Station, стр. 12

After gaping at Station's natural curiosities forwhat felt like hours, Hadder got the definite feeling that he wasmoving in circles and decided that he needed to take a more activeapproach in finding his way. While the signs should be helpful,Hadder had no idea about the landmarks or Bars to which theyreferred. None referenced actual Clusters, probably in line withMiles's assertion that Clusters could change and blend into eachother over time.

Coming around a corner in an unusually steep gardensection, Hadder spotted the first person he had seen on hisunplanned nature hike. It was one of the black-garbed workers hehad spied earlier, bending low to tend to some plants that sat onthe edge of a small pond. Back towards the cobblestones, Haddercould see the man's impossibly pale hands working at a furiousspeed to dig holes and deposit saplings. If the man heard Hadder'sapproach, he gave no sign.

Hadder, growing tired of sightseeing, decided it wasbest to ask for directions before his thirst grew any stronger. Hemoved to stand close behind the black-on-white figure. "Excuse me,I seem to be a bit lost. Can you point me towards the CelebrationCluster?"

No reaction came as the speed planting continued.Hadder moved around to the other side of the man, hoping to catchhis eye and attention. Head down towards his work, Hadder wasunable to make out the face, but took note of the man's snowy whitehair that loudly reflected the Solay's intense moon rays. Hadderknelt down beside the man and, seeing no other way to distract himfrom his duties, placed his hand carefully on the other's workingarm. His progress now halted; the man looked up to stare atHadder.

Half a second of shock was followed by aninstinctive revulsion that, instead of being vocalized, manifesteditself as Hadder falling backward on his ass before hurriedlycrab-walking until he was a safe distance away. There he remainedon his back, determined to ensure that what he saw was indeed realand not the hallucination of some alien pollen in his lungs.

The man's face was the same as his hands - porcelainwhite. But this inhuman color was not limited to the man's visage.His eyes were two colorless marbles, making him appear as ananimated Roman bust. Tearing away from those empty eyes, Hadder wasequally appalled by what he found inches below, where instead of amouth, there was only perfectly smooth skin. With no scar orstitching or divot, one could only assume that no mouth had evergraced that blank face.

"I'm so sorry to bother you," Hadder stammered fromhis backside, unable to know if the creature understood him, viewedhim as friend or foe.

And he didn't wait to find out as the white creaturestood up, revealing sinewy muscle under the black skinsuit.Flipping onto his stomach, Hadder rose quickly and began to runblindly around the next corner. He didn't make it far beforetripping over a raised cobblestone to fall headfirst into a broadthoroughfare that had been concealed by a curtain of ivy fallingfrom branches that hung over the path.

Hadder hit the ground hard, driving wind from hislungs and scraping his palms. Raising his eyes slowly, Haddernoticed two things. First, the larger, more polished stones thatmade up this new path. Second, the two pairs of shoes that stooduncomfortably close to his head. One was shiny black Beatle bootswhile the other was a tiny duo of intricate high-tops that changedcolors like a lava lamp as the wearer shifted from one foot to theother.

The owner of the boots spoke first. "Easy there, oldchap. My goodness, but what's the hurry?" Hadder detected a poshBritish accent.

Hands wrapped around Hadder's arms and helped him tohis feet. The man, whose outfit continued the Beatles theme with asmart-looking black suit with pants that just touched the ankles,continued as he brushed the dirt off of Hadder's stained t-shirt."There, there, nothing broken, I presume. Oh, but look at thatface, Reena! My good sir, you look like you've seen a ghost. Wereyou running from someone?"

Reena chimed in. "Or something?" Hadder looked overand had to do a double-take of the alluring girl who donned theartistic high-tops. She was a tiny dark-skinned Asian with fuchsiahair styled in a cute bob. Her makeup accented the look, withglowing rose-colored lines that outlined silver eyes that gleamedsimilarly to Miles's golden optics. She wore a youthful jumper ofwhite on which messages changed continuously, from YOLT toStation Brat to The Before = Dream.

"I asked what you were running from." The man'smusical voice ripped Hadder's attention from the lovely girl.Hadder, unable to put what he saw into words, simply pointed downthe side-path with a shaky hand. "I'll check it out," the man saidto Reena before sprinting away.

"See something you like," Reena giggled.

Hadder realized that he was gawking at the girlagain. This time, he had noticed a quarter-sized comet revolvingabove Reena's head. It tore through the air at a steady pace,leaving in its wake a pink tail that created a perfect circle aboveReena. Ideal headwear for an angel.

"I was just admiring your…" Again, a loss of words.Hadder pointed.

"Oh, my Light Crown? Thanks so much, I just had itmade. It's gonna be all the rage at The Soiree tonight.Remember that you saw it on me first, alright?"

The man returned, looking perplexed. Reena spokefirst. "You see anything, Jonny?"

"Nothing. Sorry old chap, all I found was a manikinworking on the gardens. Just some generic glume, Reena, not even astrange model. Cat release your tongue, yet? Can you tell me whatyou saw?"

Hadder tried to explain. "There was a man backthere. A pale one. With white eyes and, and, and, no mouth.He…"

Jonny interrupted. "Yes, the manikin, I saw him. I'masking, what has you so absolutely frazzled?"

Hadder stood open-mouthed. Recognition struckReena.

"Wait a minute, Jonny." To Hadder, "Who are you? Idon't think I've seen you around before. Jonny, have you ever seenthis man?"

"Can't say that I have, love. I would haveremembered that handsome jawline and wild-eyed bewilderment."

Reena took Hadder's hand. Her hands were soft liketwo doves. "You've never seen a manikin before, have you?" A broadsmile revealed pink braces. "Because you just got here. Becauseyou're a…"

"My god!" Jonny cut in excitedly.