Chapter 2

Lucas

I've been preparing for this for far too long. Hell, I've been waiting for it for half of my miserable existence. I can do it. It's a clean-and-clear job after all. How hard can it be? First, detect possible threats. Second, remove any obstructions that hinder a positive outcome two simple steps, no complications.

It's my first time here, but it feels like home in a wicked way. The twisted home away from home. I chuckle at the thought, yet the familiarity of it all makes it more real than it sounds. It's been only yesterday when I walked on these streets and now I'm here, stuck at their tedious ceremony. I get it, today is a big deal for them, but I wish the captain would have sent us a day after. Requiems are what I hate the most and, man, this one beats them all. Seeing them staring blankly and stone-cold, at what should be the saddest day of their freaking lives, is driving me nuts.

While we were still doing recon, not a day had passed without us watching it over and over again. We used to compete, as a joke, who remembers more dead names from the list. It's sick, but it kept us awake and focused.

The square is packed, all eyes aimed at the officer reciting the eulogy. I don't know what is more obnoxious the morbid silence, or them moving in unison like they are wired together somehow. I giggle as I imagine them humming and swaying, united as one by the Tree of Life. Remember, Lucas, they are still humans. My rational side kicks in, shattering a perfect humorous allegory. They sure don't look like it.

The air is a tad smoky from the fire, but besides that, it feels nice. It's not as harsh and chilly as what I am used to, but rather soft and balmy. Moving my gaze towards the sky, I let the warm breeze caress my face. Then, I inhale a deep breath and start counting the sentinels posted above us five to the left, five to the right and two more on the brick building behind the fire. They are certainly not playing games when it comes to keeping the peace.

That's it, I'm out of here. I tell myself bored to death and too eager to explore. I start making a trail through the crowd and hitting bodies on my way out. Some might have let a curse or two escape from their lips, either way, I couldn't care less. I swear, if I didn't know any better, I could easily mistake them to be empty shells. Shaking off the disturbing zombie-attack-image from my mind, I wonder if I'm the only one thinking about them like this. I make a mental note to ask the others about it as I continue to forge my escape route as far away from here as possible.

The Main Square is larger than I thought and it takes me a while to find my way out through a narrow alley. Right before stepping on the bright-lit sidewalk, away from the waving crowd behind, I hear them coming. The guards are cornering the building to my left, but I hide, just in time, in the dark and awfully humid crevice in the wall. My eyes examine them, searching for any weak spots, all while holding my breath until they pass by.

Phew! That was close.

I emphasize every word in my mind, while the air slowly vanishes from my lungs. I can't afford to be caught or targeted for suspicious behaviour. That's the whole point of us being here. We've all been trained to move without leaving a trace, almost like being invisible.

I continue walking, recalling every detail as my eyes hungrily scout out. Besides their laser guns, the armour is obviously made of nanites and, if they used the same software as in the dome, it should reconstruct itself in case of damage. That's cool, but nothing new to me. What didn't quite add up were their helmets, which now are equipped with an air filter, wide enough to cover half of their faces. I don't remember the purifying device listed as one of the add-ons to their equipment. I shrug my shoulders thinking I must have missed it somehow, but then a weird thought passes my mind. Why would they need it, if they don't leave this place? Our intel clearly said there is no way out, that the city is confined between the walls.

I push the newfound data somewhere at the back of my mind and let my legs lead the way through the night. The thick shadows hide my body for the upcoming troops and I find myself hopping from one dark corner to another. I take a break from time to time to admire the beautiful sky above me, so surreal and nothing to what I've seen before. Here is more peaceful compared to the one I grew up with, a fusion of colourful gases creating small explosions and lighting up the nights.

"Only if it was real.''

I let it out, still admiring the spectacular image above. I surely let myself wander because the park is opening right in front of me, with its grim branches inviting me inside. A quick mental scan of the city map is helping me find my whereabouts the Commemoration is more than an hour away, right across from here, on the south bank of the river. I got lucky this time as most of the sentinels are scattered around the Main Square, but I have to be more careful in the future. I can't blow my cover or mess things up. There will be he'll to pay when I get back. 

The woodland looks like an oasis in the greys of old ruins and high-tech buildings. I start running in its direction, crossing the empty street and enjoying the silence. Here and there, the fading yellowish lights pop up in random circles revealing corners that otherwise would have been missed. I reckon that's the beauty of the night when the silver queen takes over and conceals her kingdom under a black velvet drape. It's almost like everything is frozen in time, that once the barrier was crossed not even the wind would make it's way through. I venture deep into the forest, avoiding the tracks and the government's hidden cameras. I know they are there, always watching for a scapegoat whose behaviour they can't condone and publicly doom as an example. Every single soul under this dome should be in the Main Square, paying their respects and be reminded of their tragic past or should I say their failed future they made sure to mess up? I take a deep breath telling myself it's not my problem what they deliberately did with their planet, when I hear a weird sound, almost like a groan.

"Nah, it can't be, not here."

I assure myself that I must've imagined it.

After a few steps further into the greenery, I hear it again, more clearly this time. It's like someone is crying. The source of the sound it's not far away and I follow the sniffing, a bit anxious in the direction it led, walking almost blindly in the dark too curious to see who this anomaly is. The sobs are getting louder and louder. Swiftly, I push a leafy branch that cuts in my way and then, on the other side of the pavement, I see her.

Crouched at the bottom of a deciduous tree, she could pass as almost invisible in the shadows if she wasn't crying her heart out. Her shoulders rise at the same time with the sound of her sighs and her locks bounce rhythmically on their own.

I can't believe my eyes. I have studied their behaviour patterns and the side effects of the nanovaccine all my life. This right here is a breach in their system, a stray variable. This shouldn't be possible. Amazed and curious, I get out from behind the iron statue, polished here and there by the changing weather, and tiptoe, careful not to scare her. A dry twig snaps under my weight revealing my presence and messing up my plan. "Damn it!"

Startled she lifts her head and pins me with her frightened stare. Her eyes are watery and her cheeks and nose red, so contrasting to her pallid expression. Her familiarity stirs waves of emotions inside me and I can feel my pulse quickening under my skin. My training required me to learn everything about her, collect data and anticipate her actions, making sure her life is in no danger. I kneel in front of her holding her stare. Although I've seen her face a thousand times, some of her features are still new to me. How is it possible that I am still fascinated by the colour of her eyes? I suddenly feel the urge to console her and erase the sadness that's impairing her beauty. She shouldn't be able to feel it like we do.

Her eyes are fixing me, busy analysing my face. I would give everything to know what she's thinking right now. A second later, I find myself slowly lifting my right hand and wiping off one tear that lingers on top of her bottom lip. She quivers under my touch, but she's too frightened to make a move. I realize I had crossed the line and without saying anything I stand up and disappear, leaving her behind.

"Damn it!" I curse under my breath. This should have never happened.