PRESENT

JANUARY 8TH 6:40 PM

We exited the bathroom stalls and headed to the Cells Security Entrance. Usually, cut-off-period from the lunchroom after dinner is 8 pm, but tonight was special. Tonight the prison conversion was taking place, and we were required to be back in our cells twenty minutes early. There would be a live audio broadcast from the World Leaders beginning at 8 pm and lasting for about an hour. By the time everyone woke up the next day, they would be receiving their new U.I correctional imprints and the following day, no more guards would be needed at the facility. The A.I would control the entire Prison Facility, or so it should be. The reality is that everyone in this entire prison will be dead by midnight tonight. My heart cannot withstand this moral conundrum that strains it. And the worst part about all this is that after the government murders all the prisoners with a massive explosion, they intend to blame it on the Resistance in order to use that as a motive to wipe out the wasteland where they mainly reside with nuclear weapons.

“So stay here then?” Raymond whispered tactfully.

“Yes, and wait for my signal,” I responded.

If all goes well with my plan, none of us have to die trying to escape tonight. But if anyone should, it most certainly won’t be me or Alex. I’ve come too far to fail now.

We’re now in the lunch room getting into position. I see Norman in the Guards post, the twins are positioned at a lunchroom desk near the two adjacent cameras and Raymond and Duran are in the center of the Lunchroom prepared to start a riot when I give the signal. Alex is sitting far away from me; he’s the closest to the gates. But not too close as to be one of the first to get trazzered when the Guards are first released.

This has to work…

I prepare myself to give the signal to Raymond and the twins that we were set to go. And then Norman will follow up by extricating us from the Lunchroom area by opening the Door long enough for us to get through before the backup security comes on and all doors are sealed shut.

My dad always said that if you’re ever too nervous to do something, just count down from 10 and then just do it. So here goes…

10

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8

JANUARY 6TH RAS

“Hey, I was too caught up in the moment to ask but whatever happened to Illia Stellar and the professor Invention?” Alex shrewdly probed.

“Well,” Raymond started, “As far as I know, the government seized his invention and Illia was laid to rest next to her beloved just a few weeks after they found her in the pod.”

“I see,” I responded.

7

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5

PRESENT- JANUARY 8TH 7:20 PM

((“If we get out of here and start a new life…” He paused as if fighting to get his words out. I brushed his hair back from out of his face.))

((“What is it?” I pushed him.))

((“If we get out of here… do you still want to be with me?”))

((“Alex, I paused. I have never been in this kind of situation before. And I don’t just mean because you’re a guy. I’ve never had these kinds of feelings for another person and to be honest, I don’t really know what to do with them.”

((“I see,” he gloomed, “so I’m just an experiment to you then?”))

((“No, that’s not what I’m saying at all.” My responded delighted him.))

((He hopefully looked away then asked anxiously, “Then what are you saying?”

((“I’m saying,” I continued, “That I want to lock you in a bedroom for hours on end. Right now, that’s the only thing I’m sure of. The rest I’m just trying to figure out as I go along.”))

4

3

Why am I remembering this now?!

2

…….. “All prisoners please report to your cell. There is an emergency announcement.