, under the desks, under her legs.

Gather and unite. Each attendee moved about the room trying to find matches and partners. The show is about to start. Rosy sensations rise and formed mist; the room is engulfed within the sweet potion of ecstasy. Cone and dance, gather and unite. Be fruitful, and love each other. Gather and unite

“Pardon me” a voice from her right.

She turned and saw that it was the priest

“Would you care for a dance?” He asked

4

Milton walked around the open fields, crowds surrounding him cheered as the band walked on stage. The roar deafened him; he has something to do. Mile is working hard inside so he has to work hard here, to repay her, and also to make sure they survive. He has to prepare the escape. He has to time a blackout, right after the first movements of the song is finished. He had memorized the layout of this place, so it should be easy. He thought, but something is weird; the first movement sounded far to different that one he could remember. Sure, the transcriber changed three years ago but since they are transcribing the same song, shouldn’t it at least follow the same structure? Milton thought about this, as he pushed his way out of the crowd.

He has considered calling Mile back, but there is no way to do so this late in the operation. Milton finally came close towards the stage and slithered between the gaps of the crowds towards a distinct building, the one with bells. It took efforts in moving a huge crowd, but they parted easily for him, they even smiled at him. In no time at all, he was outside the crowds.

The air is crisp and cold. Milton stared up at the tower, and nodded. His legs led him in and he found that the building is empty. The security card he had forged won’t be used it seemed. So, he entered and strode cautiously, his head turned side by side each step. I’m missing something important he thought. The interior is one of a church but without the chairs. On the end of the room is an altar, on which its either side is a door.

Milton took the left door and found himself inside a dark room, a screen shone brightly on one side of the wall. It showed camera feeds from every corner of the fields. But only the fields, not one of the buildings interiors is showed here. Milton found it odd, that such a room is left empty. He considered whether or not he would use it to gain access to this stratum’s central database. But decided to just leave it alone and go straight towards the main pc, it’s pretty close from here anyways. Who knows maybe the security is hardware-bound? Or maybe the system and the interface are separated, trying to access a server bound variable from a client without a specifically programmed API will be a waste of time, might be possible, but its more probable that the original programmers would already have implemented a counter for such a thing. If that’s the case, trying to request higher access level would alert the administrator.

He watched the screens and decided to check the other room. As he entered, the room is dark, and there is an iron door to the right of the entrance door. The door has no knob, he was puzzled, and tried to push the door opens did nothing. Then he walked around the room and tried to feel for a hidden button. Nothing, absolutely nothing, the room is empty, it’s a square room with two doors.

Back on the long church like hall, he stood on the podium, he knocked on the wall and found that it wasn’t hollow. Where could that door leads, he wondered.

Milton walked back towards the room with the computer and watched as the screens changed. From here, he could hear the sound of trumpets and people singing along. How could they have memorized it? He decided to put that question for later. Milton decided he was going to give it a try anyway, and trick the system side to give him access, but there is no keyboard to interact with the screen.

Milton walked back towards the empty room. He sat in the corner and stared at the door questioningly. A door without a knob and a computer without keyboard. Is this some kind of a joke?. His information is reliable, the guy he hired to do reconnaissance has been his most trusted acquaintance. They worked together for many years and that is why he trusted the information he was getting without checking it, and this small mistake is going to cost him and Mile’s life.

He held his heads in a cradle. What is he supposed to do? How could he recover from this situation? He did not know; nothing came to mind. The trumpet sang a higher note, he covered his ears tightly. His breath ragged; his mind panicked. The plan is doomed from the start, this is a trap. From whom? He did not know, was his friend involved? Or was he also led into the wrong conclusion?

Something, I don’t know what, is wrong. He thought. And after the trumpeting sound returned from its high note, the song took a melancholic turn.

Milton looked up. At the door without a knob, he stood and drummed on the door, his hands pretended there is a knob and turned it, he laughed. And then just a moment after, banged the door with his shoulder, he tried to forcibly open it. He laughed again, then he went back to one corner of the room and grabbed his hair in his hands. Calm down he thought. There must be something I could do. Something to salvage this plan. He stood back up and thought, he paced around the empty room, and the dark room watched him closely.

He thought back, way back, five and a half months ago, when he started to plan this operation. Where could he go wrong. Then his mind went back to the present. He paced around the room sometimes glancing at the door. It stood there, taunting him.

Something invincible slithered between the empty podium. Milton stared at the door blankly, his mind tried to think of a way to open it. Then his mind changed gears, then it clicked. He laughed, and a metal bat flattened his head.

5

The world became vivid. Mile could hear every breath and every heartbeat, all the previous vagueness flowed away as if a dampener has been lifted from her mind. Every touch felt so personal, and every colour calmly called for attention. She could correctly measure distance, and if given a paintbrush could probably painted a realists magnum opus. She breathed in air and filled her lungs with life.

The priest wore a white tailcoat with golden embroidery along its edges. His black moustache curled into an elegant bow, and his black hairs are slicked back. His hands, extended towards her are covered in white gloves with golden button on his wrist. Mile simply stared at his face, he waited. Then Mile retained her composure and took his hands did he knew? She asked, but nothing answered.

His grip is strong but gentle, Mile could sense that he’s an experienced dancer, and a gentleman at heart. He slowly led Mile towards the centre of the room, they slithered along the crowds, he made sure the journey is as smooth as possible and Mile never touched anyone. He navigated and slithered, no, he flowed through the crowds, and with every step he took, a pair of eyes stared at him. And then they reached the centre of the room.

The light flickered to life and shone on them. The slow and steady sound of a violin rouse itself to wakefulness. He held his right hands up in the air towards Mile and she took it. Then he circled his left arms around Mile’s hips and Mile put her right arms around his shoulder. The violin took a slow approach, it rises and fell, like a confused thief on a staircase. The Priest stepped forward and Mile stepped backwards, they rise and stood on their toes, rolling their feet forwards, it bended upright, their body embraced each other, then they took a step to the side and fell, their shoes and heels fully pressed itself against the cold marble floor. They repeated, and along with the other couples, they rotated around the floor slowly.

Then a change, a small trumpet could be heard blooming in the distance, as if a slowly breaking dawn on a cloud covered planet, the trumpet slowly overtook the violin and quickly became the main attraction, drums rhythmically kept the melodies going and bugles every so often blew along with the trumpet.

The couples danced, extended their arms, pulled, they rotated, they embraced, they gathered and united. The light rolled around, taking a life of their own sometimes following a certain couple, other times waltzed along with their fellow light. Some couple switched partners mid dance and returned to each other, they giggled and smiled. A kind intimacy is shared within the room, all of the couples, and every human being there, is related, for they possess a share of the same divine. The sound of tapping heels and steps, no longer impatient, but beautifully musical. Mile stared intently at the Priest’s eye, and he stared back.

She waited for the first movement to end, but it never did. The movement repeated indefinitely, she frowned and the Priest showed a look of mourning. He stared at her in pity, pity, that’s what it is Samuel was giving me, a look of pity. She rotated, and continued the dance.

“It’s a great loss” he said regretfully

Mile stared at him, not saying anything

He glanced around “To tell you the truth” The priest smiled, and whispered “I was hoping he would succeed”

Mile’s face twitched with surprise he? Milton? “I don’t understand”

“I suppose so” He nodded, he flicked his right hand back and loosened his left, Mile pulled her right feet back and extended both her arms. Then the priest pulled her back, and she rolled back, but continued until her back is in front of his chest, his left hand now in front of her, and then her right hand clutched his left, her arms crossed in front of her chest, and her left cheek touched his right. They continued dancing, now moving as one.

“I’ll give you a signal” he whispered

Mile was still, and she nearly tripped over his feet “… what?”

“The first movement is about to finish its third rotation” He nodded “When that happens, do what you came here to do”

What exactly is going on, Mile felt something, she felt like, something is watching. Maybe from the dark celling or maybe inside her head, something is watching. And while that something watched, nothing can be right. Something, I don’t know what, is wrong. Her minds overflowed with worry. She thought back to her mom, to her younger brother. No. she shakes off her wandering thought. We must mask our ego

He flicked and released her right hand and extended his left hand. She’s unrolled, and her hands extended, then they slowly went back and returned to their original position. They waltzed, one foot in front, one step back, left, and rotate.

The violin slowly rose again from its depth, and then the trumpet rises above and screamed. Then it fell, and took a more melancholic tone. Mile felt a tap on her hips, then their body rises, their ankles rotated and they stood on their toes.

“Now” the priest said

Mile’s hands rose above his shoulder and her finger lightly tapped a spot on his neck, she could feel it penetrated, deep. The poison it was laced in acted instantly, the priest fell and she caught his limp body in her arms. She stared at his wide shoulder and widened her eyes. The room came into a still, the trumpet still resounded far away, every pair of eyes on the room are fixated on her she couldn’t see their faces, but she knew they were staring deeply at her. Something invincible slithered between the crowds, under her legs mist formed and the room is blanketed in light. Something, everything, is wrong. She thought. It’s way too sweet.