by Jack Vantage
“No one sleeps until we’re safe. We have ten million people to save. All of you are to give Samantha your direct family details. They will be brought here to the ships we will escape on,” the president promised.
David thought about his wife. He’d forgotten her for all this time. The next time he’d see her would be on the ship. He could always trust his wife, that’s why he loved her. He needed to get word to her. He needed to be her husband.
“Okay, nobody but the general leaves the station. I’m sorry but this can’t get out. I’m afraid all communication devices have to be ceased, and all communication lines to and from the station are blocked. Only military lines will be open. Our galactic ship will dock here tomorrow to begin the collection. All, of your families, will be brought here via the elevators. Do you all understand. Don’t worry, I promise your families will reach us.”
The room fell silent. David never considered himself to be a religious man, he was after all a scientist, but tonight, tonight he would be praying for his wife, praying she arrived safely. This was without question going to be the longest night of his life.
“I am willing to do anything to help us through this, please make me useful.” David said.
“David you can come with me, we need to read the sun, watch it and assess the damage it will cause. It will give the people on the ground a chance to save as many people as possible. General, when it grips the world will start to crumble, we will be relaying to you our best estimates of the impact the world is in for, each stage of what is going to happen. David, myself, and my team will get to work on it right away,” Michael said.
“Everyone god speed, god speed to us all,” the President said, “May we all escape safely, let’s go to work.”
Chapter 9
Drugs
Lecodia couldn’t control the feeling. Lexine told her it would make the night memorable. She couldn’t help worrying, couldn’t stop the feeling of claustrophobic entrapment that overcame her.
Will everything be okay? she thought.
She looked at herself in the mirror of the ladies’ room. Her pupils were dilated and filled her corneas. Her skin was clammy, and her hair had messed from the heat of the club. She felt worn, run down, but simultaneously alive with more energy than ever before. Dylan was waiting for her outside the ladies’ room.
Why have I been with Dylan all night?
Another euphoric wave travelled her body, which stimulated her hairs to stand on end at the back of her neck. She breathed deep like she had to contain the sensation from bursting inside her. She gripped the top of the sink firmly, like she would fall if she let go.
A tall, voluptuous vixen standing next to her said, “Hey, it’s okay. Don’t worry. This your first time?” She inspected her tanned self in the mirror.
Bright minimalist club wear complimented the lady’s long, luscious legs. She brushed her blonde hair with glamorous strokes.
Lecodia noticed a few cool digital barbed tattoos around her biceps, that moved like a cartoon. Or was it the drug?
“I didn’t think it would feel like this,” Lecodia replied, staring at her in the mirror.
The voluptuous vixen was also intoxicated. Her eyes were huge, wide open, but she seemed comfortable, at ease with the overwhelming high.
“My name’s Charlie. Nice to meet you,” she said.
“How long does this last?”
Charlie pulled a small silver water container from her bag and handed it to Lecodia.
“Sip water regularly. Take your time. In a few hours you’ll be fine, tired but fine. Is there someone with you?”
“Yes. He’s outside, waiting.”
“Stay with him. He’ll look after you. How do you feel dancing—cool or what?”
“I have more rhythm. My body moves in a way I didn’t think it could. Boy, is everything different.”
Everything was heightened, different, and magical. The music felt like it lifted her body in the air and pillowed her mind. Then the sound’s texture changed, and it raced through her body with each beat. She felt like she wasn’t there, like it was all a perpetual dream, an altered state. The tablet was only small, a tiny white dove patterned tablet named Xphoria, but its effects were extreme. Lecodia never thought she would take an illegal substance, and never would again. Why didn’t I say no?
Lecodia touched her face and it felt unreal, like her body was emollient, a doll’s skin. Another rush flowed, and she sipped the water, which soothed her dry mouth.
“Is he your boyfriend?” Charlie asked, skimming a pixel pen around her eyes.
“No, just a friend,” replied Lecodia.
Her eyes, Lecodia couldn’t believe how big her eyes were. The effects of the Xphoria was something extraordinary. It crept up on you. She’d taken it in Lexine’s apartment and it began working while she travelled here. Her heart began beating faster and faster, her breaths became shorter and quicker. Rushes pulsed throughout her body, and she felt sexually aroused like she had to have someone right then and there.
She began feeling compassion and a sense of empathy for everyone around her, even people whom she just met. All night she’d said hello to the person next to her, found out their name and got to know them, like they were already friends.
Lecodia realised before the full effect took hold that the scene danced under its guidance. It united and turned the ordinary world into a world of love. She was enjoying her first big night in a club, had been given a boost of confidence by the drug, a confidence that enabled her to feel free and high.
Dylan was shocked earlier when she told him. He said he had never taken one, and never would, but said he would take care of her for the night.
How sweet was he? she thought.
Another rush waved her aura; it was the music, the faint thumping of bass from outside the ladies’ room. The drug made the music intense, altered Lecodia’s perception, conducted music like steel would electricity. With every beat and euphoric melody of the music, Lecodia’s body moved in unison like she was its puppet. It elevated her to a place where the world felt good, felt right, felt perfect. Everything became vivid, colours, people and lights. It was an exhilarating experience, and one she would never forget.
“The countdown starts in ten minutes. Make sure you’re okay,” Charlie said as she placed her grooming tools and water container back in her stylish gold bag.
“Happy millennium, and thanks,” replied Lecodia.
“Make sure you stay with your friend, and you’ll be safe,” Charlie said as she walked away. Her hips and rear were a finely curved work of art.
Lecodia washed her face and dried it with a wall dryer. The air felt surreal, fake. The yellow and black, brick-tiled walls of the ladies’ room breathed. After one last look in the mirror, where an unbelieving smile arched her jaw, she made her way out of the restroom.
Dylan leant against the wall in a dim thin corridor. He looked up and smiled.
“What’s so funny?” Lecodia asked.
Dylan nodded his head. “You look high. Way too high.”
“Shut up and take care of me. I’ll never do it again.”
“Come on, let’s watch the countdown,” Dylan said, taking her by the hand.
“I need some water.”
Dylan pulled a silver container from his pocket. “I’ve got some for you.”
“Thank you.”
Lecodia leant over and kissed him on the cheek, then watched a smile form at the corner of his mouth.
“How did that feel?” she whispered in his ear.
Dylan looked up at her with satisfied eyes, “Nice. Is there an encore?”
Lecodia stopped, pushed Dylan against the wall, and planted her lips softly on his. The rush ran through her veins and pulsed her body alive, bursting it into a flamed passion that felt stronger than anything she’d ever felt before.
His hand ran over her cheek and into her hair. Nothing felt real. The moment was like an everlasting story about love and attraction. She
slowly backed away from his lips, her bottom lip flicking off from the pressure. She looked into his lush blue eyes.
“I didn’t mean to do that,” she said, love-struck.
“It’s okay. Nobody will know if that’s what you want. It’s a secret between you and me.”
“Nothing against you, but I don’t think I’m in any kind of state to think straight,” she said dreamily. Her eyes closed, then reopened.
“If it makes you feel any better, I liked it,” Dylan said softly into her ear.
“Take care of me tonight, and I will apologise in the morning.”
“You don’t have to apologise, honestly, all forgotten. I’ll make sure you’re okay. Come on.”
The drug, she realised, changed everything. She could understand why people swallowed the little pill. It filled your body with life and tainted your rational thinking in a welcome way. The world became dangerously nice, dangerously perfect, a world where everyone was okay, and everyone was loved. There were no troubles when the drug took effect. It took them all away, floated them from her mind and reassured her that she was in safe hands.
Yesterday Dylan was to be held off, but today the drug had incapacitated her will to make decisions. It made them for her. She felt so aroused by his support and care that she couldn’t hold him off. She was an amorous assailant.
Dylan held her hand firmly and entered the main arena where the party was happening. The house beat pumped at her heart, the crowd danced in a craze, and the lights hypnotised. She could feel herself smiling, always smiling. It was amazing, an inexplicable high.
Lexine and Jack were dancing arm in arm. Then the music stopped.
Lecodia’s ears rang, her body buzzed, and Lexine smiled and hugged her. “Is it the best or what? I was worried where you got to,” she said.
“It’s okay. Dylan’s taking care of me.”
Chapter 10
Direction
Dylan never understood why some of his friends intoxicated themselves with substances; the night was just as good when you didn’t. Friends were friends, and the pressure of not following the crowd was greater than following it. Dylan promised himself to never take anything. He feared liking it.
He was still in shock at Lecodia and the kiss. She’d want to kill him in the morning when realisation dawned. Or did she truly like him? Some people say that the truth comes out when under the influence of things.
One thing was for sure: he had to take care of her tonight and make sure she was okay. He liked her too much to let anything bad happen. He looked up to the countdown, which floated with a green holographic effect above the DJ. There was one-minute left, and the crowd buzzed with excitement.
The lights ignited, and the size of the arena revealed itself. Dylan had been here many times, but always in the dark. The arena centre had to be three hundred metres in diameter. At least twenty thousand clubbers stood together. Hats, glow sticks and millennium flags all elevated above the bed of bodies awaiting the countdown.
The DJ spoke. “Are you ready!”
The reply was deafening. Twenty thousand people shouted yes. Above the DJ a large screen burst into a frenzy of multi-coloured fireworks with the countdown beginning at thirty seconds. The crowd followed the DJ and grew louder with every number.
Hammed appeared from the crowd with an Indian girl in hand. She elegantly shone a princess beauty.
Jack, Lexine, and Lecodia were stunned, like their eyes betrayed them.
Hammed stood proudly, arm in arm with the most radiant body of beauty that surely walked the club. Her colourful chiffon dress streamlined her shape like it lusted after every asset.
“Your name?” Dylan asked. He kissed her hand like a gentleman.
“Hailey Shetisha,” she replied with regal gratitude. “And you?”
“Dylan.”
Fredu and Xandu appeared happy, sweet, smiling, and in love. “Everyone together, now,” Fredu shouted before he spotted Hammed smugly standing with the beauty on his arm.
Brandon emerged and looked baffled at Hammed; everyone started laughing at him, except Hailey.
“What’s funny, Hammed?” she asked.
“Nothing, they’re just happy. Meet my friends.” Behind her back he crossed his fingers.
Only Brandon noticed and smiled unbelievingly.
The group huddled together, arm in arm, and joined in the countdown.
Deve appeared from the crowd and slapped Brandon across the arm. “Hey, I told you to wait for me,” she said upset.
“Sorry, sorry. Join in,” Brandon said. “Hey where’s Leon?”
Everyone shrugged, which meant he was with a lady.
The new millennium was almost here. It seemed like it was years away yesterday.
The millennium had Dylan thinking about his life. He was looking at life’s highway ahead of him, and was unsure of where to go, what to do, or how to tackle it. Like signs along a highway that directed and guided, he could follow career paths, love paths, or moral paths. The choice was left to him he realised, life was there for the taking, life was your own, you just had to make it yours.
The girl next to him had presented a new direction. Where it would go was unknown to him. It was in cruise control now, but would it crash and burn or go forever?
The countdown continued with twenty seconds left.
The group screamed with the DJ, who boomed his voice around the arena. “Nineteen! Eighteen! Seventeen! Sixteen!”
“Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six!” the arena screamed. In a few seconds the numbers of the date would change, would reach the 7th millennium, and time would continue moving with mathematical precision.
“Three! Two! One! Happy Millennium!” the DJ screamed.
The crowd raised their voices to a defining ovation.
Lecodia looked overwhelmed by the drug she’d taken. The induced feeling emanated across her face. She grabbed Dylan, turned him towards her, and hugged him with happiness. “Happy millennium, Dylan Ajax,” she said joyously.
“Happy millennium, Lecodia Ale,” he replied.
The moment was thrilling. It felt as good as he expected it to. One by one the group hugged and moved between each other. They congratulated the new era and welcomed it.
“Are you ready to party?” the DJ boomed.
The crowd reacted with a crazed jump. They shouted out of control, as their bed of bodies bobbed up and down over the arena like it was made of stormy water. The lights dimmed, and a pounding bass pumped from all around.
No better way to celebrate, Dylan thought, than through music.
Everyone grooved to the bass line, moved to its rhythm. Lasers and lights cut and whirled through the arena. They created a dance of their own.
The DJ’s set discoed with hyper-reality, and the club scene breathed life. Dylan looked around and everyone moved in slow motion to the strobes. Everybody twisted, bent, glided, and grooved through the air, like they were in symbiotic entwinement with it.
Lecodia smiled and pulled Dylan close. He could smell her attraction, feel her desire, and see her love. Her body moved with lust. With every groove of her body an impulse built in Dylan, an impulse that would eventually explode with passion if it continued, but he had to respect her wishes. He had to look after her and control his feelings. Should he make a move to soon, the friendship or any possibility of a relationship would be over. He had to wait, let it happen naturally.
He stepped close and talked into her ear. “Come with me. I have something I want to show you.”
“Okay. Where?”
“Just follow me. It’s a surprise.”
“I like surprises, Dylan Ajax,” she replied.
Above the crowd a rainbow-coloured laser widened and swallowed the arena in a swirling vortex. The crowd reacted with hands in air and shouts of pure euphoric pleasure.
Dylan guided Lecodia from the vortex and exited through the archways. Thousands of clubbers crowded the glowing retro bars, some sitting and talking, others drinking.
Dylan spotted Leon sitting in a glowing bubble-shaped seat.
“Happy millennium, Leon,” Dylan said, standing over his sultry red chair.
On Leon’s lap sat a small, sexy blonde, her arm around and buried in him. She smoothed him like he was made of gold, and her tiny turquoise skirt left nothing to the imagination.
Leon extended his hand and Dylan shook. “Dylan, happy millennium,” he said through his shades. “Come see me in an hour. I have some introducing to do with my new friend Sasha. Keep the night real and take good care of the gorgeous Lecodia.”
Lecodia smiled. “Happy millennium, Leon.”
Leon always was the arrogant one, the show off. He was bad enough when he wasn’t drinking, let alone when he was. Dylan kind of envied him.
“Where are we going?” Lecodia asked again.
“Just follow, you’ll see.”
Dylan led her into a long wide corridor. On both sides eight industrial chromed fans lined the walls at ten metres high. They blew a welcomed breeze of fresh air over their bodies. At the corridor’s end was a bright door scribed with Chill Out.
“I will thank you in the morning, for this,” Lecodia said.
“You better,” Dylan said. His altruistic intensions comforted her.
They reached the door and entered. The room was surreal, Dylan’s favourite, with the walls made of silver spheres that reflected light and people from every curved angle. The bar was a cool blue. Cream seating ran through the middle of the room where clubbers relaxed under the soft, quiet, ambient tune that healed the air. Some petted with club love, some talked, and some just sat there, content with the humming melody. All had one thing in common—colour.
Lecodia said, “This is much better.”
They made their way to the bar.
“Two ice cold waters please,” Dylan said to the uniformed bartender.
He lifted two purple containers from under the glowing bar top and waved a credit reader over Dylan’s hand. Both sat at the bar’s high, stylised stools. They faced each other, smiling.
“I’ve had a great time with you tonight,” Lecodia said. “I owe you.”