Lights & Letters

International Base 1

                  

The officetel apartment door shut, shutting the only silent space of the deafening "International base 1." The North and South had already sunk due to global warming of the ice caps and had caused billions to move closer to the Equator, leaving it a mixed base. It all happened 20 years ago in the year 2023. The vibrant colours of skyscrapers, shops and market stalls paint the base with culture. The government had banned vehicles and bicycles were the only form of transport to stop pollution.

He exited the officetel apartment, Felix Roberts, a 22 year old student. While not studying, he loved to take long trips across Zone 3 till Zone 32 or more if he had the chance. Each Zone was almost 33km long so Felix emptied his mind a lot throughout those walks. He walked through the bustling streets filled with market stalls that sold savory street foods from all cultures that grabbed pedestrians with the smell of sweet and fresh tastes. But Felix fought out of the luscious scent and continued ahead. Through the alleyways and boutique avenues, that left bright vivid lights of names and prices all in multi-cultural style. The ambiguous shouts of shopkeepers can be heard from far distances. Walking through the city is like no other, clean, organized and rich with top brands for all, like a majestic utopia. Every walk he took was new to him as the buildings would shift overnight making the shrieking noise of metal rubbing against each other.

The dawn would be coming soon, the other half of the week that would be night, so the city lights would turn on shining throughout the city outlining the 260 floor skyscrapers. The highest tower, "Jichon X" would be first to light up, advertising brands from all cultures. The bars started to light up, especially on "Belgique Avenue" where Felix always enjoyed a drink. A labyrinth of luminous shapes would be seen above the smaller shapes. The Milky Way and its planets and stars would be still seen from the sky no matter how blazing and shimmering the city would be.

The city was now scrambling and crowded again, but this time with teenagers as the game and comic shops open up, the neon lights would blind him. He loved walking at night, the music from all languages; fluorescent lighting that decorated the sea of skyscrapers that rose above the clouds. The city would never sleep and would always stay alive no matter what. The clubs and restaurants were crowded with people, since Felix was only 22, he blended in well with everyone at the time. Karaoke and many pubs opened up that played addicting songs.

He walked for hours more and decided to go back home, he passed by more shops as he witnessed a building shift. The walk back was more active as the city was now screaming with restfulness. Many people passed by, many new faces again. A  concert went on behind the Italian restaurant ate in, the electric music concert roared behind him as he watched spinesters fly in the air to take videos of the concert. When he had finished with his food he called the robotic waiter that came with the bill and Felix went on his way. The officetel apartment was close by and Felix arrived back home. He entered his PIN into the electric door lock, and went into his apartment. Back into silence again.

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