Moonlines

By Efehan Elbi

“This book defies every genre and kept me guessing til the end. More, please.” -M.K.

— Lain is looking for magic, for something to fall into, when she comes across an ad she can’t resist: “Does the world seem thinner to you somehow, more malleable than you once thought? If so, you may be just the person for a crucial mission.” Her reply sparks off a chain of the inexplicable and the terrifying: living shadows, monsters both human and elsewise, and the very real possibility of other worlds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781312641167

Book preview

Moonlines

MOONLINES

By Efehan Elbi

Copyright

Cover art by Jennie Ziemianin

First eBook Edition

Published January, 2015

© 2014 Efehan Elbi.

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-312-64116-7

Thank you.

Thank you to my initial readers: Kat, Mom, Pops, Aubs, Zak, Ilke, and Jennie, all of whom helped shape this book, and to Amanda, who quite literally re-shaped it once again.

And to you, of course. Thank you for diving in.

Soon you’ll be meeting Lain and Kallista. I hope you’ll hit it off.

Stakeout. (part i)

1. Kalli.

Lain lay curled up in her bed, face against the wall, in her underwear and t-shirt, her hair a mess, her arm tingling. She blinked into the drywall, the cold surface pleasant against her face. She tried to imagine rising, getting ready for the world. The thought made her muscles ache. The blue glow of the falling eve wrapped her up and she let out a breath and fell back into sleep.

She awoke once more to the sound of her phone, an alarm, or maybe a call. She silenced it without looking.

It rang again and she opened her eyes, noticing the blood on the wall. She groaned, flopped onto her back, and felt beneath her nose. Yup, another nosebleed. Maybe it was a sign.

She pulled herself up and drifted over to the bathroom. Loaded up on toilet paper, she returned to her bed and contemplated the darkness outside her window, stuffing a wad into her nostril.

Her phone rang again and she checked the caller. Kalli. Silenced it again. Pulled up a list of her contacts and pressed David. Lain leaned back as the call connected, watching the twinkling lights taped in a swirl across her wall, curving up towards the ceiling.

Hello?

Lain smiled. Oh hey there. You’ll never guess what I’m doing. She fingered her hair, flipping a reddish curl.

Delaine! Could I call you back in a little bit? On the line, the sound of footsteps. A shout, echoing.

I guess. It’s just that, I was just thinking you could ask me what I was wearing, and I could ask you what part, like, you know, of you, you might be touching. And how it felt, she smiled, and, like, how hard —

On the line, a crash, the clattering of metal.

Lain sat up straighter. David, where are you?

A thump and then a woosh. What was that? I can’t quite hear you, Delaine! I may have to call you back!

Why? she asked.

There was a scream, mortal pain. Gunshots. I’m in the middle of an appointment. I’ll call you in an hour, okay? The sounds of heavy impacts, muffled by the the signal, and then frantic footsteps. Heavy breathing, yells.

Okay, Lain replied.

What sounded like tires screeching as the line went dead. She looked at her phone. The signal meter claimed no cell signal.

Then it jumped back to halfway and a sudden barrage of texts arrived.

Lain!

XOXO LAIN! Come to the party! XOXOXOXO

Come on! Come to the party!

Are you coming? <333

COME HERE, its fun!

>>>>> LAAAAINNNN <<<<

She sighed, and replied. Where?

U know. ;)

Yeah, Lain supposed she knew. Lain hopped off her bed, towards her dresser.

Lain stepped out of the house, breathing in the cold air. The snow was just starting to fall. She made her way through the flakes, all made to glow by the streetlamps above. Backlit snowfall, her favourite. Her headphones pulsed with electronic music. The city was quiet. A gentle place, everyone now tucked into cozy homes and warm buildings. The serenity made her smile.

Particles swirled around her, clearing her mind. She walked down an alley, found the perfect pile of fresh snow. Lain flopped into it, stretching her arms out and creating a three-swipe snow angel. Above her, the clouds roiled by. She listened to distant crunching, the sounds of wheels disturbing the city’s new blanket.

Behind her, she heard a footstep. She lay still, listening. The muffled noise of the city surrounded her.

And again, a scratch against something.

Lain tried to turn towards the noise as she heard a sharp intake of breath close by, then footsteps padding away in the snow.

She pushed herself up into a seated position, the snow crunching loudly beneath her. At the end of the alley, she thought she saw a dark shape ducking around the corner.

Lain was left in silence. She tried not to breathe, listening. Her heart was pounding.

She rose and continued quickly on her way, now glancing over her shoulder.

The convergent sound of all the voices and conversations dwarfed the loud music pounding from the house.

People lurked outside in small groups smoking on the front porch, laughing. She went inside, feeling like the party was swallowing her up, rattling her eardrums as it digested her.

A boy yelling in her direction, two people hugging, a lost girl striking up conversation with a stranger, her shrill laugh. Giggles here, laughter there. A greeting as someone patted her back. Lain squeezed her way through, ignoring it all and moving towards the back of the house.

She deduced that the music was a vinyl record. The same piece of music repeated endlessly, broken up by periodic scratches. She cringed each time.

Lain pushed past a couple making out, hands wandering. Two girls were cuddled in the corner, one boy was looking intently at a girl nearby. A dizzying social mess. Lain drew lines between them with her fingers, interconnections, drawing a few strange looks.

At last, she found her objective. Tucked in a corner, Kalli and another, their faces locked in intimacy.

A boy? Or girl? Hardly important. She gently pulled Kalli backwards. Her friend glanced over her shoulder.

We gotta get out of here, Lain yelled.

What? Kalli yelled back.

Lain rolled her eyes and looked at Kalli’s androgynous partner. Kalli was already drifting back to her-him. Lain pulled at her friend again, then glanced around. Found another person looking bored and shoved him towards Kalli’s partner. She didn’t wait to see if the match worked, pulling Kalli past the crowds and through a door, out into an overgrown backyard.

Kalli frowned, looking annoyed, but followed.

They emerged, and Kalli wrapped her arms around herself. Lain could see the mist of her own breath. Outside, the quiet snowscape was a balm to the noise inside.

Kalli began. What the hell, Lain?

Lain blinked. I’m worried I’m dating a weirdo.

You’re always dating weirdos. Why did it have to —

I guess I just needed you. I was sad.

Kalli sighed, couldn’t hold back a wry smile. Her sleek black shirt, low-cut, showed off her chest; her tights and boots stylish and matching. Dark hair fell over her eyes, and she swept it away as she looked at her friend. Lain thought she looked wonderful. Kalli moved close and hugged her, their foreheads touching, the steam of their breath mingling. Lain closed her eyes.

Do you want to come stay tonight? Lain asked.

Kalli nodded. Let me just grab my coat.

"Why? Just grab her coat." Lain pointed to two people making out nearby, happy and oblivious. Kalli considered, then gently lifted the coat draped over them. One of the kissers made an unhappy moaning sound, so Lain pushed them closer together. Neither stopped.

All warm now. Kalli laughed.

Inside, a DJ was hard at work destroying the vinyl. Someone else was screaming, and two people ran past, streaking into the cold night, barely dressed.

What kind of party is this? Lain asked.

Kalli shrugged.

The snap of cameras, cell phone flashes, rings, laughter. Through the window, the pressing of bodies. Kalli looked at the house longingly, and Lain at her. Then Lain took her hand and led Kalli away.

The girls walked down the street. Fireworks rose and exploded above the house, glittering as they drifted beside the snow, now lit by falling flames.

They held hands and walked away.

The moon made a beacon in the sky, and the two didn’t talk.

Later, nestled in Lain’s bed, blanketed and warm.

Kalli, still in her party clothes, her makeup smeared all over Lain’s shoulder. The Christmas lights along Lain’s wall gave the room a warm glow. The lights from other electronics pulsated or blinked from various corners. A car passed outside, a sound like running water — sloshing closer then scrunching away, casting shadows along the wall. In the distance a train passed, the horn reverberating through streets, the sound warping as it made its way through the city.

Lain listened to Kalli’s breathing, felt the gentle rise and fall of her chest, inhaling the mixed odours of the party, the smells of a hundred other people and of her friend.

2. David.

In the morning, Lain put off meeting David until after her first coffee. She needed preparation, to revel in the caffeine. Finally alert and awake, she walked towards the park where David wanted to meet.

His text had been alarming and obtuse. The words we really need to talk were a staple of the genre.

She saw him waiting near a large willow tree. Lain ran the last bit of distance and wrapped him in a hug. He stood there, stiffly.

Hi baby, she said, grinning.

I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that term of endearment, Delaine, David said tersely. Can we use our proper names?

Oh, sure. Sorry, I was just trying something.

I appreciate your attempt, thank you.

She blinked. No probs.

Yes. How are you? Would you like to go for a nice walk?

Sure, but I’d rather take you home and make out with you. She smiled.

I see, David said, pausing. I am conflicted.

Lain jabbed his chest. Oh yeah? Bored of me already?

Bored of you? No, no, never. The fault does not lie with you, Delaine. Lain, I mean. Can I call you Lain?

She had a sinking feeling in her stomach, now. I’m honestly not sure. Can you?

He seemed worried, taking a step back, putting some distance between them. She watched him, her mood curdling.

I have to be honest, Delaine, he said.

Oh, please don’t.

I can’t be with you.

Lain didn’t reply. Her stomach rumbled, a nausea.

He continued. It isn’t safe for you. To be with me.

She squinted at him. What do you mean?

There are others that could use our liaison, and you, in a bid against me. He gazed at her sadly. I could never allow that.

She searched his face for signs of a joke. Who would do that?

David frowns. I really shouldn’t say.

She watched him carefully. Bad people?

Yes, quite possibly.

Like, I would be a hostage? Against you?

That … could be one way.

Lain’s expression died. Why?

I have responsibilities. A duty and a responsibility to a higher cause.

Silence. Lain waited for him to burst out laughing, and then kept waiting. Then, You’re like a hero?

Some might say that. David looked away.

Lain watched him, then put her face in her hands. Good god, not again.

David came closer. I’m so sorry, Delaine. I will love you from a distance.

She stepped back, out of his reach. No. You won’t.

David seemed to have no answer for that and chose instead to straighten his posture. Was he trying to look noble?  Lain wanted to push him over. Instead, she walked away.

David called to her back, Love will find you, Delaine. Instead of the pain I would bring.

She didn’t answer, watching her feet move. God almighty, why me? Why always me?

Behind, David gazed after her. He cocked his head as though listening. She was already half a block away from him and didn’t see David launch himself into the air.

Lain decided against texting Kalli for the moment.

She ended up at her favourite coffee shop, ordering an espresso. Sat at a table and pulled out her phone. Only one thing would make her feel better now. She opened the web browser and started scouring the internet for personal ads.

She perused and found a few promising posts.

One about a man, a documentary filmmaker, who wanted to do a short film on romantic foursomes. Apply within. The description sounded highly suspect. She loved it. Sent off a reply, woosh.

Found another, someone looking for a partner for a very important mission. The posting was absurdly vague. Another reply, woosh.

A third, someone looking for a model to paint. Nude only! This might actually intrigue her. A real reply, though carefully worded, woosh.

And finally, a missed connection, involving a man in a wheelchair and the tumbling of luggage, a helping hand. Was the writer in a wheelchair? A man or woman? Old or young? Who even knew, or cared. Reply, send, woosh.

She put her phone down as the feeling of rejection washed all through her. It was terrible, and paralyzing. The familiar hole in her stomach threatened to grow, and she decided to hide at home. Lain texted her mother a single heart (<3) and rose from the table, vibrating with anxiety and over-caffeination.

3. Replies.

4 new emails.

Re: 4some realities

Re: my wheelchaired love.

Re: Applicant for partnership.

Re: Modelling fem 19-23 nudes ONLY!!!

Navigate mouse. Click open.

To: Lainygirl

From: The Documan

Subj: Re: 4some realities

Hi there!

Thank you so much for your interest! Our project is funded by the Collaborative Equation Fund, so you would naturally be reimbursed for your time and energy. We have a special washroom for feminine preparation and anything else you may need, and essential oils are included.

My assistant Laggerty will be assisting, please come to 432 Princleton Lane, floor 4, unit 6, on December the 24th. You can bring company for extra assistance but please ensure it is female in nature. Our budget guidelines are very strict!

Excited to see all of you! Xxx

Pimberling T.

Laugh laugh laugh. (Special woman’s washroom, ick! Please ensure it is female!) Laugh.

Delete.

Open next.

To: Lainygirl

From: Lovell G.

Subj: Re: my wheelchaired love.

Dear responder,

Thank you for your snide and hurtful response. Is this a prank to you? I reached out to the world, hoping to rekindle a connection with someone who showed me a kindness. An act I am rarely afforded in the life I have been blessed with. I receive quite a lot of pity, veiled kindness, or frustration, and sometimes downright derision. I am called many names, kind and unkind, knowingly and unknowingly. He gave me a beautiful memory and I put my heart out into the world, and you made a joke out of it.

I wish you the best in your sad life.

Best and regards,

Lovell G.

Feel genuinely bad. Consider.

Reply.

To: Lovell G.

I apologize, I hadn’t thought my actions through. I take it all back. Best of luck finding your person.

Seriously, I’m very sorry.

- Lain

Send. (Woosh.)

Close.

Open.

To: Lainygirl.

From: G.

Re: Applicant for partnership.

I’m sorry, applicant, but you’re not cleared for detailed information surrounding this task. You’ll need to attend an interview before I can divulge any details. A brief online search did not reveal what your credentials may be, if any.

Reply for further inquiry and interview location.

- G.

Lain leaned back in her chair, startled. She read it again. What her credentials may be, if any? She was being goaded into replying.

She glared at the screen, formulating responses. Any message beyond this point would break her anonymity and invite risk.

Instead, she closed her browser and walked away, getting a glass of water and some chocolate from the fridge.

From the living room, she could hear Kalli typing on her laptop. A work project, no doubt. Lain put her snack down, walked over, and hugged Kalli from behind. Kalli grunted and shrugged her off. Deep in the design groove then. Lain scowled, walked back towards her room, and slammed her door. Opened up her browser and decided it was time to watch some television. She pressed play on something, not caring what it was.

A knock at her door and she heard Kalli calling her name softly, apologizing for her rudeness. Lain grunted in return. Kalli entered, sitting next to her and asking what was wrong.

Kalli pestered her until Lain finally told her all about David, her brief obsession with him, and the freakish break up. Kalli laughed and held Lain close. You’re a magnet.

Lain smiled sadly and nodded. She asked Kalli to join her in watching the episode. Kalli agreed. They sat together and Lain pressed play.

Watch.

Sip water.

Eat chocolate.

Water.

Pause. Kalli looked at her, curious.

Lean over to keyboard. Open email.

(Kalli asks what she is doing, Lain doesn’t reply, reads G.’s message again.)

Hover over G.’s message.

Open.

Hover over delete.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Move cursor.

Sigh.

Click reply.

4. Mom.

Lain, sweetie, I wish you’d reconsider my offer.

Mom, I don’t need it. I promise. I’m okay.

I know you get upset sometimes. Ever since your sudden, um, journey, I’m always worried about —

Lain rose from the table abruptly, the chair clattering. Her mother let out a huff. Okay, okay, I’ll drop it.

Thank you, Lain said, quieting. How have you been, Mum? Aside from worrying about me?

Her mother put down her cup of tea and walked to the refrigerator, collecting ingredients. Are you cooking yet? It’s great to cook yourself, manage your own nutrition. I bet your friend Kalli cooks on her own, doesn’t she?

Lain glared.

Her mother’s apartment was wide and spacious, minimalist furniture with tall ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and gorgeous views.The sun was slowly creeping behind a building, casting a glow across the room. The flatscreen showed bright cookware and cheerful recipes. Cooking shows.

Do you want me to give you some recipes? You can share them with your friend, her mother asked.

Lain didn’t hear. Her mind was elsewhere, lost in the past. Faces flashed through, but one lingered. A girl, dark hair, dark skin. Her smile, cherished forever.

Her mother frowned and walked over to her, a pot boiling on the stove. Why don’t you go for a walk, Lainy? It always helps.

Lain turned to the sound of her voice, and then nodded. Her mother looked her up and down, and Lain went to get her coat. She knew what came next.

You know, you could really use a new wardrobe. Why do you insist on dressing in these grungry t-shirts and worn out pants? I’ve never understood it.

Lain wasn’t sure her mom ever understood anything, but she willed herself silent. She knew she really should go for a walk.

Lain donned her shoes. Her mother was still looking at her, holding a ladle.

So, her mother began.

Lain whispered the rest as she tied her laces, Have you heard from your father recently?

Have you heard anything from your father lately?

Nope, Lain replied, pulling open the door.

Her mother nodded, feigning disinterest. She dipped the ladle in the pot, spooned out a generous portion into a bowl. Brought her bowl over to the couch, sat on her brown leather sofa. There’ll be some left when you’re back, okay? Have a nice walk.

Okay, Mom. Thanks. Barely contained anger. She slammed the door behind her.

Lain knew she was being unreasonable, but couldn’t seem to retain control. Her mother insisted on pushing all her buttons, always. She imagined her mother sitting with her soup, laughing to herself.

That was harsh. And not true.

Fuck that.

Memories arrived, unbidden, of what her mother had done. They burned bright, flares lit years ago, yet still aflame. Lain hadn’t spoken to her mother for almost three months after that horrible day and the grief-stricken week that had followed. It had taken her father weeks of pleading to convince her to open the lines of communication again.

Lain had written her mother a note, saying nothing would ever be the same between them. She had immediately regretted leaving it on the kitchen table, and further regretted it on seeing her mother’s face that evening. The words were damaging in a way she never could have comprehended then, Lain knew. She had wanted to take it all back. Forgive her mother, imperfect as she was.

Then the fire returned, and she wasn’t sorry, had never been.She would be again later, she knew. It was too confusing, and it was always that way now. Hot and cold.

Lain left the apartment building, stopped at the curb, waited until a garbage truck passed.

Wait, what? A garbage truck? It was still evening, they didn’t come here until late in the night. She noted the driver, an old white man. Greying hair poking out from beneath a cap, over a forgettable face.

The truck turned the corner and abruptly made a u-turn, coming back in her direction. The nondescript man seemed just as non-interested as before. Was he following her? He didn’t look like he cared about anything enough to be stalking her. He just looked so bored.

She snuck up behind the truck as it passed and grabbed the handle at the back, held on, and jumped onto the bumper, as she had seen the workers do.

She made it a block on the back of the truck, people staring at her as she rode by. Then it slowed to a halt. She heard the front door open, and footsteps. A face poked into view.

You can’t ride there. Sorry, miss, the old man said.

She turned, still holding onto the handle. Not even for a little while?

He shook his head, sadly. Not even for a little while. I could get in big trouble.

Come on, please?

Not my decision. Believe it or not, driving the garbage truck wasn’t my primary calling.

What would you rather be doing?

Truth be told, I would rather be painting, building little worlds, landscapes and things. But we gotta do what we gotta do, little miss. I have to drive the truck, that’s my burden to bear. You have to let go of the handle. That’ll be yours.

Lain really couldn’t argue with that.

Here, I’ll help you down, the old man offered. He took her other hand and held it as she hopped off. His hand was warm and perfectly smooth. A strange mix. Comforting, though odd. Like a grandfather. Or what she imagined a grandfather was like, since she’d never known any.

Thank, little miss, he said, and walked away towards the front of the truck.

She watched as the truck drove away, and decided she had probably cooled off. Lain turned back towards her mother’s apartment building. Checked her phone. No messages from David, or anyone. Kalli was visiting her family today.

Maybe it was time to get more friends? Lain decided to think on it.

She didn’t notice the truck make another u-turn. Didn’t notice another figure sitting on the edge of the building above her, watching her. Why should she?

It wasn’t until the following evening that she received an answer from G.. He mentioned in no uncertain terms that if she were late for her interview, her role on this task would be forfeit. He sent her a park name and a time. An annoying time: 4:52pm. He sent her a gif of a particular set of benches. And to make a creepy invite creepier, he mentioned a test she would have to pass to gain access to the interview.

Lain read the email, excited. She called Kalli, who picked up in a loud, raucous place.

Where are you? Lain asked.

At a show! You wanna come?

I can’t! I just heard back from the dude.

Who? Oh, mission-creeper?

Yeah! He wants to have an interview tomorrow in the park.

Oh, Lain.

You wanna come?

I’ve never wanted anything less.

Come over after your show! I need advice.

You need cuddles.

…Yes. I need both.

She heard Kalli sigh through the yelling crowd on the phone, and Lain knew she’d come. Lain was fascinated by this meeting. She had deleted all the other emails, no longer caring. Her attention was focused.

Goddamn G.

Later, she and Kalli lay draped over each other on her bed, Kalli reading a book and Lain drawing. Her friend flipped quickly through Life of Pi. Lain pencilled something small in a notebook she always carried. She heard Kalli shuffling and felt the shift of her weight, the swish of pages and the thump of a book closing.

Are you really going to go? Kalli asked.

Yes, Lain replied absent-mindedly.

You realize that it may just be the sketchiest meeting ever, right?

It’s okay, it’s on a picnic bench, I think.

That’s even worse, Lain.

Silence followed. Kalli looked away. She looked upset. Lain knew that expression. Lain probed, What are you thinking about?

You. Equations for work. Your unbalanced sense of personal safety and desire to jump into high-risk situations. I should come with you tomorrow.

Lain frowned at that. No, I changed my mind. I don’t think I want that.

What the shit. Why?

This is my thing, so far. You don’t need to meet a creeper.

Lain felt a sharp pain as Kali shifted her weight, and got up to pace. A body descended across. A kiss itself planted on the top of her head and arms encircled her.

Be careful, okay? All the parties in the whole world wouldn’t mean a thing without you.

Taken aback, Lain craned her head upwards. Kalli was too close. She identified some dark hair and one eye, gazing at her warmly. Wow. That’s the sweetest thing I’ve heard all year.

Yeah.

I’m not worried, okay? She put on a big smile. See? This is me, not worried.

Kalli tried to continue reading, but seemed distracted.

Lain sketched a face, nice and round, then some eyes, filling in a mouth that looked out of place. She drew the hair, longer. The ears. The jaw. It took until the eyebrows before she realized who she was drawing and threw the sketchbook away. Kalli looked at her, alarmed. Lain just kept staring at the sketchbook, then stormed out of the room. Closed the bathroom door, locked it. Sat on the toilet and put her head in her hands. Something was direly wrong with her.

Kalli unlocked the door, using a quarter to turn the mechanism on the outside. She pulled Lain back to the room and plopped her on the bed.

Sleep.

Lain nodded and crawled half under the covers. Kalli turned down the lights, grabbed her computer, and sat beside her. Kept tapping away while Lain dozed nearby. The keyboard sounds reflected back and forth through her mind, leading her into her first dreams of the night.

In the dead of night, Kalli was still hard at work.

Lain tossed and threw her arm out, flopping over. Muttered, Skellista, skellista, and some other gibberish, a cruel laugh. Trailed off and drifted into a deeper sleep.

Kalli stared at her in shock.

The next morning, light streamed through the windows. Kalli was nearby, breathing softly, fast asleep. Lain woke looking at her.

Kalli was a beautiful creature. The curves of her shoulders, the way her bra straps fell over her clavicle. The hair on the sides of her face, under her nose, all perfect. The way her locks tumbled across the bed and her face, idyllic. Maybe morning sun makes everything oddly romantic, Lain mused. Even the drool out of Kalli’s mouth.

She left the bed as quietly as she could. Lain stripped down and put on fresh clothing, opting for a darker set of colours. Black underwear and bra, dark grey shirt, dark black jeans. Not that she had any intentions of showing G. her underwear, but it felt good to be serious today. This was apparently serious business, after all.

She leaned over Kalli, poised to kiss her cheek, but changed her mind and pulled the covers over her friend. She put on her lighter jacket and left, out into the bright day. Off to meet the creeperman.

5. G.

The sun shone through the trees, filling the park with early morning light. Birds chirped and the trees rustled, cars honked in morning traffic. And Lain stood at the designated spot in the park, matching it against the gif she had pulled up on her phone. A fucking gif. Seriously. This guy.

She stood staring at four different picnic tables, each with a different person sitting and waiting.

On one, an old man clutching a worn bag. Texting on what looked like a cell phone from ten years ago. The kind with text-only email and a camera that took stamp-sized photos — now conventionally called a dumbphone.

On another, a young boy. Also texting, but on a low end smartphone (averagephone?). Having an endless conversation, or maybe three of them, or ten. His hair was cut short, the bangs swooping in an angle across his brow.

On another, a girl in a worn and well-fitted jacket. Writing in a journal, wearing a cat toque, ears poking out above her head. Very cute. Lain had trouble pulling her eyes away.

Finally, a pale young man, sitting on a bench beneath an almost leafless tree. Looking in a notebook. No phone in sight.

She looked back and forth between her four options and wished she was meeting the girl with the sketchbook and cute cheeks. But Lain already knew who it was.

Lain approached the pale young man. He didn’t seem to notice her. She waited, but he said nothing.

I’m here for the interview, she ventured.

I’m sorry? Disinterest.

I’m here for the interview thing, and it pretty much has to be with you.

He finally looked. What has to be me?

Lain glanced over her shoulder. Pointed at the old man. It can’t be him, because for him to send me anything longer than a sentence on that dumbphone would take him the rest of his available life.

She turned to the boy. The young kid was a possibility, but unlikely, as he seems to be having twenty different conversations at once. I don’t think he’d rep that formal email style you’ve been using. And whether he’s playing a game there or chatting up a storm, he doesn’t look terribly interested with the outside world.

Lain looked at the girl. And I wish it was her, she said quietly, but your emails didn’t sound like a girl to me. She looked at the young man again, then nodded. Yeah. They sounded like someone like, well, you.

He watched her, appraising.

Lain turned back to the other three picnic tables and all of them seemed to be watching or listening to them now. The pale young man nodded, and the three others rose from their tables. Walked out of the park, each going in separate directions.

This is the weirdest, Lain murmured.

Have a seat, he invited, and she climbed onto the table beside him. They sat, facing the same direction. She waited. The sounds of the park were relentless: a kid yelling somewhere near the basketball courts; a woman telling a story with great excitement, and another responding in kind; dogs barking; rustling of leaves; the sporadic thump of sports in action; children’s laughter, both innocent and malicious in turns.

And she waited.

There are some serious flaws in your logic, but you appear to have figured it out. Congrats, he finally said. She nodded, still waiting. He cleared his throat. I have a few questions if you don’t mind. For the interview process.

Alrighty. She put her hands together.

He checked his notebook. Do you have an open mind?

As far as I know.

He marked off a checkbox. Do you think your capacity for dealing with shock is reduced? he asked.

Lain didn’t understand the question and didn’t answer. She waited.

Her expression must have changed somehow, because he suddenly continued, stammering. I’m s-sorry, I meant that because you seem to, I mean, you’re very beautiful and … yeah.

This time her eyes widened. She opened her mouth to answer, then closed it again.

Why aren’t you answering? he asked. An attempt at commanding, but painfully nervous.

Lain got up off the bench and started walking away.

What? he asked after her, loudly.

She whipped around. "Help me clarify this. Did you ask whether somehow some part of me is reduced because I’m a beautiful woman?"

The boy stared at her in surprise. Well, yeah.

She nodded once. If that’s your second question, I have no interest in hearing the rest. She had intended to say it calmly, but each word emerged razor sharp.

He seemed to be speechless. She spun and continued on her way, away from the bench, away from this boy. She felt her eyes getting wet. She brushed the tears away, wondering what was happening to her. Made to cry by some fucking bigot in a park. Wonderful. Probably thanks to David’s oh-so-noble breakup.

She heard him calling after her, and the tone of his voice eased her to a stop. He didn’t sound angry. In fact, he sounded like he wanted to cry. She waited, still facing away.

I’m really sorry. I’m sorry. Would you come back? he pleaded.

Lain considered. Then walked slowly back, glaring at him. He looked abashed.

Lain stopped. No more questions about my gender. That’s done. He nodded, quietly agreeing. Do I have to explain why that was out of line? she asked.

He looked uncertain. I … don’t know. Maybe.

Maybe? she repeated.

I don’t know, he muttered, I’m not good at this. I don’t talk to you guys very often.

She laughed. Us guys? He nodded again. She waved at the other benches. How did you get that one girl to wait on the bench?

I just offered to give her ten bucks if she waited until another girl came and talked to me. I didn’t have to say anything, really. Everyone likes ten bucks. His voice grew quieter with each word.

She watched him as he shrank. Lain sat back down on the opposite side of the bench, to think. Couldn’t ever have imagined she’d be here arguing with some sexist, antisocial weirdo.

I don’t even have the energy right now for all that, she said quietly, but I’m done answering questions.

Okay. Yes. No more questions, he said. You seem sharp.

Thanks, she said.

He seemed at a loss for words. The boy gazed at a house across the street from the park. Lain looked at it, then at him. Looked at it again. What are you watching? she asked, reluctantly intrigued.

He took a moment in answering.

What do you see? he asked, sounding more confident.

Lain looked at the row of houses in front of them. Nothing grabbed her attention, it was just a row of houses. All built together, obviously, a typical set in the neighbourhood. Small variations, paint differences. Most with two floors, one with a third. Shingled roofs, fences marking lawns and property lines. None with driveways, none with garages. Again, typical of the neighbourhood. Garages would be buried behind in the alleyways, if they existed at all. One had a tree on the lawn. The other had a hedge, half as tall as a person. The one in the middle of the row had three windows on the main floor.

Are you stalking someone? she asked politely.

He grunted and shook his head.

Are you sure?

He nodded again.

"What do you see then?" she inquired.

He made a face. There’s not much to see now, I suppose. There’s only one thing, but you probably wouldn’t catch it. This prompted her to look again, examining each house in detail. Why did she think anything would come of this exercise? She rolled her eyes and rose to her feet.

So, what’s your name? she asked.

G. I can only give you one letter of my name each time we meet.

Okeydoke, she shrugged. I’ll only need two.

He eyed her. It was n-nice to meet you, Lain.

I’m still not sure, G.

He nodded. That’s okay. Same time tomorrow?

Same time tomorrow. What an assumption!

Lain took in his appearance, his slumped shoulders, his ratty hood and overly worn coat — ill-fitting, a discount purchase at best. His boots, overused. His pants, baggy, faded. His tired face and sandy hair. At least it looked washed, if not kept very well. His eyes, the bags beneath them, his acne. The stubble of his beard, maybe his most attractive feature. His beard and chin could have been from a different boy, a real babe. His posture, beaten down, like a boy who has been through the whole world before reaching his twenties. What could make this young man look so down, yet give him this strange determination?

Same time tomorrow?

She walked away. For the moment she was sick to death of boys, boys, boys.

She took her phone out of her pocket to call Kalli, but couldn’t find the number. Did Lain delete her? When? She grew frustrated. She’d never memorized Kalli’s number. Kalli lost phones and changed carriers often enough that any number was wasted brainspace.

As if responding to her frustration, the phone chimed abruptly. On the screen it said Marple.

Plz don’t be murdered - K.

She rolled her eyes again and waited a moment for the inevitable call. It came, and she picked up.

Hey Kalli.

How did you know?

I dunno, who else calls me? Why did you go with Marple?

Thought it was funny.

Well done, lawl.

Oh gee, thanks. Wanna come swimming?

Alright, sounds good.

I’m bringing some guy.

’Kay.

6. Some guy.

Near the beach there was a wooded area. Lots of trees, very few people. It was one of Lain’s favourite places.

The splish of the water against rocks and the distant sounds of families and cyclists. No cars, only the occasional boat going by. She sat on her fave rock, her jacket sitting beside her. The weather had become warm again, and her coat was dead weight.

Her backbrain felt distracted. Lain was having trouble focusing on things around her. She tried to consider the interview, but found herself growing frustrated at G.’s lack of consideration. Yet the row of houses wouldn’t leave her mind. It was a devious trick, attracting her attention to an unknown detail. A challenge.

There was probably nothing there, she knew, though it would hardly stop her from obsessing.

Kalli burst into the scene, shattering the peace. Lain grinned, watching her tow some guy behind. Kalli’s laughter bounced across the water, out towards the distant boats. The boy said something and Kalli laughed again, pushing