Around The Clock

CHAPTER 1

The city looked like it was covered in mist. A heavy fog that settled over the buildings until he couldn't even see his own hand in front of his face. He'd bumped into eight people already and had only caught a glimpse of the oxygen masks over their face before they were lost to the smoke again.

Only it wasn't comforting wood smoke that wafted over grilled meat on the fire, but a choking toxin that buried itself in your lungs and spread its roots, rotting you away like candy against pearly white teeth.

Ryder adjusted his backpack straps and continued walking forward, following the green line in front of him that shone like the beam of a lighthouse through the choking pollution – leading him home.

He smoothly avoided buildings and miraculously – people – and in an instant, the green line stopped in a swirling circle on the metal door in front of him.

Like a prison door.

Only that this one led out to a life of empty walls and closed doors, not freedom.

He tapped in the keycode, swung it open and stepped inside, closing it behind him and typing in another keycode on the opposite door. He braced himself as the air whipped around him, swirling out through the vents. "Oxygen levels are secure." The robotic voice was followed by a hiss as the door in front of him swung open and he stepped inside, closing it behind him.

"Mum?" He dropped his bag on the floor and walked through another doorway, flicking the small locks open on either side of the mask and sliding it off. "Mum?" he called again, louder this time.

"I'm in the kitchen," came a quiet voice from the other side of the house. He made his way over, sliding out of the spacesuit-like clothing he wore, and hanging it up on one of the hooks on his way.

Lana Davis was an Egyptian beauty with golden skin and wavy black hair that framed her sharp jaw and wide shoulders. At the age of forty-six, she was beautiful in a foreboding way. With a classic hourglass shape and soft skin, she caught many of her co-workers' eyes.

Ryder knew why she didn't want to remarry, but after 20 years, he thought she might be ready to let someone into her life that wasn't her son.

Artificial sunlight streaming from the ceiling and glittered on Ryder's skin.

It was the only sunlight his body had ever received.

"My job gave me a new office," she said quietly, brushing his curly black hair away from his face. This wasn't something to be congratulated about. "We're going to be moving to Hong Kong central."

"How much will it cost?" he murmured, leaning his hip against the counter.

"Three years-worth of our oxygen supply." His eyes widened.

"Can't you decline? It would take two years alone to replenish that amount in our tank account."

"I'm afraid I can't risk losing my job. Hong Kong is one of the main oxygen suppliers, so hopefully, I'll get higher pay. You'll have to resign from your job tomorrow – we're leaving the day after."

"I'll find a job in Hong Kong, don't worry mum." She put a hand on his cheek and smiled into his eyes.

"I know." She kissed his cheek right next to his nose and pushed off the counter, walking towards their shared room. "You should probably start packing tonight."

He stood there for a few moments, before walking the other way. "I'm going out for dinner with Mark, by the way, I forgot to tell you."

"Be back by eight," she called and he slid his suit back on, sealing it up and grabbing his mask, sliding it on and locking it into place.