The Zeta Strain

Chapter 2

Walking through the Outdwelling is so depressing. I find no joy in it. As I get closer to my house the familiar smells of smoke and human waste erupt in my nostrils. I doubt anyone from Eridu would be able to stand the smell here. Every residence is flimsy, and in desperate need of repairs and renovations. It is hard to imagine living in such a place. But this is my home. This is where I'm from. The brooding metallic walls oversee it all. 

I always love coming back to the house after a long day. It's nothing really, more of a shack than anything. Saleem is the only person in the Outdwelling with running water and electricity, so I can't complain. My house is warm to me. This time I was able to catch aunt Aris outside, hanging clothes to dry and humming her favorite song. She's been singing the same tune since I was little. It always comforts me, even when I'm terrified like I am now. 

"Orpheon, thank goodness you're home! Your uncle and brother were getting restless waiting." She reaches out and hugs me, nearly winding me with her embrace. I don't mind though, I never have. She's my world.

"Sorry I took so long. I must've lost track of time out there. So they're giving out rations today?" I let go of Aunt Aris and look around at the people on the street. They all seem just as scared as I feel. It's a scary day. 

"Apparently they are! You'd think they'd give us a date instead of just whenever they feel like it. Damn snobs!" My heart drops. Someone is always listening in the Outdwelling. Always. Aunt Aris just smiles and grabs my hands.

"Look, Orpheon, don't be so scared about this. You and your brother will be fine. We've been over this. There's no way they can tell if you play it smart." She always knew what to say to me. No matter my mood. 

Just as her comforting words enter my mind I see a Psyling out of the corner of my eye. The sight is horrible. Left dumb, deaf, and blind, scarred horribly, and begging for food like an animal in the streets. Forever an example of what not to be. What I am. A giant target on my back just because I was born a little different. In an instant, any feeling of familiarity I shared with this oppressive metal city for that moment on the dunes was gone like the sand in the wind. A cold chill runs through my spine. My aunt see's me looking at the Psyling and blocks my view. 

"Now, stop that! I don't need you thinking about this right before you go with Tylus! Now get inside and get ready. Leave whatever you got on your hunt out here." Aunt Aris says. I drop the bag and embrace her again. She really does make everything better. 

The deafening din of the sirens cuts through our precious moment. Aunt Aris and I look at each other before she motions me inside and takes the dune rat from me. She's a great cook and for a second I think about how delicious that rodent might be. The first time I even acknowledge the kill. 

I enter the hut. For a second I can relax. As I enter, I immediately throw down my sweat riddled cloak and wipe my brow. Within seconds I get attacked by Tylus. Such a rascal. He wrestles me to the ground and we laugh as I pin him down. For a second we lock eyes and realize what has to be done today. I jump up from the ground with Tylus before the emotion kicks in. He looks strong. Nervous, but strong. As I look at him I can only think of myself at his age, doing this with Uncle Amos when I became a teenager. 

"You're ready for today right? I know it's a bit sudden, but you do what we talked about and we'll be fine, okay?" I say. I always hated being the heavy. I don't get any joy out of it, but someone needs to be there for Tylus. And since our uncle can't, I guess it's up to me.

"Yeah, I guess. Are you sure that everything will be okay? I mean, I'm not used to seeing those sentries so close…" Tylus looks away. A shuffling noise sounds from the corner of the house.

"Don't worry, my boys." Uncle Amos murmurs in a frail whimper. Such a powerful figure to me when I was growing up. Now he's sick. It's so hard to see someone you truly love go through so much pain. You wish you could take it all on yourself. That you could play the creator and somehow ease their suffering. I treasure every moment we've had. Big and small.

"It… will all be well. Orpheon is a smart young man, Tylus. You should listen to him." Amos coughs and almost loses his balance. Luckily, I catch him before he falls. His weak embrace hugs my side like a sweet memory of when I was a baby and he was stronger.

"Besides, you know it's only 10 kilos of rations per person. If you don't go, we starve. So get ready, we gotta' go soon." I say. I feel Amos wobbling as I complete my sentence. I shudder to think of what life would be like without his guidance as I lay him down to rest on his bed. 

"Easy, easy now. You just get some rest and we'll be back soon." I say, tucking my uncle into his bed on the floor of our home. He motions me to come closer. His eyes well up as his lips struggle to carry words. 

"Please… be… safe today. You're a smart lad. I don't want you two getting hurt." says my uncle in a soft tone. I want nothing but to make him proud. 

"I promise, uncle. Now, please rest. We'll be back soon." I say, draping a blanket over my ailing uncle. I wish that I could be absolutely certain. Certain that Tylus and I would be okay. Suddenly my stomach tightens up again as my uncle drifts off into sleep.

The sirens sound once more. It's a lot louder and more frightening this time around. The hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up, still soaked in sweat from the days hunt, but not immune from the shear terror the sound of those sirens brought. I know the routine, but it's a bit different this time. I have Tylus to worry about. He doesn't know how any of this works. He doesn't know.

I grab the wash bucket next to my uncle and start to freshen up. This is it. There isn't any turning back. On the fourth siren it's time to go to Saleem's. Every splash of water from the wash bucket is painfully sweet. Such a refreshing feeling, but laced with despair when thinking about the task at hand. It has to be done though. He's getting bigger and we need more rations anyways. Tylus is ready. He's so smart, it'll be fine. I just hope I'm not talking myself into doing something stupid. 

I drop the wash rag and look over to Tylus who is fiddling with his cloak. I smile to myself for a moment. We're so similar, down to our mannerisms. He locks eyes with me and then we both know what has to be done. Time to go. Time to get our monthly rations. 

I fetch my cloak, still drenched with sweat from having spent all day in the in the hot suns. Somehow it feels a million times heavier than before, as Tylus and I wait for the final siren. The seconds drag on and the silence weighs heavy. Only uncle Amos's snoring breaks the silence. We both get to share a brief laugh. 

"Hey, whatever happens out here man… just know, your big brother will protect you." I say in an effort to comfort Tylus. He nods in agreement but I can tell he's really shaken up. We just need to get through this first one, that's all. It sounds simple but I still can't help but feel uneasy. 

The final siren blares, stinging my eardrums. It is time. We must go, now. I hope Tylus is ready for this. I pat him on the shoulder and we both nod to each other. I open the door and out we go.