We just walked outside the park. Buildings came into sight.

  “Do you see that tower over there?” Athena pointed at a tall tower a little further away in the same direction we were walking. “A lot of buildings burned down years ago. Including that one.” She said to me looking ahead.

  ”It used to be a Treasury Office.” Athena said. “I don’t really know the real reason for the fires but they said we were targeted by some outside resistance.” Athena spoke as we walked.

  “I did read about it in the history books I found in the library.” I nodded at her. And remembered when Yuji told me about the fires.

  “Yeah! They decided to build that tower on top of the Treasury Office. It did not used to be there.” She explained to me. “That building happens to be right in the middle of the city. You can see everything from up there!” Athena said.

  I eyed the building. A golden tower that reflected the sunlight. I had to look away so as not to hurt my eyes how bright the reflection was. The sight was very beautiful. Detailed ornaments that at some points resembled waves of fire. Masterfully carved into the golden metal. The shape was like a dome. Shaped and crafted in perfection. At the top was a small detailed golden statue. It wasn’t big but was shaped like an animal.

  “What’s on the top?” I asked Athena.

  “It’s a phoenix. They added as a resolution that even after burning we can rebuild and move on.” Athena happily answered.

  I nodded.

  “It was built by the people here actually. After it burned down people all gathered and brick by brick rebuilt it together.” Athena said. “Each brick was touched by people in the city. It’s like a symbol that one can tear us down but we will build it back brighter and better!” Athena explained to me the history of the Treasury Tower.

  “That is quite amazing!” I listened to Athena's story.

  “Yeah! That was when they renamed it to Treasury Tower!” She told me.

  I looked at the tower. I had to avert my eyes quickly though.

  “Nowadays it’s not an office anymore.” Athena continued to say. “There’s a big pawed space next to that building. Like an area for people to gather. A lot of people tend to go there as a gathering point.” Athena said.

  I listened as we walked.

  “Families tend to spend time there. There is also a museum and art gallery there. You can even climb the tower and look at the city from above.” She said, way too excited.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I hid my smile and nodded.

  “We should visit there sometime.” I said.

  Athena looked at me.

  “We definitely should!” Smiling brightly.

  Not too long but we had finally reached the Technology Center. This place is owned by the second family that is very big on inventions or any type of technologies. They are the ones providing the university with their equipment and materials. All made locally here in Akasia. We did not hesitate but walked right inside.

  “Hello there!” I smiled politely seeing the clerk by the opposite side of a counter.

  “I got permission to get these. Do you happen to have it?” I pulled out my permission slip that Mr. Karin gave it to me.

  The clerk that stood behind the till looked at the permission slip.

  “Do you have your student card?” He asked me.

  I pulled out my student card.

  He scanned it and also took the code that was on the permission slip. Then went inside the inventory that happened to be behind him.

  “Everything is so white in here!” Athena looked around her eyes. Staring at the exterior.

  I looked at it myself. The walls of this space was white. It kind of hit me the vibes of my own basement.

  “It looks like a lab.” I replied to her comment.

  “So boring! Looking at nothing.” She didn’t like this.

  “I think it has its charm.” I shrugged. Not really bothered about how it looked.

  “Cold and unwelcoming?” Athena wasn’t convinced.

  “For a place like this I think it’s right. Clean and imaginative.” I disagreed.

  “Imaginative?” Athena didn’t understand where I saw that.

  “Building something out of nothing. A white color that turned into something else.” I spoke about my vision.

  Athena stared at me.

  “For people like you, I guess this is familiar.” She did try to see the way I see it.

  The clerk then came back with a white bag in hands. Inside were materials neatly packed.

  “Thank you!” I thanked him. Politely smiled and took the bag. Once I got what I was here for we left.

  We did all the things Athena wanted and more. I walked through countless stores of clothing, accessories and what else. She wanted to see everything! Happily hooped around from one point to another. Athena bought new shoes, a dress, couple of bags and earrings. She persuaded me to get a new skirt and a cardigan. It was either that or a dress I didn’t like or very not my style bag. When we finally sat down to eat I was exhausted but Athena was the opposite. To her this activity fueled her with an agonizing energy spur.

  I was totally amazed.

  We ate together and after that finally we parted ways. By that time it was already dark. The days are now so short. I was so exhausted from this unfamiliar activity. I stayed with my mom later in the evening sitting in my basement lab putting all the materials I got from Technology Centre together. Slowly building the camera. From time to time my mom came in with a snack or a drink to make sure I remember to eat.

  Once I start focusing it’s very hard to pull away.

  My mind kept wandering about Athena’s smile when she said that Akasia is a closed secret city. Cut off from worldly influence. That explains clearly why I couldn’t find any information online. I did look up what a closed city meant and so far things seemed to align. Akasia exists for a specific reason. These types of places tend to be guarded strictly by the government. Without a permit one couldn’t enter. Me and my mom have gotten the approval to be here. I did suspect that Sano had a hand in this. He is from this city and knows about it. Mom mentioned that he has some trouble with his brother and would not return here for any reason. If that is true… What was it? What’s the reason he left?

  I really want to talk to him as soon as I can. I want to know everything. I really hate that I cannot see him… Should I search for his family name? Evans…