Something New!

The machine hums. No—wait. It buzzes. No—vibrates. Wait—It’s moving. Right? The Architect blinks. The subject is already inside. Did they even pause? The world loads. Halfway. In pieces? In layers! A city street? No—a jungle. Wait—both? Buildings coil into vines, sidewalks split into stepping stones, stoplights blink red, green, blue, yellow, purple? That’s not right. Wait— Grass beneath their feet. No, stone. No, marble— No, water. They’re walking on water! Oh? What’s this? Something new! A library spirals upward, its shelves twisting into clouds. Books drift past, half-written, half-erased, half— Wait—where did that one go? A carnival explodes into view. Spinning lights, pulsing music—a kaleidoscope of color. They want to see it. No—the mural. No—the smell of food! No—wait— They move through a crowd. Familiar faces. But from where? A friend they never called back. A teacher from years ago. A stranger they passed once in a hallway. They should say something— But a door appears. It says "Somewhere Important". Yes! They should go through—The door is gone. Wait! They reach for something—A thought, a memory, a purpose. It slips through their fingers. But— Something else takes its place. Something just as bright. Just as new. Just as exciting. And they chase it. Because there is still so much to see.