I followed behind him. When facing the threshold, in addition to Alexis's back, he could see endless stairs with a light in the shape of a half circle at the end. The entire place was illuminated by small flickering lights every few steps, which seemed to always be the same between each light. The only noise that could be heard in the place was our constant footsteps going up. "Thank goodness we're not next to each other." I thought, since the hallway was too narrow for two people to walk at the same time.
On several occasions I stumbled, on two of them I almost fell. I felt like I was out of breath and I noticed how my steps became weaker and weaker with each step I climbed. This was hell disguised as stairs. Luckily, when I looked up, I already saw that I was facing the "light at the end of the hall." Alexis was waiting for me in front of her, for some reason he didn't look exhausted.
—Before you pass, you must leave that. —He pointed to my gun. I simply shook my head with a subtle shake. Alexis sighed.
—You don't have to worry, nothing will happen to you being with me. Come on, be a good boy and give me the rifle. —He extended his hand. I ended up agreeing and gave it to him.
He smiled and snapped his fingers. A sudden noise of some mechanism came from the wall to my left. This opened a small hatch from which a small robot approximately one meter tall emerged. It was square and had ribbons as wheels, it reminded me a lot of the robot in a book I once read. I think it was called "Lar-e". The little boy took the rifle from Alexis's hands.
—Executing code one three eight. You will be able to claim this item when you return to Pown, have a good day Mr. Teccia. —The robot entered again to the place where it came from and the door closed.
I was so shocked by what I had just seen, that I simply didn't say anything. Alexis gestured with his hand for her to follow him, as she walked through the incandescently lit door. At first I hesitated whether to turn around and go home. Leave all this that was happening to continue with myself day by day. I slapped my cheeks and shook my head, I wasn't doing this for myself, I was doing it for Kat and the others. I took a deep breath and walked through the door, my eyes closed due to its harsh brightness.
Being on the other side, I could hear a lot of voices, mechanisms, music, etc. I slowly opened my eyes, only to be completely amazed by the place. The first thing I saw was the sky. It was just like the one in the books, a turquoise light blue with several clouds in it. I lowered my head and looked at the rest of the city. There were a lot of people walking from one side to the other, doing what seemed like their daily routine, without any difficulty. There were also several flying screens that broadcast what seemed to be a news program, in which they were talking about a certain "Deus Machina festival." A sudden applause brought me back to my senses, this came from Alexis, who began to head towards a crowd. In order not to be left behind, I started running until I could catch up with him.
Once next to him, we entered the crowd of people. These were mostly small talk, but there were some who weren't. They stared at me and tried to guess why I was there. "That's a subterranean? What is he supposed to do with Mr. Teccia? Another bastard dirtying the city!" Those were some of the things I heard. I hunched over, covering my mouth with the red scarf I had and pulling up the hood of my green jacket. Somehow doing that made me feel safer.
—By the way… How old are you, Ersa? —That question was very abrupt.
— Sixteen, why? —She just laughed.
—To see if we could talk about something. The situation we are in is somewhat irrational, there are a lot of noises and voices, but even so we are in an "awkward silence." —What a strange way to start a conversation.
—It is true, although now we create a paradox in which we are talking about something that exists and at the same time does not. —I tried to say something incoherent so I wouldn't have to talk to him too much.
—It's intriguing, isn't it? How we can move on from certain situations and pretend as if they never happened just by talking a little. -"This guy is crazy." It was the only thing I thought about. I turned my gaze and ignored what he said. I heard a soft sigh, followed by a small laugh.
—I have been reading Gustav's reports. I am impressed by your ingenuity and skill with technology. Since when are you so skilled in those areas? And why do you interfere with the avant-garde? —When I looked back at him, I saw that he was crossing his arms.
—I actually don't know. Since I can remember I have helped my father with his work, I suppose that by watching him work every day he made me learn. Although there are things that I still find difficult to do, but as far as possible I am perhaps mediocre. —I buried my head deeper into the scarf because of the last thing I said.
-I see. So that purifier was made by your father? He began to slow down and walk alongside me.
- I did not make it. —I lowered my head a little.
—What does your father do now? —I scratched the back of my neck with the palm of my hand. I felt a little uncomfortable about his question, but it wouldn't hurt if he answered it.
—Actually… —A child crashed into me. He had an ice cream which he dropped. This one was about to cry. I kneeled in front of him.
- Calm down, little one. —I put my hand in my pocket and took out the medallions I had gotten yesterday. —Here, go buy the ice cream you want. Good? —I wiped her tears with the cuff of my jacket. The boy smiled, thanked me and left. When I got up I could see how surprised Alexis was.
—I see that you get along well with the children. I guess it's because of the orphanage. She—she stood in front of me.
—Partly, I used to have a sister about the same age. As I spent a lot of time with her, I began to like taking care of and playing with children. —Alexis tilted her head.
— Did you used to have? —She didn't say anything else.
— Yes… she and my parents died. —Alexis showed a truly uncomfortable expression. She wanted to say something, but she didn't for fear of making the situation worse. I laughed a little, as she had gotten over their deaths a long time ago.
— Don't worry, it happened a long time ago. My parents died when I was eight years old, in the Engitory district "incident." They were caught in the middle of the explosions while trying to save everyone they could. Shortly after, my sister became seriously ill from "Toctinicus". She had been exposed to pure Toctinus without a protective suit… it was my fault for not taking good care of her. And regarding the vanguard, although they were not the cause of my parents' death in the incident, they did cause the death of many people in Pown. Because of that I interfere with your work.
—I see… —He didn't say anything else.
[…]
We continued walking for a while, while I looked at each structure in the place. Of everything I saw up to that moment, a white marble statue was the one that caught my attention the most. She was a woman with a laurel wreath wearing a completely white robe, leaving one of her breasts exposed, while she looked at the horizon, with an open book in one hand at the height of her chest.
As I continued walking, not paying attention along the way, I bumped into Alexis. She had stopped in front of a large building of white marble and light blue tones. This had several floating screens around it with some images of people walking around the place. Alexis waved at me, just to walk inside that building. I followed him while he was enthralled with everything there was.
Upon entering, I got the biggest surprise of all. It was a place with a lot of young people my age in uniforms. There were robots accompanying some, others wore armor or eccentric costumes instead of uniforms, several ran from one side to the other with books in their hands. This was the so famous and proclaimed "Astirte". From one moment to the next, everyone turned to see us, especially me. The same thing that happened in the city was repeated again, everyone started talking and gossiping about why he was in that place.
Suddenly, I felt a tug on my hood. He took it from me. When I turned around I could see a boy my age. He had jet black hair, amethyst eyes, and was wearing some sort of purple armor with black details. He had a smile on his face as he approached me. He grabbed me by the scarf and looked me straight in the eyes. I clenched my fists and raised them slightly. Then he let out a small snort before speaking.
- What happend to You? —I was ready to fight.
— Oh, sorry. I thought they forgot to take out the trash. —Everyone around started laughing. Alexis appeared out of nowhere and took the young man by the arm. She glared at him while she adjusted her suit tie.
— Mr. Letack, this behavior is unacceptable. I will be forced to take him to management by force if he does not release Ersa. —
Letack let me go and walked away, waving his hand, while everyone booed what had happened. Alexis stomped her foot on the ground and everyone fell silent.
—Come on, Ersa. —I nodded and we started walking through the hallways. Ignoring the fact that everyone was hating me.
[…]