Free Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres

Krista-belle clicked her long painted fingernails against the metal-work of the seat, calling attention back her way. She gave a smile that made Retra think of something warm and soft. ‘Ruzalia the pirate’s snatching Peaks – over-agers – and a new gang’s helping her do it. They’re calling themselves the Cursed League, run by Dark Eve and Clash. She’s huge, like a freaking bear, and he’s … hot.’
    â€˜Settle down.’ Kero slapped her lazily on the rump.
    Krista-belle giggled. ‘When the Ripers catch up with them, they’ll be gone. Withdrawn early. Pfft!’
    â€˜Clash and his gang can’t be too smart then. Sounds like a stupid, dangerous thing to do,’ said Suki.
    â€˜The League say they’re thinking ahead. I mean, weall get to be Peaks eventually and the League thinks that withdrawal means abandoned, thrown off the island into some kind of wasteland. If they’re right, I don’t want to be wasted. I’d rather be with Ruzalia.’
    â€˜What if they’re wrong? And why did you come here if you’re so scared of aging?’ Retra could tell Suki was angry still. Little waves of it rolled off her.
    â€˜Didn’t seem to matter when I was a newbie. Getting older seemed so far away. I’ve been here a while now, though. You start thinking about it. ‘Specially when you see others disappear.’
    â€˜Maybe being withdrawn means you get sent to paradise,’ said Suki.
    â€˜We’re already in paradise,’ said the shaved-head guy. He poked his tongue out and waggled it around. It was stained black. He stuck it into the mouth of the girl he sat on. She gagged and dumped him on the floor of the aisle. Then she sat on him and stuck her tongue down his throat.
    Everyone laughed at them.
    Krista-belle hung further over their seat. ‘Hope you’ve got that right, Suki. But just in case you haven’t, I’m backing Ruzalia and the League …’ She rolled her eyes and dropped back down next to Kero.
    He moved closer and let his head fall down onto her shoulder.
    In a few more stops someone called out, ‘It’s the Drop.’
    The White Wings piled out, leaving the kar almost empty.
    Retra stood up and the world swayed. Golden spirals swirled across everyone, spinning on their skin and their faces, disappearing into their mouths. She thought she might be sick again. ‘Let’s get off here too,’ she said thickly. She needed to walk and breathe.
    Suki shrugged and followed her off the kar.
    Retra walked along a wooden bridge that led from the platform straight into the top storey of a square stone building.
    Suki reached for her hand. Retra had never held a girl’s hand before today. Seals didn’t touch each other very much. Mother had kissed her goodnight when she was young. That’s all she could remember. Yet, somehow, Suki’s touch made her feel better.
    Now that she was moving, the spirals had disappeared and sounds had become merely sounds again, not something she wanted to eat.
    Ripers stood waiting and watching on either side of the entrance to the club. One of them wore her hair in long black and white streaks. Her face was heavily scarred.
    â€˜There’s Brand,’ whispered Suki. ‘She was on stage with Lenoir and Test at the re-birth. She’s creepy. All those marks on her skin.’
    Brand. Retra remembered her. The one who’d torn away her veil and tunic after Lenoir had spoken to them.
    As they walked past the scarred Riper, Retra’s fingers tightened on Suki’s. She couldn’t help it. It was that, or run back to the kar.
    The Stra’ha girl squeezed back. ‘It’s okay,’ she whispered. ‘They’re here to keep us safe.’
    Once they were inside, though, Suki let go of her hand and began to jig. ‘Aaah … listen … I die over this song.’ She ran off ahead.
    Retra followed more