STRANGULATE | Markicest

30 | VELLA

The sound of the car doors closing echoed through the desolate street.

"This is where you'll meet Antinstine," said Equinox, waving to the driver as the taxi backed up and drove back into the City. She stepped over rubble and broken glass, heels clicking loudly through the street. The music in the club pounded through the floor, rattling the debris on the neglected asphalt.

Already, Mark felt sick.

Equinox walked up to the doors, stepping aside as Evolveds filtered in and out of the club. The window was grimy and tinted, but it was clear to see the swarm of bodies and the flash of vibrant lights within.

"There's a stone room inside," said Equinox. "Isolated from any technology."

She gently pulled Mark up to the glass wall, forcing him to look at the inside of the club.

"Antinstine uses the club as a way to protect himself when making deals," she continued. "If a threat were to come, it'd be obvious, giving him enough time to escape."

Mark nodded, giving a grateful breath when Equinox began to turn away. He followed after, eyes trailing up the tall, sloping buildings as they left the neglected street.

"Do you have any questions?" asked Equinox with her hands in her dress pockets. The sun was beginning to set now—the day almost over. It had Mark's stomach light up with nervous butterflies.

"Not really," breathed Mark as they continued walking down the sidewalk, the City beginning to liven again. Music pulsed, cars rumbled, and chatter roared off the walls. "I'm just... worried I won't make it."

Equinox hummed at that. "Keep in mind, Mark," she said, and the use of his real name startled him. "Even if Antinstine decides to harm you, it will be his blood on the floor in the end."

She tipped her head at him, reddish eyes glimmering beneath the city lights.

"Your pain, your suffering—if that really were to happen—would not be in vain."

Equinox walked up to the edge of the sidewalk and held out a hand, smiling as the same driver in the horse-driven carriage returned. The horse reared its head at them and neighed as it stopped, tail flicking.

"To Vella, the village," she said, tossing him a coin. He caught it, and she and Mark clambered into the carriage, settling themselves in the wooden seats.

Once they did, the carriage rocked to life, and they began riding out of the City. Mark relaxed against the back of the carriage, taking a deep breath and sighing once the cacophony began to fade, growing quieter and stiller.

The road shifted into that rough cobblestone, and the carriage rocked from side to side. Despite the rough ride, Mark took a deep breath and sighed, tilting his head back and gazing up at the roof of the cab.

The laughs of children and the steady thrum of villagers echoed through the streets, and already, Mark felt a vague sense of calm. No more sturdy citygoers, no more hard looks... but gentler people. If gentle was a proper word for Evolveds in general.

"Equinox," said Mark softly, eyes glittering despite the dimness of the carriage. He tilted his head and gazed over at her. "When you first gained your powers... how did it... feel?"

Equinox tilted her head at that, and she knocked on the wood behind her. The carriage rolled to a stop, and Mark straightened himself, brows furrowing.

"What are we—"

"Out of the cab," she said softly.

Mark wavered a moment before obeying, pushing open the creaking door and clambering down the rickety steps. The carriage rocked as they exited, and the cabby glanced at them with an inquisitive gaze.