In Search Of The Neon City

27 - Lo

The streets were desolate, but along the absurdly clean and flat asphalt tall buildings stretched up to the dome roof that hid Vegas against the rest of the world.

Like a shimmering shield in purple, it was there instead of the blue sky I was used to.

Even the sunlight was different here. Everywhere the neon signs lit up the facades in contrast to the dark shadows lurking on the ground.

Vegas was no small place, Tristan had just explained that the city was almost as big as the whole Wilderness.

To get around quickly, there were advanced trains that ran along rails high in the air and stopped on the various floors in which the city was built.

But they were not for us, we had to walk on foot in the dark, he had said.

"How do you get gas for everything?" I asked in astonishment, staring wide-eyed at the illuminated signs and every single hovercraft I encountered. So different from the rusty cars I was used to.

Tristan bit his lip and sighed "we have all this in here at the expense of all of you out there."

I froze and grabbed his arm to stop him "what do you mean?"

"Who do you think everyone works for, Lo?"

I felt tears burning behind my eyes, the life I had seen in front of me all my childhood was shattered more and more with each passing day. Did I even want to try to create a happy life in Vegas, with Hannes? Or would I just be disappointed? Could you be happy here? I thought and took a step closer to Tristan.

"So those who manage things here, they know what's going on out there?" I mumbled softly and felt my shoulders drop.

"More than well" he sighed wearily and led me towards a dimly lit street.

"But you changed, they might as well ..."

"Lo" he replied softly and looked down at me "they only care about themselves."

I sighed heavily and we continued our walk in silence and I could not help but marvel at how amazing this place was, even though I wanted to hate it.

High up there, closest to the sun, there were the nicest neighborhoods, he had said. But I bet the inferior settlements at the bottom were a thousand times better than the life I was used to.

"How do you feel?" he asked gently, glancing down at me.

"Like I'm in a dream" I replied with a shy smile "is it stupid of me to enjoy this moment?" I sighed a little so that my shoulders sank down "I'm actually a little happy."

A wide smile spread across his face and I felt him put his arm around my shoulders "it's not stupid at all Lo, that's why I like you so much."

My heart stopped and suddenly my legs felt like jelly. "W-what did you just s-say?"

"Never stop finding the positive in all the darkness Lo, the world needs people like you" he continued and hugged me a little harder "I need you" he whispered so low that I could barely hear it and suddenly it felt like my heart would jump out of my chest of pure happiness.

***

His hand held mine tightly and it made me safe. It struck me that I had always felt safe with him, and it was probably a little strange when I thought about it.

Even though he'd lied and even though he'd worked for the enemy, that hand felt so heavenly warm and soothing.

I glanced up at the sharp profile with the soothing lights pulsing under his skin.

Here in Vegas he was one in the crowd, but for me he was so much more. He was special.

"Do not worry," he said with a smile when he noticed I was looking at him "we'll be there soon."

"That wasn't exactly what I was thinking about" I replied a little embarrassed and corrected the hat.

"So, what were you thinking?" he asked curiously, slowing down the steps a little.

"That I'm never worried, or afraid when I'm with you, everything feels.." I bit my lip and muttered at my own stupidity, why the hell had I started talking out loud about this?

"As it's meant to be?" I nodded a little and felt my cheeks flare up. "I feel the same way" he replied and hugged my hand a little harder.

A pleasant warmth spread inside my chest, was this love? Was this how my parents had felt when they met? Was this how Carl had felt when he got to know Jonna? I took a deep breath and cast a quick glance at Tristan again.

Tristan ... Twelve. It pained my heart a little when I thought of the evenings in front of the screen in the caravan, knowing it had been a lie.

It was back then that the tingling in my stomach had begun, but that wasn't Tristan, that was Twelve, the guy who tricked me.

I stopped quickly and looked at him "Why?" I said aloud "Why, were you looking for me? Why am I so important?"

Tristan looked around and stared at a bench-like structure that he led me to. The day had turned into evening, not that it mattered much. It was just as dark down here regardless of the time of day. But the streets were more deserted now, it seemed as if most of them stayed indoors after sunset.

"You are born in a special year" he began to explain as he sat down, and surprised I felt his hands around my waist as he guided me down into his lap. "Researchers believe that all of you who were born that year were exposed to something that makes you more enduring, unique in some way."

"So that's why they took samples from me?"

He nodded and looked down "they are experimenting with genes Lo, they are trying to clone themselves and create new better bodies to which they are trying to move their consciousness." Frustrated, he pulled his fingers through his hair "if they succeed, the rich will be able to live for hundreds of years while everyone else will be allowed to continue in slavery so that they can keep living in luxury."

I leaned my head against his shoulder and tried to take in everything he told me.

His eyes wandered over the skyscrapers with neon lights flashing in time. It was beautiful, but still disgusting now that I knew what this city was built on. Slavery and misery.

But the colors were so beautiful, so different from the world I came from. Tristan had explained that there was something called advertising, information that would make people want to buy their things. But in my eyes it was still beautiful.

"Would you like to clone yourself?" I finally asked. But was surprised by his negative answer.

"This world is sick Lo, only idiots wants to stay here for more than a lifetime."

I nodded a little "but are there no other places we can go to? Other cities or countries?"

He sighed heavily and let his arms close around my body. "I do not know, all such information is classified and the border is heavily guarded. I think no one's tried to leave the Wilderness for countless years if I am to be honest."

"Do you want to try?" I asked defiantly and looked up at him with a smile that made him laugh.

"Why not" he grinned and stood up with me still in his arms "does that mean you forgive me?"

I nodded and wrapped my arms around his neck "if you promise never to lie to me again."

"I promise," he replied with a smile and looked hesitantly into my eyes.

I knew what he wanted and why he hesitated, so I decided to help him along.

With a pounding heart and a rushing pulse, I leaned forward and touched his lips lightly with mine. Careful and a little tentative, but that was all that was needed. A little confirmation that I wanted the same thing, a little invitation that meant so much to his self-confidence.

And when our lips parted and the kiss deepend I knew I could stop doubting our feelings.

This was real love.