Bite Club

By Eule Grey

Lenni lives on the civilised side of the wall, a hard worker who follows the rules. Super-fit and healthy, with everything he could wish for -- an office, app-friends, and enough medications to suppress the extraneous. Like everyone in his country, Lenni’s safe. So why does the big, handsome guy cry each night? What of his aching heart and empty arms? When supervisor Lion offers a place in Bite Club, why would Lenni jump at the chance to cross the forbidden wall? Fighting? It doesn’t make sense. Maybe that’s the whole point.

Mino lives on the wild side, with untamed hair and oh so gentle hands. He understands a lot -- about the desperate people who sometimes make it over the wall, and of the ancient deal between governments which established the whole façade. It’s got nothing to do with him. Until the day his people force him into the circle to confront the guy from the medicated side. Very soon, everything clever Mino knows becomes as meaningless as dust. Nobody can appreciate what it is to be needed, even loved, until it hits them right between the eyes.

When Lenni and Mino are thrust together in the Bite Club circle, both men are shocked and confused by what happens afterwards and by the raging thirst ignited within them. Is it Bite Club, or snuggle club? In the end, you don’t have to talk about it to understand.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Feb 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685504328

Eule Grey

Eule Grey has settled, for now, in the north UK. She’s worked in education, justice, youth work, and even tried her hand at butter-spreading in a sandwich factory. Sadly, she wasn’t much good at any of them!She writes novels, novellas, poetry, and a messy combination of all three. Nothing about Eule is tidy but she rocks a boogie on a Saturday night!For now, Eule is she/her or they/them. Eule has not yet arrived at a pronoun that feels right.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Danger.

During the short walk from the vehicle to the wall, Lion and I chat about the apps which dictate our lives, or the weather. Anything else but Bite Club.

I joke about the day’s lack of wind. I don’t wanna be blown off the ledge at the top! It’s pretty high up there.

Lion takes me seriously, and fishes in his pocket for a pocket weather dial. No, no, you should be okay. Today is a calm day.

We catch each other’s eye and then quickly look away. I stifle a laugh but Lion’s as stony-faced as ever. Going over the wall isn’t an experience which could be described as calm.

It’s weird we never discuss anything of importance such as the people who live over the other side or why the wall was built in the first place. Maybe Lion doesn’t care either.

I’m not sure if our refusal to acknowledge this thing we do regularly—Bite Club—is because of shame or fear. Either way, I couldn’t give a shit.

The secrets shrouding the afternoon lay heavily upon us, nevertheless. I’m edgy and nervous. Lion’s the same. The air between us reeks and tastes of expectation.

Despite the riot going on inside my brain, we reach the wall without breaking sweat. The activity always begins with a quiet ceremony. Lion and I stand for a minute side by side, looking up at the wall.

I draw his attention to the weathered sign attached to the sky-high barrier which divides the planet, or so they say on the apps. "Danger. Right. As if we didn’t already know. Huh?"

Lion taps his foot. Ready?

Yep.

It’s a lie. I’ve never been ready to go above the wall and into the wild lands bordering my own. And yet I’ve done so, many times. With relish, adoration, and a fervor verging on the religious.

Crossing the barrier is illegal. Nobody knows why, or cares. Folks are too busy concentrating on staying calm and acquiring wealth. Most work nine to five in offices which comprise the core of our existence. Busyness of this kind takes energy, and time. Who’s got enough enthusiasm after the office to scale a mountain-sized wall? Only sad losers such as me.

Lion raises his voice and speaks more slowly. Lenni! Wake up, I said. Are you ready to go?

Could be he senses my reluctance or maybe he’s only being careful. My answer is a growl. I already said yes.

What you find to dream about, I don’t know. You get three hours max, so why waste it gazing at the sign? We’re on the clock, here. Don’t be greedy. Last week you went ten minutes over. Any longer than the allocated slot and your protective shield will fail. Diseases and bugs over there could kill you within minutes. Remember—everything and everyone is the enemy. Take your jollies and then hurry back home. Got it?

By shield, he means the protection, arising from twenty suppressant tablets per day and the belief nothing can hurt me. I was born into a world where safety is valued above all else. Yet our medicinal shields aren’t invincible. They don’t protect us from wanting more. Much, much, more. Otherwise, why the need for Bite Club?

I don’t argue with Lion. Being a supervisor, he has all the power, and I have none. Yeah, yeah. I’m no newbie.

He glares like I’m the enemy. He’s more appealing angry, so I blow a kiss.

He tries not to laugh, but does so, anyway. One of these days.

You’ll kiss me?

He glances to the side to check if I’m messing about. Anytime. Months of doing this shit, and still, he doesn’t know me at all.

Joke, I clarify. You know? Ha, ha, ha. He doesn’t