Parasite

One would think at the age of twenty one, you should know what you want. I however am still living with my mum; it's not that bad living with mum. So we live in a two bedroom apartment with French decor meeting twenty first century white. The rooms a bit run down with odd things that have been pick up or replace over time that will give decor designers a heart attack. It is however home. To keep the roof over our heads mum works as a bouncer and has a sift this night so I am alone applying for jobs ranging from working in the "Ark" dedicated to preservation of animals, insects and plants by keeping their DNA untouched, to technology fields in customising cars, computers and radios to give them a classic touch for "Synthetic World" and finally applying for the last section of maintaining equipment the lowest skill set needed and in biggest demand. A crackling Britches air hostess voice came over. Breaking out of my continue searching.

"It is ten pm please stop what you are doing and start to get ready for your contribution shift." Condescending just the way I ask it to read my appointments.

Rolling my head around; feeling the stiffness in the neck and feeling the weariness in the shoulders. In a world so advance jobs have become luxury than necessary if you are rich. Since we're not middle class but working class it has become a necessary to life. Our world works on communist values by sharing everything equally however this did not stop accusation of people taking more or not contributing to society. Therefore the elected government came with the performance reward. Meaning everyone will receive the same share on food, water power. Except depending on your performance, a reward is bestowed; rewards of art, sugar and days off being some.

Grabbing my high visual vest hang on the clothes hook. Locking the door I head to my compulsory job. At the front of the apartment building is a mini bus with reflective stickers shinning from the light over the door. The city is in complete darkness aiming to combat light pollution. The shoulder lights turning on showing the way.

Inside my friend Henry sits leaning against the window. Legs stretch out taking the whole area. His face hidden by his worn out hood only to look up checking who have enter showing his storm like eyes and speckled red beard, nodding in greeting. Taking the seat in front of him, just like him taking up both of the seats. My weight tilts to the side, my hand grasping the seat.

Henry stares at me "So you broke up with Juliet."

Shrugging my shoulders too his answer gazing at my knees. Juliet was my girlfriend. She is a great person, caring, kind and she has an excellent physic. It is me that mess up. As she excel in her work and now starting a career as a marine explore now mapping the bottom of the ocean floor. First I was proud of her achievements; than with each open door she attains and the more road blocks I receive the more envy I got. Henry hits my shoulder driving the self loath out.

"Well?"

"Just drifted apart" I said.

Henry face stay stone cold solid his eyes scrutinising for something, honesty maybe. "Well Toby there's more fish in the sea."

Leaning my head back onto the window; sending vibrations down my bone. A thought pop into my head "Why do we call it fish in the sea?"

Even though they were not facing each other a gin is radiating. The bus glide to a stop, more people clambered up onto the bus. Taking us to the final destination, the mean streets of our city, the scariest thing to meet is a dust bunny. Well sickness have now become a thing of past. It is said that two out of three humans have a 'parasite'. These parasites came as a breakthrough for stabilising burn victims. Millions of parasites as small as grain rice were put on the flesh; they attach themself then create a strong web creating a blanket or skin. Soon we can replace failing organs earning the name as "Guardian Angel" as it advances into a portable hospital. From an accident Henry even has an eye that is a parasite and sometimes as a party trick will let it wonder on the table. Now drum roll please: the first creation of the "Companion", the parasite became a pet. A pet that will feed on you and in return are befits of longevity and ability to do superhuman feat. Now military have jump on the chance to make battle parasites with skill sets for espionage, reconnoitre and nursing. What many don't know is the telepathy between the host and the parasite. However for ever great advancement there is repercussion. Heard of Frankenstein? It's when creating a parasite goes wrong. One of the worst is a woman whom has died last year. When she ate any meat say a lamb her parasite will start creating a clone of the lamb. It will proceed to grow out of her skin; illegal in every senses of the word.

If you ever been on a plane and hear the sound of belt sign. That is the sound the mini bus makes when it stops.

Here we are late night cleaning the streets outside the most famous mall name Elegance. The ideals of happiness put in one place and wrap in a green bow. Cleaning is easy with power water blasters, micro fabric cloth and mystery liquid. By eleven forty five our contribution obligation is completed. To unwind and hang out we go to Queens Club. A night cafe that if you go into its' basement there is a night club. Illegal as it sold alcohol. Not the light stuff today that would start tasting bitter on the third drink. So bootlegging is in high demand. You have to be crazy, fast and innovative. The Queens club pride itself for its innovation with the VIP door leading you to the night cafe and the trades' door where patrons head through the Kitchen, into the staffroom and to the secret door disguised as busted up locker with an actual red sticker stating out of use. Down stairs into a coat room, with an actual reception/door man, of gothic decor and an ATM that sits on an elevator to interchange with the cafe and the night club. Also it helps to be friends with the justice council.

So here we are, Henry and I waiting for the others to arrive in a sound proof room under the kitchen. Lights are flashing, music loud and I am drinking a sour cider and Henry sipping on a Japanese beer. Scot, his sister Beck and best friend Richie slide into the booth. Beck is our optimism in our band of utter failures. She can make any us smile and forget our problems. Beck is a big conspiracy theorist. Right now she thinks that Pluto was drop from being a planet because they discover an ancient civilisation. We tell her just to be careful.

"I see that you guys got your dink" Beck chirps like a bird, eyes scanning the cocktail list. "I think guys that I'll get a Strawberry and Cream Kiss!" And off she went as a spirit taking flight on the wind.

Once Beck disappears into jaws of beast of the dancing mob; Richie pulls from his pocket a little bag of pink pills. Henry shot his arm barley even a form snatching the bag from Richie. He is a mad cave man trying to figure out another use for a stone.

"Seriously you two, are you trying to become Frankenstein?" Scot practically bemoans.

"What would you know? I had a rough day." Spoke Henry.

Richie and I made eye contact. We share an eye roll. Scot takes the bag from Henry. Henry downs his with on gulp, no drink to help swallow.

"So what is it?" Ask Scot.

"It's Valullium, just very strong pain killers." Richie takes his.

The pill sat on my hand as I see a bone punched into the surface. With a flick of my head back I swallow it.

If I knew.

IF I KNEW.

IF I KNEW.

Taking that pink pill that is actually a parasite sitting on my palm. But I didn't. With music blaring loud; something on about taking the party home, colours changing, racing and dancing to the beat. Beck telling a corny joke about the one black eye ghost, Scot going on about cleaning every inch of a nanny robot that maybe evidence to a homicide. Seeing Richie trying to flirt with a young woman as he eyes nearly closing, head swaying nearly collapsing onto the bar bench. We laugh as the young woman gently says her good bye while being whisk away by her guardian angel of a best friend.

Beck speaks with a smile "So Toby any luck of finding a job?"

"Err. Have mange to get interview to clean the sewing machines for Pennyworth." Taking a sip of cider too avoid speaking more. Richie came back as his eyes rapidly move around.

"Have you heard" Richie said as he dangerous lean over the table. "Never mind I tell you anyway; there been reports of Frankenstein's that have exoskeleton completely made bone." Pushing himself back onto his feet nearly falling backwards "But that's not the only thing there is an estimate of seven of these parasites and two of them being found with a sixteen year old girl and a sixty five year old widow."

"What the" Scot mouthing the last word "Are you saying that we could of swallowed a parasite are you nuts man!"

"What do you mean you swallowed a parasite? SCOT. Oww I hope you are not taking any drugs." Beck voice holds a tilt of anger.

Scot eyes shifts to avoid Becks' glare.

"You did." Becks voice hard a stone. Her eyes look at each of us. "Well good night."

Our table came silent. "So anyone wants to put me up for the night." Between Richie, Henry and I all glance at each outer.