Page 138 of Cerulean Truth
Tossing and turning, it was almost one in the morning when I checked my Nexus for the time. Sleep still eluded me massively. My mind focused on James’s eyes. I loved thinking about those eyes.
I checked the yellow drops once more. It was now one fifteen in the morning. On a Friday night.
My human life started flashing before my eyes. How I would've pitied those lying in their bed alone on a Friday night… I smiled at the idea of Lisa and my other friends at a bar, drinking and laughing. Contemplating whether they would go out and ruin their Saturday with a hangover or…
I jolted upright. Holy shit. There was a short cut to call to my emotions… an insanely risky way but I was desperate. Under no circumstances was I going back to training with James the next day without any progress. And this idea was… well, stupid and reckless. But also… exhilarating.
My mind was racing. I wasn’t allowed outside of Cyclos so I’d have to sneak around. If the Council found out about me venturing out on my own in the Human World… but how would they? My translation wasn’t traceable.
I felt an immense pleasure at the prospect of outsmarting the Council.
It would require some planning, but not an excessive amount—I'd pulled off similar schemes numerous times as a teenager. Admittedly, escaping my parents felt significantly less daunting than misleading the Council, but the rush of adrenaline it generated was very reminiscent.
First things first. I realized I would have to find a red portal to transport me to the Human World. No way I’d take the risk of navigating myself in limbo with a green one. Luckily, there was a red one in the Scola library with a destination just outside of the First Layer.
Next I had to locate a human club, one with a DJ spinning some EDM or Techno, situated conveniently close to my portal destination, which was luckily far enough from Boston, making sure I wouldn't accidentally bump into anyone I knew.
It had to be a club with low security, preferably an underground club, where there’d be a supply of the stuff I needed.
I'd bring my Nexus along and nex Enya after I was done. I was ninety percent sure she'd come for me. Well, maybe eighty percent. To err on the side of caution, I decided to text her upon my arrival at the club, giving her enough time to organize my "retrieval,” hoping she wouldn’t get too upset. I had told her about my “malpractice,” so she would understand. I hoped. Dearly.
With the device gripped firmly in my hand, I activated the yellow drops, my energy signature transforming them with a subtle flourish, reconfiguring them to gather intel on the nearestclub. As the drops synchronized their information, pointing unanimously to "The FUSE," I frowned, unfamiliar with the name.
Holy shit, was I really doing this? Was I sneaking out of Cyclos on my own? I pondered for a second. Heck yeah, I was doing this! The adrenaline alone would probably give my translation a real boost.
I slipped out of my bed, got dressed for clubbing, did my hair and make-up in less than twenty minutes and then silently opened my door. I peeked through the hallway before leaving my room, my heart already bouncing off the charts with nervous energy.
Each step I took echoed in the silence of the Winter’s Palace, and every creak in the floor beneath me sounded like a thunderclap. I pressed myself against the walls, moving like a shadow, my breath caught in my throat with every passing second.
The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the windows, guiding me as I tiptoed past closed doors. Each turn in the corridor intensified the drumming of my heart, amplifying the hidden nature of my nightly escapade. The anticipation of the adventure awaiting me outside collided with the fear of being caught, creating a thrilling yet nerve-wracking energy, coursing through my veins.
When I eventually made my way into the library, the clock displayed around two in the morning. There, in the right corner, stood the ominous red portal. My nerves kicked into a higher gear.
What if I got caught? Was I insane doing this? Doubt started creeping into my mind and I seriously contemplated pulling the plug on this whole idiotic plan.
But then, James’s face came to mind. That beautiful face, with disappointment forever etched on his features, solidified my resolve.
I stepped toward the portal.
The prospect of portaling alone sent a wave of uncertainty through me—even though I had witnessed it done before and had accompanied James a few times. Encouraging myself to proceed, I focused on the fact that, unlike the green portals, which required navigation, red portals had a fixed destination. Easy breezy. All I had to do was step through and this particular one would transport me instantly to a location about a twenty-minute walk from the Fuse.
"No time like the present," I mumbled to myself, forcefully pushing away those persistent doubts that threatened to undermine my resolve. I took a deep breath, attempting to steady the rapid beats of my heart.
Then, with a swell of determination, I stepped through.
THIRTY-SIX
JAMES
"James... James, wake up… JAMES!”
What the hell was happening?
I was finally fast asleep when I woke to someone banging on my door. I reluctantly jumped out of my bed and hurried to open up, only to find Enya at the other side.
“What the hell are you doing here at two am?” I bellowed furiously, my irritation slicing through the air.
She didn’t even glance at me, barely wavering at my tone, and slipped by me inside.
