The first thing which hit me was the fact it was dark. The unfamiliar buildings, street lamps, and crowds walking around with their phones out provided light, so it was easy to look around.
Despite the late hour, it was very hot there. Much hotter than the temperature from _Petrograd, especially after the removal of the dome.
The whole place looked strange. It took me a moment of looking around with an open mouth to realize that I indeed was in the correct place. Over the years a lot has changed.
The first thing I should mention was the size of the city center. It was bigger. Much bigger. Very crowded, but because of the size it didn't look that bad. I saw nightclubs and fancy restaurants everywhere. It seemed like the city expanded a lot.
The device expanded too. It was, judging by the size around the seventh upgrade. Not as strong as the one in Petrograd, but you could see why with a single look around. Arc was bigger and full of life.
In the night sky, surrounded by stars, I saw skyscrapers. Multiple ones, reaching hundreds of meters up in the darkness of the night.
There was a lot of noise around us. Made by people just walking and talking, mixed with the fancy music from the restaurants, and the upbeat music coming from the clubs. People were wearing flashy clothes like they were coming or going to a party. I heard occasional waves of laughter.
It was quite something to deal with, just after the emotional departure from Petrograd. Some of us, me among them, just stood there, watching like a glitched NPC.
- Let's go home - Tihana said, bringing me back to my senses.
- Yeah - I agreed.
- Let's look if we can find a place to stay for the night - Lucas said to that.
Then he headed towards the presumed location of the training grounds. People followed him one by one. John among them. I and my family went to the opposite side, where our house was located.
- It's shocking that nobody even cares we appeared out of nowhere - Carmelita pointed out.
- I bet they are used to strange things happening here - Leonel replied to her. - But they are not ready for us!
After he added the last sentence, he laughed.
- Yeah. We are going to shake this place - Tihana agreed. - I can't wait to meet my old friends.
Those words started a chat among the kids, who wished to flex around some. I and Celestine mostly ignored that.
- Are you going to see William tonight? - my wife asked me.
- Yeah. I definitely should say hi. He should know I'm back - I told her.
- The rest is probably still somewhere out there, working hard. I wonder how long it will take them to show up here - she said.
- It could be years - I pointed out.
- Should we go built another city then? - she asked. - After a break, of course. I'm not sure if we can afford to waste time.
I slowly nodded. She was right, but I already had something else in my mind. Something quite stupid, but after consuming the fruit I felt like it was no longer out of the realm of possibility.
- We will see. Right now it's not the time to think about the future. Now it's the time to relax - I said to her, then I stopped her to give her a kiss.
It must have looked quite weird, as she had two bags in her hands and a massive backpack, while I had my hands completely empty.
- You are right - she agreed when our lips separated.
In her eyes and the smile she gave me, I noticed an invitation to have some fun in the bedroom, but there was no time for that, although I still felt tempted.
- Let's go home - I whispered.
She nodded, and we returned to walking.
Eventually, we arrived at the house. It looked untouched, but the garden looked terrible. Inside was a lot of dust. When we entered I didn't even feel like I returned to my home. I just got so used to living in Petrograd, that this place felt alien.
They all headed to their rooms to unpack, so I just told Celestine I'm going to find Will, then departed.
It was very unlikely I would find him in his office, so instead of going there, I went to search for him in the city, or at least for anybody who could point me in the right direction.
I visited a few clubs, obviously utilizing my powers because there was no way the bouncers would let me in when they probably had no idea who I was, not to mention my clothes.
Eventually, I stumbled on Daniel, sitting in the corner and observing people dancing on the dance floor to the rhythm of some old techno music. With the light flashing everywhere, increasing the possibility of an epileptic attack.
He had a drink, but by the looks of it, it was just a soda with some ice and a straw.
I surprised him by transforming from my form of a regular fly, into a full human. He jumped on the sofa he was sitting on.
- Shit - left his mouth. - You almost gave me a heart attack.
Without invitation, I sat next to him.
- We returned - I announced.
- I can see. I hope it went well. What do you want? - he asked.
There was a very prominent angry tone in his voice plus the way he spoke, further underlined how he felt.
- Looking for Will. I thought I might not find him in his office - I said.
- Have you tried his house? - he asked me, grabbing the glass, to sip some of his drink.
- You need to point me. I didn't think I know where he lives those days - I confessed.
- In his old place - Daniel said, then sighed.
He looked at the dance floor, which immediately told me he was watching somebody out there, and I was interrupting him.
- I'll show you, but you owe me for this - he said, then after quickly finishing his soda, he stood up heading to the exit.
I followed.
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