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Chapter Ten
The trains to and fro Night Bloom operate on a solar timetable. The first train bound for the city arrives one minute after sunrise, and the last train to leave the city always departs one minute before sunset.
It will serve you well to remember this, as the King's protection over the humans in his city expires come nightfall. Don't say you haven't been warned.
~ The Darker Side of Night Bloom by S.J. Wells
––––––––
THE LOBBY IS VIRTUALLYempty of humans by the time I leave for work.
In the past, humans never realized preters lived among them because they didn't know what to look for, and if there was something we did notice, we'd be the first one to tell ourselves we were imagining things.
But things have changed a lot since That Day. I can't think of the right words to describe this, but when you've been around preters long enough, you just kindaknowwho's human, and who's not.
And those whoaren't...are looking at me rather oddly.
I shrug this off at first, but it's when I hear the Nox's PA system chiming out its usual reminder that everything becomes drastically clear.
"Sunset today is at 1640 hours. It is now 4:30 p.m."
Shit, shit, shit.
This must be why Toni was so insistent I clock out early with the rest, and she would've probably dragged my sorry ass out herself if she were still here.
But she's not, since Toni had to take Colin to his pedia for a 3:00 appointment, and so I'm all alone as I run to the station like my life depends on it.
Which it kinda does.
There's been all sorts of rumors about what goes down in Night Bloom when the skies turn dark, but I have no dreams of being the first idiot to confirm what's real from what's not.
I might be heartbroken, but my brain is still working, and death is still not part of my bucket list, thank you very much.
The hairs behind my neck start to stand halfway to the station, but I don't let myself think of anything stupid.
I've just walked past a couple of preters, and I have to remember I'm no longer That Girl. After this morning's kiss, I'm now That Girl with a Thing with the King. It's only natural the resident preters of Night Bloom have become curious about me, too.
Right?
My heart feels like it's about to burst from exertion when I finally make it to the station with under a minute to spare, but the sight that greets me leaves little to be desired.
The complete absence of people - human or otherwise - makes Nox's lobby seem crowded in comparison, and I hate how it's all so silent that I can actually hear myself breathing.
Keep it together, Cat.
Curtains already cover the windows of manned ticket booths, andClosedsigns hanging on toilet doors. I've just pushed past the turnstile when the speakers blare out an automated announcement, and I nearly jump out of my skin.
The last train departing from Night Bloom is arriving. Sunset is at 1640 hours, and tonight is the last full moon of the month. It is now 4:37 p.m.
I practically throw myself inside the train as soon as its doors open, and I feel almost hysterical in relief when the train starts to move.
Safe, I'm safe, thank God.
My knees wobble a bit, and I collapse on the nearest seat. The train is just as empty as the station, but it's all cool since I'm already on my way out of Night Bloom.
I feel like laughing when I think back on how the last seven or so minutes went down.
Paranoid much, Cat?
