Orazio (Vol. 2) Orazio vs. the Cult of Isis.

Between bad and worse.

Orazio had managed to save himself for the moment. He didn't know exactly what happened to the people the robots took out of the cages; but once they were taken away, they didn't come back.

It was dark and he couldn't see the rest of the cages well.
- Carlos - he said almost in a whisper - are you still there?
- I'm still here, brother - Carlos answered - but I don't think it will be for long. Only you and I are left, the robots have already taken everyone else.

It was a horrible situation. Orazio sat on the floor of the cage totally dejected.
- Where are you from, Carlos? - he said trying to find a topic of conversation that had nothing to do with that horrible place where they were imprisoned.

- I'm originally from the city of Belém in the state of Pará, brother.

Orazio tried to imagine what Belém would be like.

- Is it nice there? - he asked.

Carlos thought a bit before answering.

- Yes - he finally said - but you can't live there anymore. The water is polluted and there are many climatic catastrophes. People die from a lot of diseases and there is almost no food. It's a very bad place.
- Why did you come here? - he asked.
- My whole family died - Carlos answered - I would have died too if I had stayed. I decided it was worth trying to escape from there.

Orazio could hear Carlos' sad laughter.

- I have traveled thousands of miles and gone through a lot of calamities to end up dying in this place.

- Don't say things like that... - Orazio said.
- Do you know how many people have died here?

Orazio did not answer.

He had always thought that being born in a state orphanage as part of the male population maintenance program had been the worst thing that could happen to anyone. Now he realized that there were far worse things.

The world is a horrible place, he thought. Not because of the hormone Isis but because of.... Well, Orazio didn't know whose fault it was. But he did realize that he had had a much better life than he had imagined.

Had he made a mistake trying to seek a better life? That was very depressing. Life could not be a choice between bad and worse.

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Neboo arrived at "The Factory" accompanied by half a dozen Eyes. She went to the main door and stood under the camera that guarded the entrance.

- I come for Orazio D'Aquino - she said looking at the camera - as we agreed.

A few seconds later the door opened and Orazio came out guarded by a pair of robots.

- As soon as the economic transaction is completed - said a voice coming from one of the robots - you will be able to take the subject Orazio D'Aquino.

Neboo looked at Orazio who was standing there with a silly grin on his face.

Neboo carried out the payment by means of her neurochip.

- Isis is looking forward to seeing you - said Neboo to Orazio as the robots returned to the building and the door closed behind them.

- She... she will? - stammered Orazio.
- Yes, of course.
- I'm not sure what to say.

- Well, don't say anything, - said Neboo - save what you have to say for Isis. I'm sure she's very eager to hear your explanations.

- I have not done anything wrong - protested Orazio. - I just wanted to be happy.
- Isis will make you happy. I am sure of it.