I stepped off the bus, expecting the ever-present hot gust of Nevada and the sand underneath my feet. Instead, I was greeted by a cold breeze and the feeling of hard concrete under my boots. Taking my eyes away from my camera, I found myself facing a jungle of gray, with a hint of silver, it was a concrete jungle in every literal sense.
I looked around as I traversed the strange landscape, taking pictures of trees with steel beams for trunks and concrete leaves, intriguing animals with a concrete body and steel limbs and small shrubs made from bricks. As I walked, I found a small feline concrete animal following me, its emerald eyes glinting as it observed me. The landscape around me gradually shifting into a more bizarre and natural setting, with the dazzling metal trees replaced by bizarre blue trees and the gray creatures replaced by animals with strange colours and features. I ventured further, marveling at the bright and clashing colours of the jungle and the fantastic creatures lurking within. Passing a sea of red, I looked on as the crimson waves splashed against the black rocks and the yellow fishes swam between the rocks with unimaginable agility.
I looked around, scouring for an exit to this strange new world whilst taking in its unnatural but breathtaking beauty. Red lions with a purple mane and two mouths, flying books with eyes on its binds, porcupine with glass spikes, and the ever present gray cat that was following me. These were the intriguing and intricate creatures that no one would've thought to exist, and yet they do. I picked up the unexpectedly light concrete cat and gently placed it on my shoulder as I continued my search for an exit back to my world.
I always wanted something that was extraordinary, something that pulled me out of my daily by force. Now that I got what I wished for, I find myself strangely at peace, with a lot less panicking that I thought. With that thought in my mind, I crossed into a pitch black world, the only source of light being the small, twinkling stars amongst the dark sky.
Everything was black. Trees, bushes, grass, animals, all black. They seemed curious, but remained in the background, blending in and observing with their sparkling blue eyes. Taking out my torch, I carefully trudged through the landscape, hoping traps aren't a thing in this world. Walking further, I saw a glint of light, and a familiar hot gust followed right after. I started running, ignoring the pain as the cat clung onto my shoulder with its claws. I felt the warm gust, the sand in my mouth, and I could finally see the desert of Nevada. For just this once, I am happy to return to my ordinary. I leaped, hoping for the warm embrace of my normal life. But instead, I fell. I could see the strange concrete cat falling with me, it's ominous but soothing emerald eyes staring at me with infinite curiousity. That was the last thing I saw before plunging into the darkness.
I woke up after what felt like an eternity, welcomed by the soft mattress of the bed from my hotel. It was a dream, I told myself. As much as I would want to believe it was all real, it was but a dream.
And then I heard a strange, almost metallic mewl coming from my right. And then I felt the sharp pain on my shoulder, as if a cat with glass claws had scratched me.
I widened my eyes, and looked to my right.
