Tommy knocks on Kim’s little hovel, shaking the busted pipe that served as a knocker. Kim always likes politeness, so we always try to keep it up for her sake.

“Remember, Tommy, call her boss. You know she likes that.” I told him, leading into a pointed look. He waves his hand at me, flippantly responding with “Yeah, yeah.”

Tommy never actually keeps it in mind. It frustrates me, but he’s my brother. I just have to deal with it.

Kimberly opens the door, her eyes lighting up in joy before she stiffens into a professional demeanor. She taps her open-toed (not by choice) lace-up black shoes on the floor, her blue eyes scanning the both of us.

“Ah, Brandon and Thompson. Come right in!” she announces to us, her unique blend of earnest emotion and stiff corporate tone coloring her speech. Tommy just muscled his way through the door with a grunt, sitting himself in her ratty home. Glancing around, it looks the same as always.

Lime-green wallpaper peeling at the edges, and a musty carpet lining the floors. A single lightbulb hooked up by a makeshift attachment to the ceiling, flickering off and on.

And in the middle of everything, the meeting table. Well, what Kim called the meeting table, anyway. In all reality, it was just a wood stool and three folding chairs from way above the Metro.

We sit down, Thompson with a thud and her in a polite manner. I, of course, mirror her. She always likes when I do that, so well- I continue to.

“Thompson, if I may- please, please let me explain this one.” I insist, before he even begins to say anything. I just know that if he speaks, he’ll say something crass. Kim is a nice girl, but she’s… strange.

The Upper Strata just bred people that way, I suppose. When you can see the sun and have every need cared for by the corporations, there’s time for eccentricities. But then again, everyone down here is strange too.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

He glances at me before chuckling a bit, nodding his head and gesturing for me to go on. “Kimberly, I’m sure you know of our housing situation.” I put forward, tapping my fingers along the table.

“Yes, I’m aware. You’re always welcome to stay here- though there’s not much space.” she responded, smiling slightly. I know instantly that the offer was just out of habit- there was no way even two of us could live in a space this small.

“We appreciate the offer- however, I think we’ve found somewhere better for all three of us.”

Her eyes widen in surprise, but she gestures for me to continue. Her finger curls her straight auburn hair idly, before she catches herself and dusts her yellow raincoat.

“There’s just one problem. The owner of the area is a bit,” I fumble a bit as I grasp for a diplomatic word, “Odd.”

She raises an eyebrow, then laughs lightly. “Brandon, we’re all weird down here. This is the Metro! You’re going to have to be a tad bit more specific.”

I flush a little bit, embarrassed that I’d slipped up. But I forge onwards with my speech, because well… I have to.

“Not… just weird. Crazy. Looney. Totally off-the-wall bonkers.” I admit, before quickly continuing.

“It’s a local cognition. Seemed more lackadaisical than most, but it flipped out when I even lightly questioned it. Tommy and I were talking, and he thinks it's an old-age AI.”

He glances up, having been fiddling with a capacitor. “Yeah, it's got all the hallmarks. Already rooted into one of the broken-down buildings, uncleaned and rusty. Unstable would be a euphemism here, really.” he bites out, laughing as if telling a hilarious joke.

Me and Kim just stare at him, unblinking. He tries to rub the back of his head, but slams his hand into his gear mohawk instead.

“Fuck! Forgot about that thing again.” he bellows, shaking his hand for a short time before resting it on the table. Kimberly frowns at the language, but doesn’t say anything. Before the two can start fighting, I chime in.

“Other than that, though, it seems like a perfect place! It's got ventilation, heating, and plenty of space! And look, that machine is definitely not completely useless. Check this out!” I smirk a bit, before gingerly placing a powered-down sleek pistol I found on the ground.

“Woah.” says Thompson, echoed by a “Nice.” from Kim, who looks as mesmerized as Brandon.

“This thing is top-shelf. A sleek metal body, indented hole to condense the laser- it's even got a power switch! God, Brandon, you’ve outdone yourself.” Before he can keep talking, I hastily interrupt him.

“It’s great, but do not look down the barrel. Made me dizzy, and I only glanced at it.” Kimberly stops her examination in an instant, but Thompson was still completely absorbed.

“So, what d'ya say, Kim? Wanna meet the maker of this beaut?” Tommy jokes, knowing that she’s already hooked. It's always so great to see my brother and my best friend getting along.

We all get up silently, and stride out the door together. Before we go, I stop them.

“Come on, group hug guys?” I chuckle, stretching my arms out. Tommy groans but embraces me, and Kim is next in line.

Life in the Metro may be shitty, but you make do with what you got.