35 Chapter Seven || Byar'non

If you are confused by this chapter, then please read the new auxiliary chapter which explains what happened and why this is a mis-mashed repeat of the original Prologue.

Don't read the below. :P Don't say I didn't warn you! I just cut and pasted to rearrange the order of the words. xD You can never be too careful with these sly bots! O_O

The only "released 'new' chapter" is the Prologue for today. Every day for the next 33 days will have a 'new' chapter reposted in the old, corresponding spot.

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Perhaps due to the rain, it felt like I paused by some natural force of the world instead of the light or traffic. My thoughts wandered. It was a moment of reflection, a contemplation of the world around me. I only heard myself, as if I entered another world that was somehow more serene, and clear…

The light was green. I walked straight across, but once I reached the end, I wondered why I hadn't crossed back to the other side of the road instead of waiting for a green light to continue on the same road.

It didn't really matter in terms of distance or time to catch the train, so I shrugged it off. I actually rather liked this new side of the road, this blunder wasn't so bad. I enjoyed the continued fresh perspective and soon approached the last crosswalk to the train station.

Before I reached it, I scanned the traffic on both sides. It was clear. The crosswalk light on the other side was flashing red and counting down from eight. That meant the previous wave of traffic had already passed before the traffic light turned red and the walking light turned green.

Even though I only had a few paces to the actual crosswalk lines, it seemed pointless to waste a few seconds to properly cross the street. So I walked over diagonally to the opposite side.

Six seconds.

I wouldn't beat the clock to the other side, but it didn't matter since I would arrive before the ensuing traffic.

Two seconds.

I almost felt competitive as I picked up my pace to finish before zero. I knew I still wouldn't make it; I don't know why I made this silly game on the spur of the moment.

Zero.

Suddenly, the downpour departed as swiftly as it came, and I was back to reality with only the sudden vividness of the world to remind me of the fleeting rain.

Can you escape from this mundane cycle?

wish | wiSH |

noun

a desire or hope for something to happen

- an expression of a desire or hope for something to happen, typically in the form of a request or instruction

- an invocation or recitation of a hope or desire

- an expression of a desire for someone's success or good fortune

- a thing or event that is or has been desired; an object of desire

dream | drēm |

noun

a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep

- a state of mind in which someone is or seems to be unaware of their immediate surroundings

- a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal

- an unrealistic or self-deluding fantasy

- a person or thing perceived as wonderful or perfect

I had just missed the bus after class to catch the earliest train home. So in choosing to walk, I had to take a slight detour halfway through my usual route because of a new building being constructed. I only needed to cross over the four lanes to the other side and then return over again to reach the station.

I arrived at the block of the building being constructed. A few meters before the crosswalk, metal side bars with lumber planks as roofing provided a somewhat sheltered walkway. Instead of walking through it, I walked on top of the sidewalk curb around it to the crosswalk.

It was a red light, and I waited for it to turn green or for a good break in the passing cars. I was a bit worried that I'd get splashed by standing too close to the road, so I took a step back and stuck my head out to watch the traffic.

The walking light was still red, but the next wave of cars were stopped at an earlier traffic light. The opposite side was clear too, so I scurried across the lanes before more cars arrived. I knew I would make it, but I still breathed an inward sigh of relief when I reached the other side.

Although I had seen the other side of the street every day, the unfamiliar walk was a little thrilling, like I was exploring a new part of the city. I reveled in the fresh perspective and soon reached the end of the block. The walking light was red, and the cars kept coming this time.

Dreams of the imagination are quite rare. Even if the dream becomes reality, the reality never quite matches the imagination.

Between wishes and dreams coming true, which would you choose? Wishes of fame, fortune, love…

Dreams often encompass wishes. Together, wishes create the dream of a better reality, better future.

However, my dream does not hold any wishes, for this world could never grant them. Thus, I dream of another world.

Falling apart.

Coming together.

A violent ordeal.

A natural process.

From one world to another, you cease to exist, then begin to exist.

Is this rebirth? A restart?

No.

It's simply the beginning of my living.

... I guess I should say that line about dreams coming true from some princess movie, but I won't. ...Because I never wished for this, I only wanted to live.

I love rainy days.

Even though it was late at night, and I was walking to the train station from campus, the sudden spring rain didn't bother me under my black and white umbrella.

Despite the glares of the vehicles and downtown lights bouncing off the rain and slick streets, and the whizzing and honking of passing and distant traffic, whenever it rained, it felt like the world became still. I could only hear the sound of the rain pattering, echoing as it spilled onto surfaces. All other sounds were thrums in a far off distance, and the sounds I made seem to be amplified.