(Old version) Infinite Heartbeats

V

The whole time when Linden went back she couldn't stop staring at the book. It was like she never knew she needed it but now she had it, she couldn't imagine a life without it.

"Morina...where are we going?" Linden questioned as they got out of the bookstore.

"Linden, if you paid more attention to the surroundings instead of the book you might've noticed that I told you we are heading back. To our chambers. Where we sleep! Look at the sky Linden!" She can hear the rising anger in Morina's tone. Linden complied to see the darkening sky.

Oh, that's right, Linden forgot this was a real world too. She fearfully trailed behind them, afraid to anger Morina even more, however, an important question obscured her thoughts. She she hopped over the crack on the pavement before piping up with a question, "Why do I live in your chambers Morina?"

"Because you're under my supervision. I was the one who accepted your body and brought you to the clinic so you are automatically my responsibility, until I resign that's it." She added the last one under her breath.

"Oh..." Linden murmured before staying quiet again. She decided to focus on the taps of their heels, clicking away at the concrete pavement. In a split second she was taken back to Celledine, the clear streets and the pavements which really have no dirt on it. The unpolluted air and the clear morning sky. Once in a while it might rain and the view looks like droplets of crystals showering the land.

Liden shuddered from the unprecedented memories, never did it happen before. While Linden's thought bubbled endlessly, they stopped by the globe monument that appeared after the door to the infinite labryninth faded out of sight.

Luca spun the huge sphere to find the compass and spun the needle in this particular order: East, West, South and North. The sphere disappeared and door came up again, which Luca entered. "Be careful Linden, if you mixed up the order you might be lead into another dorm."

"Wait why is ours East, West, South then North?" Linden furrowed her eyebrows, a bit in thoughts. She watched Luca enter the door and

"That's because '东西南北' (dong xi nan bei)." Morina answered dismissively, "It's the Chinese preferred order of saying the directions." She entered the door, holding it out for Linden to enter. Linden entered cautiously, tripping is the last thing she wanted to do.

The door clicked behind them after Morina gets in. "Do hurry Luca." Morina said, her voice a tone of caution. "We never know what resides here." Luca nodded and hastened his strides, going left and right along the labryninth, passing through endless of rooms. At a point even Heterge's store. They crossed over the glass floor that reflected the jewels, with the exception that it glows in the night, allowing colours to dance over them.

Linden followed behind quickly, staring at her feet until she bumped to Luca. She smelt his flowery scent and was takened aback. How does a man smell flowery? Almost like reading her mind Luca sniffed himself, "Ugh, Morina, I think I used your soap this morning."

"You just noticed?" Morina huffed incredulously. Looking up, Linden saw that the reason they stopped was because they have arrived in the front of the chambers. Linden stared at the stone arch, part of the wall and easily missed. Morina placed her palm flat against the stone and removed her hand, leaving behind a grey handprint which leaves almost at quickly as it appeared.

The stone arch crumbled and disappeared, allowing Linden to see inside. The invisible ceiling that allowed her to see the night sky, the wooden floor that felt homely as well as the light bulbs in strange-shaped wall lamps. Linden kicked off her shoes as she ran across the polished floor jumping to land on a stray beanbag. "THIS PLACE LOOKS SO NICE!" Bowls were scattered everywhere, things varying from little trinkets to hairties or maybe buttons and strings for hobbies.