Level Fourteen

Chapter Six: Arkin

After Arkin's particularly horrible morning, he felt depressed. And disappointed. He didn't even feel like going down to the streets of One. This was a new all-time low. He supposed he should want to go apologize to his father, and make things right. But in truth, all he felt was hatred. Loathing, despising, hatred. His father obviously did not care about his son or what happened to him, he wouldn't even speak to Arkin, much less apologize. Why was he being this way?

Arkin lowered his head into his hands, in an attempt to stop the dull throbbing just behind his temple. It didn't work. He was back in his chamber, sitting at his large desk and staring at his data pad's blank screen in front of him.

Then an idea struck him.

He should leave. Leave Continent One. Forever.

His father wanted to send him away, anyways and he doubted he'd be missed. But then Level One would have no heir to Senator.

Well, he reasoned, I'm sure one of father's trusted advisers would be more than willing to step up and assume the role.

Would he really go through with this? Betray his level and his father? No, this was not his level. He was beginning to think too much like a Senator already.

He was going to do this. His father no longer cared, he had already abandoned him, forgotten him.

Now it was Arkin's turn. He wanted to live his own life, not one planned out for him.

He stood with new hope, and determination. A fire lit in his eyes, his mouth set in a line. He pulled out a travel bag from his wardrobe, and began stuffing clothes in it. He passed over all the obnoxious suited attire, and went straight for his tunics, and regular pants. His father called them "lower level clothes," but Arkin could have cared less. He pulled the entire drawer out of the wardrobe. He then dumped all of its contents into his bag, and moved to the next drawer. When he was satisfied he had enough clothes, he moved to shoes.

He thanked the stars he had a pair of work boots, and several other pairs of lace up, running slash combat ones. He packed all these as well.

Now for money. And food. And he needed to pick another City to go to. He also was going to have to find his way of life, a secure job and home. It was overwhelming but exciting. He was finally doing it. He was taking his life in his own hands.

He squared his shoulders. Picking up his data pad, he began researching each of the Cities, starting with Continent 2. He decided against that one, it was much to close his current location. Continent 3 looked freezing, all ice. Continent 4 was scorching hot, with too much desert for his liking. Continent 5 looked just right, with jungles, mountains and beaches. It was also far away from the other Continents, almost an island.

Now he needed to book his flight without any one catching on. He also wanted to leave as soon as possible. There was a flyercraft taking off tonight.

Tonight. He was leaving tonight.