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A Golden Globe + A Bottle of Bordeaux = ?       My brain yells for me to get out of there, to head upstairs and get some fresh air and cool off, but something else keeps me in place. I stare at the single bottle of Bordeaux, regarding it intently as it stands proudly on the counter by itself. It looks so out of place. I’m not even sure why I’m looking at it with such concentration—why I even care to focus on it the way I am—but… Читать далее

“Blue Balls”     Forty-eight dark bottles stand on the long counter, proudly displaying the labels that showcase the expensive burgundy liquid they contain. I regard them as they stare back at me in silence, not needing to say anything as the cursive font of Italian words and old dates speak for them. I try to recall the last time I had wine—or anything stronger than a cup of coffee. It’s been years since I’ve had a real drink. Probably not since my twenty-first birthday, and even then I only… Читать далее

The Cellar     Cool, dry air grazes my skin, trickling in from nowhere in particular and everywhere at once through a hidden ventilation system, its presence felt but unheard. Only a handful of customized pot lights shine from the high vintage ceiling, sparse and evenly dispersed. Their warm, isolated glows create a collective dimness all around, much like single wick-candles do. As usual, the cellar is incredibly quiet. Almost eerily so. All the noise and music from above the basement is completely drowned out by exceptionally sound-proof walls. Except… Читать далее

Three’s a Crowd in a Crowd     The elfin Silver speaks first, maintaining remarkable eye-contact in spite of her size. “Hello, Commander,” she says. “You don’t know me, and I know this is sudden, but I’d like to help you figure out what’s causing the Shift.” Unfortunately, Demetri responds before I can. “And I’d like to help you figure out how to get out of that dress, sweet thing.” I sigh in exasperation. I really don’t have time for overzealous volunteers right now, plus Demetri’s weight and womanizing tendencies… Читать далее

What Do You Mean, Gone?     My forehead scrunches itself into a million furrows, conveying the sudden avalanche of confusion that’s forced its way into my brain. “Come again?” is all I can manage, certain I just heard Darius wrong. “The Atlantic Ocean’s not there anymore,” he says. “It’s gone, Matt!” “What the fuck do you mean it’s gone?” I frown, gripping the phone harder. “I don’t know what to tell you, man,” Darius exclaims. “It’s just… gone. Like, kapoof! Vanished into thin air in the last forty seconds…. Читать далее

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Recruitment     Impatiently, I sit at the Table of Metal with my comrades, my mind consumed with worry and a host of scrambled thoughts. The summoning is finally over—thank fucking goodness—and, except for Oskar, Heike, Febe, and I, all who were in attendance have left the Alchemoni already. As I’d predicted, the meeting lasted all night. I’m mentally strained, beyond measure, brainstorming a million strategies for a million potential outcomes that this Shift could bring. Most of it is just high-probability speculation at this point, but even though I… Читать далее

Belinda Gordon       Bambino. I don’t exactly remember who here first designated the nickname to me. But it caught on pretty fast, and soon it’s what most people here knew me as. Apparently I’m doe-eyed and look clueless half the time. I don’t particularly agree but I don’t really mind, either. I suppose it’s somewhat ‘cute’. At least that’s what Bartram and everyone else I talk to here says. They’re nice people. Bartram is one of the more compassionate ones, actually. I had no idea he was even… Читать далее

Monty’s Rubies     Loud contemporary music blares in my ears as various arrangements of custom chrome and polished glass greet me from all angles, the sleek, collective scenery almost overwhelming. I have only two words to describe it: Extravagant and…well…extravagant. Wealth practically oozes from every inch and crevice, cutting no corners and making no apology for its magnificent, insanely creative display. I really should be used to it by now but I can’t seem to get acclimated to the sheer level of this place. I don’t know if I… Читать далее

Just Another Night in Hamletville       Shit. I’m running late for work. Again. Literally running. And panting. And sweating. Ugh! This is the third time this week. I’ve already had to apologize profusely to my supervisor, Jeromy, for my lack of punctuality twice. Both times, he’d been highly disgruntled about my lateness, and both times, I told him it wouldn’t happen again. That was yesterday and the day before that. Yet, here I am, sprinting to work once more. Jeez, I can’t believe I overslept so much. He’ll… Читать далее