Underneath The Hidden Stars

Chapter XII

It was a beautiful Sunday morning, well, at least according to the screens at the top of the Level 8 ceiling. Some people were enjoying their day off, some were lazily doing their work. It was a calm day, so no one was rushing anywhere.

Mira woke up at 11am and looked around. Although she wasn't at her own home, she felt calm. She sat up on the sofa she had been sleeping on for the past month and saw her coworker reading a book while sitting on the floor in front of her full length window.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

Mira stood up and went to the fridge to get something quick to eat. She took out some bread and then saw a jar of peanut butter, combining them into a simple, yet delicious snack. She cleaned her dishes and sat on the edge of the couch to eat her breakfast. She stared out the window and noticed it was a really nice day out. The screen sky was completely blue, only with a few lazy clouds moving along the perimeter of the level. As Mira finished her meal, she took a quick shower, dried her hair and got dressed. After getting ready, she turned to her coworker with a questioning look in her eyes. As their eyes met, the coworker stared Mira down from top to bottom and smiled.

"Gorgeous as always." she said and turned back to her book.

Mira combed through her dark long hair and decided to not tie it up. She found her bag, placed her wallet, keys and few sweets in it, said goodbye and left the flat.

Mira walked along the pavement and looked at people who passed her. Most of them were happy. They walked with their friends, loved ones, children, and they were smiling. Mira smiled back and fastened up her pace. In only a few minutes, she smelled fresh pastry. The aroma could be felt from around two blocks around the bakery, which made navigating in the level extremely easy - if you don't have a cold that is. Mira followed the scent and walked straight to the place. As it was rather early, at least for a Sunday, the place was practically empty. She took out her wallet, placed her bag on one of the bean bags, and walked to the counter.

"I'll have chocolate mocha latte with a caramel swirl, and please, don't hold back on the whipping cream. Oh, also, I'll have two croissants." she said and placed the exact money needed on the platter.

Mira went back to the bean bag and sat down, waiting for her order to be made. Right as her food was brought, two familiar people walked in through the door.

"Heya, Mira!" Ava exclaimed and ran in for a hug.

Moments later, Lucy greeted her with a small wave and hugged her as well. The girls placed their orders and sat down to talk, for the first time in a while.

"So, okay, there's this really cute guy that's one of the managers at the company right," Lucy started, trying to make it sound more interesting than it actually was. "Well, on Friday, he came up to my desk and asked if I'm free this Sunday! I'm meeting him in a few hours in that fancy restaurant next to the Level Hall. And he's like, very sweet, kind, and a total gentleman, I mean, who wouldn't fall for him right?" she giggled and smiled throughout the whole story, without giving anyone time to jump in or say something. "What about you, Mira? Anything new in your department?"

"No, not really. I'm finally getting back to work tomorrow, so I mean there's that. Sitting at home for a month really is boring. I mean gosh darn, I've seen everything this level has to offer. Nothing surprises me anymore." she sighed and passed on the proverbial Olympic torch. "What about you, Ava?"

"Well, absolutely nothing happens in my job. Believe it or not, there aren't many guys who work as janitors on level 5." she let out a sad giggle. "Well, at least I get a lot of days off. Plus, I know no one in that level, so that works better for me actually."

"Wait, could you deliver a letter to my mom?" Lucy exclaimed and started digging around her bag. "I was going to just take it to the post, but if you're going to the Level anyway, you could throw it in the post there and it would make it to her on the same day, instead of like a month if I send it from here. I mean, I sent her a letter 3 months ago, and I still have no response from her, so maybe that way it'll be faster?"

"Oh yeah, sure!" Ava replied, and placed the letter carefully into her bag.

The girls chatted around for around another hour, when Lucy said she had to go on to the date. After she left, Mira and Ava continued to talk about a few other topics.

"So, back then, did you make it out safe?"

"Yeah, I basically just left the building immediately and blended in with the crowd."

"Okay, good. Mind telling me what you've gotten yourself into?"

"I can't. Actually. I might end up dead. The girl whose blood was used to write that message on the ceiling, she's told someone before. I don't know who, but she told someone of what was going to happened, and she got drained half to death, it's honestly terrifying."

"It was because of me..." Mira whispered to herself and Ava glared at her quizzically, but Mira brushed it off, as if nothing had happened. "Oh nothing. Can I ask you one thing though?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Is the thing you're wrapped into right now related to the time when you went missing for a week?"

Ava paused for a moment, as if thinking whether or not she should say it. "Yes." she answered, as quietly as she could, hoping no one heard her.

"Is- is someone from my family also in this situation?"

"I- I really can't say, Mira, I'm sorry, but please understand."

"Yeah, okay, you don't have to apologize, I get it. I just wish I had some answers."

"You and me both, believe me."

The girls ended up talking until it became dark. They glanced out the window and noticed the stars. They both walked out of the bakery and looked up.

"It's like we're trapped, isn't it? There's this beautiful sky somewhere up above, but we're completely oblivious to it as we hide behind these stone walls. We're trapped here underneath all of those hidden stars that we'll never get the chance to see. It's like we're just-" Ava tried talking but the starting chords of the anthem cut her off. Instead, she just smiled, waved at Mira and walked home.

As the anthem continued playing, Mira walked, trying to pace herself to the rhythm of the song. She went far enough from the bakery that the amazing scent of freshly baked goods was gone and turned right. After a few minutes, she was standing in front of her building and was about to the enter the code that was required but was distracted by a loud sound. Seconds later, she almost fell down from the massive blow that went through the whole level. As the shock passed, Mira ran into the direction of the sound, and noticed that the speakers stopped playing the anthem. With the whole level completely quiet, all she heard were distant screams of people in pain. She picked up her pace, and as she turned a corner, she saw the place where the incident occurred. At the end of the road she was on, completely engulfed into flames, stood half of the Level Hall, with the other half being blown to smithereens.