My Worst Fear
confined space like a bathtub- I could become a baker. I could become immortal
- wink like your life depends on it
- He said that was normal
- unhealthy love for gummy candy
Tune in next time part 816 Click Here for Earlier Installments
My worst fear was that this door would lead us into an even more confined space like a bathtub (although I was well aware that my recent bathing escapade, however thorough, had long worn off). It was in fact quite spacious, but oppressed by statuary.
A sculpture garden is not standard on all Contrarian airships, but of course this vessel had all the upgrades. When a Contrarian airship does have a sculpture garden, it’s mandatory for there to be a theme. This one must have been selected by Fleur personally. It gave me the creeps, and the heebie-jeebies. It made me question my life choices. It made me reflect that I could become a baker. I could become immortal through the medium of yeast and frosting. And then I wouldn’t be surrounded by my worst nightmares.
Literally. Fleur had obtained one of my old dream journals and commissioned the whole thing in bronze. That was the theme.
I hadn’t realized that I was frozen in place, until Tessa gave me a shove. She said into my ear, “Run like the devil is chasing you, and wink like your life depends on it.” Jim was already halfway down the first concourse. Petit Julien would be on our heels any second. I ran.
All around me, the metal monstrosities seemed to reach out, seemed to actually be moving. I involuntarily wrapped up my head with my arms.
“No, they aren’t really moving,” Tessa grunted, shoving me again. “I asked Jim about the illusion while you were gawping. He said that was normally only noticeable by the one whose psychic trauma was depicted by the works, so I must be pretty well attuned to you. Now, wink dammit!”
I was too terrified to argue, and as soon as I started the process of repeatedly shutting only one eye I understood why she was ordering me to do that. It created a sort of lopsided stroboscopic effect that counteracted the menacing sense of motion, blunting the terror even of the statue that showed my unhealthy love for gummy candy.
bonus points for using them in order