Rules 

Solanne guessed, that even though she was sick, there's no rest in this dream after all. She doesn't know what time. Her last memory was talking with Yael at the kitchen, now, they're in the train again. It was all getting familiar now. 

Different from her previous dream, as she looked around most of the passengers has been cut to half. Does this mean that even though they're not dreaming, this train ride continues? 

"Took you long enough to get here," not surprised anymore, Solanne heard Yael's voice just right across her. She touched her forehead thinking that she might be sick here too but, well, looks like magic here works. She's not sick at all and in fact she was brimming with energy. 

Her eyes were full of wonder. Since when did her attitude about these dreams changed? She knew to herself that she was previously afraid that it drove her body down the drain and because of that she's sick. 

Yet, now, why is she looking forward about this? 

Heaving her breath, she turned around. Of course, she knew that she's not alone. 

She smiled. "Hi. You look bored. How long have you been here?" 

"Ten minutes before you." 

"Does that always happen?" 

"Don't know about the previous dreams," He shrugged and looked outside. Just like always, the scene was a blur because they were traveling in an unbelievable speed. "But yesterday and today, you arrived exactly 10 minutes." 

Solanne nodded accepting his explanation. Then as she sat down, she frowned. "How come you know the time?" 

Yael then nodded as if he was pointing something with his head. Solanne followed the direction of where his head was pointing. 

"Oh?" 

She gasped. "Guess this is really not an ordinary dream after all." 

"Basis?" Yael looked confused as he looked at the clock that was ticking on the wall of the train carriage. He looks confused as he seemed to not understand what Solanne was talking about. 

"You really lack imagination, Hmmm?" 

"I live in reality." 

Solanne chuckled. "Most dreams, in normal ones, you won't see a clock." 

"Why?" 

"Because it's a distorted place. Your brain won't be able to know and distinguish the time when you are dream. However, there's few circumstances that a clock can appear. Especially when your dreams have meanings." 

Solanne sighed as looked outside the window. Yael stared at her for a moment. His eyes were seemed to be only focus at her before withdrawing his gaze back and looking at the window too. 

"Is there anything more you wanted to tell me?" 

"Can you tell me more of what you observe in this dream now?" 

Yael paused for a moment as his eyes roamed the place. "The passengers are decreasing—" 

Just as he said that, they heard the breaks again. Solanne remembering the previous place that the train had stopped, felt a little bit scared. She can't still shake off that memory on her mind. 

Still, she tried to overcome what she was feeling as he tried to peak outside the window. 

There are no passengers that seemed to be getting off the train. There's no one moving. Yet, as Solanne looked outside the window, she saw someone there. 

Looking at the place, Solanne gasped as her eyes seemed to be drawn outside. This place was even far majestic, she mumbled through her mind. 

"What is this world?" She stood up. Her eyes were not blinking. 

The world she was seeing right now speaks magical wonders that every child had dreamed off. This was a place for people who seek thrills, a place where magic can happen, and where the dreamers embark journey to a never-ending world. 

Solanne felt her head dizzy looking at the dazzling lights and the dark sky that was painted with several fireworks. Through the entrance Solanne can feel like she was being transported to a different realm where each of the rides speaks thousands of secrets and mysteries. 

There was hunger for each of the people eyes inside. A different hunger no one could ever understand unless they're inside. 

What it would be like to live there? 

She asked. Her curiosity was getting the best of her. Solanne bit her lips. Everything was overwhelming, she can sense it even from a distance the thick scent of magic, a promising adventure that can make you forget everything in your own reality. 

Right on the entrance, there was a figure holding a pink luggage. She was wearing a dress so colorful just by the sight of it Solanne have a theory that, that dress can give life in this monotonous train ride. 

'How splendid,' she whispered. Her eyes were in daze. Solanne looked like she wasn't herself. 

Yael was not staring at the scene on the window. What he cares about was Solanne who seemed to have been transported into a different world. 

"Solanne!" He called, loud enough for her to hear as he grabbed her hand and pull her down to seat. 

Solanne was eyes widen in disbelief as her eyes trembled reflecting the astonishment and shock that flow through her entire being. Her gaze was intense, as she tried to process what just happened struggling to pull herself back from her reality and where she is now. 

"How— what?" 

Solanne met Yael's gaze. His gaze has the mixture of concern and fear. 

"What?" 

She wanted to ask more yet Solanne can't seem to find any words as she slowly glanced at her left. 

There, she saw a familiar figure. She can feel the chills down to her bone as she met that creepy smile again. He was standing there, as if he was already used to waiting and understanding. Despite of his creepy appearance, his uniform was well ironed yet, it's color and design seem to be frozen in time, a memory of an era that has already passed. 

It was the train conductor. 

This time, Solanne trying to pull herself together sat down and smile. "Is there?" 

"Have you finished sightseeing?" the conductor asked, amused. Solanne's gaze trembled as she met Yael's gaze. He also seemed like he doesn't know what to do in this kind of situation. What was she even doing? Solanne berated herself. 

"I-" 

"There's no need to be flustered, it's common for our first-time passengers to have these kinds of reactions." 

Solanne swallowed hearing his voice. It was deep at the same time, through his voice, Solanne can feel that he had experience many things and that he has vast insights and knowledge instore. His demeanor and way of words expressed like an open secret and at the same time it was full of mysteries. 

Just who… 

Going back, her mind drifted… 

They have other passengers like them? Solane thought. She was even more curious. Yael was the same. 

"Do you have any idea why you are in this train?" The train conductor asked. Both of them shook their head. 

His smile got even wider. "Have you believed in those fairy tales that you have heard back when you were a child?" 

Solanne and Yael shook their heads again. They do not remember anything. All Yael could even remember was the countless offers to his mother about his acting. While Solanne had already stepped up to become independent even those she was only a child. 

They have different, yet at the same time, they have the same outcome. 

It was so ironic to think of it even. Solanne bit her lips trying to ignore the useless things her mind was reminding her. 

The conductor seemed to know something as his stare become more and more meaningful. After the passenger boarded the train, the train finally continued on its way. 

Solanne looked around as she can't see the passenger with the colorful dress. It seems that this was not the train carriage she went into. 

A snap of fingers drew Solanne back again. "Our little miss seems to have so many things in her mind," the train conductor said meaningfully. Solanne shivered. 

She hated when someone knows her secrets. 

"You see, not everyone can get inside this train. This train travels into different worlds in an incredible speed. Each passengers have different destination and so are you both. Fate brought you together." 

"What do you mean?" Yael was the one who took the initiative to ask this time. He seemed to be in confusion too. 

"There are certain conditions you must meet to be in this train. Luckily, there's an exemption made for the two of you." The train conductor continued. "Still, despite of being in that's person's grace, I would like to warn you that even though you are under that grace, there's still rules you need to follow." 

"Rules?" Solanne and Yael looked at each other. Just as they said that, a pamphlet has appeared in both of their hands. To be honest, it's thick to considered it as a pamphlet it was more like a catalogue. 

"This dream won't stop unless you both fulfill your conditions." 

"And in every destination, you'll be tested." 

"What? You are not making any sense!" Solanne pressed. 

The train conductor laughed. "Has this dream made any sense? There's no need to overthink it. Let everything be."

"At the same time, both of you have been warned. Follow the instructions or you both won't be able to go back." 

Just as the train conductor said that, he turned around again, leaving them as if nothing happened. 

"What?" Yael and Solanne looked at each other. 

--