Page 3 of The Divide that Binds Us

“What?No, it’s the same as if I left on an assignment!”I say.“But since Icanleave, let’s grab food.Wanna do dunch?”

Billie physically can’t say no to lunch and dinner.Her boisterous energy resurfaces.“YES!”

It’s strange movingon with life after a morbid scene with the death of a dragon.The air is humid, and the distant snowcapped mountains look naked without clouds to stab through.

Billie is talking nonstop about going out to Emerald’s Twin as we’re leaving the base.Evangeline and I share a look, knowing how much this is sending Billie over the edge that she isn’t stopping to catch her breath.

“It’s a local restaurant that makes this bold claim of having food just as good as Emerald Island!It’s just down the street!”She points to the end of the road as we hit the sidewalk.“They have tea, water, all vegetable juices, all fruit juices, all plant juices, all ice cream juices—”

“Ew, please stop,” Evangeline interjects.The sidewalk is too narrow, so she falls behind us as Billie jumps vigorously and grabs my arm.Despite her questionable review, it’s still intriguing.After all, Emerald Island is known for its dining, nutrition, and natural resources.

When we arrive, a server seats us in a booth.Billie and I give one side to Evangeline to eat in peace with her left hand and not stab anyone with her dagger elbow.I look at the menu on the tablet with what looks like crusted cheese on the screen and see the endless combinations of food.

“It all comes in five minutes, no matter how much you order!It’s just like Emerald Island!Isn’t it cool?It’s totally cool, right?”Billie’s eyes widen as she stares into my soul.I scoot an inch away from her.

“Five minutes?H-Have there been any reports of undercooked food?”I ask.

“Nope!They have that fancy-schmancy advanced technology from Sapphire Island, allowing faster cooking times.”

I stifle a snort and exchange quirky smirks with Evangeline.

As servers anxiously speed around to their assigned tables, fresh oak invades my nose.The restaurant has a cabin-themed layout, with glossy wood panels and a richly lit fireplace in the back near the open kitchen and bar.The chairs and booths are wooden, with plush seats wrapped in red and yellow plaid.Our wooden table has a candle holder carved into the center, but the wavering flame barely holds onto the wick.

“I think ...I’m a little overwhelmed by the options,” I murmur.

Evangeline snatches the tablet to read the menu and briefly mutters about the limited vegetarian options before passing it to Billie.By the time the menu returns to me, a nauseating sadness recalling the dragon’s death settles.My appetite dwindles, so I choose a nacho platter to share.

“Ya think we’ll be deployed?”Billie asks, playing with her napkin.“I’m hoping we’d get in on the action for once.”

“Keep dreaming.”I run my finger along the pattern of my flashing Trace Mark against my warm, tawny skin.“We’ll probably keep working these patrols while the world is on fire.”

“Yeah, Rebecca may be right that Ultima will get deployed,” Evangeline adds.

To the world, Ultima and Elite are just public service paramilitary, which is true, but we’re in these organizations because of our powers.Elite is considered lower ranking because we’re not as cool as Ultima since they specialize in dragons, and we don’t.

I pinch lint off my uniform but find a few blond strands on my shirtsleeve and glare at her next to me as she continues her groan of despair.

“What?What did I do?Did I do something?”

“How is it no matter where I hide my clothes, your hair still gets on them?”I ask.Billie smiles sheepishly.I know she’s a shedding monster, but this is atrocious.

A frazzled server with unkempt hair brings our food over in a hurry without questioning whose plates belong to who.Shockingly, she gets everything right before scurrying off to another table.Maybe the five-minute-food-ready thing is neat for customers but not for servers.It must be hell for everything to constantly be ready in five minutes.What about the cooks?!

Evangeline and Billie dig into their plates while I take a few nachos to munch on.My shoulders ache as my body breaks down from fatigue.I yawn, holding another cheesy, loaded chip, deciding whether to pass out onto this table or take another nauseating bite.

“You okay?You’re practically nodding off,” Evangeline says.I shake my head and shrug.

“I’m exhausted just being eighteen,” Billie giggles.“Can’t imagine what nineteen is like for you.”

I roll my eyes and continue nibbling on nachos.It’s hard being stuck within the same square footage for five years because my powers are...different.Having the chance to leave now is refreshing, but it doesn’t undo the years of being low on energy and growing antsy.

Evangeline tries to find a nacho chip without meat before giving up, while Billie finishes her plate and licks it.

The platter isn’t huge, so we finish it quickly, and I offer to pay once we’re ready.

“Great place, Billie.”Though I worry about the employees in this fast-paced environment.

Emerald’s Twin is only a few blocks from the base, so we (mainly Evangeline) figure walking off our dunch is the best route for “optimal digestion.”Billie whines the entire way back and is the last to make it up the top of the steps.The slide doors open as we saunter back into the building.The cold lighting and scuffed, tan floorboards greet us.

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