Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream.
I found myself engulfed in total darkness; my vision wasn't clear.
Panic gripped me as dizziness threatened to overcome me; it felt like this is it, this is the end.
A voice echoed through the place, I'm probably inside a closed dark room.
It was unfamiliar, a stranger's voice.
Fear gripped me tighter as I hesitated, unsure whether to call out for help. Deep down, I knew this voice wasn't here to rescue me, it screamed harm. The voice repeated again and again and again… relentlessly for calling out for something. I could hear it but not comprehend it. I could hear footsteps approaching from behind, each step echoing and becoming louder and louder as I felt that uncomfortable presence closing the distance between me and itself.
My senses heightened, and a chill ran down my spine. All I know in this dark that right now I'm in danger.
Then, a command shattered my spiraling thoughts: "You are under arrest."
The words hung heavy in the air, freezing me in place. I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. What? What did I do?
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I blinked my eyes open, gave them some time to adjust to the sudden light that flooded in,
Slowly, the scene around me came into focus, I was in a room full of people, noisy. I was arrested... confusion clouded me. Determined to grasp my surroundings, I lifted my head for a better view.
Stark black. The room's walls were stark black it went well with the lights on the celling. The room had a long desk, a pretty long one that's over the corner of a wall which plays as an opening towards another room with a barrier of rods… perhaps a prison. It then dawned on me: I was inside a visiting area of a prison. Every individual dressed in various colors, which made it hard to figure out who the visitors were and the prisoners were, but one thing is certain I'm on the prisoner side.
An officer entered through a gate which was on my side. To begin with, do I have any visitors? Possible.
He then proceeded to call out few names from a list that he had a tight grip on. The weariness of his profession was etched on his appearance, a middle aged man standing … around 180 cm tall… oo~ then something else caught my eyes, classic, a mediocre family drama about collateral. How do I know? They're basically screaming. This guard or officer or whatever, did not care. He ignored them, immersed on his own work.
Lost in thought, my attention snapped back when he repeated a name three times:
"Caroxy."
"Caroxy."
"Caroxy."
With purpose, he started walking towards the right, where I was. Concern etched lines on his face appeared as he looked up his list once again and then my face. My gaze was locked onto him. I pity myself too. He then looked irritated, He was irritated that he insulted. "Is someone deaf over here?".
I denied it by gesturing with a nod.
He looked at his list again, hesitation palpable in the air for some reason. Then, his voice broke the uneasy silence. "Did you get arrested because you hid your powers?!".
Then suddenly I could hear everyone whispering something to each other, even the family that was fighting froze. I hear people mentioning of my name laced with judgment and presumption. Amidst the crowd, someone callously declared, "She deserved it," though they knew nothing of who I truly was beyond my name.
It's ironic how swiftly people sought to judge me without understanding why I kept my powers hidden. Uncertainty lingered in my face, seeking a bit of sympathy, which isn't much to a desire, is it?
At least for me, yes.
Suddenly, the officer said, "Silence, all of you! Quite judging people, look at yourself before speaking about someone else." The room fell into an uneasy quiet.
That's not it, it was also his fault of saying it out loud. Even if I am criminal I got my pride.
He then looked at me with a grave expression. The officer delivered a news: "You will be executed in three days."
I wanted to ignore him but I couldn't, as the gossips resumed, the officer with haste silenced them once more. I can't believe I'm facing my death in just three days. All I've ever wanted was to live peacefully; I've never did any mistakes…. well, maybe I've made mistakes, like everyone does. It's part of the human nature human… well. Should I attempt to escape? Chanting, no and if I'm caught, it will only hasten my fate.
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THREE DAYS LATER
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A voice echoed the room saying,
"You shall not be executed,"
"You may now leave."
Is this for real.
Few hours ago.
I was escorted from the prison to an entirely different biome, like a biome. To a palace. Every corner spoke of luxury, even more luxurious than the stark black prison. To think about it, why was the prison pretty… Plush velvet drapes framed the palace windows. The air carried a sense of grandeur. The palace captivated my attention completely, its opulence drawing me into a world far removed from the worse fate awaiting me.
A guard's firm hand on my shoulder snapped me out of my thoughts, reminding me of the reality that awaited. He had been the one to escort me from the prison to this magnificent palace through a car.
We arrived at a door which towered it's height of dominance. As the guard pushed it open, it creaked softly, revealing a room that seemed to shimmer with elegance. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting some kind of noble lineage….
I was too occupied to notice people inside,
Several individuals were seated around the grandly arranged table. The guard pushed me over to a spot where a few stood, all seemingly here for the same purpose, hiding their powers. I assume. About 40 people filled the room. As I observed their faces, a myriad of emotions played out: fear, acceptance, and even some were excited… ? Typical. That's might be the reason why he hid his power, if that's the case.
People who are trying to end themselves are pretty pathetic, that's something I hate to be and never will be. The possibility of death is certain but the possibility of a person living? Beginning born? Is beyond just numbers, by just choosing death you aren't changing anything, it's the same, your death is certain at some point but living isn't, that's the beauty of your existence. It's just straight up pathetic to put it an end.
A voice scattered the silence which was filled in the room by saying,
It was an announcement by some guard.
"Now shall each of you come, one by one and touch the magical sphere you see right there."
Everyone obeyed her (the guard) command, including myself.
Initially, a frail-looking girl with black and white hair took the lead, timidly approaching the mysterious white sphere. Upon her hesitant touch, it displayed the number "746". The commander, with his piercing crimson eyes, straightaway ordered the guards to escort her to the PTF after. The girl stood beside the guard and watched. Confusion etched across my face as I watched through this sequence of events. Despite the questions swirling in my mind, I remained silent, unsure of the situation I am in but I was sure that they are here with me for hiding their power.
Following the black and white haired girl, a boy with glasses and fluffy hair stepped forward. The commander is what I claim that man to be, he was only one figure that was sitting on a chair. He locked his eyes with the boy, the boy responded with a gentle smile and placed his hand on the ball. Instantly, it lit up with the number "233". The commander gestured his death approval with a nod. Despite the boy's doomed fate, the boy maintained his smile without an ounce of hesitation.
The commander's eyes narrowed, he looked at the boy disappointedly and an enormous amount of mana swirled around him, in order to yield his power he must chant.
"Raththam"
Is the next thing I heard.
It indicated that the boy is near the door of the death, as I was observing and comprehending all these, the boy's heart visibly seemed to contract painfully within his chest, and the darkening of his nerves became visibly evident, spreading like shadows. His eyes, once bright with life, lost their luster, dimming to a hollow glint. His skin became wan and suddenly his whole body turned dark blue, a violent shiver overtook him, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably. Blood began to seep from his eyes, nose, ears.. mingled with some disturbing brownish particles. He fell onto his knees, the lips that once held the gentle smile now screaming in pain, blood squirted out from his pulse point, the skin on his knees that was in contact with the carpet slowly smears off and those loud screams slowly became faint and sealed. Witnessing this, my heart sank, then I realized the severity of the situation I am in.
There were about 30 of us, or participants is what I assume us to be, gathered in that chilling space. More than half met their end swiftly after touching the magical sphere. I noticed a pattern: those who touch sphere displayed a number greater than "300" were spared, instructed to be taken to the PTF, which I had no idea what it really was… The process of the selection left me stunned, especially as I saw young faces, barely more than children around the age of 12, succumbing to death. What had they done wrong? What was happening in this place?
I don't know.
Despite the confusion that's revolving within me, I didn't plan on going back on my idea of the world but I dared not intervene or question the authority of the crimson-eyed commander. What would happen if I did? Where would I go afterward?
Is it ok to just watch others die even children? Was such selfishness justified? I reassured myself that I am going to live and going to watch how it goes on, I didn't dare to question it.
Humans are Humans. I belong the race too.
The only answer seemed to be right is to remain still; that wouldn't kill me. I was only hoping for this nightmare to end for them. All I did was just stood there looking at those helpless people dying mercilessly. Maybe the reality they're living is the nightmare for them.
I was now put forward to touch the white looking sphere and I was the last one I assume, I took my steps towards my death are so what people thought, I touched it and it revealed as it supposed to, the commander said, "You shall not be exceuted, You may now leave."
He said leave.
Leave.
LEAVE.
LEAVE.
The commander asked me to leave instead of asking me to go the PTF.
I might have been overthinking but who knows what that means.
The commander instructed the guards to escort those who were selected to PTF and surprisingly I had been singled out for the departure; an unsettling turn of events. Perhaps I had overanalyzed, but my thoughts raced as I was traveling in a car. Where such things are luxurious, I suppose.
Now arriving at a hospital, under a watchful guard, in the examination room, seeking clarity amidst the chaos. The doctor spoke, the guard listened intently, while I drifted in introspection of my own self. The doctor spoke with a neutral toned voice that "You suffer from amnesia." The room went silent after that, I knew that anways so,if I can't remember anything what can I be labelled as medically? So I remained silent as usual.
Soon after, I was taken somewhere else by the same guard. As I was being taken somewhere else, I spent my time looking out the car window, lost in thought, I questioned my acceptance of circumstances. A poster caught my eye 'Celebrate the New Year 3025 with a chance to win a journey to Antarctica'. My attention drifted from the poster to the above elements, which was not sky but the Earth and I remembered the knowledge I gather through those past 3 days of my stay, In the year 2907, humanity retreated to the Earth's crust which was below the Pacific Ocean. As the rising temperature made the Earth living untenable. With no alternative, governance lost control to rich lads which led to the government falling apart. Everyone had different opinions, the riot started at the end everyone gave up yielding the power to the riches. The poor chanting and granting their lifetime to the riches was the end result.
As the government met their downfall the society got divided, those with power are forced to become laborers, they are made work till their death unless they are wealthy. The family and the so called wealth of people with power on choosing death will meet torture and confiscation with the sole exception of the rich. The powerless, few in number, subjected to benevolence only if they are rich, otherwise disposable.
The world with 2.1 billions had secerned further—those with power mimicking the powerless to avoid lives of endless fag. Which is Work, eat, sleep. Repeat.
That's not exactly anyone would wish for.
A light was flashing all along my eyes. I didn't notice it, once I snapped back to the situation I am in, the light turned off. I spotted the van, which turned off it's lights just now. I was escorted to that waiting van which already is occupied by the other passes participants. Their eyes followed me as I stepped inside, I lowered my gaze. There was this guilt weighed upon me, though I couldn't tell exactly why I felt like it.
The atmosphere inside the van was heavy with a mix of exhaustion and uncertainty. This is an examples to the humanity of what would happen if people hide their powers, literally. Each person seemed lost in their own thoughts, understandable.
As the van rumbled along, I found a seat and sank into it, keeping my head lowered. The van was moving slowly to the outside, The van started to get pass through the Earth's crust and reach outside which had a light without any source it was bright and warm it felt like as if I'm home, The guard who was travelling with us in the van told "The name of this place is Antarctica, the Earth's final refuge. This is the only place on Earth which is habitable." Everyone wasn't shocked but rather quite. It's surreal to think that this wilderness is now the only habitable place left on the Earth. I looked up for a brief moment, meeting the eyes of a few others who shared the van with me. There was sadness in their expressions, a quiet acceptance of our shared doomed fate. Afterall, world everyone knows only had challenge and nothing less. As the van finally came to a stop, I stepped out onto the ground, surrounded by the beauty and harsh reality; grass and trees. It's now considered to be rare, so cruel.
We arrived at the edge of the world.
The Antarctica.
We were taken to a building which in the admist of nowhere but Antarctica, the guard in the van told "The thing you are now looking at costed 3 months of people taxes, it is what people call "PTF" which expands as "Play Terra firma."
I am now confused what's a PLAY TERRA FIRMA?
The name is so lame. Even five years old me could come up with a better one.
What am I suppose to do by knowing they used up 3 months tax for this?
We stepped out of the van with my guards up and instantly on the edge. The guard who accompanied us was a neutral presence led us to a gate. The gate itself was colossal and towering, its metal coating polished to a shine and adorned with detailed designs that seemed to shimmer with a life of their own. As the gate shut open, we crossed into what they call as a yard, the land seemed to expand over as the fog closed in, almost overwhelming in its scale.
On approaching the doorway of the PTF building, the door gliding open automatically. We entered in to meet someone with an air of authority. Silence remained. Without a word, this person waved their hand, and in an instant, our clothes transformed into plain white attire, which was just white long clothing that reaches our knees (like a frock) but each of our outfit seemed to match our style quite the right way… detailed enough for me to take a liking to it. Our accessories were taken away.
I looked through my surroundings not uttering a single word so was everyone, at least nobody here was throwing tantrums or causing any kind of trouble and then I realized the building was divided into six doorways. We were directed to the third doorway, when the third doorway slid open, revealing a staircase leading down into the underground, a wave of dread washed over me for no reason, I was simply felt the sense of discomfort.
Descending the staircase, which seemed to never end, someone tried to lighten the mood by saying "What on Earth is this? It's not a staircase; it's a lowercase!" But the joke failed, everyone was pre- occupied on their own thoughts, probably thinking about what's up for next. I didn't understand the joke… but yeah…
Finally, we reached the end of the staircase and there emerged a white room. The room looked like an endless void that moves towards the infinity over it's sides and it's width, light brightly hovered over the celling… interesting.
"Are we going to get experimented on?" asked a guy with black hair and red eyes. Everyone stared at that guy, including me. He might be right, what's with this sketchy looking room that we are currently in with this guard right now.
"Maybe," a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes replied softly. As we walked further into the room as if we were some anomaly. Then, a sudden loud noise broke the silence. I turned to find the staircase had disappeared including the guard.
"That's what I was expecting," said the same guy with black hair and red eyes, his tone carrying a note of grim satisfaction. Beside him, a girl with black and white hair nodded in agreement and replied "I know right," her expression unreadable.
Um… I don't know… like what?
The room suddenly is now filled with chatter; extroverts. Seems like they had made their way out the a bit of their fear, I assume. As people tried to shake off their fears, though some remained quiet, lost in their own thoughts. Among them was a girl with pink hair and pink eyes, who seemed like she had stepped out of a fairytale. She had an ethereal presence and I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy for her. She had a twin brother by her side, and the reason why she caught my attention was the accessory she was allowed to wear, she wore a golden metal bracelet that perfectly went well with her eye color, She probably access her power through it...
Now that I think about it… These people know about me more than I do… They took me to a hospital… and left her bracelet… it's kind of creepy that they know so much…
There was this voice snapping me out of my disgusted thoughts, saying,
"Hi! What's your name?" to me.
Sounded curious yet kind.
I looked at her with a smile not knowing,
How to let her know that I can't talk.
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CHAPTER- 1
COMES TO AN END.