Prejudice: 01

On my way back from the meeting with the Trinity I was relieved they were satisfied with the maps. Other than that Dan just told me to let him know if anything new pooped out and that they would pay "generously" for it, his words. I was just glad he wasn't going to have my head chopped off and thrown into the sea for taking too long.

On the yard, many kids were running around with laser guns and VR headsets shooting each other while pushing and bumping into the people passing by. This empty-handed kid ran into me hard when he was following a tall girl who had a big replica of a police weapon. The mini cop kept running but her stalker stayed behind stuck to the floor with frown.

- What happened? - I asked him.

- Why do you care? - Frowning with eyes glued to where the girl went, he didn't move at all.

- Because you, sir, ran me over.

- She won't let me play with it. - He wasn't older than eight, small little guy with a shaved head and one hell of an angry face.

- What's your name?

- Wei-2997. - With a sloppy move he tried to wipe the tears that started to fall off his dirty face. No matter how tough he looked, he couldn't control his feelings.

- You shouldn't be here… - I got down on one knee to have a better look at him. Black stain circled his eyes as a result of adding water to a dirty face, he looked like one mad Panda. It was clear the kid haven't had a shower in a long time. I was about to invite him to come up for lunch but the moment I reached to get his hand, Wei ran off and disappeared into an alley.

There were so many of them everywhere. Some young like Wei, others older, either way, it was easy to find them with the always recently shaved heads. Basic lice control. Everything about those kids had to be simple and practical, clothes, hair, names, if a series of numbers could be qualified as a name.

On my feet again, I resumed my journey through the yard. A few steps away from my door I was grabbed by the neck with one arm and forced to bend over while the same person jumped over my back.

- Yo, the camper has left the tent.

- One of these days I will knock you down.

- You would never. Now carry me up the stairs!

Jk had mounted on my back and was pointing to the horizon. His nerve was admirable, resilient as a young baby but I wasn't, so I unwrapped his arms from around my neck and pushed his torso away with my elbows. Of course he screamed like he just had been shot while rolling on the floor clutching his stomach.

- You'll pay for this!

- That's what you get for facing someone stronger than you. - Alert for any surprise attacks, I turned my back at him to head inside.

- What were you doing outside in broad daylight? - he got up unharmed and began to follow me up the stairs.

- Had some business with the Manager. Did you know his name is Jeff?

- Yes, didn't you?

No. - I shrugged, looking back at Jk who was just a few steps behind me - At least we won't starve for a couple months.

- That much, huh?

On hot days, all the doors stayed wide opened to let the air circulate inside the tight four walls. An average of four to five people lived in each apartment, when it was meant to accommodate maximum two. For many that was an upgrade, who couldn't afford rent had to live in public shelters offered by the City. Buildings filled with cabins the size of coffins that could only fit one person laying down. Those who saved enough for a tiny space in the slums were grateful just for the fact that they could stand up straight in their homes.

Climbing all the way up to the fifteenth floor always got me distracted. There was always so much going on, I even forgot Jk was behind me. After we started another set of stairs, my guard was down and suddenly I felt a burning localized pain so strong it made me jump forward. I lost balance, almost falling on my face if it wasn't for the wall being so close.

- Oe, careful there! - Jk shouted while his hand was placed right where I felt the surprise attack.

- You pinched my ass, you mischievous creature!

- Never let your guard down, bro.

I had the higher ground, I could kick him off the stairs and he wouldn't be able to do a thing about but there there was no honor on that. Accepting defeat was a part of war. Puffing to myself, I restarted my journey.

- Where were you these past days? I feel like I haven't seen you in ages. - Making conversation was the way I found to hide my resentment.

- Working.

- What kind of work?

- Delivery?! - he didn't sound very sure.

- No Mask business lately?

- Nah… The city is crawling with pigs. More than usual, can't even cross to the top Tier without being searched at every corner.

- Why? There were no new attacks. - we passed a group of people chatting, Jk and I high-fived two of them before moving forward.

- No one knows. Some members say they were harassed just for hanging around downtown in groups.

- Why did you stay in the city then? - That boy seemed off, evasive even. Normally he would narrate in detail everything he did the day before, where he went, who he saw, how work was tiring, all things I didn't care about.

- I had to work. Can't stop my life because cops are going feral.- I made sure to look him in the eye while he answered. He didn't look away.- Now move your ass, I'm hungry.

Our way to the top was quiet from there. Many points in our conversation kept me thinking until I got home. I went straight to my workspace eager to dig into the Sargent's screen. The Mask wasn't attacking so why flood the city with cops.