13 Through the Vortex
Tess turned away from the others staring at her to focus on the guy with black hair who just spoke. He now sported black shades that blocked out his eyes, yet she could sense the intensity of his unwavering stare emanating from behind them.
A peculiar sensation tugged at her forehead, a foreboding inkling that a headache was imminent. It was a familiar discomfort she believed she had long overcome, but it resurfaced with an unexpected persistence.
"Have I gone colorblind or something strange is happening with your hair?" he inquired, closing the distance between them while still donning his opaque shades.
His neatly groomed obsidian bangs gracefully swept across his forehead, leaving only a subtle parting on the right side, revealing glimpses of his eyebrow. He stopped so close to her she smelt his cologne and several scars on his face became as clear as light. What in the name?
He towered above her, his stature surpassing her own by an inch, his upper body exuding strength, seemingly molded by the dark purple sweater he had the nerves to wear despite the scorching heat. Emblazoned in bold white letters against the sweater's somber backdrop were the words "First Class Mid-Sentry Top Dog," exuding an air of superiority that couldn't be ignored.
Tess's eyes looked up from his jacket to focus back on the disturbing scars on his face.
Tess's gaze ascended from his jacket, refocusing on the disconcerting scars etched upon his countenance. They appeared as though someone had clumsily nicked themselves one too many times while shaving. Suppressing a burgeoning laughter, she resorted to biting her lip to stifle any outward display of amusement.
"I figured it out," he said, taking a deliberate step back, his black lenses reflecting her face with an unmistakable smirk dancing upon his lips. "I'm looking at a real-life alien."
Annoyance crept into the corner of her own lip, prompting a subtle twitch. "What?" She snapped. She clenched her hands into tight fists and closed the distance between them. "Was that supposed to be a joke? Because it wasn't funny," she retorted, her words sharp and direct."
With a calculated motion, he removed the shades, unveiling a pair of captivating dark red eyes that peered out from beneath his glossy black bangs. "Why don't you tell that to them," he said and she glimpsed back to see Szedra, Zino, and the rag-muffin with smiles on their faces.
Both Zino and Szedra quickly concealed their amusement as they caught Tess's piercing glare, the playful mirth fading from their expressions. Meanwhile, the rag-muffin, unable to contain his delight, tilted his head back, releasing a hearty laugh while clutching his stomach.
In the midst of the unfolding spectacle, a sudden flash of light drew Tess's attention back to the black-haired individual, who stood a mere few feet away, holding a phone camera before his face.
"Nobody likes an angry alien. Put on a smile," he told her, provoking a knot of fury that furrowed Tess's brows.
"Are you seriously taking pictures of me?" she demanded, her words resonating with a mix of disbelief and indignation.
With a cocky grin, he responded, "I'm submitting your pic to a freak blogger. If I get paid, maybe we can split it, get drinks, and hang—" His words were abruptly cut off as Tess, fueled by her rage, closed the distance between them, her intent clear.
"Screw being nice," Tess declared, her voice laced with venomous resolve. "Take another picture, and I'll add one last scar to permanently disfigure your face."
The mention of his scars struck a nerve within him, a flicker of vulnerability giving way to a stony expression. Lowering the camera, he held it mere inches from Tess's face, their eyes locked in a fierce confrontation.
"You obviously don't know who you're talking to," he retorted casually, a hint of menace underlying his words.
Tess's grip on his phone tightened, her hand poised as if ready to crush it with her sheer strength. "That's because you're not important," she retorted, their eyes locked in a tense and unyielding standoff. The intensity of their exchange hung heavy in the air.
He glanced down at his phone and then back at her, a dangerous glimmer in his eyes. "You...want to die."
Sensing the escalating tension, Zino and Szedra exchanged a quick, apprehensive glance, silently acknowledging the need to intervene before things spiraled into dangerous territory. With a shared nod of agreement, they swiftly moved to separate the two volatile individuals, their presence a barrier against potential harm.
However, their movements came to an abrupt halt as a piercing screech rent the air, emanating from the massive metal gate nearby. The jarring sound reverberated through their bones, freezing them in their tracks. Tess involuntarily released her grip on the phone, her attention forcibly drawn towards the source of the disturbance.
Slowly, the gate began to swing open, revealing a figure shrouded in a green military-style uniform. As the gate widened further, the individual became more discernible—a light-skinned man with short blond hair and a small beard under his lower lip. The tension on his face transformed into palpable relief as he realized he had arrived at the right location.
Tess's mind whirled with confusion and alarm. What in the name of GeoSaun was happening? Her thoughts were interrupted as a line of soldiers in imposing battle suits emerged from beyond the now-open gates. Clad in helmets that obscured their faces, their weapons poised in every direction, they presented an alarming spectacle.
The sight of the heavily armed soldiers sent a shiver down Tess's spine. Her mind raced, contemplating the possibility of finding herself unwittingly caught in the midst of a rare District battle, and soon bombs would be blowing everything to shreds.
A wave of panic surged through Tess, causing every hair on her body to stand on end. "No, this can't be happening," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear and disbelief.
Beside her, the black-haired guy's voice floated into her ears, tinged with confusion and uncertainty. "I could have sworn I had the right coordinates," he muttered, mirroring her own bewildered thoughts.
As her attention shifted beyond the man and the imposing soldiers, her eyes widened at the large, pulsating green circle loomed behind them, radiating an otherworldly glow.
Suddenly, the man's voice pierced the silence, commanding attention. "What are you people waiting for? Some grand invitation?" His words reverberated through the air, cutting through the stillness and leaving no room for ambiguity.
Tess, Zino, Szedra, and the other two boys turned to one another, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity. They exchanged glances, silently contemplating if the man's directive was aimed at them.
"Is he talking to us?" the rag-muffin asked.
Zino shrugged her shoulders and added, "He must be. I'm going to get my luggage. This heat is frizzing out my hair."
"Just like that?" Szedra commented, raising an eyebrow at Zino's casual response, as she followed behind Zino leaving.
"Our names are going to be plastered all over the news tonight," the rag-muffin predicted, his voice laden with a mix of excitement and trepidation as he too made his way towards his belongings. Szedra trailed behind him, lost in her own thoughts.
Left standing alone, the black-haired guy released a weary sigh before slowly walking away. With a fleeting glance back at Tess, he spoke softly, "You got lucky."
In a defiant gesture, Tess defiantly raised her middle finger in response before turning away, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. However, as she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror left behind by Zino on the nearby bench, the smile faded from her face.
Even in the shade, Tess's hair emitted a subtle, ethereal glow that caught her attention. She let out a sigh, readjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder. As she turned around, her eyes widened at the imposing presence of several soldiers standing in front of her. Instinctively, she took a step back.
One of the soldiers extended their hand, emanating robotically from a speaker at their neck, "We shall render our aid unto thee, madam."
Tess was unsure whether it was a question or a command but she gladly handed over her bag and let go of her suitcases. The soldiers shouldered the weight of her possessions and proceeded to carry them away, beckoning her to follow. However, her stride faltered as a sudden recollection jolted her mind—her cap had been left behind.
With a swift turn, Tess confronted two other soldiers who trailed closely behind her, their weapons outstretched to impede her progress. A gulp slipped down her throat as she gazed upon her own reflection, peering back at her through the blackened visors of their face shields. No matter how intently she searched, no trace of a countenance could be discerned behind the opaque veil.
"I left my cap," she told them.
Remarkably, the two soldiers did not exchange a glance, instead promptly lowering their weapons and parting ways, creating a path for her to pass through. A chilling sensation coursed through her as she moved past them, retracing her steps toward the bench where her cap lay abandoned.
Swiftly, she reclaimed her cap, firmly placing it atop her head, and hastened to return to the guards who never took their gaze from her. The harsh reality of the situation weighed upon her, engendering a sinking feeling deep within her core.
It was fortunate indeed that she had not succumbed to the impulse to flee, for the consequence would have surely been a grievous wound. Or was she getting over herself?
The blond-haired man was the first to step through the glowing green portal. and in that instant, Tess's keen perception discerned its nature—a teleportation vortex. She couldn't believe it since only the filthy rich or clandestine government installations had access to that level of tech.
She stepped through to find herself in a large circular room with white glowing grounds. She sighed in relief, refreshing coolness embraced her, drying the sweat from her face.
As her senses settled, her mind turned to scrutinizing her new surroundings. Transparent walls encircled the expansive space, with light and partially showing what's behind. Like celestial constellations, they illuminated the enclosure with an enchanting radiance.
Scattered at regular intervals along the expanse, a series of elevators gracefully ascended and descended along the wall. Tess's intuition stirred, telling her she was in a deep underground district.
When the vortex disappeared from the sunny outdoors, the space between the large opened gates became clear. It was endless lands filled with gravestones and wild trees, evoking a somber contemplation of lives past and memories etched in stone.
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