“Sleepingquarters,” Tania repeated and smiled. “It’s really quite small, you know,” She startedwalking around her cottage to the other bridge, her feet tapping on the woodenplatform. On the other side, the platform connected to the neighboring platformwith another hanging bridge, only this one was made out of a row of thickwooden branches held together by a rope. On both sides of it, a mesh net ofdark green vines made an elastic but resistant fence.
Taniawas already on the other side. She turned around.
“It’ssafe, don’t worry.”
Istepped on the bridge and immediately felt a lot less comfortable than on theprevious one I had to cross. Through the gaps beneath my feet, I could see theground below. I grabbed the fence tighter.
Tanialooked down to the ground and then back at me.
“It’sabout ten meters high,” Tania said, realizing the thoughts that occupied me.
Ididn’t know what size a meter was, but ten of them looked very high.
“Lookat me, it’s easier.”
Imoved my gaze to her.
Shewas right. It was easier like that.
Imoved on and reached the next platform.
Ifollowed her across several bridges, when we finally stopped next to what was apparentlymy cottage. Tania walked to the other side and stopped next to an opening with athick hanging curtain made of leaves. She walked in and held the curtain withher hand to let me through.
Istepped in. The room was a lot darker than outside. The two narrow windows didnot allow much of the fading afternoon light into the cottage. Tania walked tothe small wooden table next to one of the windows, then picked something up andmade a short scratching sound in her hand. A flickering light appeared in frontof her.
Icame closer and peeked around her to see what was making the light.
Infront of her on the table was a small white tube, and on the top of it was a beautifulyellow-orange light.
“Acandle,” Tania said, noticing my enchanted gaze. “You’ve never seen fire?”
Ishook my head. I could not find my voice to answer her.
Taniasmiled. “It’s nice to see it’s making such an impression on you. Uni Humansstill use it on Zema4. They’re not half as thrilled about it as you are.”
“Ihave heard of it. I even downloaded some pictures of fire, but…”
“Butwhat?”
“ButI just didn’t realize it moves!”
Tanialaughed. “Oh, just wait until you see what Earth has in store for you!”
“Instore?” I was puzzled.
“Nevermind, it’s an old term. Why don’t you get comfortable? I’ll bring you someclothes so you can change. And otherwise…” Tania looked around the room. “Just makeyourself at home, okay? I’ll be right back.” She nodded and left.
Iturned to look around the small room. Although night was falling, the candlelit the room well enough for me to take it all in. Everything around me wasmade out of wood: a narrow table, two chairs, a bed, and a wardrobe.
Woodenfloors. Wooden walls. Wooden ceiling.
Itfelt warm.
Itfelt cozy.
Andit was beautiful.
Iwalked over to the bed and bent down to see what its top was made of. It hadtwo thin layers of textile on top, and below was a dense meshwork of very thinbrown threads, making the surface soft but resilient.
Taniacame back then. She placed a small bag and a leather bottle on the table.
“Ialso brought some food and water for you. You probably don’t feel hungry rightnow, but as you relax a little bit more, you’ll realize that you’re starving,”she said and smiled.
“Andhere are some clothes. I’ll put them on your bed. Tomorrow morning, I’ll takeyou to a lake pool. You can have a bath there. It’s very pleasant this time ofthe year.”
Istayed silent.
What is a pool? And what is a bath?
Iquickly checked my nanoprobes. I received the images instantly, but I did notunderstand them. It resembled nothing I have heard or done in my life. However,I didn’t let that show on my face.
Senthiensalways understand.
Senthiensalways know.
“Isthat okay with you? Are you all right being here by yourself?” Tania said warily,as if doubting that any of what she said had reached my processing centers.
“Ofcourse, Tania, I thank you.” My voice was calm, steady and confident. “I willsee you tomorrow, and we can go to a lake pool.”
Taniawaited for another moment and then smiled slightly, obviously not understandingwhat was happening behind my confident façade, but realizing that she wouldn’tmanage to find out much more tonight.
“Goodnight, Dora. Get a good rest.”
“Goodnight.”
“AndDora, before you go to bed, put the candle out.”
Iturned to the candle, then back to her. I did not understand what she meant.
Shesmiled broadly. “Blow on it to turn the fire out. All right?”
“Yes,I understand.”
Asshe left, I felt tiny pricks of panic crawling up my throat. I did notunderstand several things she had talked about.
Pool?Bath? New clothes? Why can’t I wear my skinsuit?
Ipicked up the soft, beige-colored clothes she left on the bed. I wasn’t evensure how I should put them on. They were too large and would leave too muchspace around my body.
DidTania want me to dress this way for sleeping?
Ilet them fall back onto the bed.
Sleeptimes at Senthia were spent with no clothes on at all, but as I thought oftaking off my skinsuit, I realized that the temperatures were not tightly regulatedas they were in my world. So I decided to keep the skinsuit on.
Iwalked over to the table to blow on the candle. My breath made the fire moveeven more, and the orange flickering light made beautiful shapes dance on thewalls and ceiling. When the fire finally died, the room got dark, and it almostreminded me of the complete darkness of the sleeping time in my apartment. Iwalked over to the bed and lay down on top of the double sheets with my bootsstill on as well.
Ittook me a long time to fall asleep. My mind was full of jumbled thoughts. Noneof them made any sense anymore.
Whatwas I doing here?
Whydid the Mind start making mistakes?
Whowere these people?
Wheredid they come from?
Andhow, for the Moons of Senthia, does Earth still exist?
Earthwas dead.
Itdied a long time ago. What was once a vibrant green planet became a dead, dryplace with no oxygen and all the oceans scorched. I
