HORIZON 1.1

Part-7

(Character Name Change: - Sachan to Shiva)

"Still waiting for her. In my opinion, you should contact her." Pulling his floating ferry toward Shiva, Karn said.

"Where have you been? I've been trying to contact you." Shiva replied without looking at Karn. Shiva had his eyes fixed on the Dancing Academy. Shiva was seated in the same park on the same platform as before. The dancing academy across the road from him was closed.

"You should not visit this place frequently. It is hardly the manner of a gentleman." Karn parked his ferry in front of Shiva and taunted him.

"It's a public place."

"I mean to say, she is not in there." Karn answered back.

"How do you know?" Concerned, Shiva asked.

"This is my region of business. Here, I sell every day. Maybe she took a vacation. Many wealthy people have fled the city for a vacation because of the city's current condition."

"I'm not here to see her." Shiva changed the subject with a sad heart, saying, "I'm looking for you, but you're not answering my messages."

"I went to dark market. I need Jules since I have to pay an extra mandatory tax. Furthermore, information flows between people. If no one is around to talk to, I have no information. When you visit the dark market, it appears as if nothing happened to the city." Karn said.

"Dark market is illegal."

"Whatever, there isn't any authority in place to stop them. Undoubtedly, the dark market is a different culture."

"So, you've got something," inquired Shiva.

"I haven't received my payment yet." Karn said, tapping his wristband deftly.

Shiva swung some Jules from his wrist band toward Karn, and the Jules was accepted when Karn's wrist band beeped.

"Now," Shiva said emphatically.

"To tell the truth, I have nothing to tell you. There is no information, not even on dark market."

"And you're telling me this after I've already paid?"

"Because I did some homework here. I studied every weapon created in Zone from the beginning. Some of them are extremely deadly and can inflict fatal injuries, yet no weapon can kill humans. Maybe they won't be killed."

"Maybe there is some kind of virus in Zone that is the reason for their death." Even though Shiva realized this was a foolish suggestion and that no one was going to approve it, he insisted on trying.

After hearing Shiva, Karn started laughing uncontrollably. He laughed and pointed up in response, saying, "You see this tree above us. Have any of its leaves ever fallen on you? No, one can see that because of its flawless design. It has been here since Zone's creation. All I'm trying to explain is that there can be no virus or disease in Zone. Zone is not designed for that."

"I can't help but ask one more question." Shiva's first idea had failed, but he didn't want to miss any possibility. He asked, "Vaibhav had visited Horizon a while ago. And Horizon is rife with lethal radiation. Maybe prior to resynchronization, he was attached to something. However, in accordance with Zone tradition, one chosen person is sent to Horizon each year; this has never happened before. However, the thought kept popping into my head."

"That's why Captain likes you. Give me the resynchronization report you received from Paranormal today, please."

How does he know everything? Is he keeping an eye on me, or has he set up a tracker on me? Where is he getting this information? Shiva wanted to find out.

"It wasn't easy to obtain, and I need it back." Shiva replied as he handed over the synchronization report to Karn.

"If it's easy, there is no fun doing this."

When Karn touched a secret key on his ferry, a portion of the ferry transformed into a high-tech system with numerous keys and controllers. Karn inserted a report disk into it, and synchronization reports appeared on a virtual display.

"You've packed a lot of technology into this ferry. I've known you since we were both synchronized to Zone. You have no idea how basic science works."

Shiva expressed surprise at seeing Karn's superior technology attached to his ferry, a basic motorized cart. This took Shiva entirely by surprise. His gaze was suspiciously fixed on Karn.

"This was installed for me by one of my friends. I also miss him. He was the smartest person I had ever met, and I picked up a few tips from him." Karn answered, utilizing controls.

"So, my son designed this for you."

"True. Technically, there are no differences between these two reports. However, there's something you should know. Vaibhav entered the cube but was not connected to Zone. What he was up to during those four hours You can also view his brain patterns." Karn pointed to a skull on visible reports.

"I don't understand science, so just tell me your analysis."

"In this case, some patterns are identical, which should not be the case. His synchronization started right away when he linked to Zone, as if paranormal were waiting for him."

"So, you believe this report is fabricated?" Shiva looked more closely at the reports and inquired.

"It's authentic, but there should be some time gap. Why was paranormal in such a rush bothers me."

"Any idea why?" asked Shiva.

"I don't make predictions. Accept this; this report is genuine. And he didn't get any viruses or infections from Horizon. This report covers everything." Karn gave the drive back to Shiva.

"Just one more thing. Do you believe that all paranormal are descended from the builders of Zone?" asked Shiva.

"You take my advice and stay away from that, Macc. That's all I have for now," Karn said, leaning back.

"Do Paranormals really live two lives?" Shiva asked again.

"Come on, man, why do you want to know this nonsense?" Karn said it vehemently.

"I am just curious."

"I'm leaving." Karn stated, shutting down the analysis section of his ferry.

"I require my medication. I understand why you visited the dark market."

"It's not a medication. It's a narcotic, and it's illegal. Stop taking it, please."

"I must get some rest and succeed in my mental exam. For me, it has been quite helpful." Shiva put his hand on the ferry and stopped Karn.

"OK, I don't mind as long as you keep paying." Pulling a sack out from under the ferry, Karn put it in Shiva's hand.

Shiva immediately shoved it into his pocket. Shiva began to back away from Karn, his curious gaze still fixed on the Dancing Academy.

"She is not inside; contact her if you don't believe me." Shouting from behind, Karn said.

"She is inside, and I know." Shiva walked away silently.

Note- Hope you like this story. Please vote, follow for more chapters. Don't forget to comment.