It’s been a few days now since I last blacked out and almost dived into the ocean. Things are kinda starting to feel normal for once on this crazy boat. The horrific nightmares went away, I haven't received that creepy cold feeling anymore. The sun is shining and not a cloud in the sky. There is nothing that could possibly make this day go wrong.
“HEY BRIAN!” Malcolm screams as he races to me.
“Hey Malcolm, what’s up,” I replied.
“Did you hear?”
“Hear what?” I say kind of irritated.
“We are almost to the island!” he said with a giant grin on his face.
“Really… How long until we get there?”
“We’ll be there within the next three hours. Make sure that you and your family have everything you guys brought on the boat.” Malcolm said as he started walking backward down the hall. It’s strange really. I'd never seen him so ecstatic before, he was almost jumping like a hyperactive teenage girl that just got asked to prom. Usually, he’s shy, quiet, and guarded. Almost to the point where it was kind of scary to be around him. I guess it’s true that you can never judge a book by its cover.
After running into Malcolm I decided to go back to my room and start packing everything before we get kicked off this sketched-out boat. “I wonder how different things will be now. Who knows I might never see these amazing friends.” I say to myself as I pack up my last set of hunting knives. “Wow, I really need to stop talking to myself out loud.” The horn of the boat roars as I zip up my last bag and grab my bow. I ran out to the front of the boat standing next to Eric, Dad, and Stephanie. As we approach the entrance to Utopia.
I look around and there is absolutely nothing here, just the ocean. All of a sudden a loud deep creaking sound followed by the low echoing hums of a motor vibrating the air around us. The ocean and sky in front of me begin to split vertically. The sound of decompressing air mixed with hydraulic turbines fills the air. Two giant doors fade into view before us. Utopia’s cloaking system shuts down to show us the entrance to our salvation. All of a sudden the massive iron gates begin to open. A female voice recording comes on as we drift into the dark passage. “Welcome to Utopia, please enter and keep all hands and feet on board for sanitation inspections. Until your vessel has reached the dock please refrain from moving. Thank you for your cooperation. We hope you have a wonderful stay at Utopia.“
As we begin to drift forward through the dark tunnel, red lights pass by us; kind of like walking through a giant scanner at the grocery store. An ominous humming mixed with the sound of rotating motors spinning around us. Lights dance over and under the ship like thousands of fireflies. You could hear the sound of something bumping off the ship as it drifted further in. I squint as hard as I can to shield my eyes from an oncoming bright light. Suddenly everything was silent, nothing but the calm sound of the waves, some seagulls flying just above water level around the ship heading to the nearest shoreline. I look straight ahead, eyes wide open at the island of Utopia. A tear slowly falls down my face. A bright warm light begins to pass over my body. A gust of air smashes my left side carrying the scent of the ocean mixed with a fresh rainforest aroma carried by the wind. The sounds of waves caressing the ship. A single tear falls down my face as I slowly open my eyes to the most captivating view of Utopia, the crescent island. Looking around I can see beaches, mountains, rivers, hot springs, and two volcanoes. I feel something small grab my hand when I look down I see Eric. I can feel his hand shaking and he looks pale.*The speaker buzzes and music begins to play. The female voice from before begins to speak.*
”Eh...hmm, Welcome to the Island Utopia. Congratulations on your survival. You are now free to move about your vessel. Please make your way to doc six near the middle of the island. Follow the blue buoys to Docking Platform Six. After docking please head to the main lobby at Hotel Blue for a briefing on your stay.” Everyone let out a big cheer in excitement; hugging, laughing, and crying with the people they love. The ship gently changes course to the right following the blue buoys to our new home. I feel my little brother's small hands grip tighter. “Eric let go of my hand!” I say as I rip my hands out of his grip. He then runs up to the guard rail, pulling me by my favorite panda hoodie with him. My dad walks up and puts his hand on my shoulders while he watches Eric. He says “Welcome to our new home.“ I haven’t seen Dad smile like that in a long time. Finally, everything just seems perfect.
As we reach the dock I notice that there is no one here. It seems like no one has been here in a long time. Dad looks at Eric and me and says “Stay on your toes, something doesn’t feel right.” We nod our heads and I ready my bow as we walk down the ramp onto the dock. On the dock, there were three small boats big enough to fit six people on each. We piled in and drove to the shore. Once we all made it to the shore everyone grabbed their weapons and moved down the ramp towards this giant blue and gold hotel. As a group, we all shuffle from the beach to the main entrance to the Hotel.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
After surveying the front we all gathered by the large blue and gold door. Still no sight of anyone. Upon entry, a few of us check out the front desk of the building. It’s amazing how well this place it’s painted so that everything looks like it's covered in blue with gold on the edges. The floor has a giant blue rug with a gold border that leads from the entrance to the front desk and then splits off in opposite directions. The ceiling looks like it's at least three stories high. There's a giant golden chandelier hanging from the middle of the ceiling. We all slowly migrate to the lobby. It seems like no one is here but there is a projector and a bunch of chairs for about a hundred or more people. Everyone picks their seats and the projector turns on. The female voice from earlier comes back on.
“Welcome to Hotel Blue. Located on a remote crescent island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Plans for the Islands' construction started in April of the year 2048. Originally created as a vacation retreat for the top one percent of the world, the island was repurposed as a vacation retreat for the public. After the fallout of 2182, it was decided to expand the island four times its original size, also to be fully remodeled to house over two billion humans and over one hundred fifty-eight species. To ensure humanity's greatest survival Utopia is split into three Districts. The White District located in the northern region is home to various political leaders, top engineers, and physicians. The Black District is located in the southernmost region. Home to multiple native insects, animals, and near-extinct creatures. Here you can find fresh produce, Mount Umoi, and also the end of the Lou River. The Blue District where you will stay, belongs to all guests. There is no distinction of any kind based on background, history, or social status you had before your arrival. While here enjoy the many different activities we offer. Including an indoor heated pool, surfing on Blue Hotel’s Beaches, hiking on Mount Umoi, kayaking & canoeing on the Benson River, and bicycling on the Koochiet Trial. Try out Zip lining over the Lou River or tanning on Hotel Blue’s Rooftop pool & bar. Feeling hungry we have a fully stocked kitchen with fresh produce and meat procured from the Black District. Need some alone time with a significant other? Enjoy the Red floor, where each room is catered to a different need. Each room is soundproof so don't be afraid to make as much noise as you want. If you're a music lover then check out floor 26 rooms one through eighteen are filled with CDs from throughout time. All the other rooms on this floor are designed as different chill places to vibe out and enjoy some of your favorite music. Floor 2 is an entire nursery floor. So safe you can leave your little ones there is nothing in there that can hurt them. There is a metal detector, x-ray, and thermal scanners on the elevator, stairs, and doorway, this will prevent anyone from entering with a weapon. There are no on-hand chiefs at the Blue Hotel, so all meals and cleaning will be left to you. Each resident has their own room. Each room will contain a welcome packet with the rules, a map of the island and its resources, hunting and gathering tutorials, meal prep, and ration detail. There’s also a special gift in there from us here at Dentin to you. Now let’s go over the rules here at Utopia. First, all cleaning, eating, and home maintenance is on you and your neighbors. Second, Clothing is optional. Let loose and be free. Third, please be sure to return any used equipment after using it. Fourth and most important THE WHITE REGION IS OFF LIMITS. You will be executed immediately upon entering this region. Rule number 5, there is no killing of the other guests. Do your best to settle things verbally instead of physically. Rule number 6, Please use all resources sparingly, you will need to be able to grow, catch and kill your own food. Rule number seven, please bring all trash to the incinerator located in the Black Region next to the chicken farm. Rule 8, if you are feeling unwell or ill please go to floor 13 room 4 there will be a form that will allow you to list your symptoms. The form will be sent to a physician located in the White Region. Once the medicine is complete you will hear this sound.” *Wind chimes begin to play*. The recording continues. “This sound will let you know that the medicine has arrived and will be waiting for you in room 9 on floor 13. Lastly, Rule 10, be sure to enjoy your stay at Utopia. From all of us here at Dentin, we wish you a wonderful time.”
After that oddly informative introduction, everyone split up to search the hotel for any residents or traps. All we could find was a blue logbook with a gold raven on the cover. The book had all our names in it and which room was assigned to each of us. We all decided to split up to investigate our rooms. As we're going up I still think it's weird how we haven’t seen a single person here this whole time and it's a little too quiet for my taste. My dad and Stephine got their own room. Eric and I got a room right next to theirs. The two-bedroom suite has a fully stocked kitchen, a living and dining room, a patio, and a bathroom. Above the bed is a sword and bow rack. To the right of the bed is a gun rack and a nightstand. There's also a really big widescreen tv in our rooms. I can’t forget about the really big and high glass windows that have an amazing view of the beach. I kick off my clothes then dive onto my bed and start drifting off.
“AHHHHH” two girly ear-shattering screams travel across the room. I jump up grab my bow and ready to fire, then the screams start again. “AHHHHH” I blink again and realize that it’s Sabrina and Kaycie standing in the doorway to my room holding each other.
“What are you guys doing in my room?” I said angrily
“Well we got bored and wanted to know if you want to come with us as we survey the island,” said Sabrina. They both start giggling.
“Brian before we go you should probably put some pants on!” said Kaycie.
“Ahhh… Sorry about that. Wait... How did you two get in my room in the first place.” I said as I put on my pants.
“Well, we ran into your little brother Eric. He was so cute he let us in and said that you were sleeping…” said Sabrina.
“...so we kinda convinced him to let us in,” said Kaycie.
“Yea, he’s waiting in the lobby with Malcolm right now.”
“Alright let's go,” I said as I grabbed my bow and quiver.
As we walk down the stairs I can hear Malcolm and Eric talking and laughing. Everything seems kind of nice now… it feels… almost… almost… natural to be this happy. “Alright, ready to go everyone!” I say with a smile on my face walking up to Eric and Malcolm. We headed towards the glass entrance doors to a huge bright light blinding us as we pushed through the doors, only to be shown a beautiful beachside scenery. I look to the left and all I see is a forest trail leading to our destination. With a deep breath, we take our first steps toward the edge of the Blue District.