Suns and Shadows

Any Other Battle

There are two sides to Rook. The first one is my home, the Shadow slums, and factories. Where the pollution is thick enough that unless you have goggles the smog pricks and burns at your eyes. Children always seem to be crying, their tears the only way to wash the dirt off their faces.

As I walk with Joshua through the other side, the side I wasn't allowed to go to before, I see again just how different Suns are.

There is no pollution here and the sun shines brightly. But only bright enough to where it doesn't burn you. There's a small cool breeze that lightly pats my neck. I don't hear any children crying, they're all in the white marble building, the school. Saiya never got to go to school.

I clench my fingers together tightly, nails making imprints into my skin.

"Are you alright?" Joshua asks softly, his eyes looking at the small dents in my skin. His eyes are glittering, the sun reflecting off of them.

We're both wearing the same Council affair.  I have a silver blouse and skirt, him a tunic. I can't help but notice that it matches his eyes, contrasting with the brown hair strand he has put to perfection.

I nod. "I suppose." Then I clutch his hand.  He looks down at our hands bound together and keeps quiet, not saying anything. Just looking. "Are you coming inside with me?" I ask. 

I know I can't do this alone, I'll make some mistake or offense, or be too meek. I draw strength from him. Feel confidence I don't feel with anyone else.

"Of course I'm coming with you." He squeezes my hand. "You're mad if you think I'd leave you in there by yourself."

I let out a small breath I've been holding in. "Thank you, but...if you have access to the meetings yourself, why do you need me?"

Joshua drops my hand it falls to my side. "The Archives. You can go into the Archives. I can't."

I look at his palms that glisten. He's nervous like I've asked a question I wasn't supposed to. I don't say anything, I just press my lips tightly together. I look away from him, dropping his hand away and staring at the mix of gold, silver, and white buildings. 

There is more beauty in a single one of these buildings than in all of the Shadow buildings confined. Where is the beauty for the Shadows? It isn't here. not in Rook, not in all of Lano. It is in the Shadowlands, I remind myself. 

Joshua lightly nudges my side. "This is it." He whispers. I look up.

The building is in a great circular shape with long white columns that hold up a stark white roof that almost seems to sparkle in the light. When I look closer, I see it, what is behind the facade.  Lawkeepers have the place surrounded.

I shudder slightly. Memories slowly begin to clutter my brain. Of their strong hands taking me away, away from Saiya and Mother. The drug, making me see the world through a fog. And how it all nearly killed me.

The entrance is a glittering gold door. A Lawkeeper stands in front, the white uniform standing completely still. It turns towards me and my breath begins to falter. What if they see right through this? I feel nothing besides the thump of my own heart and Joshua's body moving towards the Lawkeeper.

They can't take me away.

Not again.

I look away. "I'll need your pin." The Lawkeeper says in its lifeless tone. I unclasp the silver pin that Joshua had given to me earlier. They work as some sort of identification system, my ticket inside.

Or my ticket to prison.

The Lawkeeper gives the pin back to me. "Welcome, Rose Whittllow." It gives a slight bow and pushes me inside the great golden door. I turn around for Joshua, but he is not there. He has to be checked as well, I think.

I turn my attention back to the room in front of me. It's just as white as the outside and just as clean, with six seats seated around a grand white table. There are five men in the room and including me, six women. Everyone else sits in a pew on a balcony that overlooks the entire room, including Lawkeepers who are standing at the doorway.

"Miss Whittllow," A familiar voice says behind me. Joshua delicately places my hand in his own. "Please let me show you to your seat." I open my mouth to ask him to stop being so formal, but when I squint and looked around I realize why he is being formal.

People are listening. I forgot I have just walked into a political battlefield, just as vicious as any real battle. 

And I am in the middle of it.