My Deceiving Eyes

Chapter 8

"In chess, there is no luck. If you lose, it's not because the opponent has more luck, but because you made a blunder. That's why the perfect game of chess is a stalemate."

May 4th, 2267

Chess is an interesting game. Each move is calculated, deliberated. All pieces working together to destroy the king.

Luke's words keep appearing in my head so much that I decided to learn how to play yesterday by reading books. For some reason, it was embarrassing asking for them from Michael.

I stayed up analyzing grandmasters' matches. I see now that a perfect game of chess is indeed a stalemate. I quickly learned that a small mistake (blunder) can result in one's ending. Similar to real life.

They don't play chess like they used to anymore. I realized now that I don't have a hobby.

—

I'm sitting in History. My eyes are drowsy from the lack of sleep last night. I am currently learning about the USI.

"USI stands for Union Stars Intelligence. USI is a Government organization that was formed a few years after Swamp disease was released." Mr. Lewis talked, "The USI has a ranked system that gives opportunity to soldiers to expand their horizon. The leader who manages everything in North America is called an Elector. An Elector must be accepted by their citizens in order to be elected."

—

Today is a Thursday, which means after History, school ends. Once I entered my room, I threw my backpack onto the floor next to my door. I have homework but all I can think about is that book on Chess. As I settled down on my bed, a knock echoed from my door. I went to open it.

"Hello." Michael greeted me. Fuck.

"Hi. Do you need something?"

"Yeah, you. There's something I want to show you." He smiled. I sighed.

—

3:27 pm

We're taking an elevator down to floor 5 and I immediately knew we're headed to the medical center. Totally not getting another brain implant am I? During the ride down, Michael kept talking about the USI. Fun facts or whatever. Doesn't take a genius to know that where we're going, it's related to the USI.

—— Andy ——

3:16 pm

Please kill me. I cannot stand this anymore. Diane will not stop talking her head off.

"I truly think that the Technology branch is the coolest out of all the branches. I heard they have very advanced, cool looking machines. Oh! And you should see the Binary children here! They're so smart for someone so young!"

I'm resting my chin on my hand as I stare into the window of the military jeep. I watched as we drove through the quiet campus of the Serpent department. There's two ways to transport to other branches of the department. By a jeep on the surface, or by an underground train. I heard that's what they use to kidnap people. Very few kids, like myself, are lucky enough to move via jeep. Let alone even going outside the facility.

I wonder why only I was invited to come and not with Ann. All things aside, I am quite excited to visit the Technology branch. Now that I'm ten, I could finally go on expeditions, also known as going outside.

"Diane. Please shut up." I told her, still staring at the window. In my ears, I hear, "Bleh bleh bleh bleh."

Diane, who's sitting in the driver seat, says, "You don't have to be so rude, Andy. If you're going to say stuff like that then I think we should turn this car around and I can take Ann instead."