Chapter 9-3

They had put a token effort into searching for the book – a wanted notice in all the places that mattered, questions asked uselessly of their few friends in the area. But once the sun started setting, and all the night creatures of Jorn filled the streets, the books were the last thing on Leonas and Anjanette’s minds.

“Guys, maybe I should stay here and guard them,” Milly said.

“Don’t be such a killjoy!” Anjanette said. “You are coming out with me and you are getting laid. Period.” Milly flushed.
The Hekan jazz music filled the streets, dozens of performers claiming their space. Jorn had little use for buildings, instead bartenders set up stands on the sidewalk and sold their spirits to the revelers that danced and grinded in the middle of the road. Drug dealers set up shop next to the bartenders, and other than the product served they appeared identical. Prostitutes of every rank, description, even sex and race clung to street corners in clumps. They smoked and yelled suggestively at passerbyes, chattering amongst themselves like old wives.

“Isn’t this great?” Anjanette asked. “Hey, is that a cephalod whore over there? Don’t think I’ve ever seen one of those.”

Leonas walked up to one of the dealer’s counters. “One vial of spellsauce, please.”

“Four gold, pelase,” said the dealer, a pretty young blonde woman.

“Highway robbery, is what it is,” said Leonas, but paid for it anyway. “Anj, I got some sauce.”

Anjanette grinned and walked over to Leonas, dragging Milly by the arm behind her. “You have to try this stuff Milly. It’ll rock your world.”

“Um, no thanks, I don’t do drugs – I mean, no offense or anything, just not my thing.”

“Aw come on, give it a try.”

“I think my world is fine enough being un-rocked, thanks.”

Anjanette would not quit. “Come on, Milly. You’re all about pursuit of knowledge right? Why not learn about ‘sauce?”

“Well, maybe...” Milly said. Leonas was watching the whole exchange with a big grin.

“Exactly.” Anjanette handed Milly the small vial. “Give it a shot.”

Milly scrunched up her eyes, rallied her courage, and took a gulp from the vial.

Anjanette immediately snatched it out of her hands. “Woah woah woah! You’re only supposed to take, like, a drop!”

Milly shrugged. “I feel fiiiine.” She then immediately collapsed, eyes wide open, shuddering.

Anjanette just sighed. “Leo, can you help me out with this? We need to make sure she doesn’t, like, die or something.”

“Yeah yeah,” said Leonas. He lifted up Milly. All of her body parts were moving at once, independent of each other. Tired of falling in line they were just doing their own thing. Muscles shuddered, fingers and toes clenched, her eyelids beat rapidly and her teeth chattered angrily. Leonas pried open Milly’s mouth, to stop her from biting her own tongue. For a second he looked down into her eyes, glassy plates that seemed to reflect infinity back.

“Hey!” Anjanette yelled to the dealer. “She had too much!”

The dealer shrugged. “Not my fault. Take her to a clinic, I guess.”

“Go fuck yourself” Anjanette said. The dealer just laughed. She picked up Milly’s spasming legs, and together she and Leonas carried her through the streets, looking for aid.

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