𝟏.𝟒: Laos' door
Cassie's Perspective
𝐓he abrupt contrast from gaping darkness to fluorescent light had me squinting my eyes, the intensity flooding my vision with dancing black dots.
After my eyes had adjusted to the brightness, I gingerly peeled them open, surveying the peculiar expanse before me.
Now, I would have been astonished at my find if I hadn't already been anticipating the extraordinary. After all, this place was anything but the world I grew up in.
Oddly, at that moment, I felt like a child—a curious child observing the real world for the first time.
My pupils drank in my surroundings greedily, as I was so afraid that one blink would make it all fade away.
From what I could tell, I was in a garden, but I had never seen anything quite like it before.
My god, the sky was simply stunning. It seemed to stretch on forever, and its color was a whole different puzzle: fuchsia pink painted with the fluffy yellows of huge mushroom clouds.
They looked so close, like I could almost graze them with my fingertips—yet, hopelessly out of reach.
A sudden breeze snapped my head to the side, my attention stirring to the rest of the garden.
Every direction I turned, a cosmos of colors gleamed. Trees, bushes, flowers, grass, even leaf-shaped ponds—all glistened like rainbow-tinted polished gems.
I didn't need a mirror to know that there were stars in my eyes.
But soon enough, my brain—if I still had one—felt heavy, saturated. Like what I was seeing was just too much.
At that moment, I could understand why certain things remained in the realm of dreams, never reality.
People like me wouldn't be able to comprehend such paradoxes in real time, no matter our intelligence.
I shuddered but managed a step deeper into the fever dream garden. Immediately, the glowing door behind me shut with a soft click and rolled up like a scroll, vanishing before my stunned eyes.
I gasped, horrified.
W-wait! What do you think you are doing?
I scolded the empty air, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. My fingers balled into trembling fists.
Hey, Mister! I know damn well that you can hear me! Stop messing around and return the door, okay? Don't tell me you plan on keeping me here forever! I wasn't the most religious person when I was alive, but even I can tell that this isn't heaven. You tricked me, didn't you? Hey, are you even listening to me? Let me out of he—
The words caught in my throat when I heard that same taunting laughter echo around me.
In this eerie place, it sounded even more bone-chilling than I remembered. Just like before, I couldn't pinpoint exactly where it was coming from.
My agitation mounted, and so did my restlessness.
How long are you going to be entertained by this stale game of hide and seek? Show yourself now!
Following my outburst, the air went deathly still, and I gulped, the hairs at the back of my neck standing. I held my breath as the mysterious entity spoke again.
⪻ Now, little one, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm afraid you can't go back. No one goes back after crossing the Door of Laos. ⪼
Despite my growing dread, I willed my voice to be strong as I asked,
Door of Laos...? Could you be referring to the glowing white door that just up and disappeared?
⪻ You're a bright one, aren't you? ⪼
I hissed at the furtive tone in its voice. More importantly, I gritted out, You fooled me! You never said anything about me being unable to return when you encouraged me to open the door!
Self-preservation instincts out the window, I chided the mysterious being that was undoubtedly getting on my nerves.
Right then, I didn't care how terrifying this entity was or what it could do to me.
I was in this predicament only because it said, and I quote, "See for yourself." It gave me no prior warning or condition!
⪻ Tsk. I see no point in us dwelling on the things of the past since there's only one way from here and it's forward. Come along now, for the Great Interchange is fast approaching, and we can't have you missing your ride. ⪼
Missing my ride? Great Interchange? Why was this person being so cryptic?
Curiosity burned hotter inside me so I took a steady breath.
I'm sorry, but I don't quite follow. This 'ride' you speak of, where is it going? Does it have anything to do with the Great Interchange you mentioned? And what does all of that have to do with me?
A sudden breeze nipped at the exposed skin of my arms, cold bites rousing goosebumps.
It was then I realized something crucial: what had I been wearing this entire time? I couldn't believe such an important bit had completely evaded my mind.
Dreading the worst, I peered down at my torso and sighed in relief. I had feared that I was clad in nothing but my birthday suit, but to my respite, I was wearing a silk white dress.
It was a little too thin and revealing for my taste, but I had bigger problems on my plate.
⪻ Well, well. I must say I'm impressed. You have asked all the crucial questions. Not that I expected any less, considering your background. Before I give you the answers you desire, I have one quick question of my own for you. Shall I? ⪼
I nodded, seeing no reason to oppose his request. He would ask just one question, and then he'd have to answer all of mine. It was a safe bargain.
I'm listening.
⪻ This might seem a little out of context on a first thought but. . . Do you enjoy running? ⪼
. . . What?