Timeless and Bliss #wattys2016

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I walked along the road I was so familiar with that took me home. The sky wasn't its usual shade of blue. The sun appeared to be hiding behind gray clouds making the sky dark and gloomy. The air felt wet, humid, and smelt of rain. Despite the lousy weather, people stood outside being their usual robot happy selves. However, I found joy in the darkness of the sky giving me a bit of a bounce in my step and a slight smile across my face. They waved and smiled to one another as did I, for the workers would be suspicious if I didn't react the same. Children played in the puddles splashing each other and I smiled at their youth and innocence.

As I continued my walk home I noticed one of the government workers patrolling the street. They wore a uniform similar to what a soldier would've worn back then. Colors of black and beige meshed together with long sleeves and long pants and black boots. They carried slightly large armor in case anyone happened to get out of control. I sneered at the thought of the worker using their power to take advantage and purposefully punish an innocent pedestrian. They were known for their violence and doing such dreaded things.

I felt slightly apprehensive as he found his way to me. His gaze followed me as I gave a smile to others wondering why he was watching me so closely. Does he know it's just an act? Am I not playing happy well enough? As I walked I felt a small breeze in the air giving me slight goose bumps on my legs. I looked down and realized how my tattoo was standing out as clear as day. On the inside I cringed at my idiocy and held my breath until he was finally out of sight.

"You're my bliss Blaize." The words stung my heart that ached for Felix's affection. His touch, his kisses, his words, they were like a toxic addiction that made me crave for more within each moment. Long ago I had confessed my love for him for the first time, but before last night I hadn't the slightest idea of his feelings for me. I knew he cared for me, I could feel it through each and every kiss. I was still unsure of his true feelings. At least now I had a little bit of hope and faith that we could be something so much more.

As I peered around the corner into my kitchen I saw my mom scattering around gathering her belongings for work. She appeared frantic as her red curls bounced with each step, her uniform tight and neat with no wrinkles to be found. It reminded me of the old her, before she changed, before everything that happened.

"Blaize where have you been? I didn't see you last night when I came home or when I woke up this morning," my mother spoke quietly trying to hide the worrisome hidden through her words.

"Oh. I went to sleep early last night and this morning I was out...running," I lied through my teeth attempting to keep a smile on my face.

"Okay well next time let me know if you leave so early. You know how strict the rules are," she said swallowing her pill followed by a touch of water. She disposed of her glass in the sink and walked over to get her finger pricked.

"Oh sorry," Of course I knew it was her motherly instincts rather than the government rules. She was like this every morning before taking her Bliss.

She saw the symbol exposed on my legs and without a second thought she said, "And hide that awful symbol on your leg." If she hadn't just taken her pill I knew her face would convert into disgust.

I walked around the island that sat in the middle of the kitchen. Sitting on the island appeared a small manila envelope addressed to my mom.

"Okay sweetie I'm leaving I'll-"

"What's this?' I asked interrupting her waving the manila envelope in my left hand.

"Not now Blaize I'm going to be late. Don't forget to take Bliss I'll be home at curfew," She gave me quick hug and a soft smile before scampering out the door. Her perfume lingered in the room and I hugged the scent knowing she was very well avoiding the topic.

Envelops were rarely delivered usually indicating your time is about up. Casually, I slipped it into my back pocket and proceeded with taking Bliss. When rebelling you are taught the steps to properly take Bliss without actually taking it. It isn't a typical pill it was structured different it was made to dissolve. Normal pills are usually a lot harder when it comes to the texture but not Bliss. You can bite right through it. The trick is to take enough to be in your system but not enough to have an effect.

I popped the pill into my mouth and quickly bit a piece off. I brought the glass of water onto my lips and spit the bigger chunk into the water and swallowed the smaller part. I waited two minutes before getting my blood checked. A high pitched beep went off telling me my blood work was confirmed. I walked away grinning because I had once again, like many others, successfully manipulated the machine and its pathetic system.

I took the manila envelope and plopped down onto my bed touching the creases gently where I had folded it. Carefully, I began ripping it open opening the letter I had taken out.

Dear Catherine Rose Porter (Worker #150B16),

We regret to inform you that today marks your Thirty- ninth year. We have sent this letter to prepare you for what's to come in the next year. The law states everyone at age forty must be eliminated. We apologize for any and all conveniences and hope to receive much understanding. Enjoy your last year.

Sincerely,

The government.

My eyes swelled with tears but I continue to scan the letter over and over. It had to be a mistake it couldn't be her last year I need more time with my mother. I set the letter aside on my night stand and rested on my side away from the cameras. I blinked away the tears but they didn't stop. My throat hurt from the sob I was holding back. It hurt too much, the pain of losing was parent had been unbearable. But now they wanted to take my only family away from me because of her age. I hugged my blanket closely to my skin and shut my eyes for a few seconds until I eventually fell into an unsuspected sleep.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My legs were carrying me as far and as fast as possible keeping my head lifted. Explosions were setting off left and right ducking my head under my arms as ashes were thrust onto my pale skin. Fire appeared before me and continued until I was completely enclosed by it. I could see faint lines of people frantically scattering through the fire. War. This was a war, a battle taking place. Multiple guns fired off only to prove my theory followed by heavy screams. Faintly, I heard my name being called. I looked left then right turning in a one-hundred and eighty degree circle only to see flames. The calling became closer and clearer until I saw the face in between the heated fire.

"Felix," I gasped under my breath. He held the side of his chest as crimson blood poured out. I gently reached out through the fire with my hand and he did too. Suddenly his appearance began to change. He grew taller and his face shaped changed quite a bit along with his age. Wrinkles and bags were now seen, the deep blue eyes turned into a dark green, the same as mine. Stubble too grew along the man's face.

"Dad?" tears streamed down my face as his hand barely skimmed mine. In the same moment a shot was fired. My father fell backwards and the flames heated up growing taller scorching my hand. I pulled my hand back tumbling down onto the dirt. A much larger man bent down over the limp body, but he didn't appear friendly. I felt a dizzy sensation take place throughout my body. I'm in a dream. That's all this is. You're not supposed to feel pain in dreams, this was all too vivid. The man changed once again the blue eyes were back. He crawled on the floor crying my name out in pain.

"Felix!" I screamed through the fire. That's when I felt it. I felt myself on the cool bed stirring in my sleep yet I was here. As my chest heaved in the dream so did my real body. Am I lucid dreaming? I questioned myself. No if I had been lucid dreaming all of this would be in my control. Perhaps sleep paralysis? I thought again. No that isn't right either. Sleep paralysis involves your real human body being paralyzed before falling asleep or after waking up. No I was somewhere in between, not in control but completely aware of both worlds.

"Blaize," I heard my name one last time before jolting awake. It took a few seconds for me to process whether I was still dreaming. My heart beat rapidly as I took in my surrounding of my bedroom and that's when I saw Felix's worried face peering at me. I let out a sigh stroking his cheek. This was real. I grasped my hand quickly feeling that scorching pain though there was no sign of any burn, at first.