Black Eyes

Chapter 2

Surgeons, as they were called, were experts in mechanics and biotechnology who worked by building and installing technological implants in people's bodies. They could give back an arm to those who had lost it or they could boost the speed of neurons by installing a processor on the brain. In this way reflexes and speed were strongly implemented. Being a surgeon was against Zraegan's law unless they were hired by the Kwer, so the surgeons were scattered around the city in almost unfindable places. It was not uncommon to find them under some nightclub or bar, but they also worked illegally under luxury restaurants and pleasure houses. The fact was that Nakir had never seen one, so much so that he almost thought they were an urban legend.

Eva, however, seemed sure on her steps. Her black boots reached up to her knees and she had two ivory-handled knives attached on them. One on the right boot and two on the left one. The night grew darker and darker as the clouds covered the vault of the sky, hiding the stars and the moon which still casted a faint shadow of their bodies jumping on the rooftops.

The next jump was too wide for Nakir. Eva had jumped like a cat on all fours, pushing her feet on the edge of the ledge and had clung on the edge of the opposite building with her hands, then bracing herself on the elbows. Nakir knew it was too much for him. He couldn't make it.

Looking around for a handhold he noticed the remains of an iron ladder attached on the wall of the condominium and decided to aim for it. He took a running start and launched himself into the void. For a few nanoseconds of pure panic he thought he wouldn't make it, but suddenly his hands gripped on the slippery metal of the ladder. His iron grip prevented him from slipping under that incessant drizzle that had now wet his hair. The ladder looked about to give away. He quickly hoisted himself onto the ladder and joined Eva on the flat rooftop of the condominium; the first after many sloping roofs that he had risked a lot to climb several times, breaking his nails.

Nakir with complete nonchalance sat down on the wet concrete and lit up a cigarette. He covered it with one hand as he smoked, he didn't want it to get soaked in the rain.

"What the hell are you doing?" asked Eva who was already ready to climb the next building.

"Listen, Eva. I'm not human, but I get tired too" he spoke in a puff of smoke.

"Maybe it's that one's fault" she said, pointing to the cigarette.

Nakir boldly stretched out completely on the roof as if they had all the time in the world. Eva looked at him in shock.

"We have to move!" the girl growled.

"Look... Eva, or whatever your name is" Nakir began, huffing out a little white cloud "I have just lost my home, my old life. I've lost everything that still tied me here in this world" he continued with a note of sadness, the drizzle was so fine and sparse that it fell on his face like small tears even if Nakir wasn't crying. He was just thinking.

Eva didn't understand. Of course, how could she? Nakir thought. Then mid-cigarette he began to ask her some questions.

"It's strange that you know everything about me and I know nothing about you" he said at one point "I don't even know if Eva is your real name"

"And what does it matter?" the girl replied "Not everything is as it seems in Zraegan. Anyway yes, Eva is my real name"

"And... what's the name of this surgeon we're going to meet?" Nakir stomped the cigarette on the wet cement.

"Rimar"

"How long have you known him?" Nakir raised an eyebrow.

"Eight, maybe nine months... when they..."