In the Eye of the Cosmos

Chapter Two

Friday, April 10th Mil 315
London City, Division 8
17:40

"Hadn't ya heard?" Charlee asks in her usual drawl as she dumps a mug of steaming tea on the table, "here, English Breakfast with a drop o' milk and a teaspoon o' sugar, just as you like it."

It's sad, I've been here so many times Charlee knows how I take my tea.

"Thanks Charlee."

"So, Luna, hadn't you heard?" inquires Charlee again, placing herself on the chair opposite mine. Her grey hair sits firmly in a hair net, she must be no less than fifty.

"Haven't I heard what?"

"It's all over the bloody news! Thought you would've heard it by now, word's spreading quickly." Charlee reaches for the remote control beside her and turns on the TV to my right. 

A womans' face ignites on the screen, her short brown hair perfectly framing her hazel face, "Good evening. I'm Ardelle White presenting the 6 o'clock news. Council of the Cosmos President, Damian Aldhercy, has abruptly resigned from his place in the Chair. Two Selene women - "

And with a blink of eye, the TV screen goes black just with one swift move. I'm shocked. All of this happened so – quickly. There's so much to take in. I mean, what's going to happen now?

"Well, I'll be damned." I say, stunned with the fact that I was at the now Former President's house around twenty minutes ago. Well, a lot can happen in twenty six minutes.

"Eh?"

"I mean I was at the Aldhercy Residence just twenty six minutes ago, Charlee."

"You? Why?"

"I'd gone for an interview, you know, to become a ruddy servant."

Charlee gapes at me, her jaw dropping. She laughs, "You? A servant? Stop being silly, I know ya, you'd rather die than become a servant to them!"

I say nothing.

The amused look on Charlees face swiftly changes to a profound concern. She grabs my hand, holding it over the table, "Oh gosh," is all she can say. Her voice filled with pity.

I take my hand out of hers, I don't need pity, "It's ok, we'll cope."

"Let me give you the tea, it's on the house - a treat."

I smile, it won't make much difference but I'm grateful for the offer, "Thank you Charlee."

🌟🌟🌟

18:02

After all the discouraging events that happened today, I'm more than happy to be heading home for the weekend. Even though I live in nothing more than a small apartment in a collection of council flats built in Mil 278, it's still home.

There's a small basketball court in front of the block, which is home to rowdy men downing six packs of beer. Opposite the court is a rusty old playground with walls that have been graffitied on several times but that will never stop the kids, I can practically hear their yells and laughs from a mile away.

Walking the dreary entrance hall, I see the elevator has an 'Out Of Order' sign carelessly placed across the door. I laugh to myself. It's been like that for two months now and they still haven't fixed it. About twenty people crowd the elevator to my left, uncomfortable. Looks like I'll have to take the silver stairs.

After what seems like hours of climbing, I finally arrive on the eighth floor. Tired, I slump towards door number twenty-two. I take my clammy hand out of my jean pocket and place my forefinger on the security pad. My finger print appears on the screen and turns a violent shade of lime-green.