The Underlighters (The Nightmare Cycle, #1) by Michelle Browne

Author:Michelle Browne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: underlighters, YA, NA, fiction, sci fi science fiction fantasy horror weird fiction, lesbian, lgbt, sci fi dystopia diversity disability, lovecraft horror
Publisher: Michelle Browne
Published: 2013-08-07T00:00:00+00:00

17—July 6, 0048 P.D.

There are more kids missing. Stupid, stupid, stupid! I feel like this is our—my—fault. We sent Crows up and work crews to patch the holes in the other sector as soon as possible, but it didn’t matter. There have been more nightmares, the darkness has been heavier in the Heaven Tubes, and kids are going missing. Is the Dust attacking us? Calling the children? Are they leaving on purpose? Nobody understands it, and we’re all angry as well and confused. The city has been restless. Seething anger, and heavy air, and darkness that’s creeping from the world Up there down to ours. Thank gods we have a competent man who’s basically in charge, and a competent woman behind the scenes. I don’t know of anyone other than Nathu who could have put down that near-riot.

Our squad of Crows had just delivered an official report on everything that had gone down in the damn tunnels—well, the official, on duty parts, of course. Nathu was looking as upset as he could let himself, given that he was on the clock. Una and I didn’t get the chance to talk yesterday, though she did send me a really, really nice message...anyway. I digress.

Nathu’s personal office is on the second floor of the Honeycomb, which is a lot bigger than I’d thought it was. It’s spare and efficient, the one luxury being the row of three lovely round windows, set into the wall and facing the street. They’re like little alcoves. Just now, though, the otherwise picturesque view of the street was pretty much ruined by...a crowd of protestors. The thick glass is soundproof, but angry people waving signs and obviously shouting send a pretty clear message even without sound.

“Look!” yelped Sammie. I was glued to the glass, too fascinated even to shout.

“Shit,” Nathu murmured. He stood and unconsciously brushed off his fashionable, subdued suit. “Well, I’d better get down there.” Wilhelm, who had just finished describing the footprints, stepped back respectfully.

“I’ll fetch the police,” he said.

“Tell Brumi to have a squad on standby, but don’t send them out yet. These are my people, after all.” Nathu straightened his collar again, squared his shoulders, and seemed to brace himself. “Una, Janelle, Hunter, Sammie—flank me, please. You all know what’s going on in those tunnels. Ginni, Jay—please wait here on standby.”

He led us down the curving stone stairs. I fingered the stonework on the way down, counting the abstract flowers mindlessly. I slept really well after Una, but last night, not so much. My mind was full of dark figures and flashing teeth again. Then, too, this is the first protest we’ve had since...what? I was a kid? So, yeah, I was scared as hell.

We exited through the grand opening of the antechamber, Nathu leading us confidently, calmly. The closer we got, though, the louder it was. There had to be at least sixty people, standing and shouting and waving signs made of metal pipes and hemp cardstock angrily.

“Find our kids! Find

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