There is a lingering cold in the night when Johan came out of his condominium. This condominium is underground and the floors reach up to floor -6.

This was not that wonderful considering every building was shooting for the stars, reaching the height of 1000 feet and higher. There family choose to live in the negative floors even though the whole building was theirs and this building was named Klein Development Industry.

There were different kinds of office's in every floors and almost all of their property are ran by the company MEMO. Johan was slightly disappointed when he reached the garage to find his favorite red hover motor missing.

Surely it was used by his older brother and most-likely, next week would he return. He didn't have a choice but use his newly bought hover car. Vehicles in this time, doesn't use wheels and that is why they are called hover.

Every road hag installed magnetized technology. The north pole of a magnet when faced with another north pole would make them resist each other. This idea was the start of the magnetized technology that was implemented to every cars and every road. Cars nowadays use a slightly weakened jet engine which is run by liquefied petroleum gas.

Johan returned to his room and retrieved the car keys and went back to floor -1. He started the car and brought it up on the elevation deck where the machinery would bring the car up on the streets.

It was snowing. It was not that strong but a lot of road accidents happen when there is snow. The glass of the car would get blurry and the engine would become harder to manipulate.

He trotted a dark, smoky, and dirty road. This is the Philippines now. Those wealthy cities were surrounded by something that may be called a illness which affected the whole country and it seems that it will never heal.

This turned worse when adding the caste system into the play. He knew that he was a part of this system and even though if he liked it or not, he was one of those that made the Bid's life harder. He never wanted it to be like this.

Everyday, every night, he would travel every street of Manila only to see the Bid's that were crawling in the ground because of the cold. There are those that shout those who plead for help, there was even someone crying and holding her lover, cold as ice and the only thing warm were those drop of tears on his face from her.

The surroundings were dirty and many things were littered everywhere ranging from plastic to fruit skins. There were also times where a newspaper would be stuck on his windshield that only has news of Bidder's getting richer, and the horrible truth about the fates of Bid's on the black market.

There were many lights in the streets of Manila but when observed in every corner the scars of war can never be hidden. The most affected in the war was Philippines.

The country was a good vantage point was eyed by both countries. Philippine's were once a colony of America and it helped them during he war. The war was bloody where even 7 year old were allowed to hold guns in order to repel Chinese conquerors. Philippines became a war zone that year, 2195. In the end, America reached the verdict of bombing China which were signed by every president of the United Nations.

That was the closing program of the war and the mess in Asia. Johan was not born back then but every stone crack, bullet marks, and dried-up blood marks in those old buildings would let you feel the ferociousness of the war before. But, it seems that another kind of war was happening now.

The Malacanang was remodeled. It was boosted up to 50 floors, and it was because every government official was living in it. It's old design that seemed to be the white house was changed to a design similar to 'P' and had wings on either side. It also seems to lit up by neon lights. There were also some poles which had the flags of various branch of the government and even the Philippine flag.

It was designed by a famous Filipino architect, who was also a bidder and is also living healthy even now with a age of 147 years old. The security is no tight that not even a mouse can enter. But if you around the area that it was built upon, It was the only big building in the area. It was surrounded by residences of Bids so the 20 feet walls of it was littered by guards.

Johan slowed down at this point because of the snow. When a guard noticed him slowing down, he came to Johan to inspect. Johan immediately covered his head with a hoodie.

"Sir it is prohibited to stop or slow down in here, may I ask if you have some business here?"

A guard came forward followed by another guard. Johan then lowered his windshield. The gazes of this guards were inspecting him.

"Oh. I'm sorry. Its just that the design of the Malacanang is beautiful isn't it?" I lied. One of the two guards broke into a smile and the other seemed to recognize him.

"Wait. Are you the son of Dr. Levine Klein?"

"Yes. Would you mind letting me off? I was just strolling the streets." explained Johan.

"Ah, It's nothing. You may go now." answered one of the guards while signalling for his co-worker to stop inspecting the young man and let him go.

Johan's family was strong politically but he never had a position. Only his father and older brother, Jonas Klein were those known in the society. His older brother Jonas is a senator and he sure that he was now inside the building.

It seems that his brother is fixing another issue because many were dissatisfied on his newly elected law which broadens then qualification and description of the 3 factions. It was because of some Bids that stole clothing and posed as Bidders.

Johan caught the traffic in the streets of Sta. Mesa. Just as he was about to reach his destination the Traffic appeared. Looking around, Johan had found the cause. 3 hover trucks were on front, probably having Bid's inside and is heading towards the World Trade Center where the auction for bodies would commence. There were also a small convoy which is a small troop of  the Philippine Army.

Where the truck would go many Bid's on the street couldn't resist their tears. It was a pitiful scenario where it seems that their children's were set off to die. Johan just continued to drive after the convoy left.

A scene was witnessed by Johan. There was a old lady which was kneeling in the center of the road and was mourning.

"My daughter please... my daughter... return my daughter to me!" She shouted while reaching out her hand to the direction of where the hover truck went to.

The traffic worsened and while Johan was waiting impatiently and some patrolling police went to the old woman.

Just when the policeman would smack her with a electric rod, she scampered away while still crying. After the scene the traffic was much better and Johan continued his travels.

Johan parked his car in a convenience store. It was 9 PM in the night. For him, driving his hover motor or car around at night was a therapy and even visiting this convenience store was a therapy. Two black hover cars caught his attention which parked near his hover car when he was about to enter the convenience store.

One driver went out and went to the other car. Johan paid it no heed and entered the convenience store ordering a drink and a cheese burger. He smiled at the beautiful cashier when it was his turn. The cashier also smiled at him as if they knew each other. Well, Johan is a everyday customer of this convenience store.

When he leaved the convenience store, he witnessed a bizarre scene. The black hover car's hood was open and and a man with a large build was dragging a female from the hood with her hair. Johan noticed the hard drive on the back of the male and noted that he was a Bidder.

But he was bewildered when he saw that the naked woman was also a Bidder because of a hard drive in her neck. He pushed the door of the convenience store but was surprised when a man in one of those black hover cars took out a handgun. He quickly reloaded it and took out a silencer and after that he pointed it at the woman Bidder's head.

The other men in the cars were just smiling. One of them was calling someone in his cellphone, and he was pacing back and forth while wearing a serious face while talking to the other person on the line. The woman Bidder felled silently on her knees and you could see some blood on her white porcelain skin. Her jet black hair was also dis shriveled.

The citizens who approached them were afraid and seemingly treated them as air. A though on saving the girl struck John's mind but also many questions were formed. Why are they gonna kill a member of their own faction? Well if they will kill the woman, why would do this in public? Will I save her? How? Those guys have pistols on them.

He doesn't stand a chance because he had no weapons but even if he had one, he would never have the guts to pull the trigger. He was trained to handle a gun before but never did the idea of blowing one at the head of others cross his mind. Even if it was for good or for evil. But he knew that sometimes later he would need to pull it. And sometime later he would have to kill someone. Johan stopped for a while. What am I gonna do?

It seems like the conversation of the one talking on the phone ended. He put the phone in the pocket of his coat and took a gun from his companions. He pinned the gun in the woman's head and at this time, everyone surrounding them ran away. Johan also ran but not way from them but he ran towards them.

The rage in Johan's eyes can't be hidden. He threw the soda can in his arms towards the one that has a gun. He stole his gun, while landing a kick on another man and pulled the trigger towards the other. That guy got hit in the chest which seemed to have killed him. Johan watched in a daze as blood spurted out of that man's chest. He did it. The woman Bidder immediately stoop up and pushed away Johan. "You're a brave and stupid man!" shouted one while he drew his gun.

He aimed at Johan and shot but the bullet was caught by that woman and she was hit in the back. Johan saw the woman with tears in her eyes while looking at him then she closed them. Johan immediately shot that guy into oblivion and then opened the door to his car. He positioned the woman in the seat in both the seats as she lied down. Johan immediately started the car even though he wasn't seated because the woman occupied the driver's seat.

Afterwards two gun shots were heard and two more men were firing at them. The windshield broke but Johan didn't suffer any hits.He saw through his side mirror that those men were hurrying towards their hover cars.

Johan immediately stepped in the gas panel and sped up. He feels the adrenaline rushing through his body. He turned towards a dark lane and turned off his lights while fixing the way the woman was seated. He saw the bullet wound on the woman's back. He immediately took off his hooded jacket and even his white t-shirt.

He gave the white t-shirt to the woman putting it on her by himself and then we again wore his hooded jacket. He donsn't want to part with the jacket because it's the only thing hiding his identity as a Bidder's son that doesn't have a memory gene.

Johan heard the sounds of engine's coming his way. He glanced at them and prayed that they won't find him. The two hover cars went by but he heard the voice of one of those men. "There! Go back! I think I saw something!" Johan just closed his eyes as he turned the engine on again.

"F*ck!" cursed Johan. He made the hover car immediately ran back and he bumped a trashcan of this lane. He also crashed into the front bumper of one of those that followed them. He bent the wheel towards the left and immediately stepped in the gas. At this time, Johan started to sweat. He dragged their chase towards a highway towards Pasig, the C5 road. He tuned left and right, overtook many cars just to get away from those two.

Stolen novel; please report.

Those two black hover cars were the same. They did everything in order to catch up to him. The woman in the passenger seat is still unconscious and he can see that her complexion is becoming pale and almost half of the white t-shirt is dyed bloody red. 

Those who were chasing after them were turning tight as they nearly scratched or bumped other cars. As they were going down the highway Johan can see a long truck that was going in the opposite direction as them. A idea struck him.

It seemed like he was going to crash into the truck. The truck sounded it's horn but Johan still didn't stop. The truck just turned left in the other lane in order to avoid head on collision but the end of it is still going to crash to Johan's hover car.

Johan immediately turned off the engine of the hover car to deactivate the magnetic energy so that his car would slide through the cement of the highway. Johan immediately leaned down and the roof of his hover car and the floating truck collided pealing the roof off. 

The truck tilted and after he got trough he immediately started the engine of his hover car, it floated again and he sped up again. Those two black hover cars didn't follow them because the truck was blocking the way.

Johan heaved a sigh of relief but the fear of a near death experience was still lingering inside of him. The woman besides him is still unconscious and turned much paler than before. Johan still went through the dark streets and snow began to fall again and with the car's roof torn off, the snow began to fall on Johan. He felt, cold. The snow is cold. The world is... cold.

He grabbed the hand of that woman and felt it growing colder. He sped up the car until they reached Antipolo.

He drove in the streets bit by bit. There was no lights. The government of the Philippines also declared that this place is officially a place where Bid's live. Most of the resident's here are poor and those Bidder's in this area are the one's supervising them.

His car caught the attention of many Bid's around this place. Their gazes are shining like they have never before seen a car as dazzling as this. They can spot it easily because the spot light of the car is too eye catching in this street without light.

"Who is that?"

"Why the f*ck are they here?"

"Hmph! I bet that's a f*cking Bidder!"

He drove through and arrived at the Church of Antipolo, and he parked his car on the road, while glancing at his surroundings hoping to find shelter but it seems that he will likely fail. Car's going through this region is rare. It could seem that this place is a dead city. He walked out of his hover car and ran inside the church.

Almost half of the church is crumbled. Half of it's roof was destroyed going down. Only wooden bars are supporting the other part of it which is also in the brink of destruction. The buildings near Antipolo church also seems to be old and might crumble down if a small earthquake hits. It's surroundings were littered with tents.

You can see small wisp of light coming from every tent which was emitted by a lamp or a candle. The plaza just outside the church is also old and is littered with cracks. Hurrying, Johan entered the crumbling church.

"Help! Can you help us... please! My friend is about to die, I need help!" he yelled which echoed in the broken down church. "What was that?! Where is your friend?!" asked a old lady. She was holding a broom and it seems like she is sweeping the old church. "Please follow me, she's outside! Inside the car!"

Johan immediately ran out of the church with the old lady. "My god! Why is there so much blood!?" asked the old lady when Johan brought out the woman from the car. "Please, help us." answered Johan. "Oh, then hurry up. Follow me and cover that with this..." the old lady reached out a piece of clothe to Johan for him to cover the wound of the young woman.

Her body is gradually getting weaker as Johan lifted her with both of his arms. "Move faster or maybe someone will see us." whispered the old lady. They went to a small wooden shack. It was dusty in here and Johan was not used to places like these but with his condition now, he doesn't have much of a choice.

"Oh, lay her here." said the old lady while she's removing the things from the bed which was a bamboo one. "I forgot to ask, what is your name young man?" asked the old lady to him. "It's Johan... Johan Kl..." Johan stopped just as he was about to spout his full name.

Because if he said his full name maybe they will be chased away by this old lady. A lot of Bid's hate their family because of it's contribution towards MEMO. "Then, what's your name?" questioned Johan. "Teressa... everyone call's me Auntie Tess around these parts. Why did you end up here?" asked Auntie Tess as she was heating water in a metal basin.

She took out a clean piece of clothe and a scissor. "Well we met up with some trouble along the way." Johan didn't say the details of the events because he knew that if the old lady heard the details then she would't like it.

There will be two possible scenarios if Johan told the old lady what happened. First, the old lady will call the military to abduct and question them. Second, she would drive them away without treating his companion's wounds. Auntie Tess started to cut the clothe of the woman while Johan assisted. She touched the blood then took out the war water and washed them out.

Auntie Tess was shocked to see the wound, "This is a bullet wound!" She stared at Johan as her eyes went wide. "Who are you people?" asked the old lady. Johan didn't know what to answer because he was afraid on what might happen if he did. Suddenly, the young woman coughed out blood from her mouth and her beautiful face twisted in pain.

"Uhhmmm, do you know on how to remove bullets?" asked Johan. "This is the first time I will be doing this." said Auntie Tess as she continued to clean the area around the wound. She brought the lamp close to the wound to see it more clearly. "Are you a doctor?" asked Johan.

"Nope, but I'm the only one with enough knowledge around here to heal. Real doctors never entered here and the people never let them. In here, Bidder's are frowned upon and will be chased out of this place."

Johan just gulped down his saliva. He was worried if the old woman will notice it the memory gene in the back of the young woman's neck. For him, it is not a problem because he never had a memory gene. "You have a car with you. I am sure that many cursed at you outside. Young man, confess it. Are you a Bidder?"

I slowly brought down my hood. Auntie Tess put the lamp on my neck to examine it if there's a memory gene but she never found it, still the old woman still stared at Johan. "Based on your complexion, you look just like a Bidder. But you don't have that chip-like thing they put in the back of their necks." Johan still stood there in a daze. He hoped that the old woman will not discover his companion's memory gene.

She stood up and went to the room to the room to get some equipment and a chair. "Sit here and hold down her body. I don't have any anesthesia, of I remove the bullet from her I'm sure that she will writhe in pain so held her down." Then Auntie Tess pointed at her. Johan immediately sat down. The old woman put the lamp nearby the wound, then placed a piece of clothe to the young woman's mouth for her to bite while she held a pair of tweezers.

"Hold her down." Johan held her down while almost toppling over her. Auntie Tess immediately pushed the tweezers in the wound and brought out a bullet. The young woman shouted but it was muffled by the clothe in her mouth. "There, she will is fine now, she only needs to rest." Then the old woman put various herbs in her wounds then bandaged her up with a clean piece of clothe.

Johan removed his jacket and laid it over the girl in order to cover her body. "Why are you still awake?" asked Auntie Tess while looking beyond Johan's back. Johan turned around to take a look and saw four kids with the ages in the range of 3-12 years old.

Three of them replied with a smile while the eldest of them was frowning. "We have a visitor. His name is Johan... Johan that little one is named Cherry," introduced the old woman while Cherry smiled. "... the next one is Bobby ... that one there is Jek... while the eldest is Ruth." Johan waved at them to show his greetings.

Ruth immediately entered his room while the other three is still staring at Johan. "Bobby do you have a extra t-shirt? Lend one to Johan." ordered the old woman to Bobby and he complied almost instantly.

Bobby entered the room and when he returned he was holding a black t-shirt. He handed it over to Johan. "Thanks..." said Johan and then Bobby ran over to the spot where he stood previously. Johan wore the t-shirt, it was fitted for him. "Please bear with it if it's tight. Sigh, I don't want to hand over my duster because you might not like it." then the old woman laughed.

Johan just smiled meekly then stared at the oblivion, and after that stared at the woman he saved. His smile was instantly erased and his face showed a hint of worry. "Let's go to rest. Stay here for a while, maybe tomorrow she will be healed." said Auntie Tess. She entered the room with the kids. Johan just looked at them disappear into the dark room and then stared at the sleeping woman in front of him.

"Take this pillow." Auntie Tess returned to hand-over Johan a pillow. "You can't sleep on the bed because you might touch the wound. So just bear with it and sleep on the chair." said the old woman. "Thank you." answered Johan. In Johan's mind, this old lady was kindhearted.

The old lady didn't have a second thought when it came on helping them. He thought that there was no one left in the world like that. The Bid's are different in the eyes of the Bidders. In their eyes all of the Bid's are thief's, scums, and useless people which could not contribute for the country at all. But if you look at it closer, they were the victims, and the likes of Johan are the ones making them suffer. Johan just slumped there then stared at the woman.

Her head was tilted to the side and he can see her memory gene again. He shuffled her hair over her neck to hide the device. It was covered completely but can still be seen because of the light of the lamp. He took out his handkerchief and placed it over her neck so that no one would see the memory gene.

He remembered every scene on that encounter. This woman is a Bidder, he was sure of it because of her memory gene. His only doubt is why does this girl have so many bruises and seemed to have been tortured? They also pointed a gun at her and was about to kill her. Johan just frowned as he thought about it. The handkerchief he placed on her neck slid off and showed her memory gene again. He saw her memory gene again but this time he noticed something.

There was something weird about this memory gene of her's.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you liked the chapter please comment below. Thank you. :D