The Divide

by E. J. Mellow

  “Yup,” Rae confirms.

  Dev steps beside me. “This is where a large quantity of our food is grown. We have mostly all of Earth’s ecosystems contained in here. We call it Anima.”

  “Anima.” I continue to stare at the wonder that is a miniature planet in a glass dome. It’s hard to see where the structure ends—it must take up half this section of the city.

  A small voice inside my head is asking why it’s not familiar to me, given that I just acquired so many past memories. In fact, The Market held no familiarity either. Why am I not getting any flashes of recollection?

  “It means life,” Dev explains.

  “Life, spirit, soul, take your pick,” Rae adds.

  “Anima,” I say again, more to myself.

  Dev leans in. “Wait till you see inside.”

  We walk through one of the many entrances of Anima and have to be zapped clean before breaching the carefully contained environment. Standing with a large group in a subchamber, we wait while a humming noise grows around us. There’s a quick flash that’s replaced by a gust of wind and followed by a suction of air. The doors in front open with a steamy gasp, and we filter out.

  Now, I’ve been to the Baltimore Aquarium and walked inside its tropical rain forest, but this…this makes that look like a backyard garden. No joke. I feel like I just traveled into the Amazon. The air is thick and humid where we stand, and a variety of fragrances attack my nose as the sound of dozens of creatures buzz.

  “Whoa.” I tilt my head back and study the canopy of foliage above, unable to see the domed roof.

  “Pretty cool, right?” Dev wears a proud smile—which is adorable—and all I can do is nod.

  “So what are you in the mood for, Molly?” Rae asks.

  “Umm…”

  “Well, I feel like Italian,” he cuts in. “Nothing like some pasta—some delicious carbs to replenish the body after a workout. What do you say, Dev?” He smacks his friend’s shoulder. “Time to pay Elario a visit?”

  I follow the guys blindly as we take an elevator to a tram system that runs the perimeter and enter a car that will apparently take us to wherever we can get pasta in this crazy place.

  “You’ll need to buckle up for the ride,” Dev says. “These things move pretty fast.”

  Without allowing me time to do it myself, he grabs hold of my belt and straps me in. His hands linger on the clasp against my waist longer than, I’m sure, social etiquette allows, and our eyes lock, the brilliant color of his working their magic over my body.

  “Thanks.” I shift in my seat. “But I understand the basic principles of how a seat belt works.”

  “Yes, but wasn’t it more fun this way?” Teasingly, the corner of his mouth tips up before he moves away, buckling himself in. I would have been annoyed if it weren’t for the tram quickly zipping forward, leaving my stomach somewhere on the platform.

  Awe quickly replaces my shock as I watch, through the glass windows, the passing scenery. At this height more of Anima’s layout is revealed. An oily thin wall, like the surface of a bubble, separates each ecosystem. Glowing colors dance along its length, and though it’s transparent, the objects beyond are distorted until we pass into the next area. Some sections are lit like they are in the middle of the day, while others are hued like they are at dusk or the dark of night. We travel through a jungle, into a pine forest, and across a lake with beautiful beaches, until we slow to a stop at a place with rolling green hills in the distance and flat farmland in the center. Wheat and other grain grow tall and golden as they softly sway in a breeze. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

  “This is one of the drier climate areas,” Rae explains as we shuffle out of the car, and I walk to stand in front of the window that separates us from the contained nature. “Good for growing wheat, vegetables, and those grapevines in the distance.” He points to the far green hills. “Excellent wine. We’d give the French and Italians a run for their money if we could sell our stuff.”

  “This is amazing,” I say as I all but press my face to the glass. “So this is where the food at The Market comes from?”

  Rae nods. “Yeah, there are sections in each ecosystem that have newly harvested fruits, vegetables, fish, et cetera. Ready to be portaled to the specific vendors upon request. Everything in Terra is fresh—no preservatives, artificial flavors, any of that nonsense you humans have added to your food over time. We’ve advanced in many things, but food is not one of them.”

  I take in the space before me. “I think you could say this is an advancement.”

  Rae laughs. “Yeah, I guess you could.”

  “I thought you were hungry?” Dev asks from behind us. “Or was that growling I heard in the tram coming from a different part of your body?”

  “Har-har. Don’t be a Metus turd, Dev. And yeah, let’s eat.” Rae drapes his big arm around my shoulders, giving them a squeeze. “Elario will love you.”

  — 6 —

  ELARIO’S RESTAURANT SITS a couple of floors below the tramway in a section that’s lined with other eateries, a sort of fancy version of a food court. One side of his establishment is completely made of glass, allowing the patrons a view of this particular ecosystem’s midafternoon field, giving the impression that we’re dining in the middle of a Tuscan countryside. Elario also turns out to be one I love.

  “So tell me, Molly.” Elario leans in while refilling our water glasses. “What bet did you lose?”

  I frown. “Bet?”

  His deep-brown eyes crinkle from containing a smile. “To be forced to eat with these two. I can’t believe you chose them as your dinner dates of your own volition.”

  “I think he’s trying to offend us.” Rae glances to Dev.

  Elario harrumphs and brushes back a stray lock of gray hair, his black apron stretching across his belly with the movement. “If I haven’t yet, then I must be getting rusty.”

  “We weren’t going to mention your rust issue until the end of the meal, but now that you’ve brought it up…” Dev arcs a brow.

  Elario waves away his comment and bends closer to me, which is easily done given that he’s only a head taller with me sitting. “I’m serious, dear. How did such a lovely thing end up in the company of two—”

  “Devilishly good-looking men?” Dev asks.

  “Utterly charming companions?” Rae adds.

  “Questionable characters,” Elario finishes, his eyes beady as he glares at them from the side.

  The guys scoff, and I bite back a grin as I look up into Elario’s charming face. “Well, if you must know, I’m their hostage. They’ve kidnapped me.”

  He gasps. “I knew it! Would you like me to save you from them?”

  “Oh, would you?” I widen my eyes in hope.

  “Of course, my dear. As long as you promise to be my dinner companion from here on out.”

  “If the meals are always at your restaurant, then that’s an easy agreement.”

  “Oh my.” Elario fans himself. “I don’t think you boys realize the prize you’ve snagged with this one.”

  “Trust us.” Dev’s gaze connects with mine. “We realize.”

  I fumble with my glass of water before placing it back on the table, and catch Elario’s knowing smile. He nods, clearly satisfied, and excuses himself to check on another table.

  “Well, I don’t think I can eat one more bite.” Rae rubs his belly and leans back in his chair.

  “Considering you don’t have anything left,” Dev says and glances at the empty dish in front of his friend, “I’d say you don’t have much of a choice.”

  Rae ignores his comment, suddenly consumed with staring at the last meatball on my plate.

  “Yeah, I’m filled to the brim too.” I casually push my meal away. “Anyone want this last meatball?”

  Rae’s eyes light up, and he’s about to grab the ball, when it’s snatched away by another fork. “Thanks, I thought you’d never ask,” Dev mumbles between chews. “Mmm, yup, that definitely hit the spot.�
��

  I try hard to keep from laughing as Rae’s face morphs into utter despair.

  “What?” Dev looks at his friend innocently, and Rae mutters something under his breath about another set of balls going missing, just as Elario walks back to our table.

  “So, my friends, any room for desser—”

  “Yes!” Rae answers immediately.

  —∞—

  After a double order of cannoli—all of which Rae exclusively consumed—we leave Anima. Being inside the biodome made it easy to forget that I’m not back in my world eating a regular meal among friends, but once we’re out on the streets of Terra, with the blanket of night and shooting stars, the rush of where I am and what I’m meant to do comes barreling down. It’s strange how all at once this place feels so at home and so foreign.

  “All right, comrades, it’s my time to call it a day. I’ve got one beautiful redhead waiting for me to take her to a movie.” Rae drops his Arcus back into his quiver after we descend a zipline platform that’s attached to an office complex close to Dev’s apartment.

  The mention of my best friend makes me long to pick up my phone and call her. Tell her about everything I’ve just experienced, something I know I’ll never be able to do. I swallow down the lump in my throat.

  “What movie are you going to see?” I ask instead.

  “I forget the name, but I know it has something to do with time travel and romance.”

  I smile at Becca’s choice. “Well, I’d normally ask you to say hi for me, but I know that would be strange coming from you.” I glance at Rae. “It would be, right?”

  He grins. “I think I can figure something out.”

  “Really?” I ask, hopeful.

  “Yup, leave it to me. I’ll get her a hello from you one way or another.”

  “Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

  “Anything for our Dreamer.” He brings me in for a bear hug. “I’ll see you for our next session.” Releasing me, he points a finger at Dev. “Play nice.”

  “Never have a day in my life,” Dev counters.

  Rae gives me a shrug. “Well, I tried. You’re on your own, Mols.” With a salute to his brow, he turns and trots off, disappearing around the corner of a nearby building.

  Now alone, Dev and I lock eyes.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine,” I reply automatically.

  He studies me, his gaze taking in every detail. “Not tired?”

  I contemplate his question. Normally after the day I’ve had and the delicious meal, I would definitely be crawling into bed to sleep, but for some reason I feel completely fine. Like each activity rejuvenated me rather than slowed me down.

  “No, not tired.”

  He nods, satisfied that I’m telling the truth. “Well then, what would you like to do? The city is our playground.” He swings his arm out, showcasing our surroundings. A few Nocturna mill about on the thin sidewalks, which weave themselves between nearby buildings, this part of the city not as heavily populated compared to The Market.

  “I don’t know. What do you do for fun around here?”

  A secret smile grows. “I guess that depends on your definition of ‘fun.’”

  “I can assure you”—I eye him dubiously—“it’s not the same as yours.”

  “Hmm, perhaps,” Dev says before quickly glancing down a side street. His face brightens. “Maybe we can compromise on the subject?” He looks back to me, a flash of a mischievous grin. “I know just the place.”

  The longer we walk, the more I notice this part of the city getting darker and darker, and along with its dimming light so disappears any signs of life. The street is so quiet and empty that I wouldn’t be surprised if a tumbleweed began to roll along beside us.

  Since I don’t have the added bonus of night vision, I find myself, more than once, tripping on something in my path. I’m not 100 percent certain, but with Dev’s constant low chuckling in response to my cursing, I have a feeling he’s enjoying my less-than-graceful self.

  “If I knew we’d be traveling into a dark cave, I would have brought a flashlight,” I bite out. I’m concentrating on the pavement below in order to not trip for the thousandth time, so I don’t notice Dev next to me until his hand wraps around my waist.

  I freeze.

  “Molly, when are you going to realize,” he whispers in my ear, “if you want light, all you have to do is make light.”

  Just as my body leans into his warmth, he’s gone. I search the blackness, only discerning a patch of city in the distance where a streetlamp glows blue. Everything else is shrouded in shadows.

  “What does that mean?” I huff in annoyance. “Where are you?”

  His deep chuckle sounds to my left, and I quickly turn, only to jump when his chest is suddenly against my back.

  I try shoving him away. “Dev! Stop that.” I hate how fast he can move, and his stupid night vision, and his abnormal graceful aging, and I’m sure a lot of other things I can’t think of right now. Before I can glimpse his face, he’s gone again. Did I mention that I hate how fast he is?

  “Make your own light, Molly,” his voice echoes out of the darkness.

  “Make my own light? What are you talking abou—”

  Oh! I almost smack my forehead at my denseness.

  Quickly imagining what I desire and gathering energy, I throw out my hand. A ball of pulsing light bounces from my palm and floats in front of me, illuminating my surroundings and the face of one beautiful man. I smile proudly at my new creation and watch Dev walk forward, an appreciative expression painting his features.

  “How did you know I could do that?” I ask, taking steps toward him and noticing that the glowing ball follows. It’s kind of cute.

  “When are you going to realize you can do anything, Molly? You just have to believe it,” he says and surprises me by gently grazing his thumb against my cheek.

  I take in a slow breath, relishing his touch but schooling my features into indifference. “That sounds a bit cheesy, don’t you think?”

  “Does it?” he replies distractedly while studying my mouth. The hovering light flickers, mimicking the quickening pace of my heart. We both glance at it before I move away, cheeks burning, and clear my throat.

  “So where exactly is this place you’re taking me? I thought you said it was close?” I ask, moving the subject away from whatever that just was.

  “You’re standing on it.”

  I step back, exposing a large manhole in the middle of the street.

  “You’re taking me to the sewers?”

  He laughs. “If I said yes, would you still come?”

  “Are bananas purple?”

  His smile remains as he guides me out of the way. “Don’t worry, midnight. This isn’t a sewer. It’s one of the many entrances to this place.”

  “And what exactly is this place?” I cross my arms over my chest.

  Dev bends down and pulls out his Arcus. While still in the baton mode, he fits the device into a space on the top of the manhole, like a key. The rim glows white, and a huff of air releases as the lid shifts to the side, revealing a set of glowing stairs that descend into an unknown depth. A deep reverberating beat is set free and pulses out of the void, beckoning us forward. Dev glances up, a glimmer of the devil in his eye. “There’s only one way to find out,” he answers before jumping through and disappearing down the stairs.

  I turn to my hovering glowing friend. “Yeah, I have a feeling I’ll regret this too,” I say before extinguishing the light and following Dev below.

  — 7 —

  STRIPS OF NAVITAS cord set into concrete walls guide us down a darkened corridor, the low lighting emanating a strange science fiction aura, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw creatures less than human down here. The air is oddly crisp for being underground, and smells sweet, like sugar. We pass bodies pressed up into shadows, faces lost in one another, and the farther we travel, the louder the music grows.

  Dev stops in fron
t of a large tinted turnstile door and guides me to enter first. As I swing around and step out, I’m immediately hit with the noise and heat of the room.

  Holy devil’s playground.

  Bodies cover every inch of the club, moving and swaying in rhythm to the music, which is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. It’s primal and electric, evocative and exotic. It promises to make you forget and give you memories you’ll long to remember. My body instantly wants to move to it.

  I’m not one that normally goes clubbing in New York. I’ve only done it once or twice at Becca’s incessant requesting, but none of those experiences were anything like this. Here I sense that I could get swept away and never think to leave.

  A couple glides in front of me, beckoning with their bodies to join them. I take a step forward, encouraged by the music, which is telling me that’s exactly what I want to do, before someone grabs my hand, and I blink up to Dev. He wears a knowing smile and shakes his head. “Careful, midnight. I wouldn’t want to lose you in the euphoria just yet.” He leans in so I can better hear him, and his unusual fresh scent of spice and night do nothing to clear my suddenly dizzy head. “Try concentrating on one thing and not let all of it overwhelm you. This place, Vex, is meant to hypnotize those who need to escape.” I take in his reflective blue eyes and nod. “Follow me. There’s a section that’s a bit separated from all this.”

  “Wait.” I tug on his hand for him to stop. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea for me to be here. Won’t someone recognize me?” I ask, remembering Elena’s words about my presence here as a Dreamer needing to remain a secret from the Nocturna.

  His gaze slides over my form before coming back to lock with mine. “I think the only thing anyone will notice around here is how gorgeous you are,” he says before continuing to guide us forward. Damn, sometimes he can be one hell of a Casanova.

  As we weave through bodies, I study the people who surround us. The patrons’ clothes are still black, but there’s much less of it. Girls wear outfits cut in crazy geometric designs, and men wear tops that match. Most of the shapes are made from the exposure of skin through absence of fabric. Intense colors of vibrant neon makeup accent people’s eyes, making the mass appear like a sea of hovering blinking lights in the dark. There are more than a few clubbers who wear glowing blue-white bands that wrap from their wrist up to their shoulders. Others wear them the length of their necks or sensually down their legs. They remind me of glow sticks, but something about how the liquid swirls inside and the way the owners lovingly stroke the areas in which the bands lie leads me to believe they are something different entirely.