Scene 0969

### I.

*"In another dimension, one where creatures are not perceived similarly to what you may perceive today, the protagonist anxiously awaits a miracle. Meet Kathleen, or most commonly known as Kat, in this dimensional adult girl in her late 20’s who was constantly searching for that unforgettable, one-of-a-kind, extraordinary adventure all her life and that for her was her long-awaited miracle. Everybody has one- be it as simple as flying or as absurd as traveling the entire multiverse, everybody has one, and at her age, most of them probably already achieved it or gave up on it. For Kat’s case, she was neither, and she’s nearly 30 the next month. You see, her dimension, where plants and trees glow as if they were neon signs on the busy streets of New York City, humans lived up until 30 only. These creatures- humans in their perspective with their odd number of limbs, huge eyes, and obnoxiously long legs, have short life spans. For some reason, in their dimension, they have short lives in order to make the most out of it. There was no forced or normal education system or any system for that matter, and everyone lived the way they were designed―free of all material relations. In fact, they believed that the longer you lived―meaning reaching the age of 30 meant one thing: you were lost most of your life and were now only arriving at where you’re supposed to be. Feeling the pressure, most creatures nearing the age of 30 just gives up on their miracle and find something worthwhile. But to those fortunate enough, once they found their miracles, they turn into dust and are one with the universe. Kat was determined; she was as enthusiastic about her miracle as she was 15 years ago. The same doe eyes girl stood to welcome everything in her life with open arms. Kat threw the doors wide open and breathed in the cool air. She smiled and walked through the colorful glowing plants as she welcomed another day. She muttered softly, and today is going to be the day. I’m going to receive my miracle.” Nick, who was a couple of steps away from her, heard her and scoffed, “You still believe that you’ll reach your stupid miracle? I mean, we’ve been through a couple of adventures together, and still, it doesn’t qualify as your miracle. Isn’t it about time to give up?” “I still have time.” Kat remained steadfast, “I’m not turning 30 until next month.” “Okay, but I’m turning 30 the next day.” “What’s your miracle anyway, Nick?” Nick was taken aback, but he answered, “As cliché as yours, I want to fall in love. Not with the idea of it, but just… love. It’s my religion, girl, and you know it.” Kat scoffed, “As travel as mine. I don’t know. I just… I could feel it deep in my heart and soul, I was meant to travel, and I still haven’t reached that perfect destination. One that would literally take my breath away- a place that I’d go to and never to leave like I could die there in peace.” “Tough luck on both of us then.” Kat smirked, “Well, it’s another day. What do you say about another adventure with me?” “You know I can’t resist you.” “I know.” They both laughed. Kat then suggested, “What do you say we go look for what’s beyond that point?” She pointed at the empty and dark space on top of their heads. Their dimension, as colorful as it seemed, had no sky nor clouds, it was plain black, and for years now, Kat has always wondered about it, and now, she wanted to find out the answer. Nick nodded, “I’ll get my airship ready then.” Soon, Nick came back with his airship as promised. His airship looked distinct, it was coated with a shade of black as dark as their skies, and its odd shape looked like some sort of bubble. Kat remarked, “What the hell is that?” “Oh, I made this based on the human folklore back on Earth. Apparently, their skies change color and have this thing called clouds that look like some sort of bubble. I figured if we were going to die out there, we might be as well as the first cloud up there.” “You’re a weirdo.” Kat chuckled, “You know the most random things but never the obvious ones.” “That’s the thrill of having me.” Nick and Kat rode the airship and soared up in the black sky. Its darkness consumed everything. They had been flying for the past hours, but none of them could see whether they were actually ascending. It was all black. After a while, they both heard a loud bang, something had hit their airship, but it was too dark to know what exactly it was. Kat was worried as she asked, “What was that?” Nick shook his head and replied, “I had no idea.” Their thoughts were cut off as their airship was continuously hit. Kat and Nick could hear and feel the impact as they swayed ferociously with each hit. They were afraid and confused, but soon, the shaking stopped and as they both opened their eyes. To their surprise, they saw the exact copy… of themselves. From head to toe, a somewhat clone of them approached them with the same confusion plastered on their faces. For a while, none of them said anything when finally, Kat asked, “Who… what are you?” As to which Kat’s clone replied, “Apparently, we are you.” “Where are we?” Nick asked, and as to which, Nick’s clone replied, “A place where dimensions coexist.” “I know, but where exactly is that?” None of them knew the answer, so they kept quiet. Maybe that was the point. Their clones wore futuristic-looking clothing. None of them moved an inch, but finally, the clones did. They knocked Kat and Nick unconscious and exchanged clothes with them. The next thing Kat and Nick knew was they were at an entirely different place with an entirely new identity. They were at a dimension that looked similar but was the opposite―as a mirror of their dimension. Nick picked up a glowing flower and gave it to Kat. He smiled and said, “I think I got my miracle. In fact, I think I’ve got it for quite a while now, but I held back.” Kat smiled, knowing exactly was Nick was talking about. She didn’t accept the flower, but she smiled, “I found it too.” Soon, the two of them faded into the wind like dust particles being blown away. Kat and Nick found their miracles- although not as aligned as one may perceive, it certainly was."*