Chapter 1: City of Dreams

Starros used to be known as the city of dreams. The founder of the town was a religious man who believed that the alignment of the stars were messages from the Gods. Like the star of Bethlehem, he believed that the constellations were a map to indicate the birth of the perfect land. It would be an everlasting city, a name that would be remembered throughout history. Those who sow found favour and blessing from the Gods; the world would find refuge in the city of Starros.

There were criticisms about his theory, people who would scream blasphemy at his name. They felt like he was mocking their beliefs, and that he wanted to bring false hope to destroy the minds of the innocent and weak. Some called him idealistic, some called him mad, but many regarded him as a messenger from the Gods. Despite the contradictions that were brought up over and over again, people wanted to believe in him; the world needed a hope to hold onto. Darkness seemed to lurk in every corner and the people wanted a light, we needed it. 

Everyone from all over the world swarmed to Starros to find success. Anyone you can imagine, from the young to the old, fought hard to get there, and among the waves of applications was me. I was a young fresh graduate that wanted to pursue the psychiatric world. I loved the intricacy of the human brain and wanted the opportunity to study the greatest minds in the world. Unfortunately, it was never an ideal dream in my town. We had a small population, and most of us were conditioned into careers that were deemed as acceptable; I was an outlier. 

There were very little support when I brought up my plan to head to Starros. My parents were disappointed, my partner left and my friends thought I was crazy. “Aren't you happy here?” they would ask. “Why can't you be thankful with what you have? Find a realistic path and you will realize how much happier you will be.” My parents would not sent me off after I received my approval into Starros. I still remembered the envelope on my desk, the seal broken with the letter sprawled across the floor. The anger on my mother’s face when she realized I went behind her back. Even my own siblings started to avoid me, but I refused to let my family hold me back. Some of my friends were nice enough to wish me luck as I walked past the airport gates during my departure. Was I nervous? Very. But I needed to believe that my dreams could be achieved, and with enough will, anything was possible. Starros was placed on a pedestal, and I knew if I wanted to be someone, I had to be among the city of dreams.

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