The theater floor cracked open, revealing the sky beneath. The audience drifted apart, floating away—including Brian and Dan—yet they continued watching the performance as if nothing were unusual. Adeline herself floated into the vast heavens.
White and black piano keys descended from above, forming a staircase. Rising from her seat, she stepped onto the notes one by one, gazing at the sun as it poured golden light. Sunflowers above resonated with rapid piano rhythms, echoing in her ears. She quickened her pace, climbing in time with the music. Finally, the staircase launched her upward, soaring above the clouds, nearly touching the sun.
"It's… beautiful," she whispered dreamily, her body bathed in sunlight.
But then—the man appeared again. He tilted his head with a sly expression, then suddenly let go, releasing her to fall.
"Hey! Wait!" Adeline cried, reaching out. He stared down as the sun absorbed the warmth from his body, pulling it back into its blaze. Wind whipped across her face, jolting her awake—back in her theater seat. The pounding of drums thundered from the stage.
Everything was normal again. She glanced around: Brian and Dan were whispering as usual, the performance continuing toward its finale. Adeline placed her hands neatly on her lap, regaining composure.
Brian leaned toward Dan, whispering, until the show ended at four o'clock. The audience filed out. Outside, Dan pulled Brian aside.
"She doesn't look satisfied yet," Dan said.
"What do you mean? She was daydreaming in there," Brian replied, puzzled.
"No, I mean take her somewhere fun—like an amusement park."
Brian scratched his chin. "There's one here?"
"Of course! Fourteen miles east. Come on, this city isn't that old-fashioned. Trust me, Brian—if you win her heart, you could ask her for anything."
"I'm not a beggar, Dan. I just want a new life, earn money, start fresh. I don't want to cling to her mansion lifestyle. She's a company head, high profile—that's her world, not mine."
"You'll never heal if you're alone. I can tell she likes you. Be a man! Find someone to anchor your heart. Your PTSD might be gone."
Brian looked around, spotting Adeline waiting alone by the roadside.
"Damn it, coward. Not even offering to walk her home?" Dan pressed.
Brian sighed. "Whatever." He turned and walked toward her.
"Yes! That's it!" Dan cheered quietly, leaving them alone.
The man walked up to the elegant young woman, stopping in front of her. He rehearsed words in his head, fighting the pressure of voices and tram sounds around them.
"Ahem… Miss Adeline," Brian said calmly. She turned, her eyes red, glistening in the sunlight.
"Oh! You're still here, Bri?" she exclaimed.
"You look a little down. Not satisfied yet?"
"Maybe I am… Tales City, you mean? What's there?"
"My friend said there's an amusement park. I didn't know."
"There is—Tales City. Unlike Santa Monica. Because here…"
"No beach." They said it together, laughing.
"Oops!"
"Well, I was thinking of going… maybe just walking around. Could you take me? My car's GPS froze."
She stood silently, processing. Brian's heart pounded harder the longer she paused.
Finally: "Alright. I wanted to see it again anyway. Last time was seven years ago." She smiled.
Brian exhaled in relief. "Phew. If you don't mind, then…" He led her to the car. Blue and purple light shimmered behind him. A whisper echoed in his ear:
"Brave soldier… I'll tear your heart out!"
Brian froze, hand on the car door.
"Running off with a pretty girl, forgetting the blood we marked you with?" The light pulsed behind him.
Step, step, step. Familiar footsteps made sweat drip down his forehead. Cold metallic fingers gripped his arm tightly.
"Bri, Bri," Adeline called, snapping him out of it. "What are you staring at? Is this place haunted?"
"Guess… I'm just spooked, ha-ha," he smiled nervously. They climbed into the car, wheels rolling onto the main road.
"Drive straight through two red lights, then past the state hospital—you'll see the sign. Not far," Adeline directed. She gazed out the window at city lights replacing the fading sun. Brian followed the route until the amusement park sign appeared. Ahead stood a towering blue-and-white Ferris wheel.
"There it is—Tales City! Last time I came, they didn't even have a Ferris wheel. Amazing," she said, eyes wide with excitement.
They parked at the small amusement park, filled with odd rides—like a giant octopus tossing balls with people inside. But of course, no amusement park is complete without a Ferris wheel. Together, they walked toward the grand entrance, its sign glowing magnificently.
"Welcome to Tales City!" A squirrel mascot in a baseball uniform, number 13, raised a golden baseball in triumph.
"Honestly, the last time I came to an amusement park was… twenty years ago," Brian admitted, scanning the rides he hadn't seen in ages.
"I don't come here often either. Just to watch kids having fun. I've never really played myself. Adults don't usually want to ride like children, right?" Adeline stroked her wrist, though Brian could tell her heart felt the opposite of what she said.
"Heh. I used to ride the carousel and the Viking ship that spins 360 degrees. That one's my favorite."
"Gah! The Viking ship? How could you? I rode it once and never again," Adeline shivered. "So what are you planning to do here?"
"Funny… I forgot," Brian smirked inwardly, pulling old tricks from his youth.
"What? Ugh." She frowned, then her eyes caught the spinning teacup ride. She stood entranced, imagining a giant teapot pouring into the cups. "The teacups make me want to drink tea. Anyway, since we're here, let's walk around first."
"Okay," Brian agreed.
Crowds of couples, families, and children noticed something odd poking from Adeline's hat. She smiled, adjusted it slightly, then suddenly removed the hat—revealing her unicorn horn hair glinting in the red sunset. Children laughed with delight.
"It's a unicorn horn!" a little girl shouted. Adeline wiggled it playfully, making the kids laugh harder. She put her hat back on and waved goodbye, leaving Brian softened by the sight.
"I know what we should do, Bri Let's play darts."
"Hmm. First time in an amusement park in years—why not."
"Come on!" She led him to the coupon machine near the food stalls. The smell of hot dogs and cheese filled the air. They entered a booth run by an old man, with tin cans stacked in four sets, each a meter and a half apart.
"Four balls," Adeline said, taking two baseballs, leaving the other two for Brian.
"I'll go first."
"Be my guest."
Brian aimed at the middle stack, throwing hard. The ball struck dead center, knocking most cans down. Adeline clapped lightly.
"My turn." She threw with her left hand, narrowly missing the second stack. "Gah! Too hasty."
"Don't worry, young lady. You've got another shot," the old man chuckled.
"My turn again." Brian threw, hitting the third stack, toppling them all. "Yes! Woo!"
"Nice! Now watch me. This time I'm serious." Adeline switched to her right hand, still wearing her white glove.
Suddenly—crash! The final stack shattered, a hole punched clean through the cans. The old man wiped his face in disbelief.
"Good heavens! Where'd you get that strength, miss?"
"Ha-ha, this hand packs a punch," Adeline laughed, blushing.
"You just punched a hole through the cans. Impressive," Brian applauded. They each won a prize—Adeline chose a dove plush, Brian an eagle with spread wings.
They wandered through the park as lights flickered on, replacing the fading sky. They rode gentle attractions—like the giant teapot Adeline adored—and snacked until nearly 7 p.m.
Looking up at the Ferris wheel, Adeline checked her watch. "It's almost seven. We've got time for one ride."
"Sure. Hope you're not afraid of heights."
"Please. I've stood on airships a hundred times. This is easier."
They queued for the Ferris wheel, jazz music drifting softly through the park. When their turn came, they stepped into a glass gondola. Facing each other, the capsule rose slowly, climbing higher and higher. The ride would take fifteen minutes to complete its circle.
Brian leaned down toward the glass floor, gazing at the city below as the Ferris wheel rose higher. Buildings stretched out beneath them, and colorful lights glowed across Phoenix in the evening.
"Wow. I've never seen Phoenix this clearly before. Imagine if this were the London Eye—it'd be breathtaking."
"My family took me to the London Eye when I was little. The feeling there is completely different from here."
"If you were in London now, you'd see airships flying all around."
"Mm-hmm. Hundreds of them. If you ever go to England, you'll see steamships everywhere you look."
Brian noticed something odd beneath Adeline's white glove. Her fingers twitched unnaturally, curling slightly—subtle enough to miss if one wasn't paying close attention.
"Tell me something," she said, resting her chin on her right hand. "Start with… your childhood."
"My father died two years after returning from the Desert War. My mother raised me alone. We moved from one rented building to another so often I barely remember our old home—it was mortgaged for living expenses. At school, I wasn't much trouble. I was a bit of a delinquent, but I didn't fight often. Bigger friends handled that. I loved history, though, and often scored highest in class."
"That's sad. What about your mother?" Adeline covered her mouth with both hands.
"She died of breast cancer when I was twenty-six. After that, life felt meaningless. So I followed my father's path. The battlefield suited me—I had nothing left to lose. My parents wouldn't have to stand over their son's grave. But my oath kept me alive. I don't know why. I think i got something to prove that i'm worth to be alive until now."
"You must have had plenty of women chasing you. You seem dependable."
"Heh. Thanks."
"So we've both been through hard times."
Brian looked into her eyes. "Will you tell me your story?"
"My family disappeared in London twenty years ago. I still pray they're alive… The end."
"Wow. You told it more concisely than me. One question, if you came here with only a few hundred thousand, how did you become this?"
"My father taught me: don't trade labor for money, trade money for money. You work for wages, but it wears down your health. The burden you carry only deepens. I just used money to make more money and that's it."
"Hmm. I'm not much of an investor, but time itself is medicine for me. I think I chose right—moving here, finding good work, living without overthinking like most people. Just knowing life still… has value, like yesterday." He swallowed.
"Let it pass, then say: forget it," she finished his thought. Brian nodded.
"Yeah." He lifted his gaze to hers.
"Honestly… you're the only male employee I feel close to. I don't know why."
"You're easy to get along with. That's why."
"I have to tell you something, Brian." Adeline stroked her neck nervously, as if she'd wanted to say it for a long time.
Brian leaned back against the glass, waiting for her to open her lips.
"I—I'm borderline autistic. Not surprising why I still… hmm… I don't know if you notice...." She tilted her head into the cool breeze. Brian's face fell slightly—it wasn't the answer he expected.
"Don't act like you're someone else. You seem natural to me," Brian said, resting his elbow on his knee. "I like you being you."
"R-Really~~~~?" Adeline's eyes widened, her smile crinkling with joy.
"Mhm! I'm not teasing you. Oh—looks like we've reached the very top." Brian pointed at the glass ceiling. From here, they could see everything: the buildings, the countless city lights, and the stars shining brightly overhead. Adeline turned to him, her expression suddenly serious.
"Since you've known me… how do you feel about me—as your boss?" Her voice faltered slightly.
"I feel like, from the first day we met, it was as if… we'd already known each other. Don't judge me—it's just a feeling."
"What do you mean… known each other?" Adeline tilted her head, puzzled.
"I often dream strange visions, like events from the future that already happened. And then they really do happen. After leaving the battlefield, those dreams came more and more often."
"Ha-ha. Maybe you just need more rest. Calm your mind—try yoga."
"It's real. Why would I lie?" Brian grinned playfully. Adeline giggled like a fourteen-year-old. They sat in silence for a moment, both lost in thought.
"The wheel's almost coming down. If something's on your mind, say it, Bri." She looked into his eyes.
"Will there ever be a day you want to look for your family again?"
"That… I'm not sure. I'd rather forget it, not let it hold me back."
"What if they're still alive?"
"…You think so?" she asked softly.
"I think it's possible. England's strict about survival. Maybe your family is searching for you too." Brian's words were meant to comfort.
"What I did had deeper reasons. Back then, my family was targeted by an organization. My father's boss threatened us. One night, gunshots rang out. My sister and uncle had to take me away. In the end, only my uncle and I made it to the ship." The Ferris wheel began lowering.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"
"It's fine. You're boring sometimes, interesting sometimes. That's you," she said with a small laugh. They smiled at each other.
"That's me, Mr. Bland" Brian nodded. The gondola reached the ground. Adeline's eyes locked onto his. Suddenly, she leaned closer, catching him off guard. Brian inhaled sharply as her face drew nearer… nearer… nearer. Click. The door opened. Her left hand reached out to push it open.
"(Mission failed! Next time, then)," Brian sighed, shouting inside his own head.
"Hm? Bri, are you alright?"
"Oh! Nothing. We heading back now?"
"Yeah, I don't want it to get home late. Ms. Cill will worry." Adeline walked ahead, leaving the Ferris wheel area.
They strolled in the cool night air, gazing up at the moon. Lights from the rides glowed in every direction, mingling with the joyful voices of the crowd. As they left the rides behind, Adeline breathed out softly.
"The sound of happiness… it makes my heart tremble. Haa~~~"
Brian froze, hearing echoes from the past. The laughter of the amusement park twisted into screams of civilians begging for their lives. Gunfire from the battlefield rang in his ears, replacing joy with agony. "You will be the end of ours!" Mysterious voice shouted.
"What do you think…?" Adeline flipped her hair, turning back. "Brian?" Her voice began to distort, mechanical, until her face blurred into that of a killing machine. She stopped, staring at him with predator's eyes. Brian tilted his head, fighting his own mind, his eyes reddening unnaturally.
"Bri… don't tell me…" From Adeline's view, he stood hunched, dazed. Then he lifted his head, paranoia burning in his gaze.
"Brian, look at me. Focus," she urged, worried. He raised a hand, stopping her from touching him.
"I'm totally fine."
"Thanks for bringing me. It was fun. I—I'll go now." She turned away.
"Wait, Adeline." Brian grabbed her arm, pulling down her long right glove. Her reflex was instant—she swung her fist into his face. Blood burst from his nose, streaming like a red river. He clutched his nose with both hands.
"Bri! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!" Adeline ran off, covering her face, tears spilling. "Ahhh! No no no"
"You—ahh!" Brian groaned, pinching his nose. "Damn, that was brutal. Woo! Ahh!"
He pressed his nose, tilting his head back to stop the bleeding. Kicking aside a plastic cup, he headed for his car. The door wasn't locked, so he opened it—only to find Adeline already sitting in the passenger seat. He blinked, surprised; he thought she'd taken a taxi home.
"It's late. I won't go back alone," she said.
"Don't laugh at me. I know you're teasing me for acting like a kid," she muttered, turning her face to the window, avoiding his eyes.
"Not at all. It's normal for a man to drive a woman home. And, honestly—your punch was impressive." Brian slid into the driver's seat, glancing at her. "By the way… did you break into my car?"
Adeline turned back. "Your car's so old the lock's broken."
"Guess I'll need a new security system." He tried starting the engine—it sputtered, then died. He tried again. "Looks like I'll have to rebuild the whole thing, ha-ha." Blood dripped down to his lips.
Seeing this, Adeline handed him a cloth, gently stuffing it into his nose.
"Thanks." Click!
Vroom! The engine roared to life.
"Drive carefully. If anything happens, tell me—I'll take the wheel." She frowned, embarrassed.
The car rolled out of the amusement park, heading into Phoenix, glowing bright under the full moon. Adeline gazed at the starry sky—just as a comet streaked across the darkness, splitting the heavens with light. She smiled once more.