Neon Hearts

Where it all began

— "Alright, off to bed girls!" I prompt, collecting their scattered toys from the floor as Valerie, my 7-year-old daughter, and Lucina, my 5-year-old daughter, eagerly settle into their bed. The playful laughter between the two filling the room, warming my heart. Stowing their toys away in the chest and closing it, I walk up to both of them to tuck them in, placing a goodnight kiss on their foreheads. "Love you my little angels." I express with affection as I stroked their heads. In unison, their voices ring with affectionate response. "Love you too, daddy!" they chime, their words accompanied by the radiant smiles I've come to cherish. As I begin to walk away, Valerie's voice calls me back. "Wait daddy!"  I turn to face her.  "Yes Val?" I ask, wondering what she wants. "Could we get a bedtime story?" She asked. "Mm its getting kind of late~, and the Smasher might pay you a visit if you're not asleep!" I tease, raising my hands playfully. "But I know daddy would keep us safe!" Valerie asserts cheerfully, Lucina nodding in unison. "Pleasee~" Their pleading eyes tug at my heartstrings, making it difficult to say no. "Alright alright, just this once," I concede, recognising the enchanting power of their gaze. "What kind of story would you like to hear?" "Tell us about how mummy and daddy met!" Valerie exclaims, her enthusiasm mirrored by Lucina. Doubtful of the story's interest, I voice my concern. "You sure? It's not that interesting." I reply, their eager nods dissolving my doubts. "Alright alright, lemme in." I surrender, nestling between them in bed. The two snuggling up against me as I recount our story. "It all began 15 years ago..."

...

— Beep! Beep! Beep! The sound of my alarm waking me up from my rest, prompted me to quickly silence my phone, tapping the screen to stop the alarm. Rising from my bed, I stretched my body with a satisfying crack before making my way to the living room. I walk over to the couch while half awake, absent mindedly scratching my stomach just to see my mum fast asleep on it with her jacket serving as an improvised blanket. She must've gotten back late again. My mum worked as an EMT so she often got home late and crashed on the couch. I gently adjusted the jacket so as to not wake her up, to better cover her before getting ready for school. Quickly changing into my uniform, I reluctantly wore my blazer, an act that disgusted me. The uniform's association with the upper echelons of Night City was a stark reminder of my dislike toward corpos, worst of all making me feel like a privileged, preppy school kids.

— Stepping through the doorway, I ventured into a realm of bustling vitality that characterized the megabuilding's atmosphere. A crescendo of noise enveloped me, a lively blend of voices, footsteps, and ambient sounds reverberating off the sleek surfaces within the atrium, filled with the hum of activity as people from all walks of life navigate through an intricate labyrinth of shops, eateries, and services. Dozens of conversations echoing within as gargantuan LED screens displayed various advertisements and holographic projections. Law enforcement officers knocking on doors, an everyday occurrence within this dynamic environment. Walking down the hallway, the ambience shifted with each floor descended, the districts within these megabuildings taking on distinct personalities, catering to diverse communities, corporations, and cultures. From luxurious penthouses and corporate headquarters to dingy marketplaces and illicit underground hubs, the megabuildings offered a microcosm of society's spectrum.

— Emerging from the building, I continued on my routine path to the metro, navigating the lawless streets of Night City. The streets were alive with a mix of individuals, from those seeking escape through Brain Dance devices to the unfortunate souls ensnared by addiction. As I traversed the city, each step took me closer to the subway station, and the steady rhythm of my surroundings gradually blended with the monotonous passage of the train ride. The city's evolving landscape was on display as the metro journeyed toward its epicenter. Skyscrapers became more pristine and meticulously maintained, a testament to the stratification of this world. My gaze occasionally settled upon the flight of trauma teams responding to the rampant gang violence and the launch of rocket ships filled with tourists bound for the moon.