7. Through the gate


The next day passed the same as usual. He felt a surge of excitement, and while checking the papers at the gate, he kept looking around to see if he could spot Judith anywhere. He didn't see her, and his anxiety only intensified. He was almost ready to calm down and talk out of his crazy plan, but he had time to think that day. Somehow, the number of travelers had dwindled, and there were just a few stragglers, with more inspectors than travelers. This way, they could practically check all the travelers, and they arrived at Tim already knowing all the data and destinations.

He thought of Noir, his trusted companion, with whom he had not spoken recently due to the past few days' events. They had missed their shared lunches and long silences. As he had more life experience, he was curious about how Noir saw things.

His two housemates were whispering behind him, and he involuntarily noticed that they were talking about the old man who spent all day sitting in the tavern. This was unusual for him, or maybe he was disturbed by the newcomers. Tim had adapted to them quickly, but he imagined how annoying it could be for an older person to have their routine disrupted.

With his mind wandering on various topics, the two hours passed quickly, but Judith still needed to be seen. He had only been to the tavern long ago, not since he was new and wanted to fit in. But Tim saw that the locals weren't amiable, treating even Noir, who had lived among them for decades, as outsiders. He also noticed that they ostracized their cook because they were friends. As he walks towards the tavern, Judith comes towards him.

"Tim, it's great that we ran into each other! I just got back from the city, and I have good news, you can come with me!" Judith seemed genuinely pleased about this. Tim, however, didn't know what to think anymore.

"Oh, I'm glad. When are we going?" Tim asked, somewhat surprised by the outcome. What did he expect? That it wouldn't be this easy? Yes, he was actually thinking about how to cross illegally, a thought that filled him with guilt and conflict.

"I need to find someone to take your place. I hope one of the two guys staying with you will take the job," Judith rambled on. "There's one more thing: I can officially take you with me as an inspector apprentice. If you successfully complete this mission, you'll be permanently assigned. So congratulations, Tim, this is actually a promotion for you." Judith patted him on the shoulder kindly.

The gatekeeper was speechless. He wanted this at some point; after all, everyone aspires to a better position, recognition, and climbing the ranks. The funny thing was that it happened when he became uncertain about the system and the rules. What would this new role entail? How would it change him?

"I see you're speechless! I'll go find your housemates, and then we'll have lunch together!" his boss said goodbye.

Tim wondered how Judith would sell the lower-ranking gatekeeper job to his inspector housemates. But that was not his problem anymore.

The tavern was right in the middle of the village, and from afar, he could see its winding tower. It was quite a unique building as if it were built as a castle, entirely out of place with the village's simple atmosphere. It was like someone had whimsically decided to surprise the town with an old building because it was clearly not old, as evidenced by the walls and floor. A new castle, this is what they call kitsch. The plastic animals and garden gnomes in the garden starkly contrasted the tavern's image.

Upon entering the tavern, the kitschy atmosphere disappeared, giving way to a severe ambiance dominated by dark wood and stone colors. Noir was sitting alone in a corner with a beer in hand. When he saw Tim, he forced a smile, clearly having already had a few pints. He also motioned to the bartender to bring a beer for the newcomer. Tim gestured that he didn't want one, but the waiter was already on his way with two beers.

Noir sat absorbed in his thoughts. The gatekeeper was used to sitting silently beside him, as the old man spoke only when he had something to say. He didn't like long, meaningless conversations. So Tim broke the silence. "I'm going to Heine with Judith."

Noir nodded and took out his pipe. He knew he couldn't light it here, but he still began to fill it, preparing it.

"If you asked me why," Tim continued, "I couldn't say. Well, there is an official reason: I've been promoted to inspector, and Judith has a mission that I'm accompanying her on."

Noir continued fiddling with his pipe, his trembling fingers scattering tobacco everywhere on the table. Tim reached out to help, but the old man pushed his hand away. Tim was surprised by this. "Actually, it's because of the girl. You know, the one who tried to bribe me. Somehow, she captivated me, and I couldn't get her out of my head. Has that ever happened to you?"

Noir now looked up from his concentration and scrutinized Tim for a long moment. "You're mixing things up. That's not good. Becoming an inspector is a serious matter, but your mind is on a girl who, if you think about it, is someone you'll probably have to hunt down?" He began to shake his head.

Tim realized this didn't make much sense, but if he could tell the old man everything, his greatest desire would be to see the girl again and save her. He didn't even know how to do it himself.

"Do you know what inspectors do?" Noir asked.

"They enforce the law..." Tim began to stammer but stopped abruptly because he knew what was coming.

"Yes, yes, the standard line. But do you know what the authority mean? At what cost?" The old man was no longer focusing on his pipe but was looking intently at Tim. "Are you sure you're ready for this? I know you. You have a gentle soul; you strive for good. I think you were born to be a gatekeeper. An inspector is a different thing. You're not like them. They're mercenaries." He whispered the last sentence closer so the few other patrons wouldn't hear.

Tim took a big gulp of his beer. He savored it, but he didn't like it. Nor did he like what the old man had said. He reconsidered what he was getting himself into. Not at all. "Noir, but if we look at our goal, this gatekeeper life, the next level is the inspectorate. If progress, advancement is our goal," Tim said, but he knew it wasn't a strong argument.

"Well, if that's your goal, you're on the right track! Judith is quite impressed with you. You have a good chance of getting into the leadership. If that's your goal..."

"Didn't you ever want more? You've been here your whole life, at this gate, and the locals haven't even accepted you!" He pointed towards the other patrons sitting at a table, with Noir sitting separately.

Noir returned to preparing his pipe and replied almost inaudibly. "It depends on what your goal is. I just wanted a peaceful life. Don't think that I didn't have ambition in my youth! I did, very much so. And I did some nasty things to get ahead. I betrayed my best friend and lied just to be chosen. And for a few months, I was an inspector, but I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror."

Tim was surprised because he couldn't imagine anything wrong with the old man. "You must have just made that up! I can't believe you'd be capable of anything bad!" Tim insisted.

"People are capable of surprising things when they believe what they are doing is good for them, especially when the law is on their side!" The old man had finished with his pipe and drank his beer. He was getting ready to leave, wanting to light up. Tim drank his beer, too, but not ultimately; he needed help to finish it.

Outside, Noir lit his pipe, and they slowly walked towards the hostel to have lunch. "Take care, Tim! Don't let them break your spirit! I think you know what's right and wrong. But be careful because evil can sometimes come in disguise. You might not recognize it, but consider the consequences."

Tim walked in silence, unsure of what to say. He couldn't tell him everything, but he was touched by Noir's concern for him.

The afternoon was mostly spent preparing. Tim thought he would get a uniform, but his boss brought street clothes instead; they needed to blend in. She didn't want to discuss the details of the mission, only mentioning that they would need to swim at some point.

At night, he had that strange dream again. He stood in a swampy forest, knee-deep in water, and Mara appeared again. This time, she grabbed Tim's hand, pulling him along. Tim quickly stepped out of the mud he had been stuck in and followed the girl, and together, they moved forward.

The following day, still under the influence of the dream, he barely noticed the world around him and didn't even pay attention to who eventually took over his post. He only realized he was standing at the gate with Judith as if they were regular travelers. He wore a ridiculous pair of shorts with colorful palm trees hanging loosely on his skinny legs, and he already hated the excursion. He couldn't understand why he had to wear shorts when the shirt Judith brought was long-sleeved. Then he realized they couldn't find the right size for him quickly. On the other hand, Judith was dressed nicely in a one-piece dress with a straw hat, looking ready for a vacation.

They both had rolling suitcases, but they were just for show, as there was nothing in them. Tim didn't even have time to get nervous or think about what was happening to him because he was suddenly standing in front of the gate and stepping into the blue light. Then he felt himself falling and again felt the ground beneath his feet. He found himself in a completely different world when the blue light disappeared.

Heine, where the sky was entirely blue without a cloud in sight, and the sudden heat and humidity hit him so hard that he felt dizzy. He felt his shirt getting wet under his arms. Someone grabbed his arm to help him move, and as he squinted to take in all the beauty around him, Judith appeared next to him.

The buildings were regal, with ornate details, gilded facades, and golden statues. Everything spoke of luxury and wealth, which is why this place was called the paradise of the rich. Tim felt out of place in this environment. Uncertainly, he followed his boss, who grabbed his arm and whispered, "Try to act like you're on vacation! Looking around is fine, but that look of despair on your face is not!"

Tim tried to muster some strength and force a smile. The trees were blooming everywhere, which was strange; they couldn't be accurate since it wasn't even spring. Do they even have seasons here? The weather was pleasantly warm, not scorching, just too humid.

The streets were spotlessly clean, and everywhere, people were taking photos, sitting on café terraces, enjoying their time, and vacationing. There were streets where water flowed, with gondoliers ferrying people around and bridges crossing over them. Tim couldn't stop marveling at the sights he had only seen in pictures or heard about. It was a clear sign that there was not only poverty in the world but incredible luxury, too, and Tim had never experienced this before.

Judith said their hotel was not the most expensive; it was one of the lower categories, yet it exceeded all of Tim's expectations. The bed had silk covers, and there was a private bathroom. He bathed for over half an hour, pouring fragrant oils into the water. He enjoyed this luxury, and by the afternoon, he felt so at home, as if he had always lived there. Judith still hadn't revealed anything about their mission, and she disappeared, instructing Tim to stay in his room.

He ordered lunch and then a snack, which he consumed on the balcony. He felt good and no longer regretted embarking on this adventure. All his doubts and thoughts about Mara seemed to have stayed behind in his old life in Walnut Grove.

From the balcony, he watched the many tourists pleasantly, imagining himself in their place, trying to figure out where they might be from, who they might be, and their relationships.

From his room's balcony, he could get an even better look at the blooming trees, which he had previously suspected weren't real, and now he was utterly convinced of it. He saw a gardener carefully cleaning the flowers and leaves with a cloth. At first, he found it amusing, and then he listened to the buzz of insects or birds chirping, but there was nothing like that. Just the noise of people bustling around and the distant roar of the ocean. He knew it wasn't every day he could see the sea, so Tim decided to go see it before Judith appeared, and they had to focus on the mission.

The receptionist gave him a map and kindly directed him to the sandy beach. He also rented a bicycle to return quickly and avoid his boss discovering he had left the room against her orders.

He hadn't ridden a bike since childhood, but they say you never forget how. After some awkwardness, he got the hang of it and rode down a steep slope, extending his legs to the sides. He felt like a kid again.

The beach and the ocean were lovely. He removed his shoes and waded into his knees; the water pleasantly tickled his feet, and the sand felt good around his toes.

Everything was beautiful, and watching the happy laughter of the bathers, he didn't notice the drones flying overhead at first. One stopped above him, and he became aware of it only then. He was caught; he wasn't supposed to be here and would have to explain himself to his boss.

Feeling defeated, he returned to the bicycle and pushed it uphill. On the way back, he paid more attention to the cameras. There were one everywhere—or two, or five on a single pole.

The surveillance was very effective here, and he had forgotten this feeling. There were none in Walnut Grove, so he had to get used to them again. Of course, if you live like this for a long time, you forget they're there, and every move is documented.

Okay, he had defied his boss's instructions. Would there be consequences?

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