The Green Ones

Episode 1, Part 11

I stare at my hands, ensuring they’re still there and still solid. “How did you do that?”

“I’m not exactly sure.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I’m simultaneously angry and amazed.

“I’ve never done it with anyone else. I’m glad it worked out the same.”

“But how—you never—I can’t—” I breathe deeply, reminding myself we are one step closer to saving Olin. “Won’t someone know?”

“The trick is to borrow the telekinetic energy already in the mesh. It’s usually how I win in the cage,” Neca shrugs. “Centavo says it’s a pretty advanced skill.” He assumes a boyish grin that makes the statement seem genuinely humble.

“I guess so.” A swooshing sound disturbs the forest canopy overhead. Instantly at full alert, I yank Neca down to a knee. Rushing forward, I wedge myself into the buttressed roots of an ojé tree. Right behind me, Neca tries to talk. I shush him. Peeking around the trunk, I glimpse a spider monkey swinging away from us.

As I slump to the ground in relief, the page from my mother’s notes crumples in my pocket. I check that it didn’t get too wet during our mud bath. After inspecting the pungent buds from the ugly plant, I’m convinced everything is intact. “They allow wild animals inside Immortal City?”

“Some birds and monkeys.”

“Well, that’s different.”

“There are a few other differences as well.”

I stare at him.

“This would be a good time for you to follow my lead. You up for it?”

I make an act of internal debate.

“Calli.”

“Xoxoctic. You lead.”

He nods. “It’s not likely we’ll be seen. If we are, it won’t be xoxoctic. There’s no such thing as immortal kids, so there won’t be any need for questioning. Understood?”

“Disintegration bad, I got it.”

“We don’t have far to go.” He stands up straight and takes a deep breath. “Oh, one last thing. If you have to choose between being invisible and being fast, choose invisible. With immortals, quick is never quick enough.”

The longer he talks, the more nervous I get. I nod as he helps me to my feet. “I’m sorry for hitting you. Thank you for helping my brother.”

He grins. “Hey, it’s all in the day of a chadzitzin.” With that, he strides smoothly away from the shelter of the perimeter garden and toward the nearest structure, a three-story, metal-foam apartment.

I stare dumbly for a few seconds, contemplating his last words. It finally hits me. Neca’s swagger, all his oozing confidence, comes from the fact he lives every day expecting to die. He waves his hand without lifting it from his side and without turning his head.

I still haven’t moved. With a deep breath, I follow his lead, repeating the same two words over and over in my head, be invisible. Be invisible.

For a few never-ending minutes, we silently float through Immortal City, rarely moving faster than a quick walk. Less cramped and more vertical, the city intensifies my sense of vulnerability. Eventually its two most stark contrasts with Worker City sink in.

First, Immortal City is painfully quiet to the point of causing chills to rove up and down my skin. A couple hundred meters from the perimeter, we haven’t encountered a single living thing other than the monkey.

Second, there are no shops, no businesses, no public buildings of any sort. Every structure appears to be residential. But empty.

Neca leads the way into an alley between two apartment buildings, identical to all the others. Without slowing down, he opens a door, pulls me inside, and swings the door shut. “This is it,” he exhales.

At first I don’t understand. We are in some sort of lobby, brightly lit, comfortably decorated. An electric viewscreen covering an entire wall currently shows a snowcapped mountain vista. I recognize the technology because there is a similar device inside the Masa educational museum. Other than that, there is a seating area, no reception desk, and the only exit is a double door across from us.

I realize what the doors are after Neca presses a button in the wall next to them. “Where is everyone?”

“That’s complicated.” He uncoils his braid from around his neck. “Honestly, I’m not sure I understand the answer.”

He is no longer whispering, but I can’t bring myself to raise my voice. “What do you mean? Are there immortals in Immortal City or not?”

An electric hum grows louder until it stops directly behind the double doors.

“Yes,” Neca takes my hand.

At the moment I have absolutely no thought of rejecting him.

“Don’t worry, she’s a friend.”

The doors slide open. Standing there with concerned expression, an elegantly yet comfortably dressed woman stares slowly back and forth between the two of us. I squeeze Neca’s hand tight enough to cut off the circulation.