Project Devilgama

Two

The first night has passed.

A couple of knocks sounded on the metal door.

It was a wake-up alarm for Mhaz, which he knew for sure can't ever snooze. He rose from the bed and walks, lightly stumbling, to the door. But he realized that the door was locked from the outside, so his motion halted right before he touch the handle. He looked up to a little round display on the door. It had just turned on. And from there, he could see the man on the other side. Hannev.

"Okay, you can see what's it? You obviously want to metabolize some matters." He said, his voice permeated through the audio system that had been built inside the door. "But first, you have to change your clothings. Get to the wardrobe and pull out a suit of teal and white. And to open the door, you surely yank the handle, sir."

Mhaz imagined that the futuristic slave labor is going to start this morning - the worst outcome. He went to the wardrobe which he hadn't checked last night and found several types of suit in same patterns and models, only the colors are different. New and clean stuffs, a rarity these days. He wondered whether he should take a shower first, which he chose not to. Teal and white - that's what he needs to wear today.

It suits well. The fabric falls to his skin, wrapping him up. It is tightly fitting, but he could feel the pores breathing freely. He went back to Hannev and pull the door open. He tried to get rid of any bit of suspicion towards the man, as he desperately needs whatever this man is bringing.

"Here. Grab some chewing stuff." Hannev handed a small container to him. Mhaz didn't bother to have any second thoughts, so he took the thing and sat on the edge of his bed.

Hannev stood by the door, crossing his arm.

The container was by the size of two palms. Its shape is a round-cornered rectangle, thin. Mhaz opened the lid and the only thing he found inside is a single piece of ... food. It's supposed to be food, he assured himself and took it. The thing was still intact when he lifted out from the vessel and only slightly bent. It held itself firm, but soft to touch.

At first, he thought that it was a bar of raw ground flesh of its reddish color. But aside from the meat-looking parts, he could also notice several greens. And whites, oranges. It's a concoction of whatever food materials they could put inside the grinder. "Raw?" He asked.

"Sterile," Hannev answered.

Mhaz took the bite. He could imagine what tuna cat food tastes like as he chews. Then he took a second one. Three, four.

"Good," Hannev said, calmly. "You would be inside the Devilgama by the time you end the munches. Let it take you someplace you've ever known. You will meet Him, and Her."

"What?" He shook his head, totally confused. "What the heck are you talking about?"

He finished his meal. He wondered if this is how people would eat in this bunker, raw, and, sterile? With all honesty, Mhaz could say to Hannev that the food was edible, even nice. It felt surprisingly fine at the moment.

"Now what? You want me to build the entire temple of Bore-budhara in one night? With all those people in teal and white suits? It's alright, probably. And you, Hannev. You got to explain to me whatever you've talked about in the last few minutes." Mhaz spoke.

"No, but you might be able to visit it." Hannev smiled, "Through the Devilgama. Remember how humans have turned this world into rubble. You might want to recall it when you've arrived at Devilgama. But I'm sorry, sir. You can't."

Mhaz suddenly felt sleepy. He wondered how much time he had skipped with naps.

"Let me tell you some information. Just wish that you would recall it, alrighty?" Hannev said, his expression was like teasing. "Oh, no, you can't! When the three guys met, a new, collective thought will appear. When they joke, nobody listened. And after they spoke, all minds would gather. One of them is-"

Hannev's narration stopped right as Mhaz abruptly collapses to the bedding.