Monocle

Kai strolled along the bustling street, his steps deliberate and his eyes alive with curiosity.

The city's energy buzzed around him, but his attention was solely fixated on the world that unfolded before his inquisitive gaze.

Suddenly a bipedal zebra came and said "Good Morning" to him with a happy smile on his face.

Kai also replied "Good Morning Harvey" unfazed by this strange occurrence.

"How are you?" Kai added.

"Oh, I am fine other than the constant beatings from my wife!" Harvey said, sarcasm laced in his voice.

"Then you should stop fooling around, anyways I will go now," Kai said with a half smile.

Harvey looked at Kai aggrievedly and said:

"I do not! why is that nobody believes me?"

Kai scoffed at Harvey and continued moving on.

He looked at the sky, and he was enchanted by a breathtaking display of an Aurora with a mesmerizing array of colours.

It was as if an artist's brush had been set free upon the celestial canvas, creating a symphony of hues that dance and mingle with one another.

At first glance, vibrant streaks of deep violet began to emerge, gracefully stretching across the expanse of the sky.

They intertwine with ethereal shades of indigo, azure, and emerald green, creating a sense of mystery and wonder. These celestial brushstrokes form the foundation of the mesmerizing spectacle, casting a soothing aura over the landscape below.

Swirls of golden yellow and fiery orange emerge from the celestial tapestry, adding a touch of warmth and radiance to the ethereal scene.

Kai shook his head to get out of the breathtaking view of the sky and started going forward.

...And then all the colours started fading with black spreading inside of them like a plague.

Numerous people were walking on the street, some had three eyes and short stature, while some sported an elongated neck like an ostrich.

Different species of 'Sentient' Animals and Aliens lived here were going on about their life.

And everyone said good morning to Kai, what stood out to him was a talking panda, a bipedal alien made up of teal-coloured crystals, and a mysterious jester.

Abruptly he moved his head and looked at a cat, the cat greeted him and when he was just about to move his head, the cat stood up and stretched its paw behind its back and took out a monocle.

The cat adjusted the monocle on its face, nodded its head and moved on.

Kai's face froze his expression one of disbelief.

"What! No! 'He' can't be here, this is not 'his' world!?"

He looked all around him and everyone was wearing monocles with a half-smile placed on their face.

Everyone started chanting sonorously with extra vigour.

"The.....hand....tampers with....."

Kai started losing balance and fell to the ground butt first.

With his hearing gradually waning.

"The....that.....across...."

His sight gradually darkening.

"The....."

But the chants did not stop.

*Caw!*

He moved his head above with difficulty towards the sky and saw a black raven looking down at the chaos unfolding with an indifferent gaze.

And then there was none and everything was black.

***

The room was shrouded in darkness, with only a faint glimmer of moonlight seeping through the half-closed curtains. A figure lay still on the bed, covered in a thin layer of perspiration, tangled in the remnants of a tormenting nightmare.

As the clock ticked away the early hours of the morning, Kai's breathing became erratic, filled with remnants of fear and unease.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, wide with a mixture of confusion and terror. The room felt oppressive, suffocating even. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, leaving a damp trail against his clammy skin. The sheets clung to his body, his grip on reality slowly tightening.

Gasping for air, Kai struggled to separate the fragments of the nightmare from the waking world. The lingering echoes of ominous 'people' wearing monocles while sporting a half smile refusing to fade away.

The remnants of the dream felt so vivid, so tangible, that it took a moment for him to realize he was back in his own room, safe from the horrors of the monocle man.

Trembling, Kai reached out a trembling hand and fumbled for the bedside lamp, desperate to flood the room with light and dispel the lingering shadows of his nightmare.

As the soft glow illuminated the room, his racing heartbeat gradually slowed, grounding him in his surroundings.

"I guess it was a bad idea to memorise the novel's lore!" Kai lampooned.

Taking deep, deliberate breaths, he attempted to shake off the lingering fear, reminding himself that it was merely a dream.

The nightmare, although terrifying, held no power over them now that they were awake. Slowly, the fog of panic began to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of relief.

With his senses gradually returning to normal, Kai shifted in bed, casting his gaze around the room, searching for familiar objects and reassuring signs of reality.

The pictures on the wall, the gentle hum of the air conditioning, the comforting weight of the blankets — all served as gentle reminders that he was in his own space, a haven from the terror that had plagued his unconscious mind.

"I guess the room they provided isn't so bad after all" Kai said as he examined the room.

The small room was cozy and efficiently designed, perfect for someone seeking a comfortable and functional space.

As he stood up from the bed, Kai noticed a study table positioned near the window, allowing natural light to illuminate the room during the day.

The study table was made of sturdy wood and featured a smooth surface, ideal for working or studying. A comfortable chair accompanied the study table, providing a suitable spot to sit and focus.

"What is its use if we only come here to sleep!" He scoffed at the useless table and moved his gaze.

Adjacent to the study table, there is a bathroom tucked into the corner. It is compact yet equipped with all the necessary fixtures.

"Atlas turn on the lights" Kai announced as he stepped towards the bathroom to freshen up.

"Certainly, Sir," A male synthetic voice said when suddenly someone knocked on the door.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Hmm?" Kai glanced towards the door confused and uncertain about the untimely visitor.

"Atlas, what is the time right now?" Kai said as he put on gloves on his hand.

"4:55 in the morning, Sir"

Kai paused for a moment, trying to make sense of the early morning visitor. It was an unusual hour for someone to be knocking on his door. Curiosity piqued, he walked towards the door and peered through the peephole.

On the other side stood an old man dressed in a crisp suit, his posture rigid and professional. In his hands, he held a mahogany walking cane, its polished surface reflecting years of use.

Kai noticed a slight smile playing on his lips—a gentle reassurance and an invitation to engage in conversation.

"Now, where have I seen him...?, Ah yes! He was the man who gave us the 'speech'

Remembering the man, Kai reached his hand towards the doorknob and after a green flash the door opened.

Professor Aiden outside greeted him with a polite smile and extended his hand to him.

"Ah! Good Morning Professor Aiden, what a nice surprise it is to have you in my..." Kai looked back at the messy room and said:

"...Humble abode"

The professor looked at him with a polite smile and responded:

"Good Morning Kai, sorry to intrude in your personal time"

After that brief exchange no one said anything for a moment.

...And then an awkward exchange followed as Kai broke the silence with a hesitant remark.

"Please, come in..."

"Ah, I was waiting for you to invite me..."

"Oh, this is a first for me so I kinda forgot to invite you..."

"No problem..."

'Damn it, this is so awkward!' Kai thought inwardly while getting aside to let the professor in the room.