Chapter 1
“Is it…my fault?”
“Who is to say? For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. For everything good there is a dark counterpart. It is the only way to maintain balance,” explained the Aged.
“But that doesn’t answer my question!” cried Berello.
“Are you sure?”
“Enough of your riddles old man!”
“Aha ha ha!” cackled the Aged, “such slander. It has been far to long since I was thought of as an equal.”
Berello held back his urge to attack. The anger in his throat wanted out and the Aged was in the corsairs. Even if it was a crime to speak as he had spoken or even think the thoughts he was thinking. It didn’t really matter anymore.
“Leave now, child. Think of the things I have told you.”
Stupid ass old man. The raging youth wandered out of the Aged’s house silently. His firm muscled body tense after the meeting. It was all Berello could do not to punch the hollow walls of the dilapidated house. The stench of old mold and rotted drywall was almost more than anyone could stand.
Towering skyscrapers glittered in the moonlight. The old house right in the middle. Not unusual in Nexus. There were at least thirteen Aged in Nexus, each with an old, run down house.
“The moon sure is bright tonight,” whispered Berello to himself. His anger had vanished only to be replaced by fear and sadness. He sat on the bustling street near the old house. Workers worked at all hours. Even with it nearing midnight, the city would never shut down.
Berello’s strong hands covered his face as salty tears leaked from his brown eyes. Short black hair moving slightly in the breeze created by the moving workers. There was only one choice now. Only one-way to free himself and save what little dignity he had left. He dried his tears and rose. His chest pushed out and chin held high as he walked for the central plaza of Nexus.
The people parted as he walked. They knew him. He was pretty famous now. No one knew his name but his face was plastered all over Nexus. Wanted for Late Arrival to Work. No one would stop him today. They knew where he was headed. The final stop in this busy city.
The plaza glittered from the many fountains spraying water into the air. Catching the moonlight and reflecting like hundreds of stars. The heat grew as Berello came closer to the center of the plaza. Heat escaped the great hole before him. A giant hole built in the center of a great city. Dug when the city was first built as a reminder for those who didn’t work.
People started to watch Berello but never stopped. The darkness of the hole was inviting. It beckoned for Berello to come. He turned to the crowds.
“See ya around,” He leaned back. The air passed over him softly. His hair fluttered as silent tears escaped once more. The glitter of the city faded as the heat and darkness grew around him. Soon, only a faint light could be seen, far far in the distance. The heat continued to increase. Sweat started to pour from Berello. He ripped at his clothes in the darkness. They were burning him. The light of fire caught to them as he fell; burning his flesh along with the cloth.
His clothes burned away. Searing flesh, stinging against the air. So much pain. Eyes watering and squinting from the pain. Flailing body colliding with burning sides of the tunnel. When will it end…Please, make it end…Gasping for breath Berello could feel the last remnants of his life leaving his naked and disgraced body.
It was almost over. The burning heat, the searing pain. Soon he would feel no more. But wait? What’s this? Cool water washing over his body. Can this be?
Gender:
Points: 9022
Reviews: 647