The sky is no longer the blue expanse with white fluffy clouds that we used to see. The sky now consists of steel structures that seem to shield us from the dangerously hostile outside world. The air feels oppressively tight, as if trapped in a room without ventilation.

I sit on a chair on the balcony of an apartment, observing the daily hustle and bustle, with a cup of black coffee in hand. Below, I see crowds of workers streaming towards various buildings for work. The traffic is usual, bustling with honking horns and the cacophony of cars and motorcycles. Perhaps those vehicles are never repaired, hence the unpleasant and noisy sounds, I muse.

The city's atmosphere is busy at every corner, as if there's no rest for this city. Activities and the bustle of residents are constant, be it morning, afternoon, or night.

Having lived in this city since birth, I'm now twenty-one years old. I feel thoroughly bored, like being trapped in a birdcage with no escape.

I then retreat into my apartment, which is very small, with only two rooms. One room serves as both a bedroom and a kitchen, separated by a partition. And the other room is the bathroom.

Walking in, I settle onto the very small bed, measuring only two meters long and one meter wide. Just enough for one person. If someone taller than two meters were to lie on it, their feet would hang off the edge.

In front of the bed sits a small television, which I use to watch the news. I grab the remote from the bed and click the power button.

(The news anchor on TV presents important news.)

[LATEST NEWS TODAY]

Currently, life in the terminus city is incredibly cramped. Citizens are urging the government for a solution. In this report, it is stated that the government will open registrations for surface exploration. Based on research by scientists, our Earth's surface is now safe from solar radiation due to the repair of the ozone layer. The ozone layer has self-repaired within the last hundred years, and humans can now safely return to the surface. In response, the government is forming teams to ensure the surface is safe for habitation. For those who wish to register, you can immediately go to the government building in the city center.

"Click..," the sound of the remote button being pressed. I turn off the television. "That's great news. Maybe it's time for me to leave this cursed city."

"Crack..," the wardrobe opens. I grab clothes from the wardrobe and dress neatly. I quickly headed out. It's better to go to Norik's place; perhaps he also wants to register for surface exploration. I decide firmly.

I then walk out and descend from my top-floor apartment via the elevator.

 "Ding..," and the elevator door opens. I've reached the ground floor. I then walk out of the lift and into the building—my apartment.

Without delay, I head to the train station across the building. Loud horn sounds enter my ears as I prepare to cross to the train station.

The hustle and bustle of traffic and the smoke from poorly maintained vehicles are everywhere. Scan, and I tap my TR card (Terminus Railway) [a card for using train transportation]. And I entered the train.

I choose a train heading to district twelve, where my friend Norik lives. It's worth mentioning that I live in District twenty-five. The time it takes for the train from district twenty-five to district twelve is approximately thirty minutes. That time can be considered very slow. With today's technology, using a vehicle called a Jet that can make humans fly and carrying a Jet shaped like a large school bag, if compared, the train time is very slow.

Nevertheless, many people still use trains and other forms of transportation, such as motorcycles and private cars. To ride a Jet, one must have a special license. The Jet itself is very expensive, so only upper-class families can afford it.

Inside the train, the view on both sides consists of towering buildings. There's nothing special about that view.

I sit by the train window, watching as the train moves. "District 12," the screen announces. "For passengers to district twelve, we have arrived at the destination. Please exit through the right side of the train door." "For passengers to district twelve, we have arrived at the destination. Please exit through the right side of the train door."

I hear the announcement that I've arrived at district twelve, stand from my seat, and quickly exit through the right side of the train door as instructed by the attendant.

Exiting the train, I then walk out of District Twelve train station and head towards the apartment building where my friend Norik lives.

I enter Norik's apartment building and head to the lift to go to his room. Norik lives on the fifth floor of this apartment building.

"Room number 25, fifth floor," the sign reads in front of Norik's room. "Click..," I press Norik's room bell.

"Norik, are you in?" I called from outside the room. "Norik, are you in there?" I call again, a bit louder this time.

"One moment, I'm coming," Norik's voice responds.

Crack, the door of room number 25 opens, and a young man with fair skin and blonde hair walks out from inside.

"Eric, what brings you here so early?" Norik asks.

"I have good news, Norik."

"What good news do you have?"

"Let me in first; we'll talk inside."

"Alright, come in quickly."

I then walk into Norik's room. It's roughly the same size as mine. I find Norik's bed to sit on.

"Now, what news do you have?" Norik asks.

"Norik, now we can be free. The path to the Earth's surface has been opened by the government, and they are looking for workers to go to the surface."

"What's that got to do with me?"

"Come on, buddy, we've been close for a long time. How about we go to the surface together?"

"I don't want to. You go register yourself."

"Norik, aren't you tired of living trapped underground?"

 "No, as long as it's safe here, we're better off staying underground."

"You're no fun," I scoff.

"Eric, you know the surface of the earth is dangerous. If it's safe up there, why is the government bothering to hire someone to explore it first to ensure safety?"

"Whatever, whether it's dangerous or not, I'm still going."

I then bid farewell to Norik and hurried out of his room. I don't want to waste any time and rush to the government building in the city center to register as a worker to go to the earth's surface.