Project Nios

chapter one.

The train hurtled forward with relentless determination, its steel wheels screeching against the tracks as it barrelled through the desolate landscape. Inside one of its cramped compartments, Allison sat huddled by the window, her gaze fixed on the blur of passing scenery outside. She traced the familiar contours of the city's skyline with a sense of resignation, her heart heavy with the weight of her own destiny. 

For Allison, like countless others aboard the endless expanse of metal and glass, the train was not just a means of transportation -- it was a prison, a constant reminder of the life she had been born into, and the future she could never escape.

"Hey." Allison wasn't sure as to who the hell was talking to her, but this man was clearly different to her. His cybernetic arm and leg shone from the sunlight that was reflecting through the train's window.

She kept silent as she just stared at him. He was a bit older than her, but like any other person on the train, he had some kind of powers lurking within his body.

"I'm Hayden. You must be Allison, right?" The man introduced himself to her; Allison tucked a few loose strands of her hair behind her ear, as a confused look appeared upon her face. How the hell did this guy know her name? She didn't even say anything to him!

"How --" Is all that she said, keeping her position in the seat of the train.

Hayden just chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, it's because of this." He then pointed towards a similar cybernetic implant that was in his head, moving his dark blonde hair out of the way first -- as it was glowing blue, much to Allison's surprise -- before sitting opposite her. "This is the reason why I know people before I could introduce myself to them. I'm basically a cyborg, knowing mostly everyone on this train."

As Hayden explained to Allison about his powers, it became clear to her that technology was his speciality, like water was her own. But before Allison could say anything else to him, another man came up to them.

Almond skin, dark brown eyes. Short, black hair.

And again, much to Allison's shock, the other man kissed Hayden's forehead. Were they adopted brothers? Or something else entirely?

"And you are...?" Allison asked the other person, to which the dark-skinned man just smiled and chuckled -- she noticed a small gap in his top front teeth as he did that.

"I'm Valentino. Hayden's boyfriend. Nice to meet you Allison." Valentino tried to get a handshake from Allison, but she just stayed in her knees-up sitting position. All he got was an affirmative nod and a slight hum from her. "So you uh-- work in the Hydroponics Garden, right?"

She nodded again silently.

"She's very shy, as far as I'm aware." Hayden told Valentino, moving along the seat opposite Allison, so that his boyfriend could sit down next to him. Valentino had his arm on the back of the seat, wrapped around Hayden.

"Or... it's because you decided to say her name before she told you it?" Valentino told Hayden as his boyfriend gave him a side eye.

"Really?"

"What? I'm just saying!" Valentino smirked slightly as he got more comfortable next to Hayden.

"That's exactly my point. I didn't really want you to do that." Allison decided to speak to them, going for a full sentence this time instead of a question or a simple grunt.

"Told you!"

Hayden scoffed and rolled his eyes, leaning back in the seat whilst crossing his arms.