Chapter 3
Three
The small screen across from my bed blinks to life, the light blinding compared to my blackened surroundings, thanks to the shades set to dim. Groaning, I peek one eye open.
Zellie Toro
Station: The Kitchen
Duty time: 09:00-17:00
The constellations are the only constant.
I blow loose hair out of my eyes. Two hours until I need to report to my station.
Plenty of time for myself if I hustle between the spokes.
If only they weren’t so fucking long. To remain optimistic, I plan my day as I stretch and roll out of bed, then walk into the main room's bathing chamber. I push the hygiene pad against the wall to turn the shower on as hot as possible, then try to turn it up even further. But alas, the Kosmos will not let us scald our skin off. Underneath the stream, I prioritize my morning while scrubbing off the dried layers of dirt. I always start my day with journaling. Expressing my thoughts, no matter how insignificant, always helps me think more clearly. After that, I’ll need to grab some breakfast—obviously.
Maybe I'll stop at the Library to find a book to explore a new hobby, or I could track down Xander to find some time together.
I pair a charcoal gray slim tank with loose black pants that narrow at the ankle.
After coating my lashes with mascara, I slip on my runners and activate the service center on my wall.
The service center handles requests for food and hygiene products; it also controls the electricity and the shades in my chamber.
The sleek silver console comes to life, and I push in the request for today’s meal tickets.
Once printed, I glance around my space. My room is small, tidy, and crammed with memories.
Shaped triangularly and stark white, the chamber contains my bed positioned against one wall, flanked by a large window.
The next wall is home to a small desk and dresser, while the third leads to my bathing chamber.
A colorful throw blanket Gwenda made for me when I was younger is draped over my bed.
A portrait of Jada and me that she drew is pinned to the wall.
Books that Xander selected with me in mind are stacked on the desk.
Taking a deep breath, I settle into the relaxed feeling I can only achieve by spending time in my space before I set out and knock twice on Jada’s door.
“You home, Jay?” Two more knocks and still no response.
I mentally note to meet up with her later.
Our days rarely overlap. Once in the Commons, I trade my meal ticket for toast and a hard-boiled egg from one of the serving elders.
As they hand me my plate, they state, “The constellations are the only constant.” Mindlessly, I mimic the phrase back and eat as I walk towards the Library.
These archives may be my favorite place in all of Lunara.
Possibly because this is the one spot that has some character, some warmth—but mostly because it feels like the only place I can be myself.
In the Library, you’re allowed to pursue your interests or to escape to another world.
No one cares what you’re doing or what emotion you’re displaying; it’s like there is an ancient understanding that the Library is sacred, safe, in an otherwise unfeeling world.
The large room seems to stretch on and on, teeming with color and life.
Wooden arched shelves, rich velvet armchairs, and decorative, inviting rugs replace the sharp metallic designs found throughout the remaining spaces in the unit.
Perusing the aisles, I examine self-teaching books.
I crave trying new activities and discovering hidden talents.
Discovering unknown parts of yourself and growing enlivens me.
I passed a book on baking—definitely not; that was a disaster.
I wasn’t allowed back in the Kitchen for a week.
Knitting? Maybe. A candle-making book? Oooh, that could be fun?
“Boo!” Jada jumps out from behind a shelf while I try to recover from a near heart attack. She laughs heartily. “You’re so easy to get! I’ve been trailing you for at least twenty minutes.”
I scowl and stick my tongue out before reshelving the book I was holding. Candle-making will have to wait. “You’re like a cat. I can’t get rid of you.” Not that we have cats, but I’ve read about them. They’re sneaky, they linger—basically Jada in feline form.
“I don’t know if I should be offended or pleased by that statement. I’m going to go with the latter.”
I smirk, turning from the ancient shelves. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
Jada arches a perfectly shaped silver brow. “Are you hungry? You always get sassier when you’re hungry?”
“Already ate, thank you very much. Hey, did you see the Scales last night?”
Jada fluffs her long waves, twirling a strand of pink around her finger. “I know, right? No wonder I feel so on top of things lately.”
“You’re a star, girlfriend. I’m on Kitchen duty this morning. What do you have?”
“In the Labs later, unfortunately. I always feel so gross when I leave there.” Unlike Jada, I enjoy being assigned to the Labs.
The work requires me to quiet my mind. Rare plants, gems, and dusts can be found there.
It is our job to gather specific ingredients from these resources.
Whether it is extracting bioluminescent spores from lunaferns, dust from asteroids, or crystals from dying comets, each act demands precision.
The Kosmos uses these ingredients in various potions and elixirs to improve the lives of those within the galaxies.
Jada carries on, “I might try to track down Faye beforehand.” She wiggles her eyebrows, making me giggle.
Faye is her current “on-again” girlfriend.
She’s a Scorpio who is always trying to examine their relationship on a much deeper level than Jada is comfortable with.
I swear that’s part of the appeal, though—the two love to fight almost as much as they love to make up.
“You two are insufferable.”
“Tell me about it!” Jada rolls her eyes and flashes a dazzling smile.
She is lovely, both inside and out. Her blue eyes sparkle with amusement, her tanned skin and full frame glowing from her colorful collection of clothing and accessories.
Jada is eccentric and loud. Her energy makes her presence known in any room.
She’s all I aspire to be. “Stop looking at me like that. Come on, you’re going to be late. ”
The Kitchen is a busy place to be today—and a hot one, at that.
The Kitchen lead, Jarvis, has me making soup and has not relented in barking orders all day.
To the best of my ability, I chop carrots and potatoes on the butcher’s block before sliding them into the thickening broth.
I check the next pot, which looks about done.
The smell is divine. The soup is nothing special—only potatoes and vegetables—but there’s something about the smell of soup that comforts your very soul.
I place the large vat on a rolling tray, steering my pushcart down the spoke to the food bar.
I incline my head in greeting to the elders as I place the heavy container on a serving station.
As I turn to leave, I notice Gwenda in line for lunch out of the corner of my eye.
I'm unsure why, but I'm compelled to check on her to see if Lenny ever showed up.
The entire situation left me with an uneasy feeling, and I want to help Gwenda in any way I can.
“How’re you doing, sweet girl?” She greets me while thanking the elder for her lunch portion, exchanging her meal ticket.
“Good, thanks. How are you? Did you get in touch with Lenny?”
Gwenda’s sad expression meets mine. “No. Something’s not right, Zellie.
He didn’t answer his door. This isn’t like him.
He’s a good boy.” My heart breaks as I watch the worry consume her.
She takes in the young. There aren’t many these days, and I know she’s fiercely protective of them.
I’m not sure why I feel so strongly about the situation.
I care about Gwenda, but perhaps this is because Lenny is so young.
He’s nearly ten years younger than I, and I can’t help but remember how lost and alone I felt at seventeen.
The fact that other reported disappearances have occurred leads me to believe that this cannot be a coincidence.
“ZELLIE TORO, BACK IN LINE!” Jarvis booms from back down the hall. Shit.
Thoughts spin wildly in my head. How can I help? There must be someone who has the information—I'll ask everyone I know if I have to. “I’m going to help find out more, okay?” I reassure Gwenda.
Gwenda’s shoulders soften; I won’t let her share this burden alone. “You’ve got what this world needs. Your heart is a wonder. Thank you.”
The sentiment warms my heart, the maternal affection filling an emptiness I wasn’t aware was missing. I blow her a kiss before jogging back down the spoke. If only Jarvis shared her upstanding opinion of me.