A long stretch of monorail separated Axia from Alessia, although the trip took about six hours, Aurora had the feeling that she had been sitting in her seat next to the window for days, even if it was not much she could see due to the speed at which they were moving, it was more than she had ever seen in her entire life.
On its way, the monorail crossed about eight villas larger and more colorful than La Villa, a bridge over a lake of beautiful greenish waters, large fields of crops, and several miles of desert, Aurora was amazed at such a variety of landscapes, but what impressed her most was the passage over the eastern mountains and the view from them of the sea, impressed she emitted an exclamation that caught the attention of a passenger who was sitting in front of her and that during the whole trip had not raised his eyes from an electronic notebook.
He was a man in his forties, with a yellowish complexion and a bony face, dressed in an elegant dark blue suit, complemented by a strange blue suede hat, crowned by a golden tassel. After Aurora called his attention, the man was observing her discreetly for a few minutes, paying special attention to the object she was carrying on her legs, they were almost about to reach Alessia when he addressed a few words to her.
-Excuse the indiscretion child, my name is Luciano Morelli, I could notice your interest in the landscape during the whole journey, is it the first time you travel? - he asked looking at her face with great interest.
-Yes sir, it's the first time, my brother has done this route before, but I had never left the village- answered Aurora pointing to Ivan, who had fallen asleep in his seat a few minutes after leaving Axia.
-They are going to Alessia I guess, if it's not a bother, could you tell me what they are going there for -continued Luciano.
-Yes sir, we are going to live in Alessia, my mom died recently and my brother and I decided to move there- answered Aurora innocently.
-And again, if it's not too much trouble for me to ask you, what's that you're carrying on your legs - he asked, while pointing to the bulge on the girl's legs.
-A book that belonged to my aunt, she lived for some time in Alessia- answered Aurora squeezing the book wrapped in cloth that she was carrying on her legs.
-Would you allow me to see it? - she asked looking her straight in the eyes.
-But you're going to give it back to me, aren't you? -she said, staring him in the face, while frowning.
-I give you my word- he said to her, while he gave her a wide smile, which seemed to be a grimace on his bony face.
Aurora with difficulty extended the book to Luciano, who took it with delicacy and put it on his legs to unwrap it. He looked at it curiously without opening it and felt its cover with interest as if looking for something in particular, his face remained expressionless until he opened it and began to leaf through its pages, the man's eyes seemed to open until they were completely round, his serene expression became somber, Aurora noticed how his jaw seemed to drop as if he was about to open his mouth, but without parting his lips, after glancing at it for a while almost without blinking, he took off his curious hat and scratched his almost bald head nervously, closed the book and stared at Aurora.
-Excuse my indiscretion, but what is your name? - he asked apparently dismayed.
-Aurora Roberti-, he answered tilting his head to one side and smiling cheerfully at her.
-And Aurora, what was your aunt's name-, he asked, fixing his gaze on Aurora.
-Julia, sir, Julia Roberti... - she answered back in her seat intimidated by the man's gaze.
Luciano leaned back in the seat and for a moment Aurora had the impression that he was going to be sick, he took a big breath of air and carefully wrapped the book again with the old and faded cloth, he lifted it from his lap and passed it to Aurora who again, with difficulty, put it on hers and held it clinging to it frightened by the man's behavior.
-Tell me something Aurora, do you understand what it says in that book you treasure so much, - he asked, his already haggard face looked even more aged.
-No sir, I don't know how to read what it says, my aunt never taught me the languages in which her books were written- answered the girl.
-Would you like to learn to read those languages- asked Luciano.
-Yes sir, I would love to-, answered Aurora smiling again.
-I will leave you my phone number, tell your brother when he wakes up and you are in Alessia, to call me, I will talk to him about teaching you to read the languages in which your book is written. Don't forget to do it, it's very important-, Luciano's expression looked like the one who desperately begs for something, he extended Aurora a card that he took out of the pocket of his suit.
-Yes sir, I will certainly tell him- said Aurora taking the card.
-For now I will say goodbye to you, don't forget to tell your brother, it is very important, we are almost to Alessia, I will go to the next carriage to have a drink, I have to think about some things, I trust I will see you in Alessia- he said again with a pleading expression.
-Yes sir, of course- answered the girl still clinging to the book.
The man got up staggering and went to the door that separated both carriages, but not before turning twice to see Aurora again as he walked away.
It was already dusk when they reached Alessia, again Aurora's expression was filled with amazement and joy at the sight of so many illuminated buildings, as well as the lights of the vehicles moving quickly from one side to the other, just as they passed between two large and illuminated dome-shaped buildings, she noticed that Ivan had awakened and was watching her attentively with a big smile. Aurora saw him and was amazed and full of joy.
-What is that big round building? -she asked her brother.
-It is the University of Alessia, where Aunt Julia studied, and the one next to it is the Library.
Aurora glued her forehead to the window and kept watching Alessia's lights moving in the opposite direction of the monorail while her face was smiling broadly.