I don’t stop reading until 4pm. Nobody else is awake yet, but they’ve been asleep for almost twelve hours. I can’t imagine them sleeping much longer, even if yesterday was taxing.

  Everyone is going to be starving when they wake up, and I want to make sure they don’t have to wait for their food. I head to the front door and press the button on the intercom.

  “How can I help you?” A voice chirps.

  I really wish I listened to the script Cassie used to order her food.

  “I’d like to order room service.” I’m sure the person on the other end can hear how unsure I am.

  “Alright, what would you like?”

  I thought they would say some options or something, not just ask what I want. It might be funny to ask for spaghetti or beans, since they love eating that for breakfast so much.

  “I don’t know. Just give me three orders of the most popur breakfast.”

  “Ok. It’ll be up soon.”

  “Thank you.” I hope I did that right.

  Apparently I did, because only a few minutes ter a metallic fist knocks on the door.

  “Room service!”

  I open the door and am met with someone who looks simir to me. A masculine robot in a fine suit. If he sees my surprise he doesn’t say anything, instead he just holds out three silver trays.

  “Thank you.” Do I just ask if he’s alive? Is that rude? If I reveal myself would that put myself in danger? I have to know. “Are you an AI?”

  He simply smiles in response.

  “Enjoy your food.” He says with a bow and closes the door.

  I put two of the trays on the table and bring one to Cassie’s room. Before I can even knock, her voice comes from inside.

  “Just come in.” She says.

  I follow her order. Cassie is sitting up with a book in her p. It’s kind of funny how small she looks in such a rge bed.

  “You probably already heard, but I ordered food.” I set her ptter on the bed next to her. “Is Ivy awake or should I just leave their food on the table?”

  “She’s up.”

  “Ok, thank you. Enjoy your food.”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  I close her door and grab the other two ptters. I quietly knock on Vince and Ivy’s door. Someone shifts inside the room, and the door opens. Vince looks awful. I can’t imagine he got much sleep st night.

  “Hey Little Blue.”

  “I ordered food for everyone.” I pass both trays to him. “How’s Ivy?”

  Vince steps to the side and lets her answer. The covers are pulled up to her neck and this is the first time I’ve ever seen her hair a mess.

  “I’m ok.” She says quietly from the bed. “About 80%”

  “Ok.” That seems like a lie, but if she’s feeling this bad, she’s allowed to lie. “I hope the food helps.”

  “It will.”

  “Thanks Little Blue. We really appreciate it.” Vince pats me on the shoulder. “We’ll be up soon, and then we’re heading out.”

  “Ok.” That’s a horrible idea, but arguing can wait until they’re feeling a little better. There’s no need to say anything now. I return to the couch with Corax and continue to read.

  Apparently, ‘soon’ means another two hours before Ivy and Vince leave their room for anything other than a quick bathroom trip. Cassie, hearing them up and making their way into the living room, comes out as well.

  We shouldn’t go out today, none of them look like they’re ready to do anything more than sleep.

  “Alright.” Vince and Ivy head over to the table together, and Vince leans on the back of one of the chairs before talking. “I know a few people who should be pying poker in a backroom. The pn is to py for information.”

  “Are you sure?” There is so much concern in my voice. “Wouldn’t it be safer to recover for another day?”

  “We both want to get out of here as soon as possible.” Vince nods to Ivy. “But yes, it would be. That’s why we’re taking things slow today.”

  I’m not happy with that answer, it still feels like far too much of a risk. I doubt I’m going to be able to talk any sense into him though. It’s not worth vetoing.

  “And how do you know you’re going to win?” I ask.

  Ivy gives me a knowing look. Right, she’s just going to say that I’ll stop doubting her eventually. I think this is a very reasonable time to doubt her though. Although maybe they just don’t want to say the reason because of the possibility of being watched?

  “Right, I won’t doubt you.” I relent.

  “Good.” Ivy says with as much energy as she can.

  “Who are we meeting?” Cassie crosses her arms. She seems just as unhappy as I am about not taking today off.

  “The main guy is Two, the owner of Eden.” Vince answers. “He’s going to pretend to be friendly, but don’t trust a single word from his mouth unless he’s lost a bet. Thirteen will probably be there, his son. I haven’t heard anything about him dying. Seventeen might still be kicking, she’s the granddaughter of One. Whatever you do, just don’t insult her. Expect a fourth, but I don’t know who.”

  “What do the names mean?” Some kind of ranking maybe? Although that would be way too hard to keep track of, especially since Vince asked about a specific person after not being here for fifteen years. Plus, from what I’ve heard about Denver, Seven wouldn’t make sense. Someone wouldn’t keep their rank after leaving. Maybe it’s a family naming scheme? No, Vince made it sound like Seventeen isn’t reted to Two.

  “Everyone high up in the casino families has their name repced with a number. No idea what it actually means beyond trying to sound mysterious.” Vince answers.

  Then why didn’t Seven return to his old name? It’s not important to ask right now, but I probably should ter.

  “I do have one more question.” One more unreted to my curiosity about Seven at least. “It’s probably going to be busy, right? I doubt I’ll be able to understand you.”

  “Yeah, I’m not sure what to do about that to be honest. I’ll keep a tablet on me, and use that for anything more complex than combat signs.”

  “Ok.” That works.

  “Let’s get this over with then.” Cassie says impatiently.

  “Alright, Little Blue, a quick rundown. Tuck a pistol into your waistband and keep your hand on it. You don’t have to use it, you don’t even have to keep it loaded. You just need to show people you’re more trouble than you’re worth. Can you do that?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good. Corax, honestly, it’d probably be best for you to get cozy in someone’s backpack. No offense, but you’re just too easy to grab and run.”

  Corax’s eyes narrow, both very clearly taking offense, and equally seeing the truth in Vince’s advice. He climbs from my shoulder into the crook of my arm and I hold him protectively.

  “That works.” Vince straightens up. “Let’s get moving. Here.” He passes Cassie and Ivy a mask, and puts one on himself. “They’re pumping drugs into the air out there. It won’t affect any of us as badly as it does Ivy, but we all need our heads clear.”

  Vince and Ivy look identical to yesterday. Their masks are hiding most hints of their exhaustion, but their eyes are still betraying their true feelings. Both have their rifles slung across their backs, a pistol at their hips, and are ready to draw at a moment's notice.

  Cassie, on the other hand, doesn’t even bother with her pistol. She keeps her metal hand wrapped around the hilt of her knife.

  I take Vince’s advice and move a pistol from the holster under my armpit into my waistband, loaded and ready to fire. It’s more visible there. I don’t want to hurt anyone, but I will not let Corax get taken.

  Vince and Ivy lead the rest of us out of the room, the both of them perfectly mirroring the other. The hallways are somehow just as opulent as the room. Gold and wood decorations line the walls, and small chandeliers hang down every few feet. Spending this much money on literally anything else would be a much better use.

  The lobby follows the same design philosophy as the room, just with everything turned up to eleven. Every surface is reflective, and the gre from a massive chandelier makes it a little hard to see.

  All the people in here are dressed in fine silk dresses and suits. We definitely stick out, and many people do a double take when they see us. Most of them decide not to stare, but not everyone. On the bright side, people do tend to step to the side when we get close, giving us a straight shot to the front doors.

  Cassie falls in behind me, staying close at my heels to keep Corax and I safe.

  We step out onto the street covered by a cylindrical roof following the street, twenty feet high at the apex. A dispy is built into it, giving the illusion of a shining sun and zily drifting clouds, despite the fact that we’re underground. Harsh light bathes the entire street.

  I can’t believe how many people are here. The streets are packed with people idly shuffling from pce to pce. Most of them are thin and gssy eyed, I’m not sure of the reason though. Long term effects of the drug in the air? Or maybe just ck of sleep and not enough food?

  Needless to say, the sound is deafening. Hundreds of people are talking to each other or mumbling to themselves, and even if they weren’t, the sounds of their feet would probably be enough to prevent me from understanding anyone.

  On each sidewalk are small stands selling food, water, and all sorts of drugs. When I walk past one stand offering dozens of different narcotics, the man points to me. His dispy clears, repcing his offerings with what the dispy says is a collection of malware.

  Apparently it’s possible for me to fulfill Cassie’s drunken wish to see me intoxicated. Not that I ever would of course. I imagine it’ll just make my hallucinations worse, and that’s the st thing I need right now.

  The few people that are still sharp-eyed leer at us, more specifically Corax and I. I can practically see the gears in their minds turning, debating if the potential payday is worth it. I’m sure if I was alone some of them would try.

  Pickpockets are everywhere. People trying to look drunk bump into people, their hands easily finding their way into their prey’s pocket. One of them, however, slips. The man getting stolen from feels the attempt. He draws his pistol, spins, and ends the pickpocket’s life. Nobody on the street reacts beyond minor annoyance at the spray of blood and brain on their already dirty clothes.

  Corax has to bite my finger to keep me focused. It takes effort to tear my eyes away from the scene and keep moving. From then on I keep my eyes pinned on Vince and Ivy’s backs, not even processing anything else. The two of them walk closely together, each footfall a mirror of the others, their two closest feet are never more than several inches apart.

  A tap on my shoulder spreads panic through my mind. I spin, only to find Cassie is behind me, equal parts worry and anger in her face.

  Ok? She signs to me.

  Ok. I reply. I’m not sure how convincing I am though, I’m sure my face is telling her a thousand different things.

  I turn back to Ivy and Vince. Just keep walking. I’m ok. One foot after the other.

  The two of them lead us into a courtyard constructed off the main road. A massive water fountain sits in the center, and rge waterfalls cover most of the walls. Hundreds of gallons of water pour every minute, for what? To show off? Even if the water is recycled it’s still a waste of electricity. Thirsty, near dead people stop to stare, only to be chased away by security.

  At the far end are two rge doors, a cascade of water on either side. The water impacting the ground creates a spray of water in front of the door. The mist creates a thousand rainbows that everyone walks through when they enter. Just above the door, in bright neon letters, dispys “EDEN”.

  JanePtinum