Meridian

Chapter One

     I sigh and lean against the railing as I stare out over the calm waters of the New York Harbor. Zach nudges me and I grin, loving our familiarity, so odd for two people who know so little about each other. We met a few months ago , but I feel as if we've been friends for a lifetime.

     I've lived in New York since I was six years old, and when Zach arrived here I took it upon myself to befriend him and show him around. New York City is a large and bustling place, and I enjoyed touring the sights as much as he did.

     After graduation I couldn't be happier to simply enjoy my freedom before I have to make all the big decisions about my life, college, and career. Although I'm usually good about making decisions, deciding what to do with my life is difficult. Maybe because I never feel like I fit in anywhere.

      Zack interrupts my musings with a chuckle. I groan, thinking, "Why does he always catch me when I zone?" He smirks and I punch his arm. I pull out my phone, and, to my great surprise, see that it is quite a bit later than when I intended to go home.  Zack looks over my shoulder to see what upset me, frowns, and says, "Looks like it tinge in the big city is up." We turn away from the water and start walking to my place.

     Arriving at my apartment,I call it a greeting to my Dad. He smiles at us and we walk into the living room. I flop onto the couch and turn the TV on to the news channel. I don't really like the news because it's always so depressing, but I make an effort to stay informed. Dad wandered into the room just as the reporter started to talk about how a plane had gotten caught up in a storm and vanished into the Meridian.

      The Meridian is a giant cleft into the world, separating us from.... something.  The pictures from afar looks beautiful, a canyon in the oceans running longitudinally around the world. It makes magnificent waterfalls, and the water turns a crystaline blue near to the edge.

     However, for all its beauty, it is a feared name, because those who try to cross either find themselves somewhere else with no idea how they got there, or they never return.

     Dad murmurs sympathetically for the poor person who vanished and for his family, but I just snort. When I get a reproachful look from both Dad and Zach I said, "What? You would think people would know to stay away from it! " All I got in return was two matching, regretful faces.