(Viewpoint: Alpha-1)
He turns on his heel.
Disappears into the shadows.
I remain alone, intrigued by his action.
What became of you?
Silence returns.
Slowly
I remain motionless.
The greenish water runs down my boots and coat.
– That's strange
I feel nothing
– …
I close my eyes and breathe out
I take off my coat and throw it aside
[REPORT IN PROGRESS]
Bluish lines appear in front of me.
[ROUM SUBJECT: LOST LOCATION]
– [CAPTURE FAILED]
– [END OF MY MISSION]
[ CONTINUE]
- [ NEGATIVE]
[THAT'S AN ORDER]
I fixate on the words.
A long time.
Too long.
- Canceled.
[ARE YOU DISOBEYING?]
- Cancel .
A while.
[ARCHIVED REPORT]
The system obeys.
As always.
But this time…
I feel like things are slipping out of my control.
Even though I have the time, theirs is limited and it's suffocating me.
I'm moving forward.
Zone 9 is quiet.
Death.
Collapsed structures. Broken screens. Old interfaces still lit up, broadcasting messages that are no longer useful to anyone.
"Welcome." "Security guaranteed." "Stable area."
I run my hand along a wall.
It is rough.
Cold.
Imperfect.
Nothing to do with the center.
Nothing to do with my garden.
Nothing to do with my world.
And yet…
Of his own accord.
– (I could just finish now)
I whisper without realizing it.
Walking in the dark corridor
– Rome....
It echoed in the eco
Stopping in front of the escalator
His gaze
Her hands were trembling.
His voice.
She bent down, observing the footprints on the ground.
[PRIORITY CONNECTION]
Vibra son interface
I sigh.
- Poster.
The Old Man's silhouette appears.
Blurry.
Tired.
– You didn't bring it back.
– call me about that
Silence.
He's looking at me.
A long time.
– You're making me doubt myself, I'm starting to hesitate.
I look away slightly.
– what does it matter
His voice is calm.
But heavy.
– I couldn't... Not for that long
I'm closing the communication.
Without answering.
And takes the first step.
One foot after the other, to the grinding of the machine
The closer I get to the center, the smoother everything becomes.
Own .
And calm
As if Roum had never been there
I'm starting to wonder if it's me who got lost.
No trace.
I find myself in an open space, a terrace filled with tables and chairs, a cafeteria hidden under this dust
I pull a chair
I sit down.
Slowly.
I don't know what to do.
So I'm waiting.
There is no way out at this point.
TACK !
A chair collapses
I jump.
– Rome …?
I straighten up, upright, calm.
Silence.
Then :
– aah!
I feel pressure.
It was as if I couldn't breathe.
My license plate is vibrating.
[SUBJECT IN DANGER]
[ DANGER]
[ DANGER]
[ DANGER]
[ DANGER]
An arm tightened around her neck, pulling her along the ground.
His vision becomes blurry
And his heart slowed in his chest.
She grabbed his arm without really struggling.
– …you're not going to defend yourself?
the aggressor whispered to him
[ DANGER]
[ DANGER]
[ DANGER]
[ DANGER]
The grip becomes violent, leaving her face turning pink and then red.
But she didn't seem to want to break free
[ DANGER]
[ DANGER]
[ DANGER]
Then silence.
The connection drops.
His arms slipped and fell to the ground
I am left alone.
Hanging from his throat.
Her eyes were wide open, staring into space.
His heart had stopped beating
And its interface was black.
– …
Sold out.
I let go of her and move away from her body sprawled on the ground
– she is dead….
I whisper
– I finally killed him
I get up and brush the dust off my clothes,
I return to the cafeteria, leaving with a jar full of dust
Pour, I pour everything on her and the ground covering the entire terrace.
With my boots I walk delicately above the ground
I go down and cover the escalator, sealing the entrance again.
Then I turn around.
Automatically moving towards the exit.
I stop in front of a shop window, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
Blanc.
Sweating.
A smile appeared on my face.
A work of art.
– …Who am I…
I whisper.
She remains.
It is a pard.
My heart is beating faster.
- I'm sorry
…
I'm doing it for our dream.