Quickly, I ran down into the stairs, slid on the handle. I wished I could use the elevator that had been out of order for 3 months. But such luxury was only a foolish dream that day. Finally arrived at the bottom floor. I ran at a moderate pace into the street while catching my breath. A small path into the main road was about a few hundred meters further. This street wasn’t the best neighborhood, but we have some surveillance cameras, and some security patrols now and then. As I ran further, I could see only a few people who needed to go to work or school. Another few might go out to buy food and dairies. Something expected of a suburban area.

To get into my destination, I would have to go through some apartments, poor housing districts, and privately owned stores complexes. Passed the apartments and the residential area on the way. They were still dirty, full of messy cables, various promotional posters, even small monitors filled with ads. Didn’t take long until I passed through the gate into the market complex. A few stores opened in the early morning to sell basic necessities caught my eyes.

As I was about to pass through one of the grocery stores, Miss Elba, the shopkeeper with a hippo head mutation, said hi.

“Morning Archie, you’re going to the academy today?” She said while waving cheerfully behind the counter at me.

“Morning miss Elba, yes, please wish me luck okay!” I replied while running.

“Sure, good luck!” She replied with her snout bobbing a little.

It was weird at first, but I got used to people having extreme mutations. In fact, it’s not that rare. Some people in the city were having mutations as drastic as her. It was already common and easily acceptable for most people to live side by side in this situation. Perhaps when you understand something, it’s easier to respond to that. Plus, people could easily find an explanation about the human mutation in the city network or many other media.

The information that you could get was something like this: Based on the latest research, mutations appeared somewhere around 800 hundred years ago. Because of high DNA damage caused by radiation, most of the people at the time were either dying of cancer or radiation sickness. But those who survived found themselves somehow to have their DNA altered based on their surrounding environment. It’s a part of living creatures to be persistent. The desire to be alive forced them to adapt. Based on the locations they will develop tougher skin, stronger muscle, changes in appearance and many other variations. Those were the latest information about mutation, according to the scientist so far.

Somehow, until today, the mutations were still happening despite the stable and comfort that the environment provided. In miss Elba's situations her family had this physical alteration mutation for generations. I heard she came from Africa and the harsh environment was the reason, resulting in her current appearance. The living conditions filter the survivors based on their best adaptive abilities. The surviving gene passed on through the next generations. But that was just one sample in her case where she inherited that appearance. Some mutations started differently. Besides the mutation that generated from your family bloodline, there was also mutation that uniquely appeared in each individual. The reason is still a mystery and requires extensive research. That was all I knew so far, I got my attention back on the road. As I waved back at Miss Elba, I could see my path in front of me was branching on a crossroads.

The path I took was the shortest into the monorail station. I had to pass more apartment buildings, small factories, and retail stores to get there. While I ran I could see flying vessels carrying VIPs with their security, trucks delivering goods, and robots doing chores. They would appear more often as I was getting closer to the city center. The humming sound of the automobile and logistics drone was the ambient you couldn’t miss. They constantly passed through the street as the heart of the economy. In the distance, I could see high-rise buildings diversified with some refurbished post-war ruins building on the other side. The disparity in architecture was far from unnoticeable. You could find a shack made of bamboo on the right while a high-tech building with the latest digital security on the left. That is just how they built Prosov. Anything’s possible.

Talking about possibilities, this man showed up just at the right time. In front of me, I was about to meet Mr. Marek, a man in his 40s with a lizard tail mutation. He’s known as a man who complains a lot about finding proper pants. He was walking on the sidewalk holding a leash. I could see that he’s walking his dog, I mean, turtle. I wasn’t sure. It’s a tamed and domesticated version of a mutated animal called turtle hound. Could you even pet that? Well, after spending my life for 7 years in Prosov, this becomes the norm. Soon enough, he noticed me running into him.

*NODS I gestured to a simple greeting.

*NODS, he nodded back and continued to walk his dog-turtle in peace.

Meeting Mr. Marek meant that I was just a few minutes closer to the major road. And that’s where I would take the monorail at the south station. Accurate enough. Not for long, I could see the station up ahead. But before I climbed the stairs. There was this botanical store with various exotic plants being sold close to it. I have a habit of always paying my dear friend a visit, she’s called Toma.

“Hi Toma! Look what I got for you. You’ll love this!” I cheerfully tried to attract her attention.

Toma, a green plant with yellow teeth and some tentacles with the suction cup, was recognizing my voice via her umm… sensory leaves? I had no idea. There was a sign written “do not touch, or lose a finger,” but I already passed that.

“SHAA SHAA” A noise she made.

I grabbed a roasted beef from today’s breakfast in my pocket covered in tissue and passed it to her mouth.

“CHOMP! GULP!” Another noise she made while consuming the meat.

“Hahaha, you like it? I think that meat would last you a week to digest.” I said to her happily.

“Attention Passenger, the monorail is about to arrive please stand outside the. . .” I could hear a monotonous female voice from the station.

“Oh my. Gotta hurry. See you later, Toma!” I said goodbye and climbed the stairs.

I took the escalator to get onto the upper floor. It was wonderful. There were only a few people crowding the entrance. After that, I arrived at the gate terminal and inspected my pocket. Thank god I did not forget my tabs. This tablet is a multi-purpose gadget made of transparent materials. Works as a communication device, reading digitally, and using various applications. I could also use this tool to access the city networks, a digital virtual computer data connected via underground cable and wireless signal. A part of pre-war technology that we still use today. But in this case, I need my tab for ‘Koin’, a digital currency credit that I used to pay for the fare.

As I tapped my tabs into the gate entrance device, the monorail arrived. Then I hurriedly walked into the monorail door with some crowd already waiting around. That’s why fewer people were at the entrance, because most of them were already inside. I was late. I have to make sure I get a seat. Even though the travel time to the academy was only 5 minutes, standing throughout the journey would be a waste of energy.

It was rare to have so many people using the monorail. Usually, 10-20% were still missing a seat. Those people have no other choice but to stand. At that moment, I was one of them. I was holding onto the pole, letting out a small sigh of disappointment. Fortunately, not for long. I threw those depressing moods away as soon as the monorail window revealed the alluring landscape of the city.

I could see the botanical farms, some high rise skyscrapers, housing made of wood like in the Middle Ages. The architecture was like the documentary I saw before. In the distance, my eyes couldn’t miss seeing the proud city walls protecting us from the elements. it was not the first time I saw them, but these views were always a superb source of breathtaking moments. As I moved my gaze around the interior, I noticed someone.

I saw a girl, wearing the same uniform as me. She was sitting on the other side of the tube while checking on her tabs.

Jet black hair, uncommon traits of people living in this city. Eyes crimson red, yet cold as the northern ocean. Skin pale, yet a reddish tone appears at her cheek. As much as the serious face she was making, I could see a picture of a cat displayed on her tabs.

A moment later, I realized something. That I was spying on a girl early in the morning. If someone might notice me staring, they would call the Corpo security immediately. I warned myself to stop and find something else to do.

Before I tried to look the other way, I noticed her chest. NO, it’s nothing perverted. I was looking at the badge. It was a symbol of a golden sword, meaning the Military and Business Program. That sign left me with even less interest. I doubted that we will ever meet again at the academy. Now that I fulfilled my curiosity, I just forgot about her. Back into enjoying the scenery beyond the glass pane.

The window was reflective enough to let me see my mirrored self. I could see the badge on my chest showing a silver gear symbol. Meaning the Civil Arts and Supporting Program. There were only two programs at the academy. And I made my choice easily, different from what most kids would do. The competition wasn’t as hard as the Military and Business Program. That was because people in this city were always idolizing the Military. But not for me. Yeah, go ahead. You can be the hero. Meanwhile, I feel just fine to be a simple cog in a giant machine.

---

My focus shifted onto the horizon as I watched the scenery outside, I saw that one extensive complex in a distance. The frigid-toned woman on the audio device was informing the passenger once more. She was delivering the news that we have arrived at the West Station.

There I was, about to become a simple gear in this corporate giant clock. Just like that stupid bird alarm on the wall, the single cog just does its job spinning. That one insignificant part did it without knowing that an annoying scream is what he’s helping to create. Feeling fine to walk into the life that I choose, I didn’t know that the thread of destiny had been decided for me and it would screw up every bit of my future plan. Nah, I was sure that it was just my imagination.