The Day My Life Began

Darkness on the Rise

The office was especially dull today. The same usual paperwork, the same usual delinquents, and the usual day of boredom. My lessers would come and speak with me, to kiss up.

The day would start with me, making coffee and having a healthy breakfast. I would shower, comb my hair, shave, brush the teeth. I would dress in a black business suit. I would drive to work, set up shop, and

My wife would come by, at lunch, and give me a kiss on the cheek. My daughter would sometimes show up, doing some of her homework if school was back. During weekends, she would just watch Netflix.

'The Center has better internet, Dad.' Lila said once I asked.

Yet, today, on New Year's Eve, it was different.

"President Chamberlin, your twelve o'clock is here." My secretary, Emma, said over the landline.

I held back a groan. A Traveler from out of state had asked to speak with me. He claimed it was about something important, but it rarely was these days. Everyone panicking over that end of that bullcrap. A part of me hopes it was done, but I was not the hopeful type.

"Send him in." I replied to Emma.

"Yes sir." Emma said, the line cutting off with a loud beep.

I ran a hand over my face. I had already spent an hour conversing with Mister Trevor on the status of our prisoners in Level Five.

We had a five layer dungeon. Each layer was another level of dangerous. Our most dangerous criminals stayed on Level Five until execution.

On rare occasion, some foolish teenager brings a Character from their Place. They were placed on Level Five until they were deemed dangerous or not. If not they were sent home. If so, then it's a good thing they were on Level Five.

Of course, my wife somehow convinced them to put children on Level One. Character, miscreant, or anything else. If it hadn't gone through puberty, it was sent to Level One.

*knock* *knock*

"Come in." I said.

The door opened, revealing a man that made the hairs on my neck stand. He was six feet high, I believe. His body was young, but in my line of work I knew he was much older. The look in his black eyes agreed with me. His hair was dark, and cut in an almost buzz.

He was dressed in all black. It reminded me of clothes a soldier might wear. Black shirt, black cargo pants, and the rubber of his sneakers scratched against the tile floor. He carried a black leather briefcase.

The man took a seat across from me. I stared at him, trying to claim my superiority. I was President of this region, and I had worked too hard to gain that.

"Your name isn't Logan, is it?" I commented, remembering the name he was signed in under.

The man chuckled. "It has been for a very long time, Dominic." He said, a challenge in his eyes. They matched my own, I am sure.

"What do you want?" I asked him, after a short pause.

The man, Logan, looked around my office. He was smiling, like he was standing in a museum exhibit without the security guard knowing.

"How long have you been the president?" Logan asked, changing the subject.

"Fifteen human years." I answered.

"Since the death of Queen Danielle, right?" Logan said.

A spark of pride came to me. I had been in rule since that bitch died. September 17, 1997. Best day of my life. I had killed the Queen, and no one figured it out.