For the Sake of Breathing

Chapter Nineteen

Kaylo

I spent my eighteenth birthday alone. I was huddled in my small one-bedroom house in one of the poorer sectors within the city of Lake, the largest city in the world. It is divided into nine different sectors, varying upon your wages. My neighbor came over for twenty minutes, but I didn't bother telling him it was my birthday, so it was left uncelebrated. I don't mind, though. I've had seventeen other birthdays -- but today is Ten's twentieth birthday.
I sit at my make-shift table in my livingroom/kitchen, and drink a cup of water in his honor.
Sun filters in through the breaks in trees, and I exhale softly to the empty room.
It's always been relatively quiet in my neighborhood, since the strangest thing that's happened in years is me moving here.
It's been almost six months since Ten died, and I've managed to live surprisingly well here without him. It most likely has something to do with the fact that I'm in a new location. The grave difference in worlds helps me move on. I have begun a new tale beyond Ten, and I am okay with it.
I finish the cup of water, roll my shoulders, and exit my small wooden home that can barely withstand the near-constant downpour of rain.
I walk down eight blocks, passing my neighbors. Some wave at me and say hello. I merely wave stiffly back. I arrive at the terminal, and catch a cab to work.
I exit, and march into the office. "Morning, Kaylo," one of my co-workers greets.
"Good morning. Any coffee this morning?"
He smiles. "I saved some just coffee you."
"Hah, thanks." I trail after him into the staff room, where I pour myself a cup of coffee. I drink it black, and my hands are shaking. Caffeine is strangely addictive. I down it in a few minutes, rinse it out, place it in the washer, and nod my simple appreciation to John. He just nods back. I like this work, you don't have to actually talk to anyone, and it's very impersonal.
I sit down at my desk, reading some kind of file.
The glass sheening door opens, and someone walks up to me. I don't look up, I just sigh. "What do you want?"
"Hello, Kaylo."
My eyes snap up. I know that voice. I slowly stand up, and meet gazes with him.
Standing before me is Lake Simon.