In the instant the clock ticks of midnight, time stops and everything freezes. After the ending of the 28th and before the beginning of the 1st, there is one more day.
Entering the white hall, the boy was welcomed by a bright smile. “Welcome to this realm!” “Who are you?” the confused boy asked. “I am Halwende and this is the Twenf realm!” “Twenf?” “It comes from twenty-ninth of February. I came up with it.” Halwende explained with his cheerful smile. He guided the boy towards a colorful room, filled with people. “This is the place where all the people born on the 29th of February celebrate their birthday when there is not a leap year. Time stops and they come to this place, spend a day here and when the day is over they return to their world.” The boy looked around and noticed the different people around him. Children from different countries, wearing all pajamas and chatting happily. The walls were beautifully decorated and music was playing from somewhere in the background. He joined them, somehow being able to understand all they were saying. In a “day”, he managed to make lots of friends. There were games and cookies and everything he could wish for. He started liking this place. Time started running again. The boy returned to his sleep. When he woke up, it was the 1st of March. He was now 9 years old.
“Why are there only children here?” the boy asked. “Because after people become adults they do not need to be here anymore.” Halwende answered with his usual smile on his face. Although the boy didn’t understand what he meant, he didn’t pry into it further. “Are you the guardian of this place?” “I guess you could say that.” “Are you also born on the 29th?” “Yes.” “So you are just like us.” Halwende smiled in confirmation. The boy kept asking him questions: about the realm, about him, about the others. He was now 14 years old.
“This is your last year here. You’re 18 now.” “Oh, right. Well, it was good while it lasted.” the boy said. He enjoyed this last time in the realm, but he was actually more excited by the celebration in his own world, with his parents and friends. He was starting to realise what Halwende meant to say by not needing to be in this place anymore.
The “day” was nearing its end. The boy was saying his goodbyes as he was preparing to leave. One last question was on his mind, though. “Halwende, everybody else became an adult and left and new people came to this realm, but how come you are still here?” With his usual smile, he answered.
“Because my time stopped forever.”
And then the time started running again.
“Welcome to the realm of Twenf!” Halwende said with his usual smile. “I see you returned.” The boy smiled. “Yes. It seems like I still need to be here.”