Untitled (for now)

“Stolen?” Silence stretched between us. I didn’t know what to say, and neither did he. A simple shrug was my answer. “Fuck it. You probably lost everything. That’s how it goes, doesn’t it? You fucking lose everything and blame it on some imaginary thief.”1

His head sank dejectedly to his hands, a groan falling off his lips. “I didn’t lose it, Nik…”2

“Right,” I snapped, growling deep in my throat. Hands were thrown up in the air; I know I must’ve looked like a madman. I didn’t care. Any way we had of getting home was gone. The bus had left for the night, regardless of silly-stupid stragglers who happened to lose all of their information. Without our information, and our codes, we were stranded.3

The personnel of the nearby shops drifted by, throwing glances at the two young men: one sitting on a curved bench with head in his hands, the other pacing like a wildcat caught in a small cage. I bare my teeth at a few of the silhouette type people called the Shades. White Shades move towards the lit up windows, lines blurring into the too bright light; black Shades drift to the corners, the shadows, themselves disappearing.4

It’s a silly fear of a Two-Toner like me, we’ve always had it for those who can disappear so easily, but I want them gone. I hate them being around without my knowledge. I snarl cruelly at them, and many of them scatter. Anyone would, even another Two-Toner. No one wants to catch the disease that this one may have.5

Jaime stares at me from the seat on the bench. I pretend not to notice. “What’s your issue?” he grumbles. “They aren’t doing anything except their jobs.”6

“Judging bastards! I know they are mocking us.” I know this probably isn’t true, in fact, I’m positive I saw one Shade offer to let us into one of those closed and locked stores.7

Jaime lets it settle. He knows by now I’m stubborn when I’m angry. “What’re we going to do.” It’s not a question. It’s confirmation that we are stuck between.8

I let the soft din of the Shades waft through the air while I try to think, anger still clouding my mind like a heavy down quilt. Jaime watches the shapely figure of a female Shade as she passes. I flop on the bench beside him, some part of my mind knowing that I only wish to distract him from the woman. I hate myself for being so petty. He offers a soft smile and a hand on my shoulder, with a gentle squeeze. He’s my friend, is what he’s saying, and we’ll stick together, and we’ll be fine. I pray to the Great Spirit he’s right.9

“We aren’t doing much good sitting here like lumps…” I admit as the haze of my temper settles into a fine dust over my thoughts. Jaime nods, I’m sure he’s glad I’m finally making some bit of sense.10

He won’t suggest it, but as he glances towards the Shades, he wonders if one of them is still willing to help the crazy Two-Toner and his friend. I stand and offer a hand to Jaime, who accepts as I pull him to his feet. 11

Minutes of wandering got us nowhere. If it weren’t for the cool air brushing my cheeks I’m sure I would have lost my temper again. A sideways glance at Jaime, I don’t know why or how he puts up with me. My temper is horrid; I’ve never been able to control it. 12

Jaime doesn’t notice my slowing footsteps, or even that I’ve come to entire halt until he’s reached the corner. I’m back in the middle, standing beside a clean brick wall. Eyes are staring blindly at my feet. I’m afraid if I look up I’ll see Shades everywhere again. I cringe, feeling my insides quiver with such a strange terror at something I know I shouldn’t fear. The soft patter of Jaime’s feet echo in the alleyway, we’d been walking, the gentle touch as he puts his hands on my shoulders and lightly pushes me forward, with the kind, but firm, “Go.”13

I don’t want to listen. I want to stand here and wait until morning when we can goad the automated bus service to take us home without our information. I almost know this month’s code by heart. I could probably recite it. All we have to do is wait for dawn. I realize I’ve babbled this to Jaime, who is still urging me to move, telling me not to stand still for so long.14

“Listen,” he interrupts my babbling again. “If we don’t move, the Meanders will ask questions.” I shudder. Meanders: Shades who work for the government. Two-Tones don’t get jobs for the government. We never have. We take everything in between, while Shades take the lowliest and the highest ranking jobs.15

I’m scared. I won’t admit, but Jaime knows I am, as I know he is. Neither of us will say much more than what we already have.16

~17

We’ve taken to retelling jokes we both know as we trot in a grid-pattern up and down the walkways and through alleyways. I don’t pay attention to Jaime’s joke, but laugh when I should. The Shades are watching us. They know we shouldn’t be here, but I still see other Two-Tones slipping in and out of the crowds. 18

Maybe we aren’t the only stragglers?19

“The café…” Jaime whispers suddenly. I make a questioning noise, caught off guard. “The café is open, Nik.” I look up. A small café on the corner sits brightly light. Two-tones and Shades intermingle. A soft resounding din curls like a purring cat around us. Sanctuary. Meanders won’t ask questions if we are part of a crowd.20

We are nearly to the café when a short rotund woman waddles out to greet us. Her curly mousy brown hair is covered in a pink knit hat that matches her sweater. A giant knit flower flops lazily on one of her breasts. Her black skirt sticks to her legs, holding the awkward curves. She’s a Two-Tone, like us.21

She offers a smile, really just a curling of pink painted lips and showing of shockingly white teeth. I don’t really care how feral the smile looks. It feels too welcoming to my frantic mind. Jaime doesn’t seem to notice either. We step forward as she ushers us towards a table that clears quickly before we get there.22

“My name is Alranda. Alranda Mireson.”23

“Nikolai Artemiev,” I mumble numbly, sitting where she indicates. Jaime murmurs his own name a moment after mine.24

“You boys are in a bad position,” she said with a smirk, eyes cast downwards. “Although, I expect you that already.”25

Jaime and I exchanged glances, nodding miserably.26

“The Meanders are looking for you right now,” she told us nonchalantly. Bile rose in my throat, making me gag and shudder. Jaime reached out and snatched my shirt before I could stand up completely. “They know you didn’t get on the bus.”27

I rocked slightly. How could she pretend like this was nothing? Didn’t she know what Meanders did to Two-Tones? We were nothing more than experiments to them.28

Jaime growled, disgust heavy as cream in his voice, “You’re threatening us.”29

She laughed. Alranda Mireson thought this was funny? I gave a startled cry at the tinkling laughter. It reminded me of glass hitting crystalline rocks. “I can keep you safe…”30

“For a price…” I croaked miserably, predicting the next line.31

Alranda sat back, nodding slightly. “Yes, yes…for a price.”32