Ida the Tornado

Those last moments of the sun on my wet hair felt really good. It was like in the paintings, tall palm trees, people surfing, swimming, and laughing. On the other side, Girls in bikinis, coconuts in hand, were dancing on a stage. I was trying to enjoy the sunset on the open bar at the beach. Everything looked perfect. Like before the explosion. The life I always wanted.

“Then I said I’m Billy the golden medal, the winner!” he laughed so hard he was choking on his ice cream. 

I turned to the barman. “Is he for real? I mean, your name is more fun than whatever he just said!” and I licked my Ice cream. 

The barman looked at me. ‘I am offended now! Mandy is a cool name. Why can’t you accept it? What? Do you think YOUR name is cool? Hugh?’ he said, put his hand into his short wavy hair, and blinked at me.

“I mean, I know this is harsh to say, but if they saved someone less like him, maybe the world could be a better place,” I said, looking at Mandy to judge me and say that I should not treat people like that.

Then the man walked to me, oh god! He was wearing a swimsuit with coconut pictures. He was shorter than me but in good shape and smelled like sweat. “What is your name, beautiful?” looking at me with his drunk eyes. He came closer so much I could smell the alcohol. It was disgusting! I could punch him in his balls; when he fell, I would sit on his chest and hit him hard in the face, left, right, left, right. But I’m not going to do that, not anymore.

Tara was waving at me. She came out of the water with her surfboard in her hands, her perfectly shaved head, and flawless body. I used to train with her and try not to get killed. Now we were both here waiting for the day they would come for us.

“Here comes your bodyguard,” Mandy said, looking at me with judgy eyes. “And why would you need a bodyguard?” Raising one of his eyebrows.

“She is my friend,” I said, rolling my eyes at him. 

“What are we having for lunch today?” she said and jumped over the bar, looking at Mandy in the eyes “don’t make me do something I would regret later,” and then suddenly laughed, “I’m kidding, I thought you had the bodyguard conversation again,” she looked at me and continued “did you?!” she said and blinked at Mandy. Well, I knew she was not kidding!

After Tara left, I turned to Mandy, and he handed me a little box full of ILC, Illusion chips. Dark blue gummies contained small illusion projection chips. You take one and everything you have ever wanted, become real in front of you, not real real, but at least you will have the feelings of achieving them. You can feel the success, the satisfaction. Your sensations go higher, and you can feel everything in multiple layers. Like those luxury Clones. First, they smell like cedarwood, then orange blossom, and in the end, you can feel the warmth of coffee blended with just a pinch of vanilla. 

This is my life.

“Please don’t take them that fast! It is not easy to find them this time of the year,” He said, holding my arm. “And it is not safe to remember nothing!” He said, knowing I might do that. I pulled my hand, but he didn’t let go. “AND, I know if Tara finds out I gave you this, you will never find my body!” he said. He was terrified.

“God, you smell good!” I said, smiling at him. “Fine!” I said, and I rolled my eyes at him, took one, and gave him the box. “AND, Tara is a nice girl. She was always there for me.” I said. Remembering all those desperate moments that she was there beside me, and she didn’t have to.

“Hey, you wanna have some fun tonight?” and I smirked at him, picked up my surfboard, gave him a little wink, and went into the sea. 

There were people from all four planets and six moons in polka way; Mostly rich people or people with connections. But for me, I was not in any of those categories. At a certain point in my life, I made a deal with a friend and came here with Tara. I knew this would not last, and my past would come to knock on my door one day. But for now, I was living the best life possible.

As for Mandy, he was the only survivor of his family from the sun explosion. When the time came, only one person from every family had the chance to leave earth. We didn’t talk about those terrible things because you know the past is in the past. Or is it? I just hoped we could survive the rest.

Chapter two: The Hedonist, Part 2