Chapter 4
Four
The rest of my shift flies by without further excitement and with more successful soup making. Ready to enjoy the rest of my evening, I slip into the Commons and find Xander in line for his supper.
“Hey, you. Are you off tonight?” He asks as he takes in my approach. A different sort of hunger lingers in his eyes. Well, now I know what he’s in the mood for.
“Sure am!” I settle into line next to him.
There’s no public affection between us. Not that I’m opposed to some coziness, but our situation has always been straightforward, never promising exclusivity.
I care for Xander very much; however, I’ve never felt the twinge of something more.
I’m not sure anything more is possible in this life.
“Where have you been today?” We shuffle ahead, others chatting about plans or complaints from the day echoing through the Commons.
“Gallivanting around earlier, then I had a shift in the Kitchen.”
Xander flashes a dazzling smile, and my stars, he sure is pretty. “Seems like a good night for gallivanting.”
I snort as I counter, maintaining eye contact, “Mmmm, we’ll see.”
I’m met with a poke to the ribs. “We’ll see, huh?”
I swat his hand away, laughing, as we approach the elders. The man’s features are wrinkled with time and memory. “The constellations are the only constant,” he greets us both while collecting our meal tickets. We murmur the phrase in return before collecting our dinner trays.
Xander steers my elbow towards the Chambers. “Your room?” Always his room, never mine. Another one of our unspoken rules, one of my doing. I enjoy having my own space; it’s my sanctuary.
He gives me a wink as we disappear down the spoke. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Click. The eye scan confirms my identity and unlocks my door.
Several hours and a brief nap with Xander later, I’m returning to my room.
The nap threw off my sleep cycle, though, and a wired energy courses through my body instead.
I bring the service center to life and adjust the room's light brightness to a soft glow. Sliding off my runners, I turn and am stopped in my tracks. Propped up against my pillowcase is a sleek, black envelope. Spellbindingly, the envelope shimmers, calling my name. My heart rate picks up. The thump-thump, thump-thump beating is erratic in my chest. Was someone in my room? Impossible—maybe Jada bypassed the security system? Unlikely. But then… why is this here? I certainly didn’t place the envelope there and would have noticed it before I left in the morning.
Not to mention the otherworldly aura that seems to pulse from the casing would have caught my attention.
Maybe this mail is intended for someone else?
The screen across from my bed suddenly lights up, three words scrolling across:
OPEN THE ENVELOPE
Stars above. Air rushes from my lungs. I thought cameras were off-limits in our rooms?
The security system granting entry may have alerted whoever set this up.
Am I rationalizing? I’m totally rationalizing.
Hesitantly, I take cautious steps towards my bed.
The silence of the room presses in, my heartbeat in my ears like a swift drum.
Sparkles dance across the envelope, my name scrawled elegantly in silver ink.
It looks like an invitation—maybe this is harmless after all.
The envelope is generously decorated with the moon, sun, and stars.
The artwork is so detailed that the design appears to be engraved into the envelope itself.
Daring to take the initiative, I picked up the missive.
I coax the back open and lift the upper flap before I can change my mind.
As the top opens, what appears to be stardust flies out in a cloud, almost as if it were launched on a spring, up into my eyes.
“What the fuck?” I shriek, dropping the envelope and blinking rapidly.
“The fuck was that?” I yell into the room, to the universe, to whoever has pulled this stunt.
While I expected the stardust to burn, my eyes only felt a slight sting that was already dissipating.
Well, I’ve suffered for this damned note, so now I might as well feed my curiosity.
I bend at the knees and snatch the envelope once more, quickly removing the paper within before any more tricks can be played on me.
Thick, black cardstock with letters engraved in metallic silver stares up at me.
Zellie Toro,
You have been selected to take part in a longstanding tournament known amongst the Kosmos as The Gemini Games.
The Gemini constellation’s power is fading and requires restoration. Partake in five unique challenges designed to test every facet of your being for the opportunity to solidify the constellation, become a Celestial champion, and become a hero among the stars.
The Celestial champion will be rewarded with the magical affinity of their star sign, as well as the opportunity to reside in the City of Wonder.
More information to follow. Do not speak of this to others.
-C&P Air Dept., The Kosmos
What?
Power. They’re talking about granting air power.
Wait—are there individuals walking around with magical powers?
I didn’t even know that having powers was a possibility for humans.
What in all the stars is the City of Wonder?
Questions bombard my mind in an overwhelming assault.
What are these games? If they’re “longstanding”, why have I never heard about them until now?
Numbly, I perch on the edge of my bed. Do I want to complete these challenges?
What do they mean by “test every facet of your being”?
And I can’t discuss this with anyone? Sounds way too ominous for my liking.
Do I even have a choice? I let out a humorless laugh.
Celestial champion, little old me? As I stare at the ground, letting my thoughts race, a sudden idea comes to me.
“Oh, stars,” I whisper, jumping to my feet and into a frantic pace.
If the Kosmos are forcing people to take part, this would explain the recent disappearances.
I could find Lenny and bring him home. I need to find Gwenda.
I rapidly scroll through the service center to find what floor she is on in the address lists.
It’s the middle of the night. She’s going to think I’m insane.
Maybe I am, but if my hunch is correct, I don’t have a second to waste in letting her know if this will offer her peace of mind.
After rushing to the lift, I knock repeatedly on her door, wincing at the drastic contrast of my fists in this otherwise silent hall.
I whisper, “Gwenda, it’s Zellie.” I wait and wait, but nothing happens.
Another series of loud knocks and a whisper shout, “Gwenda!” Damn her failing hearing.
“Zellie, is that you?” I hear small shuffles and the unlocking mechanism before her face comes into view.
“Hi, sorry,” I start breathlessly. “Is Lenny a Gemini?”
“By the stars, Zellie, it is the middle of the night. He is, why?”
My theory solidifies. “I think I know where Lenny is.”