I slept like the dead all through the night, waking up only to the sounds of chatter drifting in from somewhere outside. It took me a moment to orient myself, wondering why on earth I wasn't sleeping in my downy king size at home. I shifted in my makeshift bed, wincing and stilling when I felt how stiff I had become. I had to stifle a groan when I wriggled out of the sleeping bag, trying to keep as quiet as possible. I managed to drag myself up into a sitting position, massaging some feeling into my backside while I regarded the still sleeping Elias.
He was lying on his back, one arm thrown back over the pillow, looking too relaxed for someone sleeping on a blanket on top of concrete. In sleep, his features slack and devoid of emotion, he looked quite different. I frowned then, noting his clear-cut, even borderline handsome features. It was too bad those features were marred by all that tattooing—not to mention the piercings or the scars.
I shifted again, trying to sit more comfortably when his eyes opened and landed on me. 'Sorry,' I muttered. 'Hope you got enough sleep.'
'What time is it?' His voice was groggy, about three octaves darker than normal.
'Oh…I've no idea,' I realised, feeling another pang at losing my device.
He flashed me a tired smile, a ghost of his normal grin, stretching laboriously before reaching for his backpack. He rummaged through it, producing an ancient-looking wristwatch. 'It's ten past nine.'
I nodded slowly, wondering how long it would take us to get to the tunnels. How long I'd have to wait until breakfast. My belly's rumbling hadn't betrayed my hunger yet, but I didn't want to eat from Elias' limited supply when there was endless food waiting for me at Nathaniel's restaurant.
Thinking of Nathaniel had me frowning again. Why hadn't anyone come looking for me? I thought then about the crowded streets and realised that finding a person without tracking a device wasn't a walk in the park. Hopefully they had found my attacker…unless he had disassembled the device in time.
'Should we get going?' I suggested, watching Elias while he arranged the stuff in his backpack, pulling out a fresh pair of…underwear? I averted my gaze, sure he was smirking again.
'In a minute.' I studied the wall while he changed, noticing a bunch of scribbles had been drawn there with a piece of coal. On closer inspection, it turned out to be some form of crude…art. Elongated creatures with long, spindly arms and legs. Clawed hands. Protruding bones. I shuddered, glancing back at Elias, wondering what was going on in that tortured mind.
He was shrugging on a new t-shirt, as black and worn as the previous one, but I'd looked too early. I had time to see a flash of scarring on his back before he turned, catching me in the act. His mutilated face once more caught me by surprise, and I found myself cringing away from him. That sly smile was back, and his eyes held that suggestive tone too…. I broke eye-contact, struggling up on my feet, suddenly wanting to be far away from here. From him.
'I think I'll go now,' I said, trying to manoeuvre past him without touching him. 'You don't have to come along. I think I remember the way.'
His voice was as sarcastic as ever. 'Sure you do. But I'm coming anyway.' He gestured toward the hole. 'Ladies first.'
I swallowed a groan and walked up to the wall, sighing loudly when I realised that—once again—I needed Elias' assistance in climbing out of the attic. He grinned broadly, affecting innocence. I sighed again. 'Can you help me up?' I finally asked.
'Of course.'
I managed to pant and wriggle myself through the hole, but there was some distance to the sturdiest branch in the tree, and Elias had to literally push on my bottom to get me to reach it. I was too worried about falling and breaking my neck to feel appropriately embarrassed, but as soon as he let me go, I felt my cheeks turn bright red. Thankfully he couldn't see it.
I climbed down slowly and carefully, glad there was no one around to witness my painstakingly slow descent—not just because of how ridiculous I felt, but also because it would reveal Elias' secret hiding place. I breathed a sigh of relief when my feet felt solid ground. Hastily I brushed dust from my pants and blouse, trying to comb through my hair with my hands. I'd never felt so dirty and dishevelled in my entire life. I desperately needed a shower. I tried to slow my breathing, channelling my inner calm while I waited for Elias.
I didn't have to wait long. He swung like a monkey from branch to branch, landing on his feet within the space of two seconds. I refused to acknowledge him, still feeling disconcerted. His dark smile flashing in the periphery of my vision didn't help matters. I marched off in the direction we'd come from last night.
'It's best if I lead the way,' Elias said, catching up to me easily. He grabbed my hand.
'I can walk fine by my own, thanks,' I snapped, snatching it back.
His eyes lingered on my hand, but then he shrugged, walking ahead of me. That suited me fine. I followed him, gazing around me curiously. It had been dark yesterday, and I had been too shaken up to notice much of what was going on around me. Now, in broad daylight, I was back to noticing things in that way I always did.
Downtown was a curious blend of modern and antique, the leftovers of a different time mingled with the introduction of the new—before the new became too expensive to fund, and construction seized altogether. Greyish hues permeated the town, interspersed with the people's attempt to liven up their homes with colourful strings of light, graffiti, fabrics adorning the balconies of some apartments…and here and there, the flashing, too-bright and ever-present digital billboards.
An android commercial was playing now. I grew troubled, glancing anxiously at Elias. Sadly, he felt my eyes on him and followed my gaze. 'What's with the gloomy expression?' he inquired, searching my face. 'Is the end nigh?'
I squinted at the billboard. 'Maybe.'
He brightened at that. 'Oh man. You know about those things—don't you?'
I shook my head, saying nothing.
'You do!' He was facing me now, eager and curious. 'That's what you do, huh? You work with Cognitive Industries!'
'No,' I lied, trying to look disinterested.
'Oh no, I'm onto you now.' His urgent stance offered me no escape. 'What do you do? You can't be one of the engineers—you're way too prim. What are you, some kind of mould model for the engineers?'
I shot him a dark look. 'Don't be ridiculous.'
'You look like you're someone important,' he mused, screening me with analytical eyes.
'Not really,' I answered evasively, acknowledging for the first time that if he knew my actual position in the company, he could hold me for ransom money. And while the company might pay, my dad surely would. I was in a precarious position. If I couldn't convince Elias that I wasn't related to the company, maybe I could do the second best thing. 'I hate those things,' I muttered, with a nod at the billboard and the smiling blonde android featured there.
His eyebrows flew up, like he was genuinely startled by this statement. I realised my delivery had been believable because, at least to some extent, that was my genuine opinion.
'How can you hate them?' He looked almost offended. 'They're our future.'
I grimaced. 'Machines…they're our future? All this….' I gestured around at our surroundings—the streets littered with garbage and sewage, and the crumbling buildings with their graffiti. 'It'll only get worse.'
He shrugged. 'It's the natural development of the world. It's inevitable.'
I stared at him. How could our opinions contrast so much? Wasn't he supposed to harbour the feelings I had, and I his? 'But they're…they're replacing us,' I said, low-voiced, showing my confusion. 'We're inventing our own unemployment. Eventually they won't need us. We'll go extinct.' I shuddered at my own words.
Elias regarded me with something close like pity. "So?" his expression seemed to say.
'So…you don't care?' I wondered idly why I was challenging him. What difference did it make?
The growing smirk confirmed it—he really didn't. As for me…well, the matter was more personal. 'Do you?' he asked, echoing my thoughts.
'I don't want to see a world taken over by machines,' I admitted. 'I don't want to be replaced. I want my future children to have a place in the world—'
He burst out laughing. 'Children?' He repeated it like it was a dirty word.
'Yes,' I snapped. 'Or are you too cool for those?'
He looked delighted at my mocking tone. 'Wow. Who knew you had a personality?'
'Whatever.' I started walking again.
'I just don't think there's any point in bringing a child into this world—it being what it is,' he elaborated, having resumed his guide-tour role as soon as I started moving. 'I think things might actually get better once the androids are recognised for what they are.'
I felt a tinge of apprehension at that. 'And what's that?'
'A new species,' he replied, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 'A better one.'
'Next you'll claim they're living beings,' I muttered.
'They are, in a way,' he insisted, eyes going wide with conviction. 'Why—some of them are already passing for humans. They just keep the best of them for the elite. We barely see any androids around here.'
'That's because there aren't that many of them,' I stated factually, doing the numbers in my head. 'Besides, the law states that they should only—'
'—do the jobs that are too difficult or dangerous for humans, I know.' His sense of urgency and excitement was back. 'That's not gonna last for long, though.'
'Maybe not,' I admitted, feeling uncomfortable again. 'So what—you think everything will get magically better once the androids take over the world?'
His expression confirmed it. 'Maybe…maybe someday we'll be able to transfer our consciousness into one. Or maybe it would be possible to transfer one's consciousness into a virtual reality.' He swept his gaze over the city line. 'Then I'd escape this living hell.'
I studied him. Until now, his easy-going and casual nature had made it seem like this life didn't bother him that much. Maybe it had just been an act, to keep me from pitying him. He might have been agile and capable, certainly better off than most of the people that lived out here, but his appearance spoke for him. I decided to be blunt. 'If it's so bad—why don't you leave it? What keeps you living in it?'
I'd expected him to be offended or even hurt by a question that harsh, but Elias' face radiated approval. 'Good question.' He leaned close to me, his eyebrow piercing almost brushing my forehead. 'I live in it because…I'm good at it.' His voice was low and dark, like he was withholding a secret. Or maybe sharing it—I couldn't tell which. He straightened before I could step away. 'And imagine if I had? I wouldn't have come across your charming personality.' His smile could only be described as jovial—though I knew better. His suggestive attempts were all the more comical since I knew he could tell how unappealing I found his appearance. I only rolled my eyes in response, putting a hand on my hip.
'I thought you hated us Uptown people.'
'Not sure,' he replied, eyes twinkling in the morning sun. 'You're growing on me. Too bad I have to let you go soon.'
'Soon?' I studied the road ahead; it was at a slight decline now, leading us down to the tunnels. 'Finally,' I breathed, feeling the tense knot in my chest begin to unravel.
We reached a glass wall; the first wall of security before entering the tunnels. Normally, one would simply lift their device to a screen to be scanned—if authenticated, a sliding door would let you through, one at a time. There were always guards stationed within this wall, who scanned your body and items for weapons before declaring you safe. Only then were you allowed to enter the pods. Three guards were patrolling the entrance now. I knocked loudly on the glass, drawing the attention of the one closest to us.
'Get out of here or I'll zap you,' the guard called in a mechanical voice, irritated by the noise. I couldn't tell any more than that, seeing as a sleek helmet covered his head.
'Someone's stolen my device,' I called back. 'Please—you have to let me in!'
'Yeah, right,' he muttered, not moving from his spot. 'Nice try.'
I cleared my throat and straightened my spine. 'I'm the daughter of Mr. Zimmermann. He'll be very upset once he finds out that you kept his daughter waiting outside the gates.'
The guard looked up. Apparently deciding not to risk it, he approached us, boots striking asphalt. He stood in front of us for a second, checking over my appearance. 'What's your name?'
'Irma Zimmermann.'
'And your personal number?'
'2064-11-11-65978.'
'Please remain still.'
A flash went off on his helmet. He touched the side of it, presumably checking my identity with security. He spoke a few words, then turned toward me. 'Identity confirmed. Apologies for the inconvenience, madam.'
I nodded in acknowledgement. 'No problem.'
'You shouldn't head out without a security detail, madam.' With that, the guard's helmet swivelled in Elias' direction. 'I'm afraid I can't let this one inside without authorisation. Who is he?'
'He's from downtown,' I replied, growing tense. I could practically taste the disapproval radiating through the guards. 'He helped me get here.'
'He has no business showing his face here and he knows it.' The guard nodded behind us. 'Step away from Miss Zimmermann, commoner.'
Elias' smile was forced, but he began to move aside.
I took a deep breath, knowing I was going against all rational thought with this. 'I wish to bring him inside—to see my father. I expect he'll want to reward him.'
The guard hesitated. He didn't know me, but everyone around here knew the name and face of my father. He eyed Elias up and down, trying to decide whether he posed any threat, but Elias must have worn one of his more convincing smiles this time. The guard let us through. 'As soon as your father has concluded his business with the commoner, call upon one of the guards to have him escorted back outside.'
I nodded quickly, breathing a sigh of relief when the glass doors parted.
Just like that, we were inside. I glanced at Elias. He looked like he'd been hit upside the head, he was so astonished. I would have laughed, but we still had the security checks to go through, and I knew Elias' backpack would pose a problem. He swore quietly when he realised the same thing. I expected him to argue his case with the guards, but he remained silent, relenting his hold on the backpack before the guard took it from him.
Once we were both scanned and deemed safe to enter, we passed through another automatic door, finding ourselves inside the white, gleaming tunnels. Elias was unusually quiet as we walked, his expression contemplative and a little forlorn. I had no idea what to make of that. I opted for silence, guiding him toward the right pod. I expected a little more excitement from him upon seeing the ultra-futuristic, spherical travel unit, but Elias was in a world of his own. I left him to it, growing fidgety as we approached the mall.
I hadn't given it much thought earlier, but now it hit me. Against my better judgement, I had left the malls unaccompanied by a security detail, just like the guard had said, and exposed myself to a compromising position. My device had been stolen, and I was bringing back a commoner to see my father. I had no idea how father would react; I had never done anything this reckless before. I'd never done anything reckless before.
All these realisations hit me one by one. I was suddenly struck with anxiety, trying to come up with ideas or excuses to tell father. Too fast, we arrived at our destination. Elias snapped out of his daze once we got out of the pod. He looked around him expressionlessly, taking in all the sights as the elevator took us up to the first floor of the mall. No words were shared between us, what with us both being preoccupied—he with observing the mall, and me with anxious thoughts of the coming confrontation.
As we walked through the open, high-roofed aisles, several heads swivelled in our direction, eyes landing on Elias. Even for a commoner, he stood out. Sagging black jeans, leather jacket, black sneakers, hood drawn up over a pale, angular face. Death was his fashion sense.
Elias ignored the attention, flashing me the ghost of his usual snarky smile when he felt my eyes on him. I hastily looked away, focusing on the task at hand. I walked by Nathaniel's restaurant first, figuring father would be there, though I left Elias outside in case I was wrong.
'Where the hell have you been?' Nathaniel burst out when he caught sight of me. 'I sent you tons of messages—'
'Sorry, sorry,' I muttered, moving my hands in a placating motion. 'My device was stolen.'
'What happened to you?' he demanded, grabbing hold of my arms, his strained, green eyes zeroing in on my torn pants.
'I'm fine,' I said, urging Nathaniel further away from his guests. I would lie to my father if I had to, but I knew I could be honest with my brother—at least to some degree. 'Some thug robbed me; pushed me so I stupidly lost my balance and fell. He took my device and ran.' Nathaniel looked like he had a number of things to say about that, but I talked over him. 'Look—I really am okay. I'm gonna have to deal with father, so please cut me some slack, alright? Besides, this is what you wanted—isn't it? For me to do something youthful? Well, this is it.'
Nathaniel looked at me sharply. 'This is not exactly what I had in mind, sis. You could have gotten hurt. Or worse.'
'I know, I know…but someone found me and helped me. It was actually…kind of fun,' I realised, stunned at myself.
Nathaniel's eyes softened at that. 'Alright, troublemaker. But next time you want to do something youthful, just get a little drunk and party it up with those rich snobs over there.' He nodded towards a group of my suit-clad colleagues. I grimaced, rendering a chuckle from him. 'Off you go,' he urged, checking the time on his device. 'I hope he's not too hard on you.'
'Did it ever get bad with you?' I blurted, my curiosity almost bordering desperation.
'Yes, it did,' Nathaniel admitted, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. 'But the things I did were way worse, and I was the older sibling.'
Relief washed through me. I said goodbye to Nathaniel and went back to join Elias. He was leaning against the wall, head lowered, eyes on his sneakers. He lit up when he saw me. 'There you are.' There was relief packed into his voice.
I frowned, looking at a bypassing couple whose eyes were shooting daggers at my unsuspecting saviour. 'Did anyone give you trouble while I was gone?' I asked.
'Yes,' he replied, grinning broadly. 'But it was a given. Let's go.'
I almost felt indignation on his behalf, but filed away those feelings for later. I still had my father's crushing disappointment to deal with. I headed toward the elevator, remembering the floor and room number of mine and father's shared suite. The mall had been built into a skyscraper, and although it wasn't absurdly high, it was still one of the highest buildings on the island. Our suite was on the top floor. The fact that the elevator was made of glass didn't help matters. I turned my back on the petrifying view of the city below. Elias, on the other hand, glued his face to the glass, harbouring no such fears.
In a matter of seconds, we reached the top floor. I gratefully stepped back into safety. My companion, meanwhile, visibly regretted it.
'What happens now?' he inquired, for once featuring a sombre expression.
'The dispute,' I said, lifting a hand to the door, seeing as I had no key. 'And this,' I continued, 'is my area of expertise. Leave it to me.' I said the last with way more confidence than I felt.
The door opened. My father stood there, still wearing his grey suit, though his tie had been loosened and two buttons on his shirt had been undone. I swallowed. 'Hello, father,' I managed after a painful silence.