On the Bridge
This is a story of the Twin Glass Cities, but it does not occur in one, or the other, because it happens on the Bridge between them.
There was only one great stone bridge left that spanned the great wide canal that once served the Great Glass City before the War destroyed it, and at this time served as border between the two cities, each populated by half of the former city's people -- each group blaming and hating and fearing the other.
The Bridge was almost never used, and was kept as a sole means of contact for the necessary messages, warnings and threats delivered between sworn enemies. So it was constantly guarded, occupied on both sides.
Those assigned to the Bridge were to never ever speak to or even touch the other side's people. The young man understood this well -- to break this sacred rule even once was punishable by prison or even death.
He never wanted to be placed here, but he had no choice. The tests that completed his schooling had dictated his life's role. While others were deemed suited to be Blowers or Cutters or Shapers or other professions in making and coloring and building the glass that constructed the entire City, he was destined to be a Stone Mason.
There was no place for Masons in the City, as the sacred doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction demanded that both Cities be entirely made of glass, and that each keep horrifically destructive weapons aimed at the other. Through this, an uneasy peace had been maintained for years. The only place that remained for a Stone Mason was the Bridge.
The one thing that made this lifelong assignment bearable for him was seeing her. But “seeing” the young woman was all he could do, as she worked on the other side. Fortunately, she was beautiful to look at, with fair skin and dark hair. And when she glanced back at him she reflected his own longing smile. Several times, while inspecting the stone at the Border Line, their hands came within inches of each other. Each time they parted with a more longing glance. At least they could look at each other, he thought with an inward sigh -- his commanders in the Guard insisted, in fact, that he watch her every move. So he did, and she his.
The Guard, and all the citizens of his City, insisted that he see her as she was, their sworn lifelong enemy. But he didn't care about feuds between long-dead men, or whether the Sacred Texts were handed down by this Prophet or the other, or whether it was proper to take meat and pen by the left hand or right, or any of the other vital issues that divided the peoples of the Twin Cities. He would not say it aloud, but he somehow felt these things to be trivial. So he kept his silence and kept his vigil, while a greater desire started to grow within him.
That fateful spring day, they met at the Border Line, the young man and young woman on another routine stone inspection. He could not speak to her, he knew, but didn't think it was wrong to show her something. So, while they stood just feet apart, he took off his coat.
She smiled, then glanced towards the bridge rail. Before they, or anyone watching them, could have another thought, they both quickly went to the side of the bridge and climbed upon the railing. Just before they jumped, they reached out a hand to each other -- and committed their first treason.
As they fell, he pulled her close to him, while activating the inflatable vest he had concealed beneath his coat. The impact with the rain-swollen waters of the canal separated them for just a moment, but they found each other again. His desire to share their first words was preempted by her giving him their first kiss. He realized then they would have the rest of their lives to talk. They rode the current away from the Twin Glass Cities, towards their shared destiny.
- - - - -
This is my entry for LJ Idol Season 8, Week 21, Intersection. My topic, "Bridge"
This is written in cooperation with cemetaria, and I thank her for letting me play in a world of her making. I can't match her gift for whimsy, but I was inspired to finally write a story with a happy ending. Here is her tale of "The Straw that Stirs the Drink."
And regarding whether this story takes place in the last generations before the world ends, the cat has my tongue.