The Royal Flame

The Concrete Jungle

Tumbling through space I feel myself land, on water once again. This time it is not swallowing me up in its nothingness. Instead the moment I dive in, my body is lifted until I am dropped again, landing on a hard surface. It feels as if I walked into a brick wall.

“Miss? Are you all right?” Somebody lifts me up by my armpit. Taking some burden of the person that is trying to help me, with my hands on the ground I push myself off the ground. Off the square tiled street floor. A middle aged woman with long straight silky black hair assists me up. Brushing dirt off my skirt and top carefully as I stand soaked before her.

“You look beautiful in these clothes. Are you on your way to a convention?” She asks in wonder. Confused by the sudden change in scenery I nod. Taking the surrounding up, I find myself in the midst of a crowded modern city. Towering apartments pressure the small streets filled with people. Small lines of green with here and there a tree poking out of the modern jungle of concrete, in line with the lines for the double decker trams that drive by.

The woman silently leaves me behind in a crowd of people who pass me by. Unbothered by my strange clothes, umbrella’s poke me in my shoulders and brush against my wet hair. Rain mixed with sweat further sticks the various strands of my own hair to my face and neck. Slowly I walk over to the only immediate cover I can find. An overhanging structure of an apartment complex offers shelter for all passersby from the rain droplets. Sheltered form the rain does not make me feel much better as the moist in the air makes my own skin stick to any other surface.

Along the covered road window displays of various shops on the ground floor of the apartment complex, are all lightened in bright colors. One shop which has its windows open, releases warm steam from the inside of the shop as they prepare soft dumplings. On the furthest corner a small kiosk sells various knickknacks. Walking over I plant my face against their window. Which shows a full display of hanging objects, drinks, gum, souvenirs and papers. One of the display stands has a collection of magnets in various shapes and sizes. Skylines, ships and rectangles stating “I love HK”.

*HK* H… K….

*HONG KONG?!*

With my hands against the window I search through the kiosk collection again for a newspaper. Most of the papers laid out are in a language I am unfamiliar with, however the date is clearly visible. The 15th of June 2028.

My eyes widen as I shrink to the ground. Hong Kong 2028, how is that even possible. Neither is my time with Klyn not Eresa explainable. However never did I expect to end up in Hong Kong. Nor, on top of that, in the future! Or is this another universe where there exists a nation called Hong Kong? Rising back up the kiosk owner looks with concern through the window at me. Apologetically I bow slightly at him.

In the slight reflection of the window I spot the big sign of the Presidential Moon Hotel. As quick as my feet can carry me I make my way across to the entrance of the hotel. There is only one way to find out if I am in the same universe that I came from. Only one thing would not change in a world that is ever changing. The presence of Nick.

With quick strolls I make my way to the entrance of the Presidential Moon Hotel. Holding my skirts up I take the few steps of the stairs that lead to a rotating door with golden metal pipes to push. The glass doors reveal my own drenched face, with my own brown hazel eyes. Somehow delighted, while I did not expect them to be suddenly purple. You never know after all this. Pushing myself in I am welcomed by a large lobby made fully out of marble, with gold finishes. Enormous palm plants flourish out of their white marble pots, marking entrances and embellishing every corner. A sleek check-in desk with no guests waiting, I couldn’t have asked for more.

“Hello mam’ with what can I help you today?” A fully black dressed gentleman stands behind the desk.

“Would you so kindly let me use your phone?”

“I am happy to inform you that the phone in your room can also be used to call any outside number and not only the hotel services.” Of course. Great.

“This might sound weird. I am not a guest yet, but I can change that with one phone call so if you would…” A glance over the desk shows me, the check-in desks phone is right in front of him. Either intrigued or disgusted, hard to tell, the hotel worker hands me over the phone. With a thankful short smile I start dialing the only number I know by heart and which wouldn’t have changed throughout all the years, Nick’s family home.

It rings a couple of times before someone picks up.

“Hello?” Using up all the luck I have, the familiar voice of Nick moves through the ear piece of the phone.

“Hi” Automatically I reply with my usual casual greeting. Silence continues. I didn’t think about what to say. Should I say it is me? Would that be weird? For me it was just 2 weeks ago that we were together sailing on Catherine but for him it has been years.

“Ari?” His unsureness can be felt through the phone.

“Hey. Yes, it’s me.” A warmth spreads through me as he remembers me from the sound of my voice. In the background through the phone I can hear some shuffling around.

“What, where were you? What happened? I just can’t believe it is you after so long.”

“Even I don’t know, somewhere far away. It took me some time to get here.

“You bloody did take your time” His laugh through the phone brings a genuine smile on my face. Bringing me inner peace that I had not felt for a while. He is here, I am back. My body and soul feel finally safe.

“10 years huh. Yet I do look and feel the same.” I literally do. Remembering my own reflection, I did not look much older. With 10 years passing by I would have expected myself to show at least some signs of aging.

“I bet you do. We can’t change that much within a decade. My soul is still the same as of a child and you won’t hear me admit that often, so cherish this moment.” I definitely do cherish this moment.

A deep attention seeking cough of the hotel worker reminds me where I am, Hong Kong. Literally on the other side of the world, a world between me and home.

“So listen Nick, I have a favor to ask. I don’t know how but I ended up in Hong Kong. I will explain all and call you right back but they won’t let me call much longer.”

“Who won’t let you?”

“The hotel staff. I don’t have any money on me, I have literally nothing on me. Could you possibly book a room for me here? Then I can call you back immediately from that room. The hotel is named the Presidential Moon Hotel.”

“Sure give me a sec and hand me over to their staff.” Nobody else would be crazy enough to actually do this. But it’s a different story with Nick. Even after all these years, or will he tell them I am crazy or something. Now I am starting to gain doubts. Without any words the man walks around with the phone against his ear. Not being able to intercept anything that is being said, by doubts grow with the minute. Am I being stalled for a medical crazy center to pick me up? Taking deep breaths I try to relax myself. I am no longer in a different world with crazy dog people who think they can claim people at any time as their property nor am I surrounded by a woman that can make everything that is located within this room move. Not to forget Mer, she could plant any thought into me. Or did she? Did I just wake up from some weird experiment? Am I the experiment? Was I in a comma whereby they were toying with my brain to believe I was in a different world and experiencing all these weird things? Am I now released into the world again to see how a human would behave or react after being brought back into society with nothing after a decade? At least they could have given me a bit of pocket money. Frantically I keep looking around, to the entrance door and through the windows along the lobby that show the busy streets.

Another cough of attention brings me back to the man.

“Your room is ready. 807, if here on your left you take the elevator to the 8th floor you will find your room on your right side. Please enjoy your stay and let us know at any time of any necessities or inquires.” A small bow of the staff indicates I am free to go. Still in shock by my own thoughts and paranoia, I quietly slide the key card of the check-in desk. With the card deeply pressed in my hand palm I walk towards the dark stone elevators.

Thankfully it doesn’t take long before I open the door to room 807, to be welcomed by a view of a cloudy skyline and the softest bed I could ever desire. Putting the key card in its holder, with heavy and stiff steps I walk up to the white cloudy blankets waiting for me. The door falls back in its lock behind me. Softly sitting down, I let myself fall back on the thick blankets. Still wet, I shiver. Not caring how I will sleep later with wet blankets I roll myself as a burrito into the blankets. Finally letting my body to relax.