A remarkable encounter

I hear leaves drinking rain. I hear rich leaves on top. Giving the poor beneath. Drop after drop. Tis a sweet noise to hear. These green leaves drinking near. And when the sun comes out, after this rain shall stop. A wondrous light will fill each dark, round drop. I hope the sun shines bright. Twill be a lovely sight.

It was the night of 1921. Rain poured out of the sky like waterfalls. Lightning strikes lightened up the sky every ten seconds. It was dark in the library. The only source of light came of my little candle. While staring at the big letters on the cover of the book, The search for Planet X, I imagined how another Planet Earth would look like. Until the entrance to the library suddenly flew open and my candle darkened. I silently crawled behind the nearest bookshelf while holding my breath. A shadow walked towards the window I just sat at, and right at that moment the moon broke through the thick layer of grey. Its silvery light revealed it was a man staring out of the window. His hair and clothes were drenched. I felt pity for him, for no one should have to walk through a storm like that. Then all of a sudden, he looked at me, like he had heard my thoughts. A tear glistened in his eye, but he smiled nonetheless. A soft sigh escaped through my lips. I am caught, arent I? His smile broadened. Carefully I crawled out of the bookshelf. How did you acquire a key, if I may ask? Mine was the only spare key, or so I thought. He opened his mouth to say something, but it seemed like he could not utter a word. I see. Well, I will not say a thing about you being here, if you will keep silent too. After giving him a quick smile I lightened up the candle again and continued reading. The moon disappeared behind the clouds again. And that was the start of many more meetings. Every night was the same. I was reading or doing research, while the gale kept going on outside. He just curiously stood there, staring out of the window like he was expecting something, or someone, while tears slowly rolled down his cheeks. With every passing day the odd feeling of wanting to help him, to comfort him, grew stronger. It was ridiculous, to care for someone this much without knowing a thing about him. Even more the reason he peaked my curiosity more

and more. Who is he? Why is he crying? What is he doing here? Is he a student here? I am a student here. He whispered one night, like an answer to my thoughts. Excuse me? You must be wondering if I am a student here. He sat down next to me. A sudden urge to wrap him in my arms grasped me. I am wondering who you are in general. Or what you are doing here. I even want to know why you are always soaking wet, even though it is obvious. I rambled on to distract myself. He stared into my eyes, which made me feel uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time. It was absurd how I felt about this odd man. Please do not do that. He frowned. I am sure you know it is rude to stare at people, it makes them feel uncomfortable. He quickly looked away, and that concluded our second conversation, if it could be called that way. At least one question was answered now. Only forty-two more to go. Night after night I found out more about him as our conversations grew longer. His name was Nathaniel, or so he thought. He did not remember anything about his past. He only knew he needed to do something, as soon as the eternal storm came. And he told me about this beautiful place he saw in his dreams. A wondrous green world. About which I dreamt too the very night he had told me about it. In some ways it looked like our own world, with lush forests and far stretching meadows and huge cities. But it looked different too, for the trees of the forests were huge, the meadows were teaming with strange life forms and the cities had towers even taller than Woolworth Building. Nathaniel figured it all was connected to each other and it had a greater meaning. Though the theory that the thing he was waiting for must be some kind of ship that would lead him to that world was a little too over the top for me. I tried to talk him out of it, carefully suggesting he may be mad. But he was utterly convinced by his own imaginations. Even though he was crazy, the feelings continued to grow stronger. And before I knew it, I had wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly. He was staggered, and so was I when I realized it. Please, forgive me, I do not know what got into me. I just Whenever I am around you I get this odd feeling. It feels like I have known you for years, like you are my brother or something. It is so confusing. And all of a sudden he

grabbed my hands and looked into my eyes. It became even more difficult to restrain myself. Maybe you are part of it. Maybe we are meant to go together. For I share those feelings. You are the only person with whom I am able to express my emotions. He smiled, and finally I decided to just give in. My heart rate accelerated and a feeling of great joy filled me as our lips touched each other. But it was not an ordinary kiss. Suddenly the dream about the wondrous world stretched around us. It was like we were standing in one of those meadows, even the strange creatures were there. But a sudden thunderclap abruptly brought us back to the dark library. We were both equally confused about it. But we had no chance to talk about it, for a bright beam of white light shone through the librarys window. Nathaniel grabbed my arm and pulled me with him outside, while yelling It is here! Finally, it has come! I wanted to stop him, tell him to let me go. But for some reason my body was acting on its own and I just let myself me dragged away. The white light blinded us once outside. It lighted up the whole street. You have not forgotten me! Finally you have come to take me home. He yelled up to whatever was above us. He turned around and grabbed my hands and smiled. Please forgive me. I have not been completely honest with you. The truth is, I do remember who I am and where I come from. But you, as an Earthling, would have declared me as crazy before you would even give me a chance to explain. The dreams arent dreams, they are reality. And when we united, you saw what is inside my mind, inside my memories. Only a handful of Earthlings are capable of melting with us. I love you, both in your and my way. Even though I did not understand what he had just said, my head began to toll because of his last words. He smiled at me, and I automatically smiled back. I melted away by his passionate kiss. Will you come with me? Are you willing to give up everything you have here, to go to a more beautiful Planet Earth, with me? I do. It felt like a proposal, and I was glad with it. His smile broadened and he wrapped his arms around me. Close your eyes. He whispered in my ear and so I did. Once I opened them I was in this massive ship. When I looked out of its windows, I saw the stars and planets and suns. I had lost track of time. I did not miss anyone back home, since no one would miss me. Mostly I had to stay in my quarters, which were huge. But at nightfall, Nathaniel and I would explore the ship, or he would tell me about his home and people. He would tell me

about every single creature living there, the cycle of the planets, the incredible technique behind the ship, the very long history of his people, or the short one of himself. And sometimes we would just lay in bed, listening to each others heartbeats and enjoying each others company. One day I unintentionally followed Nathaniel. Well, maybe it wasnt so unintentionally, but I was really curious what Nathaniel was doing when he was not with me. I overheard him talking to an older man who he clearly held high. That is very good news indeed, sir. I must say that I am anxious to get home, sir. We all are, Nathan, we all are. But you know what this means, dont you? That girl is very important. I take it she is still with you? Very much, sir. I have her complete and utmost trust. She is a fine specimen indeed, sir. Good, very good. You have done an excellent job, Nathan. Just keep doing that and make sure you are not growing too fond of that girl. For you know you will have to give her to us as soon we are landed. Understood, sir. I could not bear to listen anymore, and rushed back to my quarters. The feelings of joy and happiness came abruptly to their end. The dream had shattered into thousand pieces, and became a nightmare instead. For I was no guest here, nor someone special to Nathaniel. I was their prisoner, their guinea pig. All of a sudden, I felt cold.