The buzzing of various transport pods, the grinding sound of nearby mechanical structures– Adam White had his brows furrowed and eyes closed as he tried to shut out the noise around him.
It was almost as if he was at the epicentre of it all, despite being locked away in his house. This was how it was every single day, confined to the same sight and forced to listen to the annoying "bzzzt" that echoed ever so frequently.
"Alias, what time does Lyra return?" He asked, not bothering to turn his head.
A calm and clear voice, with a hint of warmth and sophistication, filled the living room, "If she takes the usual route, she's certain to arrive a few minutes from now. Between 7:48-8:00pm."
Hmm… Adam nodded and returned his focus to the scenery beyond the glass wall of his house. Outside, various objects whooshed about in the night sky, following a network of tubes that ran throughout the entire city.
It was quite the awe-inducing sight–with spectacularly crafted structures and floating edifices–but Adam had seen it way too many times to be amazed. In fact, it had only begun to get on his nerves. If only he could be in someplace else, away from the stench of machines and technology.
He sought something he didn't understand. Something he hadn't been alive to witness.
However, he had gone to various exhibitions that displayed what the old Earth looked like.
It was beautiful, and it filled Adam with a sense of comfort. Maybe as a human with no cybernetic enhancements, he strongly felt the desire to return to nature's embrace.
The year 3022. New Earth.
A specially crafted and makeshift "planet" to accommodate humans and save them from complete eradication. More than 700 years ago, Earth became a max-level danger zone for humans.
What happened? Well, Adam had learnt that the humans of the past hadn't been so kind to their planet. So, the planet took action to purge them. They more or less caused their own destruction. Luckily, world leaders came together and a new home was built in space.
However, they were only able to save about 8% of the previous world's population.
But who cares about that? If there's one thing humans are good at, it's reproducing! Adam smiled and mocked inwardly. His smile, however, bore a trace of sorrow.
He glanced at the moon in the far distance, a height seemingly unreachable. Here in New Earth, artificial celestial lights were used to give the residents a sense of day and night. Technology had completely taken over, with over 76% of the population having cybernetic enhancements.
Even though every other person could achieve unspeakable feats due to enhancements, he still felt disgruntled about the entire thing. He was a being completely of flesh, skin and bones–partly due to his father's constant warning against them–so maybe that caused his usual disgust for this world's ambiance?
Lost in thought, he finally heard the mechanical buzzing of the front door's lock.
The door slid open, revealing a woman presumably in her mid twenties. She was beautiful, with bright brown eyes, a high nose bridge, and a warm smile. Her wavy blonde hair fell to the side as she bent and took off her boots.
"I'm home," She announced, sighing due to exhaustion.
"Welcome home, Lyra. Would you like me to prepare a warm bath?" Alias–the Artificial intelligence home assist–asked.
"That would be lovely, thank you." Lyra said politely. Then, she turned her gaze to the teenager by the glass wall.
Adam met her gaze. "Welcome," He said.
"Staring again?" Lyra asked with a hint of pity. "You really should leave the house once in a while. You always claim to be locked in, yet you're simply terrified of the world outside."
"I'm not." Adam grumbled and pursed his lips. "I simply do not see anything worth leaving for."
Lyra walked over to him and patted his grey, almost white hair. She stared at his peculiar pale-white pupils and said, "You used to love going to the Conservation facilities–"
She abruptly stopped, realising she could trigger a sorrowful memory. She awkwardly ended the conversation.
"Hah, I'm exhausted. I'll take a quick shower, then we can have dinner."
"Sure." Adam muttered, staring at her retreating figure.
Lyra, a young lady that he'd been staying with since his parents passed away. She had been taking care of him ever since, and was like an older sister to him. She was one of the very few lights in his chaotic dark life.
He sighed, glanced at the living room of the beautifully furnished house, and stepped away from the glass wall.
At that moment, the holographic display that was a replacement for televisions flickered on. Adam looked over and listened to the news. Though he usually appeared quiet and cold, he had a very curious nature.
He consumed knowledge whenever and wherever he could.
He listened to the news until late into the night, had dinner with Lyra and went off to bed. The usual routine.
…
Adam woke up quite early the next morning. He rose from the bed and looked around in a daze. This space he called his room– he had spent so much time here that if he blinded himself, he would get by completely fine.
He turned his head and his gaze fell on the city. The rising "sun" gently dabbed the landscape in a warm glow, but the feeling didn't last, as various mechanisms immediately got to work.
Then came the annoying grinding noise. It was sickening.
The house was on a hill, quite isolated from the rest of the city. This gave him a vantage view of everything going on. Front row seats to misery, if you will.
The same view, the same lifestyle. Repeat.
Adam suddenly had an epiphany. "I'll go mad…" He muttered.
He quickly left his room and descended the stairs to the living room. Checking the kitchen and realizing Lyra hadn't left for work yet, he heaved a sigh of relief.
"Lyra," He called out.
"In here!" The familiar voice responded.
Adam moved around the house and stepped into the balcony. "About to leave for work?" He asked, watching as she fumbled with the watering can.
"Yeah, yeah…" Lyra bobbed her head.
Adam watched her for a few more seconds. He chuckled softly and grabbed the can.
"Here, I'll do it."
Plants and trees were nurtured in the Agricultural zones, and it cost a lot of Crypts to own one. Since Adam's parents were both scientists for a major government organization, whilst they were still alive, they had access to a lot of privileges and resources that were otherwise impossible to get. They had also amassed wealth over the years.
This was how Adam could afford to remain in the Middle Ring despite having lost both parents.
There was a momentary silence.
Adam hesitated for a moment, before asking, "Can I come with you?"
Lyra was surprised. A faint, puzzled smile appeared on her face as she nodded. "Definitely. Is there a particular reason?"
Adam carefully placed the can on the wooden table and said with all seriousness, "I don't want to go mad."
Go mad? Lyra frowned, confused. But she understood what he meant after a few seconds and chuckled.
"Go and get prepared while I make breakfast then."
"Alright." The young lad said and hurried back to his room.
Little did he know, his decision that day would expose him to a world he is unprepared for. A world governed by chaos and insanity.