The city was dark and gloomy. It was always covered by a mysterious bubble that no one could see through. The only source of light was the tall tower in the center of the city, which seemed to be the only way to connect with the outside world. The tower was the only structure that was built high enough to reach outside the bubble.
The city was torn apart and in shambles. The few buildings that were still standing were being used by various kinds of people. Some had turned the buildings into homes, others had converted them into shops or factories. The streets were deserted and it seemed like the entire city was deserted. The only sounds that could be heard were the howling winds and the occasional clanking of metal.
At the edge of the city was a heavily guarded school, surrounded by robots. The school was the only place where children could be educated in the city. The robots acted as the teachers, teaching the students everything they needed to know about the city and the world outside the bubble. The students were only allowed to leave the city once they had completed their education and passed their tests.
But no one knew what lay beyond the bubble. The city's residents had been living in isolation for as long as they could remember, never able to explore the outside world.
…
Alan groaned as he peeled his eyes open, feeling the weight of another day settling on his shoulders. He glanced around his small dorm room, still disoriented from sleep. It was a dull and drab space, with beige walls and little natural light.
He sighed heavily as he sat up in bed, already missing the comfort of his blankets. Alan wished he could stay here, curled up in his bed, all day long. However, he knew he couldn't avoid his responsibilities. He had to go to class.
After a few minutes, he shook off the last remnants of sleep and pushed himself out of bed. He got ready, slipping into his school uniform and grabbing his books before taking a deep breath and opening the door. Right in front of his door, he saw his breakfast waiting for him.
Alan looked down at his tray and frowned. On it sat a mound of pale, tasteless-looking food, and a cup of clear water. He picked up his fork and poked at the food, watching as it squished under the pressure.
The food had all the necessary nutrients to keep him going throughout the day, but it was completely lacking in taste. Alan sighed and reluctantly took a bite, his face scrunching up in disgust at the blandness of it.
Alan took a sip of his water, hoping it would wash away the flavor of the food, but to no avail. He finished the meal quickly and got up from the table, already looking forward to the next time he would have a chance to eat something that actually tasted good.
As he ate, he glanced out the window, watching the students walking briskly across the quad. Alan shuddered and turned away, feeling a knot form in his stomach. He knew he was going to have to face another long day.
Alan finished his breakfast, grabbed his backpack, and made his way out of the dormitory. As he walked, he wished he could just stay in his room all day, but he knew he couldn't. He had responsibilities to attend to.
He walked through the bustling halls of the school, feeling the stares of other students and the pressure of the upcoming day. Despite his anxieties, he put his head down and pushed forward.
Finally, he reached his classroom and stepped inside. The room was already half full, with students chatting and catching up after the long night. Alan hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should try to join in on the conversation. But he quickly changed his mind, feeling the familiar knot of anxiety tighten in his chest. Instead, he found a seat near the window and settled in, ready to face another day of classes
…
Alan sat alone in his usual seat by the window, his eyes wandering to the other students in the classroom. They chatted and laughed, but no one ever approached him. He wished he could join in, but his social anxiety held him back.
As usual, Martin, the most popular kid in class, was surrounded by friends. Alan watched him from a distance, envious of his confidence and ease in social situations. Suddenly, Martin broke away from the group and walked over to Alan.
"Hey, Alan, how's it going?" Martin asked, smiling warmly.
Alan was taken aback. No one had ever spoken to him like this before. He hesitated for a moment before responding, "Uh, hi Martin. I'm doing okay, I guess."
Martin sat down next to him, not seeming to mind Alan's awkwardness. They started with small talk, discussing their classes and hobbies. Alan found himself relaxing a bit, enjoying the conversation.
As the sun began to set, the other students packed up and left for their dorm rooms. Alan was surprised when Martin didn't leave too. Instead, they kept talking, their conversation flowing smoothly.
Then, Martin hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I know we haven't known each other for very long, but I need to tell someone about this. Can you keep a secret?"
Alan nodded, feeling honored that Martin trusted him.
"I've been having these... visions," Martin said, looking down at his hands. "But I don't know if they're real or not. They feel so vivid, like I'm really there. I see trees and rivers and stars, and I feel like I'm missing something important."
Alan listened intently, fascinated by Martin's story. He didn't know much about the outside world, but he could tell that Martin's visions were something special.
"I've never heard of anything like that before," Alan said honestly. "I don't even know what trees or rivers or stars are."
Martin's eyes widened in surprise. "You've never seen those things? But... what about outside? Have you ever been outside?"
Alan shook his head. "We've never been allowed outside. We're just... here. In this classroom, with these robots taking care of us."
Martin looked shocked. "I had no idea. I thought everyone knew about the outside world."
They talked late into the night, Martin sharing more of his visions and Alan asking questions about the world beyond the classroom. Finally, a humanoid robot entered and asked them to go to sleep.
As Alan lay down in his bunk, he felt a sense of excitement and curiosity. He had never had a friend before, and he was grateful to Martin for talking to him. And he couldn't wait to see if he would dream like Martin did.
The next morning, Alan woke up disappointed. He had hoped to see something magical in his dreams, but nothing happened. He sighed and got ready for another day of school.