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Aran erupted. ‘You no can help. It’s already done.’
‘What’s done, Aran?’
The young man’s shoulders began to shake as a great emotion took over. His body slumped, and he thrust his head into his hands in despair.
Finally, he spoke with ragged grief. ‘Two of myfikis, Jako and Simi, justkufad, died, gone. After taking shots of cold koko.’
‘Sweet Eden, Aran. That’s tough.’
Kage wasn’t lying. The cryogenically frozen form of the synth drug koko was ten times more potent than the regular version, and the gangs often spiked it with chemicals and poison. ‘How’d they get it?’
Aran shrugged. ‘Don’t know. Didn’t see it happenkwaniI was doing my exam. They were laced with it and then dumped. At the backdoor of East Pika. They were far gone when we got there. The rock winds shaved their bodies, almost to dust. Street word says it was forced on them as an attack by the Pikani South crowd. They be green coz East Pika boys be making good schill coz we play near the tunnel entrances.’
‘Fokk,’ Kage breathed.
Aran looked up, rage flooding his face. ‘Naam! We want revenge.’
‘Hold it, Aran. How about I speak to the Pika South and East Pika elders? See what they say. Can’t be caught up in no war now.’
‘Nada,khan. Your words mean nothing down there.’
‘You’d be surprised. Give me a chance.’
Aran shrugged, his rage deflating. ‘You canna try. But myfikis, they are gone. This is how Pika life is. We’re like dust, gone withbilatrace,’ Aran cried.
Kage moved to the young man’s side and placed a heavy hand on his shaking shoulders.
‘You’re not invisible. You’re not dust. You’re the rock on which yourmamindepends, the strength she and many others lean on.’
Gradually the quiet sobs ceased and Aran whispered, ‘Khan,you’re the only surfacer who remembers me, cares for me. Your kindness, has saved many of my days.’
Kage felt his throat thicken with emotion. ‘There’s one thing that’s worse than murder, Aran. And that’s forgetting the memory of ourfikisand acting like they didn’t exist. I too have lost my family and many I’ve loved. I keep their memories in my head and my heart. You do the same, and you will rise strong day after day, in honour of them.’
II
The light of a thousand stars doesn’t equal the light of the moon
7
Where’s your halo, Kage?
Harlow
The invitation to Selene and Kainan’s Friday evening barbecue had stated it was casual wear. However, Harlow had rebelled slightly from the apropos laid-back style.
She brushed imaginary lint from her flowing magenta silk jumpsuit as she left her new apartment. Unlike her everyday work wear, it was way more extra. It featured a detachable braided waist tie with tassel detail and a crossover bodice. Complete with large pockets, a plunging V-neckline and cinched ankles.
It was totally ‘fire’, but she felt she needed to make a good impression. She’d also paired it with brazen booties, low, sexy and super comfortable, and sparkling earrings.
Clutching a bottle of vintage red in one hand and her bag in the other, she crossed the road from 517, heading towards the lobby of 498. The auto doors slid open, and she entered a soaring chandelier-dripping reception area adjacent to The Osirian. She spotted the intercom and hit the button for the rooftop.
‘Miss Meridien, welcome to 498.’
‘Mirage! How lovely to hear from you. It’s been a minute.’
‘It sure has. Please enter the lifts. Miss Selene is waiting for you on the rooftop.’
Harlow stepped in, checking her reflection in the mirrored walls.She looked fine,she supposed. However, she wondered what Kage would think of her get-up, as he’d only ever seen her in work clothes or a tracksuit.
