[... the broadcast continues; so far, nowhere in the world has there been even a single returnee from the towers...]
[... Due to the high risk posed by the towers, Antarctica and Europe have denied participation in the invasion of the towers. They refused to sacrifice their people without certainty of what happens once inside them…]
[... According to our president, at this moment we need to contain our curiosity and wait for other nations to release their discoveries…]
"A sensible decision," I said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "That place reeks of death."
Mai nodded beside me.
"Sure… But…" Mai looked away, somewhat shy. "Aren't you curious? About what's inside?"
"..."
I listened in silence.
"I mean… it's the first fantastical thing to happen in the history of humanity. It's magical, no matter how you look at it."
Sigh
"Curiosity killed the cat, Mai," I said, slightly disappointed. "Here we have safety. There are no dangers or uncertainties. There is civility. In there…"
Gulp
Mai swallowed hard.
"It's beyond the limits. It'll be like the jungle—no one will save or protect you. In fact, everyone will be like animals, just as they always were deep down. Because that's what happens when we're outside society."
"Don't you think you're exaggerating?" she asked, somewhat uneasy. "I mean… it doesn't have to be like that, right?"
I laughed mockingly at her.
"It certainly would be," I said, looking straight into her eyes. "You don't know humanity the way I do. You don't know the wolf that lives beneath their skin, nor the cold, calculating owl that resides in their head."
I laughed even more.
"It takes very little to see the true human face—trust me."
I said this with my eyes fixed on Mai's reflection.
"Again, that's an exaggeration," she said, turning her head to the side and muttering.
Sigh
"I think I spoiled you too much," I said, not at all surprised by her attitude. "I just hope you don't discover the truth at a bad time."
Beep
I turned off the TV and walked to my side of the bed.
However, I stopped beside her, my eyes staring at nothing while an unpleasant sensation—like the buzzing of a fly—assaulted me.
I clenched my teeth.
"Mai," I said suddenly, drawing her attention. "People are bad, and they do bad things all the time. Sometimes out of love, sometimes out of necessity."
I looked deep into her eyes. I didn't know why I was saying this, but I knew I had to.
"So forgive. Forgive those who hurt you. Forgive yourself for the terrible things you've already done. But never—ever—hesitate to do them again."
"Hypocrisy is the only thing that will keep you alive."
Mai looked at me with wide, confused eyes, but I offered no explanations. I simply pulled the blanket and lay down calmly.
"Sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day."
I closed my eyes as she lay down beside me and did the same.
…
Then I opened my eyes, behind a solitary tree in a plain. Yuri was scribbling on the ground with a stick, murmuring to himself.
Tap Tap Tap
I approached him and gently touched his shoulder.
"Why did you call me this time?" I said, as his body jolted.
He turned and stared at me with his mouth open and eyes wide.
"Well? Why do you summon me?" I said impatiently.
Cough, cough
Yuri turned again and invited me to sit with him.
"I've been wanting to call you for some time," he said, grabbing a book and showing it to me. "I'm still trying to understand you all."
Sigh
"Understand us?" I asked warily.
"Yes. I want to understand something." he said, nodding. "No one has entered the tower yet, and I'm already tearing my hair out, not knowing what to do."
I laughed mockingly.
"No one enters because it's dangerous," I said bluntly. "The government doesn't allow it either, and the message is very vague about what to expect from there—what the hell is awakening, anyway?"
Yuri brought a hand to his chin, pondering for a long time.
"Ah yes, that was my mistake," he said, understanding my words. "You don't know what awakening is, so you don't understand the magnitude of the offer."
Yuri then looked me straight in the eyes.
"Have you ever, in your life, felt like you're just another face in the crowd? That if you died tomorrow, no one would miss you?"
His voice was far too serious for his relaxed demeanor.
"Or perhaps you felt you didn't fit into that mold. You feel that this society forces you to be someone you are not and never will be."
"And what if I told you that all of this is because, in truth, your talents are dormant—talents no one could ignore, talents that could turn the world upside down, talents that would turn even the most miserable human being into a king in a single day?"
"You would be loved by the world and crowned by the people."
"You would be truly unique."
"What I offer is not awakening—it is everything. Absolutely everything this world has to offer. Love and genuine friendships, endless riches, powers beyond imagination."
"No matter your desire, it will be fulfilled. All you need to do is take my hand."
He extended his hand toward me with a bold smile.
"I know you're tired of this world," he said. "That's because you were made for this one."
"So accept the call."
I stared at his hand in silence, then smiled mockingly.
"I'm not a fool," I laughed at his attitude. "It doesn't matter how sweet the words are if you have a brain to see the truth. But it was a good speech—you could convince a lot of people."
Sigh
"Oh, really?" Yuri said, downcast. "But is that enough?"
"No, it isn't," I said. "There's still the government stopping anyone from entering, and many will still reject the speech… but for that—"
"Stop," Yuri said with a serious expression. "You've already said too much. You've already helped too much." Sweat ran down his forehead.
"But what are you?" He looked me up and down, confused. "Why can't I be sure?"
I laughed, amused.
"You shouldn't have called me if you didn't want to talk to me," I said, turning my back on him. "Anyway... this dream world somehow clears my mind, and when I'm near the tower, it's the same."
"Somehow, I know that some things are inevitable." I looked up at the sky above me. "When I wake up, I'll be the first to enter the tower consciously."
"So... wait for me, Yuri." I looked back, and he waved at me.
"I will... thank you for the conversation," he said. "I already know how to proceed."
I laughed, closing my eyes.
BZZ BZZ BZZ
Then I open my eyes, knowing that the world has changed once more.
My cell phone wouldn't stop vibrating.
Mai wasn't beside me.