Page 48 of The Commons

“Goodnight, Tavia.”

I nod, my mind drifting, wondering what he is a part of, wondering why all these secrets, wondering if I’ll ever truly know who he is, but I don’t have the energy to think so much tonight. It’s actually refreshing not to be constantly thinking, plotting, analyzing, but to simply be. And in this moment, I wonder… What lies beyond those golden eyes? What oceans does he hide behind those wind blown strands? What flames consume him when he closes his eyes to sleep at night?

But in this moment, he just smiles, as though he can read my mind.

I blink as my golden lamp flashes and my eyes open to see… Oh. He’s gone. I see his shadow, then… nothing. An exhale rips through my all. And an empty sadness fills my soul.

I wished this night would have lasted forever.

I really need to go to bed, but I’m dying to take a shower or a bath, so I stand up, walking toward the... what is this? I look to the right to see a pre-prepared bath in my personal shower area. The bathtub looks like it is made from gemstones. The gemstones seem to emit a soothing scent that send a burst of comfort and relaxation through me. I take a step forward and notice a blinking note on the foam. Dare you to burst my bubble. Free Patron Pass for distinction on tests. Must be Pesh. A smile beams through every part of me as my hands slide to his sweater, inhaling his intoxicating scent. I don’t want to take this off, but I know I have to. I fold it perfectly, hiding it under my private drawer, hoping no one finds it.

Once I enter the tub, the atmosphere around me turns to a simulation of pink and white clouds. I sink into the bath for a brief moment, and it’s so entrancing. I allow myself to indulge in its soothing pleasure on my skin. I would love to stay here forever, but my eyes are closing and just as they do, the bubbles begin to disappear.

I am so tired and can’t afford to fall asleep in this bath, so I step out.

That felt amazing! I wish I could have enjoyed it more.

As I’m cleaning myself with my towel, I notice the bathtub morphs out and disappears. Yeah, that was definitely Pesh! Oh, what to think of this guy… A few seconds later, I fall on my bed, exhausted.

Slamming my head down to my covers, my eyes close softly. My arms tightly grip my pillows and I curl up, drifting off to serene silence.

CHAPTER 11

Meeting The Shark

I slam the fifth book on the table and pack my bags in a haste. “Five books done, five more to go. Not a bad start to my week.”

I proceed past the library and toward the Meaning Building. The building is shaped like a giant question mark. I have no clue what to expect. I drive my feet forward toward the circular entrance. Upon touching the door’s handle, my feet slip, and I fall. Grabbing onto the floor, I realize that I’m sliding down a dark tunnel! Eyes darting all around me, I try to stay alert. Before I can grip the slide, my butt crashes down on a foamy floor.

I stand up.

I am alone in an empty room—and a single gun lies in front of me on a small table.

I tiptoe closer, my eyes darting all around in dread. Fingers twitching, I propel my hands forward to grab the gun. I tighten my grip to stop the tremor of my hands. This is my first time holding a gun.

I hear an echoing voice that sounds a lot like Beatrice.

“It looks legitimate. But it is not. That’s what this test is about. You will be asked a series of questions about morality and meaning. For every question, you have to shoot down the virtual figure in front of you to signify A or B or C (all of the above).”

A wall-like computer screen appears before me, then wraps itself all around me, caving me inside itself.

“Test begins now.”

My feet slip, and I am gliding through an illuminating path inside the computer. I flinch due to the blinding brightness around me. I have to open my eyes. In the same second I think this, my feet stumble on the icy ground.

I look around to see nothing but ice. Shivers run through my spine. The tips of my fingers are going numb as a gust of cold wind pierces my skin. Looking down, I am now wearing a white pant suit. I feel my face and realize I have a mask on. How on earth did that happen in two seconds?

Before I can look up, the ice beneath me begins to break. I shove the gun inside the pocket of my jumpsuit, jumping to the side to avoid falling into the opening, which resembles a cave. Crashing beneath me in a burst of tidal explosion, the ocean floods the cave. Suddenly, sweat emanates from my clammy hands and heat rushes through the hairs on my skin. The temperature just changed. What on earth is happening?

Beside me, I see a boat. I leap in and begin to paddle. That’s when I hear her.

“Save me! Save me!”

I look back to see a child. Her golden skin is glowing. I am confused by this. Is this my sister when she was young? She is in the water holding onto a somersaulted, broken boat. One of her hands slip. She is heading toward the mouth of what seems to be a great white shark.

Instantly, my eyes widen.

I jerk forward in fear, but in the same moment, I see a caramel-colored woman’s hand holding onto her. The woman pushes herself up and grabs one of the child’s hands as they are flooding down the ocean, propelled by the strong current. They are closing in from behind. I can try to reach for one of them and bring them up to my boat, but there is no way I can save them both in time before the current washes them away.