Eclipsed Star

Chapter Ten

ROMAN POV

I stood on top of the pods at the highest point in the sector, far above the tree line of the few trimmed trees permitted to grow within the fence. They couldn't block the view from where I stood. It was well past curfew but I couldn't sleep.

In the darkness, the sector sat silent except for the scurrying of silent bodies below. Running from pod to pod, hoping to avoid the guards, they made their evening rendezvous, some on their way to meet a lover or dealer or some other clandestine activity. There may be a curfew, but the sector was never really still.

Darkness swelled black in the sky above. I couldn't see the ocean or make out the line between sky and water but I could feel it. I could feel it calling me back to it's depths. Back to Jake

I'm surrounded by a gentle breeze and see a speck of light grows out of the darkness. It rushed toward me like a falling star but I can hear the distant rumble of a motor. Who was driving so close to the sector at this time of night, with only one headlight?

I couldn't think of anyone from the outside world who would have business with the sector this late. What few transactions happened across the fence usually went through the guards who could be brought from one side or the other. Who wanted to see someone in the sector after curfew, at night, in the dark?

My heart skipped a beat. My breath caught. It was impossible. The growl of the engine few and filled my mind with it's vibrating possibilities.

I jumped from one pod to the next, vaulting myself through the sector until I reached the perimeter. This was the point closest to the road, farthest from the guards. I stood still listening to the mounting volume while the light shone like a beacon of hope. I waited as it came towards the fence allowing it to illuminate my transgression of being out past curfew, hoping the person roaring toward the sector was looking for me.

The light zoomed past me and cut out a few yards down the fence but I couldn't see who was behind it. The hum of the engine cut and I stood in silence staring at the unknown.

Down the road a dark figure was backlit by the night and sat astride a motorcycle. My jaw dropped and my ability to speak English completely disappeared. I stared, transfixed as he swung his leg over and stepped off the bike. It was Jacob. I watched as he walked into the distance with the bike.

I had wanted to talk to him at the beach and reassure him this could work. This was possible. But with so many people around there hadn't been a chance and then that guy got so upset and I had to hold Drake back from starting a fight we really didn't need on our first night out. After that the guards had rushed us to the bus before anybody could get more upset and violence broke out. I hadn't stolen a moment alone with him in the dark, hadn't been able to steal another kiss.

I stand in the shadows of a nearby building, watching the fence waiting for him. I stared hard into the darkness, desperate to see his figure appear. He wanted this and I grew hard imagining him whispering into my ear, his strong body touching me. I hadn't even spoken to him and I was all tied up in knots. 

When I was about to go insane with waiting, his silhouette appeared in the distance. He walked with quick and short steps, his body rolling with each step. I imagined him crossing through the gate, the strength of his body against me. He was so strong and broad and tall. All things I never wanted in a partner but looking at him I realized how gorgeous he really was and how right my people were. It wasn't about gender. I'd never experienced anything like this before. It was all about him.  

And now here he was, walking to the fence and running his hand along the chain links, walking away from me.

I hurried along the alley, walking as silently as I could and keeping to the shadows, but my hearts pounded so hard I was sure the sound reverberated off of the steel walls, calling to everyone to let them know where I was and what I was doing. I followed as he approached the entrance gate and pulled something out of his pocket.