Lights flashed, faces appeared and disappeared. Segments of time, he was running, to, no away. Away from them.
Clark’s eyes shot open and he gasped for air. He fumbled with the sheets, and with shaking hands, he reached for the glass of water on his nightstand and chugged. The time on his holo-clock read 5:48 am, at least he hadn’t overslept.
It was the same dream he’d had for months now and they were beginning to affect his performance at work. If he screwed up the fusion reactor output again, he wasn’t sure how long he would have a job. He shivered at the thought of being dropped a level. No, he would never allow that to happen.
Lukewarm water ran over him as he lathered up the soap flakes. Once cleaned, he brushed his teeth, comed and styled his sandy brown locks and got dressed in his work coveralls. One last look in the mirror by the door, assured him that all would be fine. He checked his watch, 6:15 am. With time still left to spare, he headed for work.
As Clark stepped out of his building and onto the skyway, the walled megalopolis of Zrixdon greeted him. Vast clusters of skyscrapers clogged the view of the artificial sun as they nearly reached the ceiling of the current level. Hovercars whizzed by overhead, their magnetic pulses slightly vibrating Clarks bones as they passed. People, some wearing a similar uniform to his, others wore street clothing, bustled by. Clark moved out of the way as best he could, then pulled up his Torcan watch, the colorful display lit up. Three taps and five credits later, a silver metal sphere floated down to him and scanned his face. It unfolded to reveal a robot with an orange metal panel that looked like an apron. “One cuppa joe coming right up Clark Schroeder.” It produced a plastic up and extended a pour spout. Once Clark took the cup, the robot balled up once more and ascended into the air.
As far as everyone knew, Zrixdon comprised three levels. The upper, center, and lower. On the upper level, was where the celebrities, ultra rich, and the government resided. People whose families helped start the conservative effort to save the humans after the fall.
The center where Clark resided was home to all those who weren’t well off, but weren’t struggling; a balance in between. They played a critical role in helping maintain the important aspects of the city. The everyday workers. The lower levels, that's where people who outright refused to accept the megalopolis. Those whose families rebelled against the sentinels and Wiktor Duncans attempts at saving humanity. They believed that the world outside these walls were safe and not radiated like they claimed.
Clark blew his steaming coffee. He waved to the woman who sold newspaper uploads. Then as he walked further he saw the guy who was in charge of taking care of the potted gardens around the city. Then he was almost crashed into by Brandon Wood, a local pod baby, a rare sight. In order to have children here, a person must be in good standing with the board of sentinels and with the oracle of Besmonis and accrue no points at the place of employment within the last five years. Few were able to meet these requirements, and thus the birth rates plummeted, which the Sentinels were fine with. Less people to police made their jobs easier.
“Pump the brakes kid.” Clark dodged out of the way.
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“Maybe you should watch out for yourself?” Brandon skidded to a halt and laughed. “Its you versus them.” He pointed to one of the surveillance sentinels on the corner of the skyway.
Clark put a hand on Brandon's shoulder, “It's all of us working together for a better tomorrow.”
Brandon shrugged Clarks hand off, “When is that tomorrow exactly?”
“As soon as the world heals. But our ancestors weren’t exactly kind to it. Which is why what we do here matters.” Clark checked his watch, “Speaking of matters, I’m right on time for work.” He waved goodbye to Brandon and set off to the energy plant.
***
The tunnel... voices drifting in and out... the walls blurred by. Was she moving? The ceiling and walls were concrete and moved too fast for her to be walking. someone in a mask and a bright light.
She opened her eyes and tried to sit up, but someone pushed her back down. "Easy there Kelsie. My name is Dr. Kovorkin. You're in the hospital." Kelsie took in her surroundings. White walls, medical equipment. She felt the paper thing gown and the iv in her arm.
A hand went to her forehead. "What happened?"
"You were in an accident." Dr. Kovorkin typed on the clipboard as the heart rate monitor increased.
"I-I don't remember. What happened?"
“That’s normal.” Dr. Kovorkin pressed a button on the iv and instantly Kelsie felt relaxed. "You shouldn't worry about it. Rest up if you're wanting to be released tomorrow." The room once again swirled and then she passed out.
A nurse removing her iv woke her up. "Time for you to get going." She tossed a plastic vacuum sealed bag of clothes on the bed. "Here's your belongings, get dressed while I get your discharge file."
Kelsie opened the bag and found an army green tank top, black cargo pants, and worn boots, as well as a watch with the word Torcan on it. She changed out of the gown and into the clothes, splashed water on her face and brushed her hair. By then the nurse was back with an electronic clipboard, which she held out for Kelsie to scan her palm.
"What happens now?" The nurse laughed but stopped once she realized that Kelsie wasn't joking. "Right, you were in a coma and amnesia is a side effect of the medication." The nurse pointed to the watch on Kelsie’s arm. "All your information is in there. Where you live, work, bank credits, social status, sleep cycle." The nurse looked slightly concerned as Kelsie’s face showed no recognition of the words she said. "Do you know where you are?"
Kelsie shook her head. "Central level of Zrixdon. You've got two days before your sleep cycle starts, perhaps head home, the familiar surroundings might jog your memory. Your job has been kept up to date on your condition and you shouldn't accrue any points."
Kelsie took all this in. Points, Zrixdon, credits. What was a sleep cycle? The nurse walked Kelsie to the front of the hospital and scanned her out. As the doors opened humidity clung to her skin and the thick air filled her lungs. Tall building and a fake sun greeted her. The city buzzed and pulsated with people and sound. Like ants, people moved about on bridges suspended high in the air that spanned between the buildings. Flying cars flew under and over them. Humanoid robots walked amongst the people. Some people wore coveralls with numbers on them. Everyone seemed to be wearing the same watch as her. she pressed a button and a holographic display popped up. She tapped the maps and an icon that said home appeared.
Time to start figuring out who she was.