MOCHA // OMEGA: Lavender Kunoichi #1

Chapter 7 // Forfeiture

Chapter 7 // Forfeiture

Yuki Kamado was in her apartment that resembled a space capsule with a plastic door. She dressed her son and daughter in summer clothes. She filled their backpacks with only stuffed animals. Yuki looked across her pod at the physical items that showcased her life travels. She grabbed family photos of her dead husband and the pictures of her kids, documents and a few clothes.

She stuffed it all in her purse. She switched to a fresh surgical mask, ran her fingers through her blue hair a few times then said goodbye to her apartment. Kage, her black cat with yellow eyes would be coming along too; no way she was leaving him in this filthy city.

Yuki wanted to change out of her scrubs but needed an excuse for why she was outside during the lockdown. I'm heading to work, officer! Here's my government badge! Oh, the children? I'm dropping them off to daycare, no big deal! Let's hope it works. She had one quick stop to make first...

"Stay inside until mommy gets back, ok?"

Yuki ran to her neighbor's pod. Above the plastic door was a neon strip that casted a purple glow across her masked face. She heard the sound of media from inside while she knocked. The noise stopped and a figure slid the door open to a crack.

A blonde woman peeked her eyes out. "Yuki? What are you doing out there?!"

"Li, we need to talk!"

"Come in, come in! Don't you know about the lockdown?!"

Yuki entered the pod and saw Li's husband, sons and daughters all grouped together looking at the smart-wall playing a mute transmission of the news. They all followed along the subtitles. They resembled test subjects undergoing their daily programming. Once the husband saw it was just Yuki, he turned the audio back on. It was loud and annoying.

"Li, you have to listen to me. I..." Yuki lowered her voice and leaned into her friend, "I'm leaving Omega."

"Eh?? What are you talking about? Hey Jenichiro, get Yuki a drink will you? What do you want, wine, champagne, vodka? Let's take some shots—"

"Li!" Yuki yelled, but nobody paid her any mind. Jenichiro made his way into the kitchen to pour Yuki a drink but kept his eyes fixated on the screen, reaching into the cabinets blind.

"Li, please. You can't stay here in Omega, it's not safe. I met someone. She told me they are going to help us, but we need to leave right now—"

"Yuki, you're sounding like a dissenter... Why would I leave Omega? It's perfect here. We're safe!" Li said as if there were hidden cameras nearby.

"Li! How long have you known me? Please, listen—"

"No, Yuki! You listen to me! I knew it, I knew you lost your mind! Ever since your husband died! You crazy woman! Get out of my house! Now!"

"Li, please—"

"NOW!!! Don't make me call the police!" Li tried to express anger, but her voice sounded more fearful than anything.

Yuki's mouth under her mask was wide open. She wanted to cry. Li, how many nights have we spent laughing over drinks? All the secrets we shared? The plans we had for the future? Are we not friends, you and I? I watched your kids grow up and you watched mine. Why, Li?

Before Yuki could respond, Li's husband pushed her out the door and slid it shut. The news continued from inside. Tears streamed down Yuki's face as she jogged back to her apartment. She wiped her tears before the children would see. They made their way to the red light district while holding hands. Kage followed behind.

"Come on boss, let's light em up!" Makira, the girl with blonde dreads said while chewing her bubble gum. She blew a pink bubble and it popped. The boss hit his cigar a few times, then stepped on it. He drew two automatic pistols with long magazines extending from the bottom.