Dwellers of the New World Chapter Five ( Pt 4 )

Breathing deeply, Luke left the hospital, regret was deeply on his mind. The corridors of the underground, were crowded with people going about their business. He watched some children peering through the glass into one of the crystal gardens, they were watching some tropical birds, mimicking their nodding, Luke smiled at their laughs, wishing he had less to worry about.

He decided not to go straight home, so he made his way to his favourite cocktail bar, where his work colleagues normally hung out. There seemed to be a disquiet in the air, people were milling around in conversation about the Minister's speech that morning.

As he walked into the bar, the conversation was rife. A man and a woman, were sat at the bar watching a screen on the wall, normally there would be music playing, but it seemed not today.

Luke started to come over in a cold sweat, his mind reeling from the events over the past couple of days. He was thankful that he had completed the exam paper, that was one less thing to worry about. He decided to celebrate with a special cocktail called a Harmony, he knew it would relax him, then he remembered not even having celebrated his birthday, so this was all a good excuse, even though he was on his own.

Walking up to the counter, he found a spare bar stool and sat himself down, he knew the barman well, and was on first name terms with him. “How's things going Dan?”

Danielle had worked at the bar since leaving the same education centre as Luke, they had been classmates. Danielle brushed his blonde hair out of his eyes. “Oh...can't complain I suppose, but this news of a strange cloud is a worry, don't you think?”

Luke began to explain of the night before. “You won't believe this, but it was me and Alex that discovered the cloud.”

“Really!” said Danielle...surprised. “So what do you reckon it's doing up there?”

“At this moment in time, I have no idea and know as much as you do, but I can't help wondering if we're experiencing the calm before the storm...I really hope not. Anyway can I have a Harmony cocktail?”

“Coming right up. A bit early for you to be drinking...isn't it?” Danielle started to make up the concoction.

“To be honest it is really, but I've just done my pilots exam test paper, and I never really got to celebrate my birthday. Dad's gone missing, mum's in hospital, but she's okay for now, and I'm off on my first mission to search for my father, so as you can see, I'm not really that bothered at this moment.”

Danielle set the cocktail down on a mat. “Tell you what...have this one on me.”

“Thanks Dan!” Luke took a sip, feeling the liquid going down nicely, this was his favourite drink, he took a few more sips and could feel the anxiety in his head winding down.

“So when are you off on your mission?” enquired Dan.

“I reckon it will be tomorrow. All I know is...they want us to go as soon as possible.”

Wow! Said Dan...that's quick, you'd better be careful how much you have to drink.”

“It's okay...I'm going straight home to bed after this.” Looking at the time, it was now the middle of the afternoon, he realised he'd not eaten since yesterday, so he decided to order some food. “Think I'd better have a menu.”

“Sure thing!” Picking up a menu and giving it to Luke, Dan went off to serve another customer.

Luke ordered trout, jacket potato with a side salad and a half a carafe of house wine.

It was early evening by the time Luke left the bar, he was feeling relaxed and quite drunk, that feeling that he could take the world on, though he knew it was the drink giving him confidence.

As he made his way home, tiredness overcame him, it was as if he were watching people through a haze. Soon the corridor lights would be dimming, ready for the evening, but for now all Luke wanted to do was go home to his bed.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Five ( Pt 5 ) | ABCtales