NEXUS POINTS : Book 1

It was unseasonably cold for October, even for the crazy climate the Continental State of Virgo experienced these days. Rain clouds loomed on the horizon, a rare sight. The temperature was near freezing. 

Kora was annoyed by the wind. Her long wavy hair tossed wildly about her face. She pulled the short black thermal jacket tightly around herself.

It was taking forever to walk from the crematorium to her transport. Kora scanned her surroundings. The grounds of the cemetery were meticulously maintained, even though cremation had become mandatory and the various types of burial banned since the CTE pandemic thirty years ago. 

The newly-paved cement walkway cut through an expanse of light brown sand dotted with drought-tolerant succulents and the occasional knee-high shrub with dusty, long, needle-like leaves. Large grey concrete blocks formed the perimeter of the grounds. A few blades of yellowing grass peeked through the cracks between them, battling bravely against the biting wind. 

Past the black metal gates, the desert landscape stretched as far as the eye could see. The scenery was an ironic contrast to the 4-meter tall, 3-tier fountain standing in front of the gates. The projection circling the fountain’s holographic trickles read Green Pastures Cemetery.

Anita would have liked this place…