Salvation 2035

Chapter 11- Fleeting Visit

『Abel』

     Since there's no concept of time here, it's really hard to get a grip on when to sleep. I mean, I don't feel all that tired so I guess it isn't nighttime. Since we were hanging out with Keisha, it would've been kind of awkward for me and Tsuki to leave together, so I decided to go first. So I'm left here in the temporary room that we were given. As I spend more time in it, the more it feels stuffier and stuffier. Even though it is safe here, I can't help but feel constricted.

     I hear the click of the door and from it emerges Tsuki... and Keisha?

     "Uh, hey! What's up?" I ask, trying to sound as inconspicuous as possible.

     "Don't play it off with me," Keisha confronts, "I know exactly what's up."

      "You told her?" I turn to Tsuki. He just shrugs. I let out a sigh. "It's nothing personal, really."

      "Huh? I'm not mad with you!" she exclaims, sounding a little agitated, some would even say mad, "I want to come with you."

     "Really?" I question. "I thought you loved it here?"

     "Well, since it's such a small community everyone knows everything about everyone, and that hasn't really worked in my favour at all," she confesses with a nervous laugh.

     "But what about how you got the crowd pumped to see Nick fight Tsuki? You seem to be sort of a big deal around here, especially to Nick." I remind her.

     "Yeah, but Nick's a loser," she deadpans, "and by that extent, all of those people are losers too. They're all fake. Liking me when it's convenient, and hating me in a similar way. One moment they treat you like you're a special gift, the next thing they're spreading ugly rumours about you. This place makes me nauseous."

     I guess this community is basically one giant high school.

     "But what about you telling us how this is the best thing in the world?

     "I lied, alright? Ever heard of faking-it-till-you-make-it?" she retorts, "people make mistakes, you know."

     "Okay, okay," I attempt to calm her down. "I was just curious as to why you wanted to leave, that's all."

     "Oh, erm, yeah," she stutters. "So, uh, where are we headed?"

     I begin to explain to her what the outside world is really like and everything that has happened in the past years, from the war to the New Constitution. I then go on to tell her about Canada and how we're going to try and get there. Apparently, she knows all about Canada, and by that extent, the rest of the world. Needless to say, she's interested. Tsuki then goes on to explain the situation with his sister. I have to say if there's one word to describe Keisha, it would be enthusiastic. Well, of course seeing something that you've only ever heard about is exciting, but she has this great amount of energy when doing anything. It's not bad, obviously, it just catches you off guard from time to time. Like how I've just explained to her how it might be really dangerous and could perhaps result in death. She just answered with a 'hell yeah.'

     The main problem facing us is how we're going to get out of here. Although she's lived here her whole life, Keisha doesn't really know a discreet exit. Tsuki, however, isn't fazed by this in the slightest. I guess we did just escape from prison with only a few traces by his fine work.

     "How much would you say those guards or whatever trust you?" he inquires.

     "If you're asking for a distraction, then I'm your girl," she grins, "I can go on and on about the most useless of things."