The Keepers

Timelapsed

My mother was always a gentle spirit. She had hazel eyes that sparkle in the sun and dance in the moonlight. A smile that can melt any beasts' heart.  I never in a million years thought that she would be the one to betray me.

"Tonii! Wait! Please listen to me babygirl.. we.. we just are trying to protect you! We felt with everything going on that now.. now you should know the truth!" I turned to look at her, my eyes full of rage. I thought I knew who my mother was.  Not any more.
"Oh? So that's what you thought? You thought that, after all these years, on my 18th birthday I should know that I am adopted?? Really?" My words seeped out my gritted teeth like vipers venom. Selena, the women I once called mother, looked at the granite floor tiles. "My dear, it was the only way." 
I scoffed. And although I was enraged, my eyes betrayed me as tears flowed down from my eyes.  "You're unbelievable!"
And with that, I ran.  Thoughts should have been a whirlwind in my mind. But my mind was barren, and my mouth dry. I ran until my legs gave out. I collapsed on my knees, crying for what seemed like ages. I looked up to the heavens..and realized I was in the Forbidden Lands. I looked behind me at the dazzling lights of the Citadel, they seemed so small, as if the city was  made of glitter.  I shouldn't be here. The Forbidden Lands are exactly that. Forbidden. To cross out of the city's borders was treason, an unforgivable crime; and if I were to be caught by the Commitee's Gaurd drones, I would never see the sun again.  But I stayed where I was.  I looked again at the heavens. Why is this so bad? They tell us the Forbidden  Lands are poisonous and rotten. Filled with nothing but death and ruins. I guess they say that because it's better to keep tabs on everyone if we are in the same place. Make it sound undesirable, so no one would leave. I however found them quite desirable. Its breathtaking out here to me. I take comfort in its silence and sea of stars in the sky. So I sat there, in the dirt. Trying to make sense of all that Selena said. I am adopted? And it was to protect me? Protect me from what?  I was so consumed with my thoughts I failed to realize three Commitee's Gaurd drones where half a mile from me. Their mechanical voices rung in my ears.
"WE KNOW YOU ARE HERE! IDENTIFY YOURSELF, UNISON"
"Shit." I mumbled to myself. Guess I better get going. The whirring sound of the drones getting more and more audible with each passing second. But I steadied my breathing. Luckily I could hack them. Not many Unisons can, or even try. But I have always been one to break rules.  I scratched my left forearm until a white, almost translucent, holographic screen appeared hovering an inch from my pale skin. I mumble to myself as I insert the codes needed to misguide the drones. I slowly got off my knees and stood still, as physically possible. Slowing my breathing, I watched as the drones whirred closer. Their cyan blue graphic scanners searched the area that I was standing in. "WHERE IS THE TRAITOR?" Said a drone to my right. To the far left behind me, another drone replied. "NO SIGN OF THEM". Beads of salty sweat slowly dance down my temples. My heart was a steady drum in my ears, so I dug my fingernail into my palm to try to focus on calming it and my breathing. I must remain silent, and still. Counting the seconds, for what felt like an eternity, a drone's voice broke the silence. "IS YOUR MONITORS PICKING UP ANYTHING, BECAUSE IF NOT, LET'S GO BACK AND ANALYZE THE DATA WE'VE COLLECTED." I let out a sigh of relief as my eyes follow them back to the Citadel. I take one last look at the heavens above.  Welp. That was fun. But I should head back, before they really catch me this time.

I clasp my left forearm, the white holographic screen reappears. A variety of clothes appear. I swipe the screen till I see, what I like to call, my stealth outfit. It then materializes on my skin. Dressed like the night, I walk calmly towards the Citadel. 
After an hour of walking I finally approach the City's boarder wall. I turn my gaze to the main wall I always use on these escapades. Her name is the Golden Sun. I shook my head in a melancholy kind of way. I never understood why the Commitee was obsessed with naming all the border walls after planets and stars.  I then slowly start to climb the wall. A thought popped in my mind. How did I run out here with no one detecting it? I pushed the thought out. I need to focus. Climbing the gold coated wall, I finally reached the top. I could climb my way down into the city. But my legs felt like gelatin. Looks like I will have to use my hover shoes. I grin at the idea.  God I love technology.  I clap my left forearm and select my bad boys.  The materialize on my feet.  I was lucky to buy these when I could. Hover shoes are all the rage right now.  They sell out as quickly as they are made.  These ones however, are special. They have only made 1,000 pairs of them. They are meant to be silent. As I stand I brace my self to jump. Everytime I do this I feel like a child ready to do a cannonball at the local pool. Excitment mixed with adrenaline rushes through my veins. I inhale the nights air. Here it goes. I let my legs go out from under me.  The hover shoes let out a low hum. Almost inaudible with the city's bustle of people and hover cars.  I am six inches away from landing when, I am suddenly  hurtled to the ground. My wrist twists and I let out a cry from the pain. Shit!  I though I charged them before I left.  I guess not. My hover shoes slowly fade, and return back to my virtual closet.  All that remains is my bare feet.  I hastily slap my arm. And select my black running shoes.  Once attached, I get up and walk casually to my apartment. Hopeing not to attract any attention. 

The elevator dings a little tune as I reach my floor.  I step out and stride to my front door. Room Star 1. I place my right hand on the scanner.  "WELCOME HOME TONII" The sickly sweet mechanical voice chimes as the door opens, granting me access to my home. "Thank you, EOS."
I walk to my floating bed.  I collapse on it. Relaxing my muscles as the cloud like covers and pillows engulf my body.
I try to sleep. But so much is consuming my mind.  I sigh. Great. Another sleepless night for me, I see.  I get out of my comfy bed and walk to my kitchen.  I glance at my fridge. Meh. I am hungry but it's not for food.  Only for knowledge. 
As I walk into my living room, I have a strange feeling wash over me. I need the ring.  Weird. Why the ring.  I feel as if I am being pulled to it.  To anyone, this black titanium ring looks normal. So why is it so special.  My mother, I mean Selena, gave it to me on my eleventh birthday. Said it was to bring me strength and it was priceless. Still have no idea what she meant.  I almost forgot about it. But now I am feeling a gravitational pull to where I placed it. 

I walk towards  my bookshelf. Placing my hands in my grandpa's cigar box, I felt my fingers touch the ring's cool metal. Without warning, I am blinded by neon orange light. A force like any other sent me flying backwards, smacking my body against my couch.
Wtf.  I stand up, collecting myself.  My Grandpa's cigar box was glowing. Any sane person would have run.  I however, felt strangely calm. Cautiously, I stepped towards the box.  I peered inside.  The ring, was basking in an orange glow.  I slowly reached out to touch it once more.  Once my pale skin touched the steely black metal, the glow engulfed my body. My whole body, my five foot and three inches self, started to float as if I was in space.  Then as if gravity herself was jealous,  I was slammed back down to the floor.  Awestrucked I looked at my left hand. The ring perfectly sat on my index finger.  No glow. Only the black metal.
What. In. The.  World.  I tapped the metal with my right index finger. Nothing.  I shook my hand. Nothing. I tried to take it off.  Stuck like glue.  Well fuck.  I took a deep breath and concentrated. Maybe.. if I wish it to release my hand, it will. It was a silly thought but fuck it.

A few moments passed and I heard a click.  The ring fell to the floor. I stared at it in horror.  What just happened?  This has never happened prior. 
I decided not to touch it again. I left my living room, along with the ring resting on my carpet.  I walked to the bathroom and looked for my first aid kit.  My wrist was throbbing.  I must have sprained it during my fall.  As I wrapped my wrist I started to yawn.  Maybe I should sleep.  Maybe things will make sense in the morning. 

I dragged my feet to my bed.  Once engulfed in the comfortable bedding I closed my eyes letting the black void carry me to dream land.