It sat alone in a lot. Blue to rival the sky and white to match the clouds. The Alystra was home not only to those who lived within, but also housed many of my dreams. Within it's bright walls was a labyrinth of darkness, ripe for exploration. My first explorations were easy. The front door had been torn away.

Upon entry there were no slot machines as there used to be when it was in use so many years ago. No poker, no roulette, no gambling, and no greed. The building was littered with tickets and coupons from it's previous uses. "Free souvenir from gift shop" "Free $10.00 slot play" If one listened hard enough, the sounds of slot machines paying out might have echoed from the distances of time.

But now it was dark and silent. Flashlights switched on and exploration began. Room upon room filled with the past, pushing on into the future. Our beams illuminated and found beauty in every corner, behind every shadow.

We left.

Returning again, the front door was no more. The whole building had been hermetically sealed. Climbing to the roof via a leaning old pine tree had been easy enough. On the roof there were the towers. Perfectly modeled after their ancient counterparts. The building was dressed up like a medieval castle. Inside one of the towers, a mound of bird shit uncomfortably large. the birds had claimed this one. Another tower small but beautifully positioned facing the city. Another with a room fit to live within. Countless hangman games played in magic marker on the walls.

I visited the place several times. Always finding something to document, explore, fall in love with.

I visited the place seven times.

Once, an acquaintance. A cordial "hello".
Twice, a brief courtship.
Thrice, a fevered love affair.
Four times, filled with introductions to friends and family.
Five times, elopement.
Six times, honeymoon bliss and untethered adoration.
Seven times, a final visit. Twisted and torn. A cordial "goodbye".

The site is now nearly empty. I will visit it like a grave site.