The World Of Steam

5

I walked about the city, trying to think of something, but nothing coming to mind. The scientist could have been anywhere, hidden away in an underground bunker or kept as a hostage in some sort of hideout. I had to think fast. I sat down at a bench and looked at all of the inhabitants of London, going about their daily business, stuck, doing the same thing over and over again until the day that they died. Some wore gas masks, others wore cotton face masks with filters attached to them. We were almost three quarters of the way through the 21st century and still nothing had changed. There was nothing new. No flying cars, no laser guns, no teleportation devices, just the second industrial revolution that was ten times worse than its tiny predecessor. It was madness. Well, there was one thing that was new. You are by now probably wondering how on Earth I eat and drink with this gas mask on, right? The truth is, I do not. The mask provided everything that I needed for me. There were nutrients that were being pumped directly into my bloodstream via a single short spike embedded into my throat. Madness, right? Not if it works. The nutrients were contained via a large block that inserted itself into the side. I suddenly heard a small beep. Speak of the devil. Reaching for my mask, I pressed a small button and the helmet hissed, releasing compressed air. The black, burnt block stuck itself out of its compartment and I took it, quickly inserting another new white one in its place, which I took from my coat. It clicked and the job was done. I chucked the empty nutrition block down onto the ground and it clattered and danced, finally managing to fall through a sewer grate. There was a small splash, and that was it. I interlaced my gloved fingers together and crossed my legs, looking at the life of all of the inhabitants. I looked up at the sky of poison and suddenly saw something peek itself through the clouds. I saw what looked like a titanic, hundred foot glass tower block, piercing the sky. The windows seemed to gleam, even through the clouds. It seemed to be clean, unlike the rest of the buildings in the city. It looked overwhelmingly imposing, immovable, and dreadfully ominous. Was it always there? How could I have missed such a thing like that? Judging by the distance at which it stood, it was at least thirty kilometres away. I looked around and saw a young newspaper seller. "Hey, kid." I said to him, grabbing his attention. He looked at me and I pointed to the tower block. "What's over there?"

The young man looked at the building and then looked back at me. "Don't you know, sir?"

"No, that's why I'm asking you."

"It was a laboratory."

"Was?"

"There were hundreds of people working there. Scientists, doctors, all sorts of others. They were trying to figure out how to stop the gas from the city."

"What happened to them?"

"They all gave up. The place is empty now. There hasn't been anyone inside for some years now."

Finally, I had something. It was a small thing, but it was something that I could use so I could move forward. Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely of people. I looked at him and then reached into my coat, taking out a twenty pound note. I extended my arm out, handing him it. The young man hesitated for a tiny bit, but then took it. "Go get yourself something to eat. You want my advice? Go for the nutrition blocks and stay away from the meat." I said, before standing up and beginning my journey.