Walking Away From Caiburgh

1

Loud, perpetual noises.

If I were to describe the environment I'm in right now in just a few words, it would be that. Even now during nighttime, a quarter past 10 PM, it never ceases. The seemingly never-ending noises fail not to distract me from any activity I could be doing. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about it, so over the years I simply have grown used to the noises. However, I can't help but be annoyed. How I wish there was a way I could drown out the background noise to finally be at peace for once. But I digress.

Sitting on a hard chair in my dimly lit room, I'm hunching over on the table to a tablet where I am writing my experiences during the day. From my research, I remember that people of the past called this action "Writing on your journal/diary", but our dictionaries have kept no records of either the word journal or diary, so I can't say for sure. Around my peers, I refuse to use the word "journal", instead calling it "a record of my day", although whenever they see it they usually just give me a look of confusion. From that alone, I can sense that they are incapable of expressing themselves.

As the time struck 10:30 PM, my AAR-0050, which stands for Automated Alarm Robot, started speaking. "THE TIME IS 10:30 IN THE EVENING. IN 5 MINUTES, ALL LIGHTS IN THE FLAT WILL BE TURNED OFF. REDLEN, YOU MUST TUCK INTO BED AS YOU ARE TO BE AWOKEN AT 6 IN THE MORNING. GOODNIGHT." When it finishes its speech, a countdown timer of 5 minutes shows up on the screen. I finish my entry of the day in my electronic journal and grabbing my tablet, I place it on its charging dock.

After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I walk straight to bed as the countdown reaches its last minute. Tomorrow will be the same as today. But I have plans to make it much more interesting and fun. Wrapping myself with a blanket, I shut my eyes close and let sleep take over my body.

——————

Bzzt. Bzzt. Bzzt.

"THE TIME IS 6 IN THE MORNING, FRIDAY, 29TH OF SEPTEMBER, YEAR 2153. LIGHTS HAVE BEEN TURNED DIM."

I catch the words of my AAR-0050 as I get woken up by the loud alarm that preceded it. Rubbing the sleep off my eyes, I sit upright and start stretching at the same moment as the blinds of my window draw back to reveal the sun just slightly peeking through the horizon.

"GOOD MORNING, REDLEN. HAD A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP?" Half-dazed and still quite sleepy, I mumble the words, "Yes, A.R."

"GREAT. WHAT DO YOU NEED DONE RIGHT NOW?"

"Prepare me a hot cup of chocolate please."

"UNDERSTOOD, IT WILL BE READY IN THE KITCHEN MOMENTARILY."

Taking my glance off of the sunrise, I turn my head to look at the wall clock to my right. 6:02 AM. Early as can be, but I know every student in my school has heard the same alarm in their own rooms. The Higher-Ups are very strict and particular about our time schedules.

I scoot my legs to the floor to stand up. Upon doing so, I walk over to my charging dock to get my tablet. The first thing I do every morning.

The morning routine of everyone-not just students-is highly supervised by the Higher-Ups. It is a predetermined routine consisting of eating breakfast, taking a bath, and dressing up. In the case of students such as myself, eating comes first. Even down to our meals, it is set up by the FASSO, or the Association of Food Distribution. At least our snacks can be whatever we want, but that's as free as we can be when it comes to food.

As I finish tying my shoelaces, I begin to wonder if today will be that day. The day when I'd finally encounter something different from the usual happenings in my day-to-day life. Something interesting. Picking up my bookbag from its rack, my thoughts wander to how I could go about today as I hear the engine of the school vehicle designated to pick me up outside.