In a nightmare world ravaged by misery, the Imperium offers utopia to a select few. When Arya and Everett are recruited into this elite society, they choose to leave their homes against their families' wishes.
Naive and young, Arya and Everett are...
The man in the light blue suit takes a step closer to my bed. My body reacts immediately, a frigid wave of fear scuttling down my spine despite the pleasant warmth of the room.
"Get us out of these traps!" Everett exclaims, squirming against his restraints while eyeing the strange man towering over me.
"There's plenty of time for that," he says, chuckling lightly. As he speaks, he inches closer to my side, stopping only when he's standing directly to my right. "Allow me to introduce myself first. In the eyes of the Imperium, I'm just another equal member because we don't believe in antiquated hierarchies here. However, seeing as how both of you are far from true citizens now, exercising direct control and surveillance is in all of our best interests . . . On that note, I am your superior and am directly in charge of you. You may address me as the Foreman."
The task of comprehending what the stranger said about 'true citizens', control, and surveillance seems insurmountable in my current state of confusion. I decide to focus on a seemingly less complex matter instead.
"What's F930 and M929?" I say, blinking against the harsh overhead lights to see the man's face.
"Those are your identities. Your names, if you will." He gives a condescending sigh as though it is beneath him to explain something so elementary.
"Why are we here?" Everett asks. I fix my gaze on him as yet another wave of memories washes over me, causing my shoulders to tense up.
My father's final words to me, the auditorium, my face flashing on the big screen, watching Mick collapse, following Everett into a dimly lit corridor . . .
"Your Chips are malfunctioning," the Foreman says in his strange voice. "On the Anniversary, instead of pairing you with another citizen, the Chips shut down, effectively ending your citizenship."
The Foreman holds himself too stiffly, too perfectly while he speaks, not making any movements with his hands and never allowing his attention to wander away from us. If not for the expression of pure distaste on his face — as though this situation is somehow our fault — he wouldn't seem human at all.
"The incident of your collapse caused a stir during the Anniversary," he continues. "You see, the Chips thrive in a highly stable environment. Unexpected external stimuli such as your collapse affect the Chip's ability to control emotions. We had to evacuate you to restore balance amongst the citizens."
Silence fills this sterile room as the Foreman raises his hand, bringing it to my face. He presses his finger to my temple at the same spot where he has a golden triangle glowing under his skin. Shrinking away from his cold touch, I turn my face and notice for the first time that the symbol of the Imperium is missing from Everett's face.
It must be gone from mine as well, I think, this new revelation piling on top of all the others. My head starts to throb with renewed vigor, blood pounding in my ears so loudly that I can barely hear myself mumble, "B-but we were recruited just like the others! Why is this happening to us?"
"It's not your place to ask so many questions," the Foreman says, his eyes narrowing as he presses my temple with increased force.
"Get the fuck away from her," Everett says in a low voice. He shoots me a pained look as he struggles helplessly against his restraints, unable to reach me.
The sight of Everett's agony on my behalf sends a stab of emotion through my chest so strong that I'm left overwhelmed and breathless.
"We don't tolerate unsavory language and disrespect here." The Foreman clicks his tongue disapprovingly, pulling his hand away only to grab a fistful of my hair, jerking my face away from Everett's direction. I cry out in protest, tears suddenly pricking my eyes and threatening to spill over.
"I suggest you cooperate with me," the Foreman says icily, his gaze alternating between me and Everett. His disconcerting smile returns and his grip on my hair loosens marginally. "Consider me the closest thing you have to a friend. Because now that you are broken, you aren't going to have any allies in the Imperium."
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