*Aiden's POV*
I'm stunned by what's been shown on the blurry screen, but before I can let it sink in, before I can let Bianca sink it in, I pull the lever back up. Strong fumes shoot out of the prominent machine and a weak girl comes stumbling out of the purple swirls. I quickly help her get up. She's trembling and in her hazel eyes, some gold sparkles float around, like diamonds lost in a contaminated sea. They're floating without a sense of reason, filled with terror and confusion. She's horrified, and my heart plunges into my stomach.
"Bianca, I'm..."- Before I can finish my sentence, she forcefully grabs my wrists, looking deep into my eyes. She's searching for any sort of meaning other than words, other than vain excuses.
"That was…"- She whispers, anxiously awaiting the denial of her thoughts, not wanting to believe what she saw.
But I can't deny the truth, I can't do that to her. So before I can regret it, I tell her to leave, and I'm left alone in the blink of an eye. My heart turns heavier in my gut.
. . .
*Bianca's POV*
Watching the sunset from our apartment's balcony had become a tradition by now. However, it was a silent time, and silence had become my most dreaded thing. Silence led to intrusive thoughts, led to unwanted memories, led to shattered feelings.
Kat's walking around our living room behind me, too busy to join me outside. She had told me earlier today that she had something planned for the both of us to let go of our hard work. Speaking of, I had already finished my neurology training with Robert and was now working with Kat in the lab, nothing too complicated, though, at least for now.
It's been two weeks since I had last seen Aiden. The way he had demanded me to leave after going through the Passage had left me confused and heartbroken. I didn't quite understand the latter, because it's not like he had broken up with me, there wasn't even anything going on between us, but his cold stare as he kicked me out of the old garage was still imprinted on my memory.
I hadn't told Kat about what happened that day because I wasn't sure of the vision's credibility and I didn't want to condition their friendship. I had my doubts about what I saw in the vision. Did that happen for real? Was it Aiden and Kat? What were they arguing about? Too many questions and too many problems I wanted to avoid, for the moment.
"Quick, B! Which one?" - My blonde friend touches my shoulder. I turn around to face her, distancing myself from my repetitive mind spiral. She's holding two dresses up in her hands, one consists of sparkly silver sequins and the other's a more classic silk red one.
"The red one, it matches your lips." -I point towards it. She looks at it and looks back at me with a knowing look, approving my decision.
I had gotten ready with mostly what Kat had lent me from her wardrobe since mine was still very… let's say dull. I had picked, from an array of party dresses, a quite elegant but daring black short dress. It adorned my shoulders with some thin straps, hugged my waist, and fell to my mid-thigh, a couple of palms above my knees.
I had never worn anything like this before, and I felt strangely empowered by it. I liked that feeling.
. . .
About thirty minutes had passed since my friend and I left the apartment. The starry night was becoming more prominent as we passed the deserted halls, leading us to the main library's crystal dome that welcomed us with its characteristic shine. Not a single soul could be seen, bookshelves all tidied up and sliding belts completely still.
Kat takes my hand and guides me to one of the sliding belts. However, before setting foot on it, she reveals a hidden button on the side of the appliance that causes the belt to tilt downward. She quickly hops on, me following behind rather puzzled. The sliding belt begins to move at the same time as a hatch opens on the wooden floor. Before I even realize it, we're sliding down to the underground.
Even though the depths were as dark and damp as I expected, there were distant lights and sparkles, followed by . . . voices. We are not alone. The sliding belt comes to a halt and we step foot into the grimy grounds of what looks like a very deep tunnel. The smell of humidity is heavy on my nostrils, we must be near the ocean. Kat waits no longer and takes my hand once more, leading both of us in the direction of the noise.
After walking for a couple of minutes we arrive at the heart of what I was guessing was a profound cave. There are people around the big stone walls chatting, dancing, and drinking. Some people have already passed out because of the latter activity. Lights decorate the place and make the limestone reflect intense violet, green, and blue shades. It reminds me of the pictures of the Aurora Borealis I had seen in magazines about northern countries.
Kat is already waving at some people who wave back at her with big smiles and holding big cups of intoxicating liquid. The ambiance is beginning to feel suffocating, and my lungs long for the cool breeze of the balcony on which we were barely an hour ago. The feeling only gets worse as some staring eyes lay on me, looking me up and down.
I try to ignore the looks and follow Kat to a table filled with snacks and a huge bowl of what looks like a red punch. My friend takes a cup and fills it up with strawberry-colored liquid, handing it to me. I take it with a bit of hesitation, not wanting to ruin the mood by confessing I´d never had alcohol before. She pours herself another cup and lets her arm fall behind my shoulders. With a bright smile, she clinks her cup with mine.
"Welcome to your first Atlas Party, B."