Snow falls We All Fall
…The snow fell, like I did for him on that bitter winter night. The camera he held illuminated his face for me to catch a glimpse of him. Presumably he was analyzing the photos he took as the sun begun to set. If this were in 2021 some would wonder why I hadn't gone up to him and asked for his ID already.
It wasn't just a trail that separated us on opposite sides of the park. No this was political. I knew why i was here at midnight. Putting aside him not being allowed here because of his kind, it peaked my interest to see someone else here at midnight.
Maybe it was his foolishness or his insubordination to the system that made me interested. America had risen above the discrimination against the race and sexualities of others. Their tolerance only went so far with the molders.
Molders, they coined their name once the Eles came into power. It referenced what they ate. Not even my dog gets the same scraps as them. Luxers on the other hand were the wealthy before the Eles rose to power. My family was lucky enough to be the upper-hand of the system. It wasn't that hard; you just had to be a good citizen and not be a convicted criminal. Seemed simple enough but surprisingly there was a vast majority of molders than Luxers.
How did he manage to get past the bridge anyway? Border patrol leaves at eight in the evening but then the bridge ascends only lowering again in the early hours of the morning.
"Are you going to alert them already?" The fact he spoke up confounded me.
"What have I startled you? Did you think we couldn't talk either? Fuck you people are so mindless." He rolled his eyes, rising from the bench.
"You can't be here!" I clamoured trying to regain my composure.
"Is there a sign that says no guy wearing a plaid shirt and ripped jeans isn't allowed here"
"Where's the sign?" He continued when I couldn't muster a response.
Had he just awoken from a twenty five year slumber? Had I really taken that much mosk pills?
Every luxer takes two before a party and they function? I took a half. They say only after two and a half that's when you begin to hallucinate.
I took a deep breath trying to settle the thoughts swirling in my mind. It took every ounce of me to not alert him to the police.
Taking a step closer to him I held a hand up in surrender. "I won't alert them. That doesn't mean someone else won't." It was silent for a moment with only the howling of the wind filling the void.
"I got some medicine for my little sister. Figured I would bring back photos of what I used to see when I was little." He explained; his voice strangely flat for describing a somber reason.
I couldn't imagine what it would have been like to be allowed everywhere then suddenly nowhere past the bridge. Although I've never been on the molders side, I heard parks seized to exist five years prior. Criminals didn't need parks anyway. I needed to remind myself molders did this to themselves.
"Well enjoy your aristocratic life. I'm off to my miserable one." He spun around on his heel continuing on the pathway away from the city.
"Wait! What's your name" I stuttered desperate to know this peculiar man.
"Well," he started, and then smiled vanishing into thin air.
"Come back!" I shouted, falling to my knees.
The brassy car horn made Alora jolt upright. Her hands tightened against the steering wheel, her hazel eyes straining from the light of the sun. The man behind her continued slamming on his horn. Once her eyes adjusted she glanced back to see the man cursing, and waving to get her attention.
"Does it look like this is my fault!" She hollered, gritting her teeth. He should have been used to waiting for the bridge to lower by now. It had taken exceedingly longer with the molders growing bolder to stay in the left side of the bridge. So alas, Luxers were left to wait involuntarily until the Molders were disposed of.
Where they were disposed of the Luxers didn't know. Nor did they care. After all the molders were inconveniencing them with their mere presence.
"Would they hurry it up? I have to get my mosks before sundown." The man groaned. For looking only thirty he had the attitude of a child. Alora analyzed his salt and pepper, and his bigger build.
"From the looks of it you have had enough mosks to last you awhile mate" Alora chuckled at her own insult, drowning out the man's curses and insults he threw back at her.
Mosks weren't only for enhancing moods, drive, and sleep but it was also to help the Luxers enjoy the finer foods in life. It allowed them to indulge more. Too much over the years can certainly deteriorate someone though. Sometimes even lead to overdosing. The Eles insist it makes the left side of the bridge go around so of course the Luxers comply.
Alora scanned the area. There didn't seem to be any molders in sight, just a few bridge officers chatting away, pacing back and forth with their guns. Their charcoal uniforms stood out from the rest of the left side. They were the only ones besides molders who didn't wear colors. That's how someone could tell just by glance who was not of their kind. She rolled her eyes knowing it would still be awhile. Reaching to the passenger seat she grabbed onto her journal.
Journals were a thing of the past but that didn't stop Alora. Unlike most Luxers she enjoyed the simpler objects from the past. Grabbing a pen she began to record the same dream she had the past three months. Like clock work she would be pulled into this vision of a man in the park at midnight with a package for his 'sister'. The dream would stop as the mysterious man disappeared in the darkness toward the right side of the bridge. How could she have a reoccurring dream of a man she had never met? It didn't make sense. If the fucking Luxer hadn't lurched her out of her dream with his car horn maybe she would have known the figure's name.
A few whistles rang out signalling the bridge would be lowered and the Luxers could finally continue their journey. Alora continued to ponder on the man. Had she met him long ago? Was it a stark warning of death? Of the Ele society crumbling? Was he a star crossed lover? She didn't know, oh but how she craved to.
