Heterodox (BOOK 2)

Chapter 13

~Vesper~

Carpe diem.

You've probably heard of it before. Or maybe you've seen the famous Latin words on that little blackboard plaque your Mom insists is a kitchen decorative staple. Probably on your ceiling poster, as a motivation to get out of bed every day to that mind- numbing institution we call 'school'. You understand what I'm getting at; we've all encountered these words some way or the other.

If not, oh well.

Anyway, I'm straying. It means 'seize the day' in English if you don't know. Probably makes no sense if read plainly, but it does a nifty job at telling you what time to take opportunities.

We're rebels though.

We don't follow rules, Latin or English; whatever language they may be. No one tells us what time to do our business. We're gonna do our stunt when the stars think they are mightier than the sun. We're gonna do our stunt when the moon is not some big rock in the sky but the world's dullest light -bulb. We're gonna seize the night.

Carpe noctem.

So here we are, darting through the  streets, trying to look inconspicuous to the people who are being good citizens trying not to miss curfew. Scanning for suspicious movement, the white drones sneakily hover over the streets, buildings and sidewalks, like angels of death I try to ignore. Just looking at MB's tense jawline, Circe's non-joking eyes and the stubborn jut of Talon's dimpled chin, it's a dead giveaway to the common mood of the situation.

Apprehension.

After all our stealthy antics, we hide behind a large dumpster just as the shadows begin to grow.

"Start pumping, guys." I toss each member a bag of the deflated, dimly-glowing bubble balls. "We don't have much time."

"Didn't we agree with writing messages relating to our theme?" Talon asks.

"Shucks, I forgot. We should do that first."

"I just don't understand why though," says Circe, almost whining, "Why didn't we do all this pumping and scribbling at home and then when we come, we could just jump straight to it?!"

Her brother nodded his head; almost sarcastically. "Walking with a sack dimly glowing in public? Not conspicuous at all."

"Don't forget to put some little stars around it for a little flare," I remind them.

MB nudges me, showing me the ball he was working on. "Is this message okay?"

Don't be afraid to shine, the world always needs light. - (Luceo non uro) U.N.O

"Nice one, " I smile, as I simultaneously put all my effort into to pumping it up, "You're a natural!"

"Mc²'s blushing," Circe teases.

"Oh, shut up!"

***

(Translations at the Author's note)

It's my turn.

I take a quick glance at my watch. A bit early. We still have a twenty-five minute wait before our stunt is performed.

So... I guess since it takes 2500 licks to reach the center of a lollipop, I can bide my time trying to complete my Dum Dum in 100 licks a minute.

Only if that myth was  true. It actually takes less than 2000 licks to reach the center of a lollipop. Some scientists say its a thousand and others say less.  The results vary. However I, who have been licking Dum Dums since I could talk, should be able to lick it in under 500 licks. But then again, we must consider if I even want to finish a Dum Dum...