It's 2141. Clones have taken over as the dominant species. Using brain nanochips to surveil thoughts and actions, they have pushed traditional humans down to a status of low-class workers in a discriminatory dystopia.
A nineteen-year-old aspiring me...
"Don't go!" Siegfried exclaimed in panic while running to me. "Where are you going?!"
The fluid way in which he was running to me reminded me of how he moved on the hockey court, so easy on the eyes. His rebellious fringe kept bouncing softly before his mesmerising, inquisitive eyes on mine.
"Honestly... I don't know," I replied weakly while I left my helmet on Frankie's seat once he had stopped right in front of me.
The weather felt too warm that night, just like before a storm breaks out. The humidity was making my white tank top with thin straps and my blue jeans too clingy and annoying. I could tell Siegfried felt at least a bit bothered by the stark humidity too by the way his black T-shirt was tightly hugging his chest.
"Here," he said in a whisper. He had the key to the cellar in his hands, and he took my right hand to put it on it. "Go to the cellar. Wait for me there. I promise that we'll be done soon. Ray's candle won't take long. We can carry on with meditation. I think that, after what has just happened, both of us kinda need it – badly."
"FUCK YOU – ALL OF YOU!" Momo was yelling at the group from the first floor of their home as if there were no tomorrow. "YOU SUCK! EVERYTHING SUCKS! DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! WE'RE GETTING CAUGHT JUST LIKE RAY! THEY'RE GONNA GET US!"
Siegfried rolled his eyes and ran back towards the front door to close it as fast as he could, but not before I could hear Momo yell some more about how meditation techniques sucked. Fortunately, we were alone at that hour at night, and thanks to the house's good soundproofing we heard Momo no more once the door was closed.
"I see Momo's rant is going on without me," I told him whispering when he came back to me. "Are you sure you'll be able to do Ray's candle?"
"Momo's fit will subside soon, don't worry. She gets easily triggered, but her fits never last for long."
"Be honest with me, Siegfried. Is she serious about proving me guilty and... killing me?" I asked, with fear fuelling my heart.
"No, don't worry about it," he replied calmly. "Agape won't allow such nonsense. Nobody's gonna kidnap you and keep you as a hostage, much less kill you. That was the grief talking. And the heat," he added, followed by a tired sigh. "Just be patient, OK? We'll figure something out."
"I've always been patient, but my patience is running thin ever since someone's trying to get me framed and killed." That situation made me feel hysterical, just like when I saw a car or a bike getting scratched.
"Just go and wait for me in the cellar, please," he insisted with a gentleness that felt like a balm on my sore soul. "Try to practice the exercise I've taught you. It'll help you calm down. I'll be with you as soon as I can."
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