Lacuna

Chapter 1

I stared at the statistics again. Eleven billion out of 13 billion dead because of the nuclear holocaust that plummeted us into hell for over a decade. Over some fucking money. Stupid, that's what people were, fighting over useless things that led to Orphics. That led to me and this stupid hand.

I touched the stone that had the names of all of the forgiver's names etched onto it and sighed. Soon my name would be up here. Soon I would be trapped in this hellhole with no escape. But of course, everyone else was excited. They didn't understand how freeing the outside could be. How liberating it was to see the outside world.

To me, the outside was a paradise, as if the purest person had put their soul and heart into the place, allowing our ugly and tortured souls to rest within it. Maybe it was to try and purify us. Or maybe it was to inflict more pain when we got condemned to an internal hell that we all deserve.

"Makas, you ready man?" Cynth called out to me, a melodious tune to my ears. I smiled to myself, a warmth spread through me in the dampness of the stone-set walls. Riddled with cracks, dark gray stones were stitched together with red moss.

"Ready as always," I called back, turning to see his face. His black curls hung like leaves from his head, and his eyes danced in front of me as his smile taunted my movements of standing still. Taunting me to pull him into me. The spring-day scent of his skin wafted towards me as if he was outside all day with the flowers at full bloom and the sun beating down upon him. I pushed my desire away as I've down thousands of times and smiled at him.

"Of course, you are. So what is the newest game you came up with this time?" he asked, stepping beside me and staring at the wall.

"Nothing special, plus it is a surprise. For you and the group. Let's say it's our final step of freedom before we all get forgiven." I touched the stone with my glass hand.

"How's the new fit?" he asked, his voice laced with concern as his mouth twitched into a frown.

I flexed my fingers, admiring the handy job. My blood swirled around inside, staining the glass a nice deep red as the blood worked to keep flowing, giving function to my hand.

"It's good, better than the old rubber before," I answered, turning away from the wall and walking towards the door. The rubber one would pinch my stud and give me severe infections that almost killed me once. Cynth told me my

I reached the door and grabbed the handle, right before my hand locked in place as my blood drained from my hand. I stiffened, trying to make it work again. At once my blood rushed back and the wooden door creaked open to the hall. It was illuminated by the torches to reveal the same walls in Lacuna, same stone walls with red moss covering all of the nooks and crannies.

"Makas?" He asked, following behind me. He reached out to touch my arm but I flinched away from his hand.

"It's okay, just a setback, it doesn't usually happen often. Now hurry, the elders are in the meeting now. The game needs to be started!" I said, dashing through the empty halls. I could hear the echoing footsteps chasing after me on the marble floors as I ducked beneath the torches protruding from the walls. Giggles escaped my lips as my mind ran rampant.

I wanted to be outside, dance in the rain without umbrellas like people in the movies. Feel the soft crystals fall onto my face and dissolve into my skin. I wanted to feel the sun heating up my back as I played toss the plate with Cynth. This game was that chance. This game could give me the taste of freedom I wished for so long.

Entering the Gate room I was met with somber faces twisting into menacing grins as Cynth came up behind me; showcasing the keys to the looming gate, which was covered in ivy, woven like quilts; intertwined souls fighting to survive. I was ready to get out of here.