Station 3

Zaddie's head would probably a messy place—if ever it is.  She have tons of questions but couldn't find answers.  It's tiring; until she decided to let herself not to think anymore and just watch the moving scenery after her.

Trees and mountains passed through her eyes as the express took them to Ludovia— to which was another question for her.

On their way, the express passed to something like a bridge where water was flowing underneath. She thought it might be connected to a bigger body of water. It was deep and blue.

Time passed like a blur, then Zaddie just found herself standing outside what she thought was a station and watch the express disappeared to her sight.

Tiningnan niya ang mga kasama kung saan pupunta ang mga ito. Mukhang alam nila kung saan dapat sila pumunta.  They actually looked excited with a smile on their faces.  She turned around and decided to just go with the flow to wherever her feet will bring her. But even before she left the station, a man approached her with what looks like a cardboard to his hands. She looked around and saw other men like him everywhere, approaching Wayfarers like her who just get out of the express.

"Welcome to Ludovia, ma'am!" he beamed at her. "You're so pretty!"

She blushed before giving him a small smile and thanks.

"I have a question.  If you're to asked, where would you wanna live?"

Even before she reacts, he already showed her the cardboard. Then in a snap, she saw a condominium unit that's fully furnished. It has a balcony which was decorated with plants making it appealing to the eye.

"Then, there's also this."

May ipinakita itong muli sa kaniya mula sa hawak na parang cardboard. It was a house made of rock, with a roof covered with what she thought was green grass. It has doors and windows made of glass and woods,  the outline of it painted white. Para itong sinaunang bahay pero maganda. Nakakatuwa pa ang paligid na napapaligiran rin ng mga puno at iba pang bahay na ganoon rin ang itsura.

"I like this one," she said while looking at the turf house. Even if it looks smaller than the other one, she choose it. She's always in the city. Somehow, she know what it felt like to like in a condominium. But living in a turf house would be a new experience. She always wanted to experience things she haven't before—whether it's good or not. She reasoned to herself that at least she tried and learn something.

"I knew you'll love that. May I see your flawless wrist, ma'am." Zaddie was hesitant but show him anyway. Maybe she could asked him what was the blue thing on her wrist.

"Um,  may I ask—" before she even finish speaking, he cut her words by tapping something rectangular on her wrist.

He smiled widely at her. "Thank you, ma'am! Hope to see you in the Verdant Demesne!"

"Wait—"

Then,  in an instant, he's gone. She brought her hand to her side which she used to stopped him. She wanted to sigh but couldn't.

Tumingin sa paligid si Zaddie at tiningnan ang pinupuntahan ng mga kapwa niya bago pa lang sa lugar.  Napasimangot siya. Kung hindi lang siya lutang, siguro alam din niya kung ano ang dapat gawin.  Edi hindi sana siya mukhang naliligaw.

She's walking silently, wondering where she should go. She looked to her left and right until a guy bumped to her. He suddenly held her on the shoulders to steady her on her place since she lost her balance.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded while trying to stand straight. "Can I ask something?"

Biglang dumukwang sa kaniya ang lalaki ay yumuko ng kaunti—parang may tinataguan kung saan. Palinga-linga ito sa likod niya.

"Yup," sagot nito ng hindi nakatingin sa kaniya. "Mierda! Por que me sigue?"

Shit. Bakit niya ako sinusundan?!

Zaddie's brows ceased. "Filipino ka?"

He looked at her and frowned. It's as if he forgot that someone's chasing him and just focus on her question. She watched him as his facial expression changed like something finally dawned to him. He smiled and stand straight. "Nope, British but I've been living on Spain before. I bet you just understand what I've said, right?"

She can hear his British accent. Pero hindi nawala ang kunot ng kaniyang noo. "Paano yo—I mean how?"

This world will soon make her mad. Hindi na niya mantindihan ang mga nangyayari.

"I'll explain everything later. But could you do me a favor?"

***

"Um.. " she played with her hands nervously.

"Pretty please?"

He blinked many times and pouted. She bit her lower lip. This guy really looks adorable. His curly long hair falls on his shoulders. His green eyes look very enticing, together with his cute dimples. His jawline looks so proud with its shape.

"F-fine. But please no peeking..."

"No need to be nervous. No peeking. Swear," he promised showing her his hands on the air as if he was pledging about something.

She nodded and do what she had told. They walked to the end of the station and saw a door to a small room. Above the door was the sign saying Clesen.

What he said was true.

Unlike other doors she saw on that station, this one doesn't have a lane. Well, it's  everyone's thinking to go to the nearest door. Unlike this one that's too far from where they met near the station.

When they came in front of the door, she brought her hand to the circular hole on the wall, on the left side of the door like what he told her. The door opened then he walked closely to her— Her back touching his chest. She tensed and tried to set it aside. She tell herself to calm down. Over and over again.

Relax. Just relax and everything will be okay,  Zaddie.

Sabay silang pumasok sa loob at agad namang nagsara ang pinto. Ang buong kwarto ay puno ng salamin maging sa itaas. Mayroong shower at ganoon rin ang mga liquid soap at iba pang gamit na makikita sa banyo.

Clesen was a room every Wayfarers should be before entering the real Ludovia—like what he called it. It's a room for purifying their physical spirit; and unconsciously their mind.

He knew it but didn't tell her.  But he's sure she needs it.  The way she reacted, she must have experience horrible things.

He instantly faced the door, but she didn't saw what's the point since it's still made of mirror. She looked at him through the mirror as he closed his eyes so tightly, she ended up chuckling. He opened his eyes and looked at her amused.  He felt her so tense earlier that's why he found it weird she chuckled from nowhere.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing. You're just cute." Zaddie herself didn't know why she said that. Pero nasabi niya na, hindi niya na mababawi kaya pinanindigan na lang niya.

His expression became serious as he looked at her. "I know. But please, be careful from attraction." He gave her a small smile before closing her eyes. She frowned.

With a shrug, Zaddie remove her clothes except her underwear.  She stepped under the shower and felt the cold water rushing down to her body. She glanced at him occasionally, making sure he wasn't sneaking. She knew he promised  but there's nothing wrong having the benefit of the doubt. After all, he's still a stranger for her.

She bathed, making sure all part of her body was blood-stain-free. He said blood won't let her enter Ludovia so she scrubed every inches of her skin.

"Nice body."

Her eyes widen and looked abruptly at him. There's a playful smile on his face but his eyes remained closed.

"Not funny," she commented, enough for him to hear.

"Did I make you nervous?" he laughed "Just kidding. Please make it quick."

She washed herself with the water then after, get the towel to dry herself. She walked near the corner and saw another circular hole. Ipinasok niya ang kamay saka namangha nang may isang itim na long sleeved dress ang nakita niya sa isang kahon na bigla na lang bumukas sa gilid ng salamin. Kasama nito ang isang flat shoes ganoon rin ang isang pares ng itim na shirt, pants at sneaker shoes. Kaagad siyang nagbihis at nang matapos ay kinalabit ang kasama.

"You're done?"

"Yup."

"My turn."

Ito naman ang naligo habang nasa isang sulok siya. "You knew you can always watch."

She blushed. "No thanks," she replied earning a laugh from him.

When they are done, they go out the same way they enter—standing so close to each other. But when they came out, she knew it wasn't the same station they were before. Everyone who came from the Clesen wears black. Either the dress or the black pants and shirt.

"It actually worked." he turned to looked at him.

"What?"

"I'll tell you when we get there." He gave her a reassuring smile. "C'mon, Ludovia is waiting for you."

She didn't know why she's trusting this stranger she just met. But there's something in him that makes her trust him. Like he won't do any harm. And weren't they in heaven? Because she was sure this wasn't hell. She doesn't know. She's still have a lot of questions but one thing is for sure—he can give her what she wants.

Together with other Wayfarers, they made their way to the express. They found their spot inside. She don't know but she just knew that this express is different from earlier.

She noticed that there are times that he still glances around. Like he was searching if there is someone after him. She wanted to ask him but decided against it. She doesn't want to pry.

On their way to Ludovia, Wayfarers saw the two different side of the that world. Zaddie was amazed as she saw the green land on her left. It has trees, mountains and of course the turf houses. It was a paradise with nature touch. Different shades of green. A scenery for a fresh breath.

On the other side, different creative structures almost scrape the sky. Different shade of violet coated the buildings with touched of neighboring colors and white that gives the place a bit mysterious yet futuristic look. Wayfarers watched with awe—some don't even blink while some almost open their mouth in admiration.

"Welcome to Ludovia: your afterlife space," a girl's voice said from yhe speaker.

"A paradise, wasn't it?" Brio asked.

She just nodded, her eyes glued to the spectacular sight. She heard him chuckled but didn't give a damn; She's too consumed by the view to care.

Ganoon ang nangyare buong byahe. Palinga-linga sila at hindi malaman kung saan itutuon ang tingin. Hanggang sa muling huminto ang kanilang sinasakyan.

"I'll find you later. I just need to do something."

Hindi pa siya nakakasagot ay nawala na ito sa paningin niya at naunang lumabas ng tren. Napakunot ang noo niya habang iniisip kung bakit naiiwan siya ng mga nakakasalamuha niya rito. Lumabas na lamang siya at tumingin sa bagong tanawin sa harapan.

They stopped in front of the castle. It was huge and gives the old vibe. Another thing that make the Wayfarers rooted to their places, scanning everything in front of them.

Their reverie stopped when men in white rushed into them, trying to look at everyone's face, as if looking for someone.

"Edward said he'd been in Clesen…"

"How come?"

She didn't want to hear their conversation but it's hard not to, specially they're just a step away.

"We should find him…"

"We should. He's a threat."

She goes with the flow of Wayfarers like a lost soul. Unknown where to go. She walked like there's no tomorrow, her head faces her left and right, looking at the castle from above and merchants at side. She didn't know where to go but she let her feet wander. Until she slowly past into different passages in the side of the castle. She tried to go to the main entrance of the castle but unfortunately, it was closed. And she didn't want the feeling it give her. For unknown reason, she knew that there's something wrong.

Zaddie didn't notice that she's taking a narrow passage and people around her became lesser and lesser. She stopped at her spot as she noticed the darkness ahead. She was about to turn when someone grabbed her arm and covered her mouth.

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Attached photo is what a turf house looks like.



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Hi everyone!

This one should be posted by Saturday but I'll be doing some stuff so... Here it is. Also,  I'll try weakly update, maybe on weekends.

Kung may tanong po,  please comment it para masagot ko or mailagay sa story! I'm willing to clarify things 😊

Thank you for reading!