(Viewpoint: Roum)
Sleep doesn't come.
I am lying on the cold, white bed, my gaze fixed on the shadowless ceiling.
But in my head, it's the complete opposite: a storm.
A constant noise.
A voice.
Or several.
I can no longer distinguish what is a memory, what is an invention, what comes from me…
I instinctively touch my throat. No scar. No mark. Nothing.
That's already something.
But I don't remember. I torture myself thinking about it, I have trouble understanding, I don't dream anymore, I haven't had that same dream since I've been here and it's only now that I truly realize it.
My mind is elsewhere.
Love,
Why do I think about it so much?
She must hate me.
I close my eyes.
Inspire
The threads move beneath my skin. They don't even ask my permission anymore.
Bip
A sharp, dry sound.
The door opens.
I jump.
And I sit on the bed
Hair all over the place
But it's not Alpha-1.
Just one of those men in grey. Neutral expression, weapon strapped to his thigh, tense posture.
- Romanian subject. Number 1 omega, Standing.
I'm not moving.
He approached with a military stride.
- This is a direct order of alpha 1. Stand up
I get up.
My feet touch the metallic floor and a shiver runs through me.
Like a thousand needles piercing me.
My senses are suddenly heightened.
I can feel the breathing behind the walls.
The rhythm of the machines.
The blood circulating in the guard's veins.
My head is spinning.
I held myself back thanks to the wall, but he had turned around, already ignoring me.
- they went the .
I am.
Walking casually behind him
The corridor was too bright.
That I cover my eyes
The white was reflected everywhere, even in the depths of my gaze, no matter where I looked.
– we are here
he simply told me
At the end of the tunnel, the elevator appears. A large circular door, a glass wall allowing a view of… infinite verticality.
I swallow.
The guard scans his armband. The door slides open to the side.
"Have a good trip," he said without looking at me.
I remain frozen.
- Should I go alone?
He shakes his head.
- we are not authorized at this level, this space is reserved for the elites.
She.
Alpha-1.
An elite?
I'm going up against my will.
The door closes.
And the climb begins.
There was nothing particularly special about the interior apart from a red interior and LEDs on the floor which gave a feeling of oppression.
I simply leaned back and closed my eyes, taking deep breaths.
"Leave me alone," Asmara murmured.
The pain thumps against my veins. My joints are torturing me. Every breath is a struggle, trapped in this position.
But I am alive.
I could have died.
I had better luck in that forest.
I clench my fists.
The infusion is still in place.
Drips one by one
1246
1247
1248
It's not... my fault.
I was still in the room where I'd been locked up since she "saved" me, just a bed, handcuffs, and about ten IV drips non-stop.
I keep going around in circles, I'm delirious, I'm hot and tired, I DON'T SLEEP, I have to resist.
Alpha-1.
I hate her.
I hate her in a way I've never hated anyone before.
She always knew.
She sent us there.
That's it, it's all about that.
And now she's playing with me.
She thinks she's won…
Non.
Never again.
I am dying inside.
I can't take it anymore.
I don't know which one is worse.
The door suddenly opens.
I raise my head
A guard?
- Hi Asmara. Get up.
"Who are you? I can't walk by myself," I sighed, letting myself fall back onto the bed. "Can't you see I'm tied up?"
They grabbed my arm roughly.
- Look, you've never been tied up.
I frown.
- But I was tied up?
- Asmara, nobody tied you up, you have always been free.
I'm speaking.
- There was… but?
Alpha avoids my gaze.
- Come on, let's go, they're both waiting for you.
And she shows me the exit
I feel my legs becoming weak and my head heavier.
I rip out the IV drip and walk past her holding my arm.
I need to stay calm.
I need to stay strong.
I need to understand what she wants.
An elevator was waiting for us, open.
I paused for a moment and glanced back.
She shook her head
That almost pushes me inwards.
Everything is going well
The first dome.
My favorite creation.
This is where it all really begins.
It was a bit rushed, but.
The central platform shines beneath our feet.
Around us, dozens of observers were waiting for our arrival.
They are waiting.
They hope.
After all this time.
I turn my head slightly when the elevator lights up.
- The first circle, dome 6, said a voice behind me.
I'm not answering.
At this point the sky is already starting to get clearer even though it sometimes experiences stormy weather, cold and hot.
The elevator is moving forward.
A dark area and then we come out again.
– third circle, dome 4
Asmara observe me
She seems… lost.
Tired. And yet, he stands.
- So this is what the 4th dome looks like.
I'm not answering.
I'm just watching.
This cloudy blue sky, a life that seems so distant, paradisiacal and peaceful, a life that has disappeared and now exists only in the imagination of some, here it is before us
She looks at me.
– 6th circle, the first dome, your journey ends here, please step back from the doors.
The elevator doors open again.
Roum appears.
He staggers as he moves forward, but his eyes…
Her eyes are burning.
She sees Roum.
And turn your head. A small movement
Silence.
Thirty seconds.
Then…
"Asmara," he whispers.
She doesn't answer.
He smiled.
– Did you see how magnificent the sky is? Everything is big and clean here, it's MAGICAL, AND THERE'S NO NOISE AT ALL.
– Shut up, you're acting like a real pit guy
The tension between them is electrical, broken, distant.
I take a step towards them.
- smiled. Both of them. Roum is right, look how beautiful it is
Asmara tightens her gaze.
I don't see what would make me smile.
"Everything," I smiled. "As always."
Roum lowers his head.
I continue:
- You are about to enter a new phase.
You are EMOTIONAL
Asmara almost spits:
- WHAT!?
I approach her.
- EMOTIONAL .
She's backing away.
- For what ?!
I smile.
- Because I promised to give you everything, Asmara.
I placed a hand on the glass that separated us from the light coming from the beautiful, cloudless blue sky.
The room is bathed in a bluish glow.
- I need you. You're the only one capable of doing it.
I need those who know how to lead…
I turn to Roum.
- And you, a miracle… .
He was staring into my eyes.
I continue, further down:
- Today, you are reborn.
I raise my hand.
The place where it all begins.
- Let's go home.
They hesitate.
Then Roum moves forward.
Without a word, her eyes full of stars.
As if he were walking in a dream he didn't understand.
Asmara follows him, reluctantly, but she follows him. And they walk away.
I remain here, motionless.
The old man joined me.
- Have you already started?
"No," I said calmly.
I will study them first.
He gives a cold smile.
- You're playing with fire. You're taking risks by dragging things out.
I turn my head towards the window.
The dome, gigantic, in the center.
Like a small tennis ball.
"I never play," I replied.