9
When Desa opened her eyes, she saw an electric bulb glowing on the ceiling. This despite the ample daylight that came through the window on her right. She was lying on a soft bed, wrapped in a light blanket.
Slowly, she tried to take in her surroundings.
That window offered a fine view of tall buildings made from red and white brick. She knew of only one place in the world with such architecture. Somehow, she had been taken back to Aladar.
Her bed was rather small. The metal headboard and footboard suggested that she might be in a hospital. Which would make sense if she had been unconscious when she arrived in the city. The walls of her room were painted a soft, pastel green, and she noted a small vase of roses on the shelf.
Desa tried to sit up, but fatigue made her slump over. She
