Episode: 3

Shinny and I started to walk around the streets.

Me: “Do you know anything else about this world? Do you know the person who created it?”

Shinny: “It’s my third day in this world, so I don’t know much. But the people who have been here longer said there will be a gathering on Sundays.”

Me: “Oh. Do you know anyone I could talk to?”

Shinny: “I know a man named John. I heard he has been here for a long time, but he usually spends time alone.”

Me: “Where can we meet him?”

Shinny: “He usually travels a lot in this world. It’s rare to see him... wait, I think that’s him over there.”

Me: “Where?”

Shinny: “On the top of that building.”

She shouted his name, “John! John!” but he seemed to be wearing earphones.

Shinny: “Come, let’s go up.”

And then she started to run.

Me: “Shinny, wait!”

We reached the top floor, and she went near him and called out.

Shinny: “John.”

John: “Hey, Shinny, what are you doing here?”

Shinny turned and saw me.

Shinny: “This is Sofie. She’s new to this world and wants to know more about it.”

John: “Hi, ma’am. Good to see you.”

He gave me a small handshake.

Sofie: “Just Sofie. Good to see you. I want to know about this world.”

John: “Just relax.”

He then turned to face the eastern side. It was almost 5:30, and the sun was about to rise.

John: “It’s a beautiful place, isn’t it?”

Sofie: “So beautiful.”

I was happy watching the sunrise, and the three of us just enjoyed the view.

John: “Tomorrow, after midnight, same place. I’ll tell you more about this world.”

Then it was 6 in the morning, and I woke up in my bed. Everything felt like a dream. After my morning routine, I got out of bed. My mother and father were cooking breakfast. I felt happy to see them.

Sofie: “Mom, Dad, when did you both come home?”

Mother: “Around 1 in the morning. We checked on you, but you were sleeping soundly.”

I thought about last night.

Prisci (Aunt): “Hey, my girl! Did you miss this aunt?”

Sofie: “Prisci, you’re here! Where’s Max?”

I gave her a tight hug. Prisci is my mother’s younger sister. She lost her husband in an accident and has been traveling with her only son, Max, who has Down syndrome. After losing her husband, she started living a life for her son.

Prisci: “He’s sleeping in the guestroom. We have to travel tonight.”

Sofie: “You just got here and you’re leaving again? That’s unfair.”

Prisci: “After two months, we’ll be staying with you. I promise.”

Sofie: “I will miss Max.”

Everyone sat at the dining table for breakfast.

Sofie: “Dad, I have something to tell you.”

Father: “Yes, dear?”

Sofie: “Yesterday, I went to the park and met a 13-year-old girl named Shinny. She’s an orphan.”

I told them about Shinny’s life, and they felt so bad. My father was also an orphan. He met my mother during her part-time job at the bookstore near NYU.

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