CHAPTER 20: Wonders of the Future World

"So let me get this right. The only way I can get back to my own world is if I die here?" Togon asked for the umpteenth time.

"Yes, yes. Do you want me to kill you right now?" Gabe raised an eyebrow, her hand sliding across her throat in a slitting motion.

"No! No! Not yet! I'm not ready!" Togon shot up, shaking his head frantically.

"I know that. I was just kidding. Can't you take a joke?" Gabe snorted.

"Please don't scare me like that again. I don't like it," Togon frowned.

Togon and Gabe were in the sitting room of Gabe's mansion. They lounged on the soft recliner, discussing about how they were going to get Togon back and what they should do for the time being.

As Gabe continued talking about gruesome ways he could die, Togon began to get tired of listening to her and shut out her voice. His eyes swiveled around the room, taking in the state-of-the-art furniture and futuristic technology.

"Wow, I didn't know that the future world would be so cool," Togon exclaimed suddenly.

Gabe finally stopped talking about how she imagined him getting poisoned by chemicals in her school's science lab, and looked at Togon quizzically, wondering why he suddenly changed the subject.

"Everything is so sophisticated and so amazing! I just can't wait to explore this interesting world!" He continued excitedly.

Gabe smiled at Togon's amazement. This was the best opportunity to show off her house, especially to someone who did not know anything about how future technology works.

"Let me show you something," she got up and went to the wall, pressing a button.

The thick, heavy curtains that hung down from the high ceiling began to slide apart, revealing an open-air, luxurious swimming pool outside. The cool night air rushed into the room and blew onto their faces and through their hair.

"Come on," Gabe gestured Togon towards the deck chairs along the pool proudly.

"This is beautiful!" Togon gaped as he marveled at the view of the city, "Everything looks different here. Even the sky is different. Where are the stars?"

"In this light-polluted world, it can be hard to see the stars sometimes. But they are still somewhere out there." Gabe replied.

They sat there staring out, past the pool, at the bright city lights against the backdrop of the dark night sky.

Togon let his eyes soak up the view that he knew he only had this chance to enjoy. To get back to his world, he would have to die. Plus, they were not even sure if it really worked that way. Now that he knew that he was safe, the idea of going back did not seem so appealing anymore. He wanted to stay for awhile longer to explore the wonders of this world.

Just then, Max came, interrupting their quiet reverie.

"The guest room is ready. Would you like to head there to rest now?" Max asked Togon.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning. We have a lot of time, and a lot to talk about. Goodnight," Gabe waved and disappeared into her room.

Max showed Togon the way to the guest room. He opened the door to the room, which was much bigger than Togon's own bedroom back in his palace. It had a forest green and burgundy theme, with a king sized bed in the middle, deep soft armchairs, as well as a polished cherrywood library stacked high with books.

"Make yourself comfortable," Max said as he left.

Now alone in the room, Togon began to explore. The room

even had a balcony overlooking a forest, and a private bath.

"Wowww..." Togon was mesmerized by the atmosphere of the room.