“This place is a desert for the mind Devoid of emotion and barren of thought No real thought, at least It's no surprise Most minds here have long since atrophied from lack of use They wait in flatline for the next rushing jolt of synthetic stimulation The real world can't compare, even if it were allowed to Contemplating the real world leads to seeing the world for what it is: a prison A cell for the mind, body and soul All my life I've been a prisoner Cowering at the idea that I might be capable of unique thought Terrified of what my own instincts might lead to So how could I blame them? But it hasn't always been this way I've heard rumors Filtered, distant, faded I seek to know the truth” -Starset
Chapter One: Orphan Rain pattered down on the concrete roads, a only light mist but enough to usher most citizens inside nearby shops and under umbrellas and coats. A boy sat on a windowsill, looking through the glass at the streets and watching cars crawl past the apartment. His mismatched eyes were hollow and he was thin, very thin. A plump lady in a pink and white dress burst into the room, her face red with fury. “I told you to finish with the chimney!” She yelled. “Yes, ma’am.” The boy replied respectfully and hopped off the sill, gathering the bucket of coals and rushing towards the fireplace. As the boy scooped ash out of the fireplace then put fresh ashes in, the woman turned back around. “And after this, you’re going to the market to pick me out the freshest vegetables for tonight’s dinner. Herald will accompany you.” She ordered, then turned and left the room. “Yes ma’am.” He replied as she left, standing up and brushing ash off his black pants. “Jolt.” A slim but muscular man stood in the doorway, he was wearing a black trench coat. “Yes sir.” The boy grabbed his own coat which was hanging beside the fireplace. The two left, Herald called a taxi while keeping his sharp grey eyes on the boy. Jolt sighed and pulled his hood farther over his face to keep himself dry, and to avoid the man’s gaze. A cab pulled up and Herald led Jolt into the car then sat down beside him. “Market.” Herald commanded the driver, who scowled and pulled back into the street. A few minutes later, Herald pulled Jolt out of the car and into the nearest grocery store. Jolt decided not to struggle against the burly man and went with him hesitantly. They spent the next half-hour browsing the vegetable aisle, then they paid and left. Herald took Jolt to the side of the building and bent down to take the groceries out of the bottom of the cart. Jolt saw his opportunity and immediately took off, his feet flying over concrete. Herald shouted and was quickly hot on his tail. Jolt ducked into a nearby alleyway between two buildings, leaping over piles of discarded damp clothing and piles of rubble. The alleyway was quite dark but Jolt determined where the next obstacle might lay. He effortlessly sped through the dark alley. Herald stumbled far behind Jolt, losing sight of the nimble teenager. Herald hesitated, his grey eyes staring into the dark. He turned and left with a huff. Jolt stopped in a small space, it had two exits and he speculated that he would use one if Herald returned. He sat down on a box, brushing his shaggy dark hair away from his face with a sigh. He was able to enjoy the silence for a few moments until a rustling noise came from a nearby crate. Jolt felt around and picked up a piece of rotted wood, glancing around nervously. A small boy crawled out of the rubble, he looked to be at least ten. His skin was light but heavily tanned and his blue eyes shone in the dim streetlight. -And that concludes the small teaser for the novel! Songs are "A Brief History of the Future" by Starset and "Like The Dawn" by The Oh Hellos!
