Equinox

by L. J. Higgins

  I held up my half full glass. “I think I’m okay.”

  “Drink up!” she said. I think she’d had a few too many, too.

  “Down, down, down, down,” Tyson chanted.

  I shook my head and lifted the cup to my lips emptying its contents. “Just one more,” I said.

  “Of course!” she said before disappearing again.

  A tingle began to vibrate in my lips and fingers as I danced, and a permanent smile crept across my face. My head grew light, and I enjoyed the freedom and fluidity as I danced with Reece behind me.

  Natalie reappeared and handed me a drink.

  “Where’s yours?” I asked, my voice a little louder than normal, as I noticed she only had one.

  “I sculled it on the way over. We aren’t all lightweights like you,” she said.

  I had another drink and turned towards Reece who shot me an amused smirk.

  “What?” I asked him, still swaying.

  “You’re happy. I like it.”

  “Yeah, well. Don’t get used to it.” I tried to be serious, but the smile wouldn’t leave my face.

  I ran my hands over his firm torso, and he shook his head.

  “I must say, I’m disappointed you didn’t get your brother’s dancing talents,” he said.

  “He got them from dad,” I said. “The arm wiggle was his signature move.”

  “I wonder what they’d think if they could see us right now?” Tyson said beside me.

  “Dad would be proud of your moves.” I laughed.

  “And Mum would be proud we made it this far. They’d be so proud of you,” he said.

  “I don’t know about that. But I know they’d be very happy with the way you turned out. But let’s not get all soppy. This is my birthday, and I want to have fun.” I spun around, shooting Cleo a smile and realising Natalie was missing. “Where’d Natalie go?”

  “I don’t know. She was just here. Maybe she went to the toilet?” Reece said.

  “Maybe she’s already had too much Kota and has gone to bed?” Tyson suggested.

  “Oh well, her loss,” I replied.

  I danced until the buzz of the Kota began to wear off, and my feet and calves ached. When I finally came back down to earth, my head throbbed, and I realised there were only a handful of people left in the room. My stomach gurgled, and my eyes grew heavy.

  “You look dead on your feet,” Reece said. “You want a drink of water?”

  “Yeah, water sounds good. Actually, I think I’m ready for bed.”

  “You’re not going to feel great in the morning, but sleep will help,” he said.

  “Can’t wait,” I groaned, already beginning to feel like death.

  “What’s going on, party poopers?” Tyson asked, not giving a hint of slowing down just yet, with Cleo by his side.

  “You okay if I head off?” I asked him.

  He wrapped me in a tight hug. “I love you, little sis. Sweet dreams.”

  “I love... I’m going to be sick.” I ran towards the bathroom, pushing open the door so fast it made the woman inside washing her hands jump.

  I barged open the toilet door and flipped open the lid before throwing up the red concoction I’d been drinking into the toilet. After heaving a few more times, I flushed it and leaned back against the stall’s wall. My head was pounding, and I wasn’t sure I’d make it back to my room without throwing up again.

  “Ky?” Reece’s warm voice came from outside the stall.

  “This is a girl’s toilet. Is there something you haven’t told me?” I half laughed, half groaned.

  He pushed open the door, and I realised how disgusting I must look.

  “I brought you some water,” he said, holding out a glass.

  I pushed my hair out of my face. “I’m not sure it’ll stay down. Why do you crazy Solians drink that stuff?”

  “Guess some Solians think the buzz is worth the decline. I used to be one of them,” he said.

  “I’m not sure I can make it back to our room,” I said.

  “Our room? I like the sound of that.”

  I gave him a half-assed attempt at a glare then took the water from his hand. Sipping on it, it filled my stomach just before it heaved and emptied itself once again.

  “This bites,” I groaned when I was finished.

  “Let’s get you to bed.” Reece lifted me into his arms, cradling me like a giant baby, and carried me out of the toilet.

  The last memory I had was of my brother yelling out something and me mumbling an inaudible reply. Then the heaviness in my eyes won out as did the warmth of Reece’s arms and the rhythm of his heartbeat as I fell asleep.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Death. If someone would’ve offered it to me, I was sure I would’ve said yes rather than endure the whole-body ache and the way the world spun around me. My heartbeat thudded so loudly in my ears my brain was about to burst. I’d thrown up countless times throughout the night, so I was sure at least that part of the nightmare was over, but my stomach was still tender.

  “Ky?” Reece’s voice vibrated through my head, making me wince.

  “Make it stop,” I groaned. I didn’t open my eyes. I was too scared of the spinning.

  “I brought you some toast with butter. It might be good to have something back in your stomach,” he suggested.

  My stomach clenched and churned at the thought. I shook my head, sending a wave of nausea through my body.

  “Kill me,” I begged.

  He laughed. Actually laughed. If I’d had the energy, I would’ve punched him in the throat.

  “I know you feel like crap, but you’re being a little melodramatic. I’ve got a drink here that’ll help you feel better, and some paracetamol.”

  Prying my eyes open, I spotted the tablets in his hand and shoved them in my mouth before letting him pour a sour liquid in my mouth. I swallowed reluctantly.

  “What on earth is that?” I scrunched my nose.

  “It’s packed with vitamins and minerals to get you back on your feet. Launch isn’t far away, and we need all hands on deck.”

  “Please tell me Tyson’s dying, too,” I said.

  “He’s had a bit more practice than you, but he’s not well either. Looks like both of you will be taking the day off to rest.”

  “Good. I’d be pissed if he was skipping around while I looked like—oh god, what do I look like?” I asked.

  “You really don’t want to know. Let’s just say I’ve seen the worst of you, and I’m still here,” he said.

  “For now,” I added, regretting it immediately.

  “How about you try to get some food down once the paracetamol kicks in and have some more of this drink. I’ll come back to check on you later, okay?” he said.

  “Okay,” I said as he left.

  Sitting up in bed, my head spun once, then twice, before settling and trying my best not to move more than necessary I lifted a piece of toast to my mouth and took a bite. I was surprised to find I enjoyed it and managed to get down a quarter and finish the glass of sour liquid before needing to lay down and let my stomach settle. It must have, because once again, I drifted off to sleep.

  When I cracked my eyes open hours later, I was happy to find the throb of my head had been reduced to a dull ache, and my head no longer spun, although it was still light. A glass of water sat beside the bed. Someone must have visited while I’d been passed out. I took a sip, testing how it sat in my empty stomach before having more.

  When I was satisfied I wasn’t going to throw up the contents of my stomach again, I swung my legs over the side of the bed with a groan and rose on wobbly feet. It took longer than usual to collect my things for a shower, but with a handful of clothes and a towel, I made my way down the hall, giving half-assed smiles to the couple of people I passed before finding a shower stall, undressing, and standing under the soothing warmth of the water.

  Eighteen. I was eighteen and felt as though I’d turned eighty overnight. Reece had warned me I’d fee
l terrible, but I could see how people would enjoy Kota. It was the first time in years, maybe ever, I hadn’t cared about anyone else and literally danced like no one was watching. It was freeing in the moment, and my jaw hurt from smiling so much. When was the last time I’d given my jaw muscles such a big work out?

  Once I was sure I’d rinsed off any residue of vomit, I climbed out of the shower, dried myself, and dressed before making my way back to my room. My smiles were a little more convincing as I walked, but by the time I made it back to my door, tiredness crept again, and I yearned for my bed. Turning my key, I pushed open the door to find Reece sitting on the end of my bed.

  He smiled at the sight of me. “There you are. I was worried you’d managed to convince the grim reaper to take you.”

  “Even he didn’t want me. I’ve never felt that horrible my entire life. Kota is pure evil. Sweet and delicious, but evil.”

  “Can’t say I didn’t warn you,” he said.

  “Well, consider me well and truly warned. Another reason to never step foot on Terra Sol.”

  Silence fell between us at my words, and I wished I could stuff them back in my mouth the moment I’d said them. This was what it was going to be like until he left. Then what? Then I’d be alone once again, and this time I wouldn’t have Skywatchers to save me.

  “Do you think you’re up for dinner and then a walk?” he asked, breaking the silence.

  Thankful for his words, I sat beside him on the bed and twisted my hair up into a messy bun before securing it with a hair tie. “My stomach is pretty empty, although I’m not sure how excited I am about showing my face in the dining hall. What on Earth did I get up to last night? Who do I need to apologise to?”

  “As far as anyone knows you were happy and dancing. They have no idea you practically threw yourself at me when we got back here.”

  “I what?” My breath hitched.

  “It was pretty cute actually. Please, Reecey. Just give me a kiss.” He puckered his lips and smacked them at me.

  “Gross. There’s no way I’d ever call you Reecey.” Was there?

  “The truth? You passed out in my arms after vomiting in the toilet. I laid you in bed and managed to find you a bucket before you emptied your stomach in it as well. I spent the rest of my night emptying your spew, holding your hair back, and wiping your face.”

  I wasn’t completely sold on his story. I hadn’t thrown myself at him, but if it had happened and he was willing to pretend it didn’t, then I wasn’t going to argue with him.

  “I’m so sorry.” I rested my heavy head in my hands.

  “It was worth seeing you have a good time. Seeing you smile.”

  “I don’t think I’ll smile ever again after that,” I said. “I owe you big time.”

  “You can make it up to me by coming to dinner and then a walk with me.”

  “Deal.”

  “Then let’s go,” he said.

  “Now?”

  “It’s dinner time.”

  “It is? So, I really did sleep all day.”

  “You obviously needed it.”

  “To be honest, I was hoping to come back here and crawl back into bed. Although, now I think a fresh set of sheets wouldn’t go astray.”

  “We can grab them on our way back from our walk. How does that sound?” he asked.

  He rose from the bed and held out his hands. I took them, and he helped me to my feet, gripping my right hand in his left as he led me towards the door.

  “Do you think this is just going to make it harder when you leave?” I asked.

  “I don’t care. This is what I want right now, and I’ll worry about the consequences later. Unless you’re having second guesses?”

  “No. Let’s go get some dinner.”

  He squeezed my hand gently, and we made our way to the dining hall. The noise of chatter, scraping chairs, and clinking plates made my head ache, but I wasn’t going to complain after the night I’d put Reece through. Instead, I made a mental note to ask someone for paracetamol when we sat down and grabbed a bowl of chicken soup.

  “Is that all you’re getting?” Reece asked.

  “I think it’s all I can manage,” I replied.

  “Still not great?”

  “Not really. But I’m here, and we’re having dinner.” In a few days I’d be eating alone again.

  We found Natalie sitting with Cleo and sat across from them.

  Natalie greeted us with a wide smile. “Big night?”

  “How are you so chirpy?” I asked. “You drank just as much as me.”

  “I disappeared and went to bed earlier than you though. I’ve had more sleep,” she said.

  “Tyson’s out cold,” Cleo said. “He tried to get some work done today, but he definitely can’t handle Kota like he thinks he can.”

  “He drank more than me,” I said.

  “And stayed up later,” Reece added.

  “He’s paying for it today,” Cleo replied. “But it was great to see both of you letting your hair down and having a good time. You’re both so serious all of the time. You needed it.”

  I sipped on my soup and enjoyed the warmth running down my throat into my empty stomach. As delicious as it was, I only managed to eat half of it then sat back with my head resting against the chair, eyes closed.

  “Do you want to give the walk a miss?” Reece asked.

  “Where you going?” Natalie asked.

  “It’s a surprise,” he replied.

  “Fine. Don’t tell us then,” she said.

  “I’m just resting so I can enjoy the walk,” I said.

  “If you want to give it a miss…” he said.

  “Nope.” I sat up straight and widened my eyes before standing. “I’m ready when you are.”

  “Enjoy your secret walk,” Natalie said.

  “Have fun,” Cleo added.

  “See you both in the morning,” Reece said.

  He took my hand in his and led me out of the dining room, turning to a corridor I’d never ventured down before.

  “What’s down here?” I asked.

  “This is where your brother does most of his work. There’s laboratories and workshops, even an armoury,” he replied.

  I really needed to spend more time with Tyson. After years apart, it was as though we’d gotten too used to being away from each other. We’d forgotten to make the most of being back together.

  “I wonder if he’ll let me tag along with him while he works tomorrow?” I asked.

  “If you can drag Natalie away from him,” Reece said.

  “Do you think she’s keen on him or something?”

  He shook his head. “It’s like she wants to know the ins and outs of how everything works. I think the whole idea of us living down here excites her.”

  “Everything’s exciting after living so long in Skywatchers,” I said.

  We arrived at frosted, double glass doors, a blue glow behind them, and he stopped and turned towards me.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “I think so. No one’s going to jump out and scare me, are they?”

  “Nope.”

  “Then I’m ready.”

  He scanned a card and opened the door, leading me inside. A large square table sat in the centre of the wide room while monitors and computers lined the walls.

  “What’s this?” I asked.

  “It’s the control centre. It’s how we communicate with our people back home, and how we launch the airships. Your brother did all of this.”

  “No wonder he’s been so busy.”

  I paced the room, looking over all of the equipment. All of the screens were turned off, but little lights still blinked now and then.

  “But that’s not why I brought you here. I wanted to show you this.” He led me over to the table in the centre of the room and pressed a button.

  The surface of the table blinked to life, green lines lighting up as they crisscrossed over it revealing a map.

  “Just a sec,” Ree
ce said as he played with a keypad.

  The map twisted and turned until it popped up in 3D right in front of me. I took a step back, looking above and below it.

  “How did?”

  “Your brother’s pretty amazing, isn’t he? He used Solian technology, and they’ve sent him a map of…”

  “Terra Sol,” I finished, taking a step forward, my eyes wondering over the mountains and forest appearing before my eyes. “It’s so green.”

  “This is the main island, Terra. It’s where I grew up. There are a few smaller islands, but other than this one, the rest of Terra Sol is completely covered in water.” He zoomed out to show me how much water covered his home planet.

  “Just over ten million people. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but when there isn’t a lot of land for us to live on, it’s plenty.”

  “Can you zoom in closer to where you live?” I asked, leaning forward.

  He played with the controls once again until a city much like we had on Earth came into view.

  “Pretty similar to Earth, right?” he said.

  “Yeah. Except you’re surrounded by mountains and forest.”

  “It’s much like your rainforests. And there’s completely new species of birds, plants and wildlife you’ve never seen before.”

  “It’s so crazy to think this whole other planet is out there, and no one knows about it,” I said.

  Reece showed me different parts of Terra Sol, telling me stories of his childhood and partying days as he did.

  “Sorry, I’m probably boring you to death,” he said.

  “No way. I feel like I knew nothing about you until now. Seeing this just makes it all real.”

  He turned to face me, a seriousness in his tone. “I understand why you don’t want to go to Terra Sol.”

  “Reece, I…”

  “Let me finish. I get it. It would be hard looking into their faces every day. A constant reminder of your crappy past. But the thought of leaving you behind is tearing me up inside, and I can’t do it.”

  “I know. I don’t know how I’ll handle it either,” I said.

  “What if I stay?” he said.

  “No. It’s too dangerous here for you.”

  “Not if they think we’ve left on the spaceship. Then we’ll be free to live here. Together.”