Chapter 2 – The City Of Neon [Part 2]

  – We don't know why we are in this place... we just want to go back. We're looking for a way out, a way to return to our world. – I say to the animal. I have no idea if it will attack us or not, I must stay alert, I may be old, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. – We would like to know where the exit from this place is. – I say, hardening my expression, trying to intimidate it.

  – I see, you haven't met the emperor yet... – The creature looks at us with disgust. It's obvious that our presence bothers him. – It's very rare for someone to find their way to the city without having an audience with the emperor, without having made a pact... – The animal turns away. We all watch the pig move towards the big yellow gate, saying. – Humans, the exit you seek is beyond the abyss. A guide will take you there, he is in the center of the city; In the Crimson Heart. – The animal presses the circular symbols on gate, in a specific order. A click can be heard, soon after, the gate slowly opens, revealing the interior of the mysterious city.

  – We appreciate it. – I say as I continue into the city.

  – Thank you... Sir. – Says Laura, pausing her speech. It's clear that the girl is extremely frightened by the situation we are in.

  – Tha...nk you… – says Henrique, it is noticeable that he is terrified, besides stuttering, he also shakes uncontrollably.

  --*--

  We're inside the city, thanks to the old man we managed to get past that animal.

  The golden gate closes and I don't even notice, I can only look at the city. Its interior, like the rest of the structures we've seen, appears to be made of light. Its architecture is strange, no, it's impossible, the way the buildings and structures were erected defies the laws of physics, they shouldn't be standing, their shapes are infinitely variable, only the material that makes them up is a constant in their structure, the rest seems to be something from a dream, no, a nightmare.

  I observe the city for a few moments, and I notice that others are doing the same, until an extremely important question arises in my mind. Quickly, I address the old man.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  – Mr. Jo?o... how are we going to find the center of this city? – I asked. There was no way of knowing the way, and I preferred not to interact with these strange animals anymore. – Laura, did that... being... give us specific directions? – The girl and the old man don't say anything, they just reflect on how we should proceed. After a few seconds of thinking, Laura replies.

  – Let's just keep moving, after all, that's all we can do. Right? – says the girl, looking for some kind of confirmation.

  – I don't know if this plan will work... – I say, because we couldn't simply follow a random path.

  – Henrique, we can't stand still, and I think I've had enough of talking to these animals. If you want to ask for directions, feel free to do so. Laura and I will go and find this Heart. – Says the old man, as he and the girl start walking. Damn it! I have no choice!

  – Hold on! – I shout, running towards them. Unfortunately, we must travel this possibly dangerous place blindly.

  We just keep walking. Our path doesn't make any sense, like in a Maurits Cornelis painting, if we walk forward we end up on a street to the left, if we go up a ravine we arrive at the bottom of it. Directions no longer mean anything. Unfortunately, we're lost.

  Occasionally, we see one animal or another, but I've noticed that an alarming number of pigs have started to gather. Eventually the animals look in our direction, their gaze conveying resentment, a mixture of surprise and hatred. Fortunately, they do nothing but stare. Trying to avoid a conflict, I look away and ignore them, the others act in the same way. Jo?o is leading this endeavor, it's clear that he's following the animals, it makes sense, the best way to get somewhere is to follow the inhabitants of this damned town. The girl and I remain behind the man. As far as I know, he used to be a boxer, so he's the only one who can do anything if these animals decide to attack.

  We've been walking for a long time. The small group of animals has now become a crowd, a cluster of countless pigs.

  A red light shines faintly over the crowd. When I look in the direction from which the illumination originates, I see a small dot shining brightly on the horizon.

  At last these animals have reached their destination. Thousands of pigs surround a heart, which, like the rest of this city, is made of light, the most intense light I've seen since I arrived here. The heart floats through the space between the streets and houses, illuminating its surroundings in blood red. I believe we've found the center of this city, I'm sure this is the Crimson Heart.