04. YOU HAVE TO GET OUT NOW!

A short story by Corey Patten 06/05/25

A young man steps out of the new arrivals office, then looks toward the sprawling metropolis in front of him, large and imposing, with so many colours it gleams like a jewel against the sky. He takes a deep breath before his feet begin to move.

“It can be a bit scary when you first arrive,” a voice says, causing the man’s head to whip to the side. Leaning against the wall is a tall figure with skin as dark as his own, wearing a purple pant suit. “That’s why they send a guide like me to meet new arrivals.” The drag queen approaches and holds out a hand, “Miss Verdant Violetta.” The man hesitates, but then takes her hand and shakes it. He goes to speak, then stops, seemingly thinking about his words, until finally he asks in a deep velvety voice,

“Where are we?” Miss Violetta’s eyes twinkle.

“This is Rainbow city. Let me show you around.”

A young boy looks at himself in the mirror. He turns to the side, appreciating how his mother’s dress wraps around his body. He turns again and admires how her circular earrings, coloured yellow, black and red, bounce against his cheek. He watches the mirror as he struts around the room, the tiny heels of her shoes clacking against the floor.

“Joseph!” a voice shouts and the boy jumps so high his feet leave the ground. He turns and sees his mother, standing in the doorway with a basket of clothes and her eyes wide with shock. The boy is paralysed, his face stuck in horror. “Get all of this off before your father sees you,” she says and lurches toward the boy. She yanks the clothes and earrings off him while the boy numbly stands there, dazed by the disgust in her eyes. After removing the dress, she looks the boy dead in the face and says, “Don’t let me ever catch you doing something like that again.”

“How was your journey?” Miss Violetta asks. The man doesn’t look at her, but his brow pinches.

“It was good, I think. To be honest, it’s all kind of a blur.” Miss Violetta laughs and says,

“It’s funny how common that is.” As they explore the streets, the man’s eyes never stop moving as they take in every colourful and foreign wonder. “A warning, your feet will get sore,” Miss Violetta says. “We used to have cars, but there were too many crashes. Lord only knows why the gays can’t drive.” The man says nothing in response, and Miss Violetta watches as he stares at the androgynously dressed men and women around him. The look of awe and slight fear causes the corners of Miss Violetta’s mouth to flick up into a smile.

Joseph lays on his bed, listening to Higher Self by Dope Saint Jude for the hundredth time. He suddenly stands and begins to spin around in the centre of the room, arms raised high above his head and throwing his head back and forth in time to the music. He stomps his feet on the ground, losing himself in the music. The song slowly comes to an end and Joseph throws himself backward on the bed. He reaches for his phone and turns it over. There’s a message. Joseph hadn’t heard it, but he sits up now and reads the message that’s in capital letters.

“SOMEONE TOLD EVERYONE ABOUT YOU AND CHIDI. YOU HAVE TO GET OUT NOW!”

Joseph launches to his feet and is still for a moment. Then he runs to the closet and grabs a bag. Frantically he begins to shove things into it. A few items of clothes, something for all kinds of weather. A small blanket. He runs to the wardrobe and rifles through a drawer for the bundle of money he keeps hidden and his I.D card. He grabs his phone charger and throws it in the bag then rushes for the door. On the way, his eyes catch sight of his mother’s earrings, the large round black, yellow and red ones. He hesitates, then snatches them from the drawer and rushes out the door. He makes it all the way to the front door before a gruff voice calls from behind,

“Where are you going?” Joseph pauses.

“Just out for a bit,” he answers, holding his breath.

“Alright.” Joseph releases the breath. He looks back at where his father sits on the couch, reading his book. His eyes move up to where he can see his mother cooking in the kitchen, humming pleasantly to herself. He watches for a second, then turns and walks out the door.

Miss Violetta turns the key in the door, and with a chunk, the door swings open. She steps back to allow the man to walk in ahead of her. The room is brightly lit by the sunlight that streams in through the window. The man inspects a pair of cosy looking couches and the small desk in the corner. A colourful rug fills the space between the couches. In the adjoining room there is a big and spacious bed.

“What do you think?” Miss Violetta asks. The man remains silent, then turns with slumped shoulders.

“I can’t afford it,” he says simply. Miss Violetta winces, for she remembers saying something similar when she first arrived.

“Baby, this isn’t to buy. This is for you to get started.” The man frowns.

“Really?”

“Yes,” Miss Violetta says with a nod. “All new arrivals are supplied with a little unit to get started. In this building are others who have recently arrived and a house manager to check in from time to time.” The man walks to the bedroom and peers inside, then walks to the window and looks out at the city.

“Everything is so different here. Are the others,” he pauses. “Are the others like me too?” Miss Violetta walks to the couch and motions for the man to join her. He slowly takes a seat on the adjacent couch.

“I can see in you what I’ve seen in so many others,” she says. “You don’t have to be scared anymore. You can be who you need to be, without worrying what others might say or do.” The man looks at her and though he seems to relax ever so slightly, his expression doesn’t change. The ghost of years of constant anxiety still haunting his face. There is a knock at the door and Miss Violetta raises her eyebrows. The man shuffles to the door and slowly opens it. On the other side stands an older woman with bright pink hair cut short, a smile that deepens her wrinkles, and a plate of biscuits in her hands.

“Hello, I’m Barbara,” she says. “I know you only just arrived, but I just wanted to quickly say hello and welcome you to the building.” She pushes the plate of cookies into the man’s hands and he mumbles,

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome darling. Now I’ll let you get settled in, but if you need anything I’m just on the next floor up.” She turns and hobbles away, leaving the man standing there dazed. Miss Violetta appears behind him saying,

“Go leave those in the kitchen and come with me. There’re some people I think you should meet.”

Joseph stumbles into the side of the boat. As it rocks on the waves he looks out across the sea. A wave crashes into the boat and sprays his face with salty water, stinging his lips which are dry and cracked from dehydration. He reaches into his bag and takes out a small piece of fruit which he discreetly shoves in his mouth. Food is scarce on the boat, and there is no telling when they will finally reach land. A body crashes into him.

“Sorry brother,” says a young man, a similar age to Joseph.

“No worry,” replies Joseph, who has already gotten used to it. The new man rests on the side of the boat alongside him, causing Joseph to instinctively tense.

“They have crammed so many people on board, it’s a little hard not to bump into people.” Joseph makes an affirming noise, but otherwise says nothing. “My name is Muhammed” the man adds and holds out a hand. Joseph eyes his hand warily for a second before taking it and replying,

“Joseph.”

“It’s been a long trip ay?” he says. “Do you think we’re close?”

“I hope so,” answers Joseph. Muhammed watches him for a moment then, with his hand outside the boat, secretly hands over a small flask.

“You look thirsty friend,” he whispers. Joseph looks at the flask and hesitates, then grabs it and takes a reasonable sized sip. The water feels cool and refreshing in his dry as sand mouth. As he hands the flask back, Muhammed asks,

“So, why did you have to leave?” He waits as Joseph tries to find the words when suddenly there is a shout from the other side of the boat and they both watch as everyone runs to the other side of the ship. Over the sea of their heads, they see it, the first sight of land. A smile spreads across both of their faces and their shoulders lower just a bit. The boat begins to dip on the landward side. It continues to dip until Joseph and Muhammed grip onto the railing to steady themselves. Joseph sucks in a sharp breath, then the boat falls back the other way. It slams back down onto the water with a crunch and a shockwave rolls through Joseph’s body. Joseph rises back to his feet amongst the cries and shouts of other passengers. There is yelling from somewhere in the distance and Joseph looks across at Muhammed. But Muhammed is not there. Joseph looks out across the boat but can’t see him anywhere. Then, he looks over the railing toward the deep and dark ocean.

Miss Violetta leads her charge up to the top of a stairwell, through a door and onto a rooftop terrace. Under a sky streaked by the oranges and purples of a setting sun, there is a small gathering of people of all different types. They talk to each other beneath a small pergola covered in twisting vines and small twinkling lights.

“Why don’t you go meet your neighbours?” Miss Violetta says quietly. She watches him, a look of uncertainty on his face. Finally, he murmurs

“I’m not sure. I don’t even know what I would talk to them about.” Miss Violetta puts a hand gently on his shoulder.

“Because you’ve had to leave your entire life behind and have no idea how to start again right?” The man looks up at her in surprise, his eyes wide. “Trust me, many people here understand what that’s like, having to start your life over. They may even have some advice.” The man looks toward the group of people laughing together it looks like he almost smiles. “Oh damn,” Miss Violetta says suddenly. “Where in Gaga are my manners. I never asked you your name.” The man looks up at her then.

“It’s alright. My name’s Elijah.” Miss Violetta smiles.

You know Elijah, you remind me a lot of myself when I first arrived in Rainbow City.” She chuckles softly to herself. “I was a hot mess when I first arrived.” She places a hand on Elijah’s shoulder and leads him to the group, all of whom are listening to one woman. She pauses as the pair join the group.

“Sorry to interrupt Afiya,” Violetta says. “Everyone, this is Elijah. He’s new to the building.”

“Welcome Elijah,” Afiya says. “Where have you come from?”

“Nigeria,” Elijah says quietly, to which Afiya’s face lights up.

“Ahh, lovely, me too! I was just talking about the great food. It’s what I miss most.” Elijah inhales sharply.

“Really? Did you have to flee?” he asks, a touch of desperation in his tone.

“Yes, many of us did.” Afiya says, followed by a chorus of nods and agreement. “Lev fled from Russia, Arineh from Armenia, and Musa from Egypt,” she says, gesturing to a few people who each give a shy wave. Violetta watches for a moment as Elijah listens intently and visibly seems to relax. A smile flitters upon her face.

Joseph sits at the table, alone in the small soulless room. The walls are the kind of grey that suck all colour out of the air. He is wringing his hands on the table when the door suddenly flings open, causing Joseph to jump in his seat. The bald, middle-aged man says nothing as he takes his seat, doesn’t even look at Joseph as he flips open his file.

“Mr Emem,” he reads, “you are here seeking asylum.” Joseph leans forward slightly when he says,

“Yes. I am very excited because I lov-,”

“And what grounds are you seeking asylum on?” the man says, cutting Joseph off. Joseph swallows.

“Because I cannot go home. If I go home, I will not survive.”

“Because of your sexuality,” the man says, reading from his file still. Now the man sets down the folder and looks at Joseph for the first time. “Can you provide any evidence of this?”

“I’m sorry?” The man sighs.

“Can you provide any evidence of your being gay?” Joseph attempts to keep his face neutral. He’s never said that word out loud and hearing it sends a shiver down his spine.

“What kind of evidence?”

“Well,” the man says, “Are you part of any groups?”

“I only just arrived here,” Joseph stutters. The man makes a huff.

“Did you bring anything with you?”

“I was hiding myself. I don’t have any evidence.” The man clicks his tongue and closes the folder.

“Sorry, but without any evidence, we can’t approve your request.” The man stands up from the desk and Joseph’s blood runs cold.

“No please, I need this. What can I do?” but the man doesn’t so much as glance back as he leaves the room. Joseph sits there, alone again, his heart racing.

Miss Violetta throws her clutch on the bed and sighs. She sits down at the dresser and begins to take off her earrings. She is smiling, thinking about how happy Elijah looked when she left. She drops the earrings into the bottom drawer of her jewellery box and her eyes catch another pair. Her smile falters and she hesitates before fishing them out of the drawer. She stares at them in her hand, the large circular earrings, coloured black yellow and red. Her mind is filled with visions of a life she left behind. Then she remembers how similar she had been then to Elijah, feeling alone in her experience. But of course, these stories are too common, for beyond the walls of Rainbow City, the world is still an unsafe place for those who live outside societies’ boxes.

About Corey Patten

is an Australian short story writer who spent 2023 traveling around Europe, concluding his journey by volunteering with Fighting Fear, where he supported LGBTQ+ forced migrants. His work has earned special mentions in various literary competitions, with his piece "I Don't Know How to Be Gay" gaining recognition in 2024. Corey, a Gay man, is passionate about telling the untold stories of Queer lives. His series, "Tales from Rainbow City," builds a unique universe where diverse LGBTQIA+ characters’ lives intersect as they navigate their identities and confront the challenges they face. For more information about his work follow him @astorywithcorey on Instagram.

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