Damn, this train ride’s way too long... Anthony slouched in his seat, glancing out the window. I should check if Mom’s alright… He tapped his wrist, booting up his outdated microchip. The interface flickered briefly before an error message popped up.
“uh?” contact cant be reached? What the hell is this error? I never saw this in the operating manual…
“Uh? Contact can’t be reached? What the hell is this?” he muttered, furrowing his brow. I never saw that in the operating manual... He scowled, tapping at the chip again before giving up. Fuck it, I’ll deal with it when I’m back home.
The train finally screeched to a stop at The train finally screeched to a stop at the Varden transportation station. Situated deep in East Deimos, the third most dangerous district of the megalopolis. This area was where most of the middle-lower class workers lived. The quality of life wasn't that bad compared to Rachen. The buildings were more affordable, but Don't fool yourselves though. Most of the people here had to live check by check every week.
Finally off this damn train... Anthony stretched his legs as he stepped onto the platform, the cool air biting at his skin. All this motion sickness is really going to make me puke someday…
Finally I'm off this train… All this motion sickness is really going to make me puke someday. Anthony gazes at the buildings of the industrial district of Varden, where his mom was working… with towering factories belching steam and smog into the sky. Corporations really work us like slaves… only one hundred credits an hour these days…
Finally off this damn train... Anthony stretched his legs as he stepped onto the platform, the cool air biting at his skin. The industrial district of Varden loomed ahead, with towering factories belching steam and smog into the sky. Corporations really work us like slaves… a hundred credits an hour, huh?
Suddenly, a sharp squeal pierced the air.
“Hey, Tony!”
a familiar voice called out, light and playful. Anthony turned to see Mary sauntering toward him. Her fully robotic arm, painted a deep crimson, gleamed under the streetlights. Her hair as white as fresh snow fluttered slightly as she moved, but it was her smile—sharp, teasing, almost taunting—that sent a chill down his spine. There was also her face, some might say she had the face of an angel, and Anthony visibly already knew that.
“H-hey, Mary…”
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he mumbled, gaze dropping as he scratched the back of his neck.
“W-what’s up?”
Mary closed the distance, her steps slow and deliberate, stopping just inches from his face. She leaned in, her lips curling into an amused smirk, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Why so nervous, Tony? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she teased, her voice lilting, dripping with playful condescension. “C’mon, tell me… what are you doing tomorrow~?”
“Tomorrow…?” he stammered, backing up slightly. “W-why do you wanna know?” Her sudden closeness made his words tumble out awkwardly.
She cocked her head, eyes never leaving his as her smile widened. “Oh, no reason~” she said, dragging out the words, letting the tension build. “Just thought maybe you’d wanna join me at a tech expo at the corp I’m working at. You know... unless you’re too busy?” Her tone was mockingly sweet, glinting with mischief.
“Uh… yeah… I’m probably just gonna hit a local spot for Christmas…” he muttered, voice barely audible.
Mary’s grin widened, clearly amused by his awkwardness. “Aww, too bad,” she said, voice dripping with fake sympathy. “But hey, no worries. I’m sure you’ll have tons of fun at your little Christmas spot.” She gave him a playful wink before turning to leave, her laughter light and teasing. “Later, Tony~”
“Y-yeah… later…” he whispered, watching her disappear into the crowd, the feeling of her playful mockery lingering in the air long after she was gone.
As he continued down the industrial streets, the thick, chemical-laden air filled his lungs. It was also strangely smoky… The wind picked up, blowing hard as he neared his apartment. Finally… Almost home… he tries to imagine his little sister and mom that were probably waiting for him.
Suddenly, the buzzing of an emergency announcement filled the air.
“Bzzzzz…Emergency, Citizen of Varden, We order you to exit the industrial district as soon as you can. A tremendous fire has already engulfed many to almost every compact apartment. I repeat, evacuate the industrial district…”
At that moment, Anthony Riviera’s heart sank. His body frozen in place, eyes locked on the flashing billboard above him.
“What...?”
He ran, the fastest he ever did in his life. His legs pumped harder than they ever had before, driven by pure panic and adrenaline. The mix of all of those emotions make his speed almost inhumane for a normie without cybernetics, nor Lux. His breath came in ragged gasps, each step faster than the last. The world around him blurred as he pushed himself to the brink.
F-fuck fuck fuck!
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He arrived…
The flames had already devoured the building. The once-familiar neighborhood was unrecognizable, bathed in crimson fire. The heat seared his skin as he ran toward the wreckage
Anthony runs to his apartment building that was already covered in flames.
As he turned the corner of a road,
He saw it…
A twisted, charred body slumped against the ground. The person’s figure is barely recognizable, oozing with blood and still half on fire.
It was his Mother.