The amusement park was illuminated by colorful lights that danced across the night sky. The lights of the carousel spun as you walked alongside Alexei. He seemed disconcerted and fascinated by everything around him, like a child seeing the world for the first time. It was hard to believe that this smiling man, who could barely take his eyes off the toys and stalls, was the same scientist who had talked about doors between worlds and apocalyptic devices.

You pointed to a cotton candy machine and grabbed one for him, holding it out to him. Alexei looked at the pink candy curiously, his eyes shining. He accepted it with a wide smile, the kind of smile that seemed almost naive, before taking a tentative bite. His expression of surprise as he felt the sugar dissolve on his tongue was priceless.

"Что это? Это невероятно!" he exclaimed with eyes wide in amazement.

You laughed, not understanding what he said, but Murray, who was right behind, translated for you: "He said, 'What is this? This is amazing!'"

Alexei continued eating the cotton candy with the enthusiasm of a child, while you took him to one of the stalls where he could win teddy bears by shooting at cans. You grabbed a BB gun and pointed it at the stacked cans, waving it at Alexei as if to say “look at this.”

You hit the cans for the first time, knocking them over. The stall attendant handed you a giant stuffed bear and you offered it to Alexei. He laughed in pure joy, hugging the bear tightly. It was as if, for a moment, he forgot all the chaos, the “Key”, the Russians, and the pressure of a portal between worlds.

“Спасибо, спасибо!” Alexei said, the smile still lighting up his face as he held the bear and rocked back and forth with it.