The Originators

CHAPTER 5: A SLUMBER PARTY: THE AWAKENING (LAURA)

I.

On our way to the Underground, our fairly sober, sane turnkey to sanctuary, Merc, leads our drunken band of troubadours to his home. I'm holding Cass' hand and for the first time, in what seems like a continuum of worry and misery, I feel my heart lightening.

I want something to happen. Life to happen again. I'm ready to join humanity again, if even for one evening. I squeeze her hand; we share a glance, she laughs, "Welcome back."

I twirl her. Merc continues on ahead of us down the hop-scotch, twisting, path until we find a building. It's like any you would find aboveground.

"Isn't this right next to the entrance to the rabbit hole that initially led us Underground?" Viktor is our vector; a GPS, spatial expert. If he asks a question like that it's not really a question. Viktor could have taken us home at any time. We would have all been safely aboveground, trying to find some kind of ride, or stumble back to our respective abodes.

Merc points up, "Of course, Viktor. You already know this. What is unique is this building tunnels upward; you will see exactly why I live down here. Cool, no AC required, affordable rent; and, one of the primary reasons is I have access to something extraordinarily special."

"What? A launch pad for your space ship?" Pluto bends over laughing, slapping his thighs. We all see tears pooling in his eyes. He raises his head in between guffaws. All of us stop; everyone laughs, including me as it would seem odd if I didn't. Even Merc, who at first looks like he is caught in some lie, grins, raises his eyebrows and joins us in our shared merriment.

"You have figured me out Pluto. I'm heading my ship back to Mars. We anticipate reaching Pluto, your name-sake, now a non-planet according to your scientists, for an exploratory expedition. Of course, we hope to figure out what Neptune and Uranus are all about while we are at it."

"Your delivery was perfectly until you got to Neptune and Uranus. And, why did you say, 'your scientists', What's that about?" Frank arches a brow at Merc.

"Nothing," Merc replies, rolling his shoulders up, "the mead got to me. And, here we are. A little quiet is appreciated until we actually enter my apartment, then no one will hear anything."

"Is that good or bad...you're not going to kill all of us, are you?" Cass tries to sound serious until she gets to the question mark. Then she breaks into peals of laughter.

"Cass! Behave." I grab her elbow, my knees crumple slightly, as I start laughing. I can't stop laughing.

"What a mess. I'll be kicked out because of you miscreants." Merc for some reason is pleased, almost happy. I wondered if we are his first guests.

We follow him up the stairs. He fumbles with the lock to his door until he gets it to groan and creak open. Merc barely had time to turn on the lights before we all tumble in. I am last, about to fall into Cass; my nose inches away from snapping against her bony spine.

Walking into Merc's place should present insights on what he values, how does he express his inner-being, how he thinks.

It is open, no walls, cork floor, cushioning our feet. Scattered throughout are couches, chairs, ottomans atop a few exotic Persian carpets. There's a small kitchen. The walls are covered with bits and pieces of bas reliefs, random landscapes, and a few portraits. Sculptures and objects d'art are either on the floor, leaning against pieces of furniture, or against stacks of books piled high they act as improvisational occasional tables. It is open and claustrophobic at the same time. The air smells of iodine, sea, honey, metal fillings much older generations used to get from a dentist.

"Where are the drinks?" Pluto, unabashed, wanders about for a few moments. He finds a blonde wood cabinet stocked with bottles and glasses. Frank, Viktor and Cass; the lemmings they are, move over, swarming, and soon spread out pleading for ice.