Elise Asce

As loud as a gunshot, thunder, and lightning followed by rain. Windows trembled as the gust intensified. The higher one was, the harsher it got. The rain seeped inside, drop by drop, forming a path as if a river. Rather than ending into the sea, the stream ended into the futon. Carelessly, as the night progressed, the storm intensified. *BEEP,* muffled by the rain and wind, '-my feet are moist,' awoke in a pitch-black room, as if waves crashing onto the shore, the rain crashed against the windowpanes. A cacophony which was relaxing in its own way.

'My head hurts,' awake, '-really,' turning on the light, the time displayed was 06:15. 'The place is flooded,' a fatigued sigh. An inch of water formed right at the feet of the futon. 'Everything is damped, my carton table,' stressed piled on similar to an open tap that was left to fill a bucket. 'I can't be bothered to clean,' half-asleep, scurrying into the kitchen, '-an egg,' hidden behind rotting cabbage leaves. 'I must have forgotten to cook it at some point,' examining the item using the light of the fridge, '-here's dinner.' Placed on the door, '-the lunch box should have two more portions.' Closed, the darkness regained control. Sat with one leg on another, '-life isn't that bad,' he chuckled whilst eating frozen rice. 'It's so cold,' moist, the body trembled for it was freezing. 'Laundry,' he thought, '-there's a stream at the central park.' Deep inside, on the outskirts, beyond the park's limits, a forest left untamed and wild. 'I should be able to wash my clothes there. A bit of effort,' finished after five bites, the stomach growled. 'Be quiet,' holding onto the fridge, '-hot water as my morning drink.' *Click,* the stove lit after a few retries. The room smelled like gas.

'I forgot to brush my teeth,' facing the sink, '-what's this?' his vision grew blurry, '-my throat hurts, it's like being stung with a thousand needles,' tears hit against the metal sink making a thump. If the metal body had a heart, it would have sounded exactly the same. Brush in mouth and using soap as toothpaste since the latter ran out, '-sour,' he gagged. 'Disgusting,' stuck to the teeth and inner parts of the mouth, the taste never left. 'It smells so good yet tastes so bad,' complaining about the soap – two flashes of light followed by an enraged roar.

'Hot water,' in a cup, one with a local-café's logo, of which was a Crescent Moon. 'I can't complain about my situation,' squatted on the elevated part of the room. Right after the kitchen, the floor would go down around ten-centimeters. A small ledge as a means of separation. Thanks to that, the water didn't reach him, as for the futon – there was no helping it, '-if it gets damp, I'll just sleep on the kitchen floor. I still have the yoga-mat I won as a gift last year.' Tasteless, the liquid helped in warming the body from within. 'Fight it,' he thought, '-fight the urge to give up. Getting depressed now won't solve anything. A healthy mind for a healthy body and vice-versa. Remember what the Professor said, it one falls into the cycle of depression, then it's harder to escape. I can't,' the hands curled into a fist, '-I still need to get through university and be by Elise's side. She has yet to wake up from her coma.'

"What is up ladies and gentlemen," the radio turned on, "-welcome to the early breakfast show. If you're just waking up, then good-morning. If perchance you're heading to work on a public holiday, then good luck. Don't forget to bring an umbrella because outside rages a storm. First off, the news. Idol Roxette rumored to be on hiatus after her three-month tour ending next Sunday. We've even got gossip about her coming to Academy-City. Next up, onto more gruesome news, an elderly couple murdered at the central-park by a gang of thieves. Currently held in custody, the attackers, aged in the late twenties were extremist against the AI rule. To finish the segment, Gian's tournament has officially begun. Tomorrow will mark the opening ceremony. Hosted overseas in the capital city of Hiante – join the streaming event at 17:00, tomorrow on C-sports or Virtualize to assist the event. Tickets will cost around 5000 Bits per person," music played.

'Today's the start of a new month. April has come at last,' the weather kept on worsening. '-Roxette coming off tour, what a load of bull,' reaching over to return the cup into the sink, '-as if someone talented needs a break. Still can't believe that people are willing to kill in this day and age. I'd go as far as to guess that they were humans – ignorant racists,' putting on whatever clothes laid about, '-can't forget the poncho,' protecting the upper body only, '-an hour walk till the hospital.' SCHD in hand, scrolling to the banking details, '-good, my salary is here,' lit in bold-black; 14,750 Bits. 'If I walk fast, I can probably make it to the jeweler in the commercial district. It's going to take longer but what's there to lose,' on the ground floor and standing near the entrance. The door opened with a little touch; the wind charged without stop.

"Close it you idiot," yelled the guard, a middle-aged man with no hair and a white-beard.

"Sorry," the door shut.

"Kids these days," mumbled, he went back to sleep.

"Time to move," sniffles due to the cold, head staring the ground, he walked. Time showed 07:10. Down the pavement, cars would often drive and spray water onto pedestrians as puddles would gather near the edges. Misty and dim, it felt anything from dawn. Grey and unforgiving, the walk continued. Inside shops, as he marched into the commercial district. Glared out a few dressed in comfortable clothes in a warm environment. Mostly cafes, signs of the shop's name would light with differing colors – young ladies would have hot drinks and stare out the windows and onto the street. 'This is awkward,' he thought and walked acting as if he saw nothing. No one in their right mind would have gotten out during such weather. A lonesome traveler, many gave side-glances and passed comments. 'I'd so love to be in their spot,' wishful thinking about a good and peaceful breakfast.

*Achoo,* sneezed, the rain kept on pouring. 'I'm feeling lightheaded,' he thought, the face turned pale – water dripped off the nose. Eyelashes on which hung dew, not a pleasant feeling. From forehead to the chin, it flowed downwards leaving a tingly feeling.

*Garso's Jewels,* written across on a windowpane. Inside, neatly arranged, necklaces, rings, and precious stones.

"Excuse me," pushing open the door, the lady mounting the counter glared then quickly smiled.

"How may I help you?" she asked.

"I'd like to sell a chain," wiping off his shoes, drenched, he walked in leaving behind footsteps. 'At least the place has heating,' he thought and approached.

"Very well," ignoring the mess made, white-tiles, now turned into a scene out of a murder mystery where the killer leaves behind a trail of blood; was replaced by mud instead of blood. "Where's the item in question?" she asked with a formal smile.

"Here," taking out the chain, the moment it left his hands, the heart tugged. 'Memories of my mother,' it was as if a piece of him got torn, the images flashed. Her lovely comforting smile, her childish attitude even though she was forty. 'Goodbye mother, I wish I could have tasted your home-cooked meal one last time,' hidden by the wet-hair, tears flowed. The assistant focused on evaluating the chain, the sentimental value – was naught. "5500 Bits," she voiced.

'Memories of my mother worth 5500 Bits,' deep breath in, '-I'd like to sell it."

"What would you prefer, cash or HD transfer?"

"HD transfer," said in a reluctant voice. The money transferred over to the bank-account using the Hyde System.

'20,250,' the door closed behind. Turning back, a cleaner could be seen wiping off the footprint he made. 'Guess it's time to pay my debts,' through the SCHD – 5000 Bits towards the student loan and 4000 for March's rent. 'I did it,' a few steps away from the Jewelry shop, inside an alley covered by edges used to protect air-conditioners and electrical devices, '-the debt of being a student has been dealt with. 11,250, I'm leaving behind a part of myself, no regret,' eyes forward, the walk continued.

Time: 09:00, *Central Hospital,* written in Red against a white background with a red cross on the side. 'This place never changes,' walking inside, hood off and wiping the drenched face. "Excuse me," approaching the receptionist – the payment for Elise Asce was settled. "Can I visit her?" he asked.

"Visiting hour ends at around 10:00, take the elevator and head to the East-Block. She's in room 120, be sure to leave by then," a courteous smile later, the lady nodded.

"Thanks," he nodded, '-off I go,' he walked, ��-the same trip I made for five years. Climbing the same stairs – the place never changes; only the people. New faces, new patients, some dies, and some recover, nevertheless, my sister remains in her room, sleeping. *Click,* opened, lit in amber color, the settings changed automatically by an AI.

"Please be mindful of the patient," it said through the speakers in a robotic voice.

"I'll be sure to bear that in mind, 0T3Z," said in a friendly tone, the AI in charge of monitoring her vital signs faded into the background. A white bed with a blanket with flowers in different shapes and sizes. "Good morning Elise," he whispered, "-I've got more of the rose's you love so much," taking out the vase and filling water, then placed by her bed again, he sat. Blonde hair, fair skin, rosy cheeks, a petite body – now aged 16. 'I still remember the day father took you in after you lost your parents. We might not be related, but we're still from the same family. In that instant, from a long-lost cousin to my step-sister. Hailing from a prestigious family; on my father's side – you had everything and talent to boot. It didn't take long for people to be mesmerized by the art you made – father and mother were completely thrilled to have you. Being the only child was tough, so when you came, it made a whole lot of sense. Be more like Elise, was what father would say on the days I laid about in the living room. Then, on that 28th of April, I woke up to the news of a car having an accident. Or so that was what the media reported, I know the truth, they were murdered. Just because Father was a Celestial, the family got targeted. You too, sister, you're a Celestial,' in the middle of her forehead, a Star, '-a miracle since it was so rare,' holding her hand, '-even if that's the case, you'll always be my little sister,' he paused, "-Be strong and fight. I'll do my best – keep fighting and don't you dare give up. The Elise I know is a warrior," letting go, he stood.

"I'll be leaving now," he headed for the door.

"Are you done?" asked the robotic voice.

"Yes, 0T3Z, thanks for always looking after her. I'll be back soon," closed as lightly as possible, the visit ended. '10:00 already,' checking the time, '-better head to the library and study. Exams start in three days, better get on reviewing my classes." Now walking towards his university, one in which hosted a big library, the trip would take one hour and thirty minutes.

'Damn,' standing in the middle of the courtyard, the campus seemed abandoned. 'The library,' whispered, he walked down many halls, passed benches on which couples would flirt. Till an old building, reminiscent of the olden era, made of stone-bricks with architecture unique to the people of Ench, appeared. The door, opened, was guarded by security; a star – meaning, a celestial.

"Is it opened?"

"Yes, son, even on a public holiday, the spread of knowledge should never end," he smiled and laughed.