DRIFTING TOWARDS TOMORROW

Daniel tapped “overview” and the directory panned out from the point where he stood to display the layout of the entire village. He ran his finger along Main Street, which formed the outer edge of an area known as the “Hub” and he counted four concentric ovals encircling the innermost core, where six brushed metal sculptures—huge silver-toned children with uplifted arms—rose from the pavement next to the expansive rock-and-water garden. He zoomed in on each of the eight stone bridges that spanned the oval mote between this inner sanctum and the third ring: a verdant botanical park with inviting wooden benches that were nestled inside gazebos. A crystal carousel cast luminous sparks of color on the park’s north lawn; while contented animals posed for onlookers in a small zoo two miles away on the south end. This brought him back to the outer ring, to Main Street’s cobblestone walkways, which encircled the park with open-air markets, colorful shops and imposing architecture.

Excerpt--Chapter 5
©2006, Alice Ofria