Chapter 7
It’s been weeks since I defeated Leon and he still won’t admit it. He claims I cheated because of Xander’s little stunt. There’s no cheating in a fight, especially in the pit. Pretty sure he’s just a sore loser. I am kind of relieved he isn’t such a dick anymore. Well, to me anyway. I think I may have even earned a bit of the mountain’s respect. The first day after I killed him, I nearly shit my pants when he walked into the dining hall. Apparently, everyone but me knew he has the same mutation Niko Lethe had, the gene responsible for the sustenance pills. The only way to kill an immortal is through the brain. Leon’s the only one I’ve ever met, but I’ve heard rumors of others.
There certainly is a difference in the women’s attitude around here. It’s impossible to go anywhere without getting these long, seductive stares, not that I mind. They wet their lips and flaunt their pretty much naked bodies through the path in front of my room at all hours. Everyone loves the new guy. Even Jacee has been acting strange lately, stranger than usual. Something has been building in the space between us. Whatever it is has me looking to bump into her as often possible, without looking too obvious, of course.
In 34 when we gave our heart to someone, we gave all of it to them. Here… well, here I quickly learned it’s completely different. Everyone shares their heart. Jealousy has been replaced by exploration. As Hera would say, the shackles of monogamy do not exist in Elysium. Promiscuity is as common as laughter. Drunkenness and sex are official pastimes. It’s almost impossible to stay faithful to anyone. Why would anyone want to? What law of nature says you must? Temptation lingers like an unwanted roommate. So far, I have resisted, but I feel myself slipping.
I can’t sleep tonight, not that unusual lately.
Sliding the rust-stained metal gate to the Outlands open I spot her immediately. Top of the big rock across the gate sitting peacefully by herself, waiting for sunrise. A stray hair falls across her face like it was programmed. From within her gaze, moonlight sparkles across fixed eyes.
The rocky rise proved simple to scale. Jacee didn’t flinch as I took my seat, allowing my legs to dangle off the edge next to hers.
“Can’t sleep either, huh?”
“Nope,” she replies, without moving. Head still fixed in the direction of the moon.
“Well, I know things have been a little crazy lately but, how do you like it here so far?” I ask for something to say.
“Better than the alternative, I suppose.”
“I kind of like it.”
“Bet you do,” she snaps playfully.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Come on, Palin. I can see why you wouldn’t mind living in a cave filled with half-naked women wanting to have sex with you all of the time.” There was unquestionably some resentment in her voice, but she was pretending it didn’t bother her.
“Wait a second… Are you jealous, Jacee?”
“Me?” she fakes a laugh, “Don’t flatter yourself. That is the last thing on my mind right now.”
“What’s the first thing?”
“Sleep. I think that’s enough fresh air for me.”
She slips attempting to lift herself off the edge, and I catch her mid-fall. As she turns into me something indescribable happens in the closeness between us. With my arms wrapped around her, her sapphire eyes cut up to mine, then to my lips.
She thanked me, and climbed down, disappearing behind the gates. My eyes traced her the entire way like a sentry droid. I elected to stay a while longer before heading back to my room.
Right before I fall asleep Jacee bursts into my room wearing the same smile I see every time I close my eyes here recently.
Her short blonde hair bounces, and she glides with an elegance I could only hope to be in the way of. Her sweet scent warps my mind causing me to forget about anything that isn’t her.
“Come with me, now. There’s something I want to show you,” she demands from the door. “Hurry.”
“What’s happening?” I ask sleepily.
“We’re going on a little… adventure,” she explains blinking at me with exaggerated eyes.
What is she up to?
“Where we going?” Admittedly, I haven’t even started to discover the full extent of this cave. Figured the rest of it is just tunnels to nowhere. Perhaps there’s more to explore.
“I found a place I want you to see. Just follow me and I’ll show you,” she replies extending her soft hand in my direction as if I had a choice in this or anything she asks.
We race through the passageways towards the deepest corridors of Elysium like children lost in their imaginations. I’ve never
been this far before. Nothing can reach us here. Everything is eerily silent, a blissful quiet. The only sounds are the patter of our feet and the occasional splash of her delicate laughter echoing against the cave.
The low-lit path narrows. It’s tight, almost impassable in areas. “How far are we down?” I ask trying to adjust the pressure in my ears.
Her shoulders shrug as she impassively replies, “Probably a mile or two.”
We’ve been walking for longer than I expected. This little adventure has grown into a chore. A strange feeling begins to overwhelm me. It slowly creeps down my spine. I feel the walls squeeze the air from my lungs. My body suddenly has an intense urge to extend in every direction. I feel trapped. Helpless.
“Almost there,” chirps Jacee directly into my discomfort as if she knew what my mind was doing to me. She heals me.
“There!” she says as she squats down and wiggles through a small opening in the wall that you would easily miss if you didn’t know what you were looking for.
The sound of water rushing on the other side intrigues my curiosity, momentarily blinding me from how absolutely insane this is. There’s no way I’m going to let myself look weak in front
