9.2

That night was different than the previous ones Cass had attended. Norah’s room was filled with excitement, but something felt massively off. A tension so thick Cass could probably have cut it with a knife if she’d wanted to.
      Travis especially seemed on edge. He’d been unusually quiet and wasn’t really into the game. Normally he’d win at least a round or three of their card game, but now nothing. The rowdiness he’d show during the game was nowhere to be found. And while Cass didn’t want to pry, she couldn’t help but feel bad for him.
      Sergei was shuffling the cards for the twelfth time when she’d found the courage to ask what she’d been wanting to do since their get-together had started.
      “So, I was hoping you guys would like to meet up with someone else on the day of the festival. I’ve been friends with one particular girl – her name is Arah – and she’s the only friend I’ve had for a while. I don’t want to leave her on the day of the Rite, but I’d also love to spend it with you guys. Do you think you guys can manage another stranger in the group for that day?” She phrased her question so carefully and had asked it with such hesitation, the group paused for a bit. Sergei had even stopped his shuffling.
      “You’re asking us if a random person we’ve never met can join on that special day, just because she’s your friend?” he said sceptically, squinting at her.
      “Well, yes. I mean, if you guys say ‘no’, then I understand–”
      “Of course it’s fine!” Sergei started laughing and resumed the rearranging of the cards. “I’m just messing with you. Why wouldn’t we want to meet the person that’s been keeping you company for such a long time that you’d consider making her put up with our nonsense?”
      “Exactly, she’s more than welcome to join us,” Norah agreed.
      And for the first time that evening, Travis actually joined in the conversation. “I’d suggest meeting up with her before the festival though. Just to get the awkwardness of the first encounter out of the way. I wouldn’t want to spend an entire day with a group that I’ve never met before.”
      “Great idea, Travis. How about the day before the Ascension Rite? We could have a quick walk around the plaza to set our route for the festival. Pick which things we definitely need to do,” Liyeva said whilst chewing on the stick of her popsicle.
      Cass couldn’t help but smile at the immediate discussion happening and the enthusiasm of all of them, just because they’d meet her friend.
      Luíz and Norah definitely seemed the most into meeting Arah, especially after Cass had told them more about the personality of the girl. Mostly because they were curious how a cheerful and sparkly personality like hers matched with Cass’ and why Cass hadn’t grown tired of it yet. Sergei just kept quiet after his initial pretend-angry question and watched the situation unfold, with a slight smile on his face.
      The tension she’d felt at the beginning of the evening had faded after she had popped her question. Everyone was back to their old selves, talking and joking and playing games.
      However, as the darkness fell over Underconqueron and they lowered their volume, the conversations turned more gloomy and serious. Liyeva had addressed the incident again and now Sergei was actually willing to talk about it instead of fight her.
      “I heard they knew it would happen soon. One of the pieces of equipment was prone to overheating and the workers had tried to take care of it as best as they could. With the minimal tools we are allowed to have, they had put a hose on top of the motor in an attempt to keep it cool.
      It worked, it kept the motor nice and chilled, but they didn’t get the chance to look into the problem itself. Turns out it was because the pipes were slowly plugging, so the pump had to work harder every day basically. Had they been allowed to unplug the piping, it wouldn’t have happened. But now the pump started to leak due to the blockage, and the pressure in the piping grew and then it just all went to shit from there.
      I’m not exactly sure what kind of chemical was in there, but it wasn’t great. It was flammable and I’m pretty sure it was toxic as well. One spark and the spill went up in flames, including a big part of the factory and the people working there. And those that survived the fire haven’t come back yet. My guess is that they’ve succumbed to the toxins of the chemical and the enforcers aren’t allowed to share that information with us as to not instil fear.” Sergei gripped his can of lemonade tighter, denting it.
      “Could something like that happen to you?” Cass asked, swallowing nervously.
      “Theoretically, yes. The chances of it happening are a lot lower than in that factory. Nuclear power plants are dangerous when they’re not operated or built safely. A melt-down could happen or people could be exposed to the radiation. Luckily for us, the nuclear plants are one of the few things that Conqueron pumps money into. No power plant means no power for them, so it’s for their own gain.
      Even our safety protocols are better than at the other factories. They really can’t have workers die on them, because the training takes quite a while. Even I’m not entirely done training yet.
      And, lucky me, I’m not part of the operator crew! I don’t usually go around operating the plant, so there’s no immediate threat of radiation exposure for me. They put me into more of a maintenance job. Fixing the broken pieces of equipment so they can be used again.”
      “That doesn’t sound very comforting.” Cass felt a shiver go up her spine. “Not at all comforting to be honest.”
      “Despite the radiation danger, we still have to follow a strict safety procedure. If I follow those guidelines correctly, I’ll be fine. He smiled in an attempt to calm her.
      “Don’t bother, you can’t make him care more for himself,” Liyeva said. “We’ve tried and failed. All we can do is hope and pray nothing happens to him. We all care, but he won’t care for himself.”
      “Why not?”
      “Because I care more about this group. You guys come first.” He quickly took a sip of his unicorn drink.
      “Because he’s a filthy liar and actually doesn’t care for himself whatsoever,” corrected Liyeva. “He forgets to eat if one of us had a bad day, because he spends his time comforting us and making sure we eat.”
      “I don’t do that!” Sergei responded defensively, but one look from Liyeva already made him yield. “Fine, I do that. But only because you four can’t take care of yourselves properly either! And from what I’ve seen, Cass fits magnificently with the rest of you. You all should take better care of yourself.”
      “I could tell you the same, bro. When was the last time you went to get new rations in time? I think they’ve heard the “I’ve been working overtime in the factories a lot”-excuse so many times, they wonder why there are still so many people working in the factories with the amount of overtime you do,” Luíz laughed.
      “It’s not that bad and I always get my anti-radiation pills in time. I never forget those.”
      “Why are you like this though? Why care so much for others at your own expense?” Cass asked, putting a halt to the fun again.
      Sergei shrugged. “Well, I don’t really have a reason for it. I just liked caring for the younger children at the Care Centre as well and it stuck. My classes were too easy, homework was never enough and I devoured books like no other, so the caretakers asked me to help around the Centre to battle my boredom.”
      And with that, he’d said everything he had wanted to tell at that moment and continued with something else. Cass, however, felt like some things were left unsaid for a reason and she hoped he’d tell her when he was ready.