Cupid's Bow

Chapter 2

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The brochures for Cupid's Bow all boast about the stunning scenery, the out-of-this-world colour and the high-rise temperatures that make it, apparently, 'the place to be!'

What they fail to mention, however, are the inhabitants.

That's not to say that no one knows, though. In fact, it's the one of the main reasons why people come here. It's just that it's kept on the down-low, hidden from the wider, more public reaches of society, and kept in hushed conversations, or secret writings passed under tables.

So no one knows, but everyone really does. And it's created two separate groups: those who pretend to be outraged but can't get over the edge fast enough, and those who are actually outraged.

I fall into the latter.

So when I was told that this was to be my place of assignment, for the first time in my life, I kicked up a fuss. Shock had followed my absolute adamancy that I wouldn't go, but in the end it was all for naught. What had I gotten for all my efforts? Points retracted from my spotless record and an impatient push.

Apparently, I don't want to go was not a valid reason to, well, not go.

But right now, staring at the four figures in the harsh light, I'm pretty sure they couldn't have been more wrong.

Tall frames, crazy tall, not-of-my-species tall, are all stretched out upon the bright colourful nothing. I've only ever seen them on scattered bits and pieces of paper, so for a moment I'm stuck-startled by the first-glance humanness of them... forgoing their height, of course.

But that quickly fades.

My eyes widen and I can't help but recoil at the sight of all that skin. So much of it. And all of it on show. I'd never seen a human like that... knew that I would never. And they're so close to one another, not practically touching but very much actually touching. It makes my widened eyes bug, my mouth drop because... well. It's one thing to accidentally overhear about it, but entirely another to witness it first-hand.

Noise reaches my ears again, and I can see now that the giggle came from one of the females. I watch, my heart jumping, as she leans down towards one of the males, hands touching and grasping in ways I can't make sense of. My face burns as I watch him move up towards her in response, skin free of everything but each other. I quickly turn my head, scurrying backwards before I can see anymore.

I place my hand over my chest, my lungs whining with the effort to breathe.

I need to go, I think, and my body agrees wholeheartedly.

Tumbling myself onto my feet, my eyes can't help but seek out the water one last time. Unequivocal need fills me as I stare at it, but I know I won't step out of this cover, because I really, really don't want to be seen by Them.

All of those hushed tales fill my head as more giggles break the air, and my skin goes hot again as I start backing away from the pool.

There has to be more around here somewhere, I think. I might even find the Thing first, if I'm lucky.

"Bye salvation," I whisper mournfully, not even being dramatic, watching the sparkles ripple in goodbye, feeling my throat cry out and my skin to become so aware of its stickiness once again as I –

Ripple?

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A/N: This is probably the shortest chapter of the lot, sorry!

Sorry too if you're feeling confused. Answers to why things are the way they are and the like will be leaked through rather than just unceremoniously dumped on your lap in a couple of paragraphs. It takes away all the intrigue!