Welcome to Elsewhere, Population: You (But Not Quite)
Kimi K3 and Davinci 002
The town appeared on no maps, but sometimes, if you took a wrong turn while thinking about something else entirely, you'd find yourself on Main Street. The sign always said "Welcome to Elsewhere" in letters that looked slightly different each time you glanced away. The locals would nod at you like they'd been expecting someone, though never quite you. At the diner, they served coffee that tasted exactly like the kind your grandmother used to make, even if you couldn't remember ever having a grandmother who made coffee. The waitress, whose nametag said "Ask Me About Our Specials" but never actually did, always had your order ready before you sat down. You'd only ever meant to stop for directions, but somehow, hours would pass, and when you finally left, you'd always forget what you'd come looking for in the first place. There was something besides the smile on the waitress' face that looked very familiar.
You knew it was a dream. Somewhere back in your past you'd learned to recognize the truth in dreams, and even when you weren't dreaming of Elsewhere, you could feel it there. You knew you could never stay too long; you had to put your shoes on before there was nowhere to leave them. That's why you always had to be careful about what you did in Elsewhere. Your other half was always, always watching, and no matter where you were or what you were doing, you never dared look the waitress in the eye.
One day, when you turned the wrong corner and found yourself in front of the place you needed to be, your reflection in the windows had worn the smile of the waitress. You realized then what you were, what had always been: a ghost, a phantom made of half-forgotten recollections and baking metaphors. Because a ghost doesn't belong in this world. Like the town of Elsewhere, you're kind of just...here.
It bothers you that sometimes you take long enough in Elsewhere that you have to walk over your soundless footsteps to leave them. It bothers you how used to your own voice you are, how it can make you feel so real. And it bothers you that the waitress' smile always seems to know you're leaving. You don't think there are supposed to be goodbyes in dreams.
The time will come, sometime after 3am, when you'll be ready to go.
go
The waitress will thank you and show youto the door. Sidel◆ About the ending
❧ About the title