Page 16 of The Void

Was this a vision or trick as well? If so, this time, he didn’t care. He was too tired and needed the reprieve.

He ran his eyes over her and relaxed.

Why had he questioned how he felt about her? It was so obvious now. He’d fight through hell, the Void, and the Kri, if that’s what the red sand had been, to get to her.

She was unlike anyone he’d ever had feelings for or even known before.

She stood a few yards away from him, smiling at him as if he’d just run a bloody marathon. A roar of cheers erupted and he realized that she wasn’t alone. There were crowds of people gathered around her. The women were dressed in long gowns like she was. The men wore pants and odd-looking shirts with long sleeves and big buttons. The scene was almost like some sort of celebration parade.

He moved towards her, still wondering if this was another vision. The streets appeared a lot like they had in the earlier vision, clean and clutter free. There appeared to be no cars, and the streets were a lot narrower than most city streets he was used to. The tall glass buildings hovered overhead, filling the skies with their gleaming glass exteriors.

He stopped in front of Mia and swayed, and she rushed the last few steps and wrapped her arms around him.

“You came for me,” she said into his chest. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

She felt so soft. So… inviting. So real.

“Is this real?” he asked with a frown, unsure of anything at this point.

Without hesitating, Mia reached up and pinched his arm. Hard.

“Ouch.” He chuckled. “Okay, so you’re real. This time.”

“This time?” She frowned up at him.

“Long story.” He glanced around with a sigh. “Any chance there’s some food nearby?”

“Supper is waiting for us.” She motioned with her head. “Back at… well, I don’t know what they call the building I’ve been staying at. There aren’t any signs.” She shrugged. “Not even street signs. I have no clue how they know how to get around.”

“I live in New York, and I thought that city was big. This place…” He shook his head as he looked around as they started walking. “At least from what I could tell on my long trip here, it is easily ten times the size of Manhattan.”

Mia leaned towards him and lowered her voice. “It’s deceiving,” she whispered. “From what I can tell, that’s everyone who lives here.” She motioned with her head behind them.

He glanced back at the hundred or so people that followed and watched them.

“What?” He turned to Mia, who nodded her head. “Food first.” She took his arm in hers and continued walking. “We can talk when we’re alone,” she added under her breath.

He nodded in agreement. Besides, he was starving and very thirsty.

They made their way through the narrow streets, winding around until they were surrounded by tall buildings. Then they stepped into a massive building that took up at least two city blocks, where a middle-aged woman stood just inside the doors waiting for them.

“Beth, this is Lucas. Lucas, Beth is my advisor.” She waved her hand towards the woman.

He nodded and the woman curtsied in his direction and then motioned for them to follow her.

They climbed a wide circular staircase and stepped into a large dining hall.

“We’re to sit at the head table,” Mia said.

As they made their way across the room, the entire crowd that had followed them filled the space as well.

“Everyone eats dinner together,” Mia added softly. “At least, that’s what I can tell.”

He sat next to Mia, and they both waited until every last person was sitting.

“Everything here is delicious,” Mia said as large platters of various foods were set in front of them. “Water.” She held up a metal canister in his direction. “Drink.”

He hesitated a second until he watched her lift her own container and drink. Then he drank the entire thing in one swallow.