“Would you like to come inside now so I can give you a tour?”
“Don’t suppose that tour will include a place I can shower and change?” Soon as he asked, he stammered. “Which I will do alone, of course.”
“Knowing Tower, the tour will finish on the floor with your apartment.”
“Who is Tower? Is he like the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz, controlling everything from behind a curtain?”
“Tower isn’t a person but more a spirit, I guess, for lack of a better term. This building is its body, and within its walls, and sometimes to a certain extent, outside of them, Tower uses magic to tend to those in its care.”
“Magic,” he snorted.
“Trust me. I struggled with the concept, but you’ll soon see there is no explanation for the things Tower does. No scientific ones, at any rate.”
The man strode toward her, even bigger and more daunting up close, and yet she felt no fear. Not yet.
“I’m Grayson, by the way.”
“Leila.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Been a while since I’ve heard that,” her wry reply. “I don’t socialize much and only agreed to guide you as a favor to Tower.”
“Not a people person?”
“I prefer my own company.” No need to explain she didn’t trust anyone. Too many times she’d been let down and abused by those who claimed to care.This is for your own good,they’d scream before striking.
“Well, thanks for doing this. I’m feeling a little out of my element.”
“Only a little?” Her small giggle surprised her so much she pivoted and strode inside.
“How long have you lived here?” he asked as they hit the first step.
“Longer than you think. I came here shortly after the Taliban took power in Afghanistan.” The admission slipped out.
“I can see why you’d want out. Terrible what they did to women’s rights.”
“Even more terrible how no one did anything to stop it.” The tart reply emerged, and she instinctively braced for a slap, even as she knew Tower would never allow her to come to harm.
“The Western World didn’t step in because they didn’t see a way to profit. I’ve come to learn governments only go to war if it lines their pockets.”
“An astute observation.”
“I would have called it cynicism.”
“I hope one day my people will have the sense to rise against the Taliban. But so long as the children are indoctrinated at a young age, I fear that will never happen.”
“You never know. Society is always evolving, and people do eventually tire of tyranny and overthrow their oppressors.”
“So how old are you if you fled when the Taliban invaded?”
“Older than you, if that’s what you’re wondering.” They reached the first floor, and she paused. “This is the guest floor.”
“So I’ll be staying here.”
“No. Nobody does. I’m not even sure why Tower maintains it since I’ve never heard of it being used.”
Up more steps they went. Gaming level, replete with pool table, snooker, air hockey, hoops, and more. Next, dining, but before she could explain how it worked, his stomach made a loud, gurgling noise and he turned beet red.
