Chapter 3: Square One
"From now on, I hate the snow."
That’s what I told myself as I neared the train station—the same one I had taken to get back at my now-burnt down home just hours earlier.
Not that it really mattered too much because I was too focused on just reaching the train, not even paying attention to the world around me. I didn't have enough energy to feel emotions, nor pain, they had all slipped away, left behind at the mortuary clinic.
The only up to date building in the whole area was now standing in front of him for the second time in the span of 24 hours : The train station
Suddenly, a robotic voice echoed through the empty street:
“Last train, making the full tour of the four Deimos districts plus the center. Only for the small, small price of 100 credits—”
I registered and bought myself a train ticket like I usually do every single day. But this time, a bit pricier at 100 credits. The doors slid open, I slipped through the doors and stepped inside the passenger section. Seconds later, the train departed.
My microchip buzzed with a new notification. I opened the email inbox.
You have received an automated transaction: "Will; Samantha Riviera"—50,000 credits (and 4 acres of land in the Republic of the Bahamas).
"50 thousand credits…?"
"How is that possible? We were flat broke..."
“S-she maybe saved that much for the academic fees of-”
“...”
I stared at the message, numb, too tired to process the weight of it.
“I'll just sleep for a bit… set up an alarm when we arrive at the last stop… then… I’ll be able to see her…”
I hesitated, then decided. “I'll just let her know that I'm coming… I don’t want to just show up unannounced… and invade her personal space… even if it's an e-emergency… A very big one at that…”
Do you want to send a telekinetic message to contact : “Mary” ?
“Yes...”
Please think of the message you are sending. . .
“Mary… I-I… I’m coming by your office… right now. I know it's a bit late… But please, I really need to see you right now…Please…”
Send message : YES/NO
Message sent!
“Now… I'll just set the alarm… and sleep… just for–*Yawns* a bit…”
"Now… just set the alarm… and sleep... just for—"
*Yawns*
"...a bit…"
December 25th, 214501:55 AM
WAKE UP- WAKE UP- WAKE UP- WAKE UP- WAKE UP-
The alarm blared in my head, too loud, I slapped my neck a couple times to shut off the damn alarm that woke me up a bit too fast. I groaned as I blinked awake. I looked around the train. Trying to see who was left on the train. To my best interest, I was the last one left on the train, well, no one left but me if we aren't counting the cybernetic conductor of course–
"C'mon… why is it so damn loud…"
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“LAST STOP : DEIMOS CENTER, I REPEAT, LAST STOP : DEIMOS CENTER-”
"Alright, alright! I'm getting off."
I stumbled out of the train, cold wind hitting my face, drying the half-dried tears I must’ve cried during my short nap. The sleek and fancy marble floor of the train station made me a bit uneasy. It felt wrong. Too clean. Too polished. Like I didn’t belong here… Corporate types rushed by, the ones with their expensive suits and dead eyes. Their judging eyes barely glanced at me as they were going back to their homes after long hours of overtime. It was still there though, the disgust of seeing a nobody from the slums “contaminating” their air as he walked near them. “Contaminating” their pristine world….
I pulled my hood up, trying to disappear.
"Why do they keep looking at me like that? What, just 'cause I don't wear some overpriced suit I'm a criminal now..?”
“Treating me like a damn animal…A lower life form…”
To at least hide myself from public shaming, I ducked out of sight, I tried to cover my face and do some detours in some small, lone streets. The main roads were too open, too exposed… Finally, I reached her apartment complex—a big luxurious building made of glass and steel, like something from a dream. Buildings like that were only reserved for exceptional employees. The ones working at trillion-dollar corps, companies that owned half of Deimos. Mary lived here.
I headed inside to the reception, trying to keep my head down…
“H-hello…”
The receptionist barely looked up from her holo-screen, her eyes trailing over my ash-covered clothes with thinly veiled disdain.
“And who are you, boy? We don’t accept your kind here…”
Her eyes roamed over me, the judgment plain in her face.
“W-well… I’m here to s-see.. Mary Lainheart…” I stammered.
She raised one perfectly manicured eyebrow. “Mary Lainheart? You know her? Someone like you...?”
I swallowed. “Y-yeah…”
“How come someone of your status knows about one of our residents…?”
“W-well…”
She sneered. “Shut it. I’ll call her.”
She turned away, disgust curling her lip as she tapped at her screen. The phone rang once. Twice.
“Mary Lainheart? It’s Samantha from the reception… There’s a—" she leaned closer, whispering, "dirty boy here asking for you. What’s your name?”
"Anthony Riviera…" I muttered.
"Anthony Riviera..? He’s named Anthony Riviera…" She raised an eyebrow again. “You know this guy?”
“What? You know that guy…?”
“Fine, Fine, I'll give him the keycard…”
There was a pause. Then she sighed and turned back to me. “Lucky bastard. Seems like she’s too nice for her own good. Here’s your keycard.” She tossed it at me, a crimson strip of plastic with a flicker of disdain. “Top floor, chamber 1701. Don’t make a mess, boy.”
“Y-yes ma’am…”
“Now get out my fucking view…”
I grabbed the keycard and rushed past her, not wanting to stick around any longer than I had to. As I didn’t want to see her old hag face any longer anyways…Soon enough, another elevator was in front of me… this one sleeker, fancier than the rusted ones in my district, slid open in front of me.
I skedaddled out of there the second she said that. As I didn’t want to see her old hag face any longer anyways…Soon enough, another elevator was in front of me…
I took a deep breath,
and I slapped my face.
“C’mon, Tony. You got this.”
Without any further questions, I entered the disgustingly lavish elevator
I slapped myself again.
I stepped inside, hitting the button for the top floor. The ascent was smooth, silent. None of the rattling I was used to. Soon, the doors slid open, revealing a hallway that practically gleamed of wealth. Her door was right in front of me. Room 1701.
I pressed the keycard against my microchip and inserted it inside. There was a weird kind of electric shock that passed through me as the keycard synced. As I looked up at the door, it was already wide open.
“It opened by itself?” I muttered.
“Fine by me…”
I stepped inside. The place was massive—spacious, polished, filled with expensive-looking furniture I’d never even dream of owning. I was really impressed and a bit jealous of how she was living, but I wasn't there to care about that…
I sat down on the less expensive-looking chair I spotted after looking around for a few seconds and sat down on it. I was once again feeling very sleepy… The cold from outside was still clinging to my bones. Sleep was creeping back again, my eyes growing heavy despite everything. I tried to fight the urge, but I eventually lost the battle, and the exhaustion won.
I fell asleep.
…
