⁕ A Broken World

Inside a small apartment in London, United Kingdom, an obese man snorted loudly on the sofa while the television played quietly. The living room was filled with junk and garbage but it didn't seem to bother the man as he slept soundly surrounded by empty cans and dirty pizza boxes.

[News lady] - "A fleet of unknown origin has evicted the Italian government out of their office through military means. We have yet to know if this was an act of war from a foreign nation or an act of terrorism. The British parliament has yet to release words on this matter but we hope the best for the people of Italy involved in this act of aggression. "

Behind the sofa stood a young boy with his school bag and school uniform ready. He shot a look of disgust as he saw the cockroach crawling on his father's smelly tank top.

[Susan] - "Karson! I told ye to get in the bloody car, what are you doing standin' there, ye little shite! "

[Karson] - "I'm thirsty, mom! "

Said Karson in an annoyed voice.

Susan sighed heavily before rushing up to him and handing him a bottle of water.

[Susan] - "Let's go or you'll be late for school. "

[Karson] - "I could drink from the tap. Why ye always force me to drink these bottled water? "

[Susan] - "Cause tha' water ain't good for ye! "

[Karson] - "You sound like a conspiracy theorist, mom. The teacher and everyone in the school said the water was fine. "

[Susan] - "Don't listen to 'em. "

Just as Susan was about to get in the car, she suddenly noticed a ticket hanging by her windshield.

[Susan] - "Those bloody arseholes! "

Susan crushed the ticket in her palm before angrily punching the steering wheel.

[Karson] - "What is that, mom? "

[Susan] - "A ticket. We gotta pay taxes to drive on the roads and I forgot to pay it last month. "

[Karson] - "Just like how I gotta tip the teacher after every lesson? "

[Susan] - "What? That's ridiculous! What kind of twat introduced that rule? "

[Karson] - "Teacher said they ain't gettin' paid enough, so tips are needed to keep 'em workin'. "

[Susan] - "Nobody's gettin' paid enough these days, yet none the cowards dared to speak up or protest against the government. It's like everyone's been bloody drugged. "

At a red light, Karson saw a group of homeless people at the side of the road asking him for change but Karson simply shrugged his shoulders. As one of the homeless walked to other cars, he was suddenly ambushed by a pair of police officers. Karson watched as they savagely beat him while the rest of the homeless people fled the scene in fear.

[Policeman] - "Go back to your tents, ye dogs! If we see you roaming the streets again, we'll fucking beat ye pieces of shites to a pulp! "

Karson remained silent for a while as the car rolled slowly on the congested roads. After pushing what just happened to the back of his mind, Karson slowly turned his head to his frustrated mother.

[Karson] - "Say, Mom, can ye drive me to the field this afternoon? My friend invited me to play football with them. "

[Susan] - "I can barely pay the rent or keep food on the table. Yer father, that useless wanker, can't find a job either. Gas prices are extremely high and road taxes are increasin'. Can't help ye, honey. Gotta find a way to get there yourself. Take the bus or somethin'. "

Said Susan in a frustrated tone while waiting for the light to turn green.

After a long struggle on the crowded roads, they finally arrived at the school's entrance. As Karson prepared to leave the car, Susan handed Karson a 50-pound bill.

[Susan] - "This should be enough for you to take the bus and buy yourself some dinner. "

[Karson] - "Thank you, mom! "

[Susan] - "Use it wisely, you little shite! Don't forget to get home before 10 PM. The curfew time has gone up another half hour. "

Karson nodded his head before rushing into school.

Inside the school, cameras were in every corner of the building. Every student who wishes to use their locker has to insert coins inside the slot to do so. Inside the classroom, only the student who paid to have a desk could have one or else, they have to sit on the ground. Karson was amongst the lucky few who could have access to a desk.

Before the class officially started, the teacher would walk around with a small basket and ask for tips from the students. After collecting money from each student, the teacher started his lesson.

8:30 AM: English class (10 pounds given in tips per student)

"Today we'll be talking about your upcoming essay. The subject must be about either: "Patriarchy, a problem in today's society", "Diversity, the present-day oppression against different people of colour, sex and sexual orientation" or "The liberal government, how its policies helped shape our democratic nation of today. "

9:30 AM: History class (12 pounds given in tips per student)

"Today, the history of the many genders and pronouns and how they became a symbol of diversity and acceptance in British culture. "

10:30 AM: Art class (9 pounds given in tips per student)

"Today we will learn about modern art. As you can see, this banana taped to a wall illustrates the struggle of the people of Britain against China and its human rights violations. The yellow of the banana represents the people standing with us against Russia. Meanwhile, the grey represents the freedom and democracy which surround us. "

11:30 AM: Gender study class (15 pounds given in tips per student)

"As you can see, students, all of us must respect another person's identity. John, bravo for coming out as an Apache attack helicopter. We are proud of you and your identity. A personal story of mine I also want to share with you, class, is that my daughter, who is 5, came out as transgender last week and we are preparing her for gender change next week as we fully support her decision. "

As the students moved to the cafeteria for dinner, they were again forced to donate to various organizations for charity purposes. (30 pounds given to charity) At the long table, Karson sat down with his friends to eat.

[Karson] - "Don't you guys find it weird? I and my mother drove past so many homeless blokes this mornin' and yet the teacher said the number one problem in society is hate crimes against minorities. I think people are generally very tolerant toward minorities. "

[Gordon] - "What ye sayin' Karson? Don't be ridiculous! Have ye seen them statistics? It showed that minorities have it worse! "

[Karson] - "I've seen so many people from minority groups but I haven't seen any injustice against them! This is total bollocks! "

[Gordon] - "Well, John got misgendered this mornin'. They called him a "he" instead of "te". "

[Karson] - "I literally saw a homeless bloke get bashed by the police for no reason! Why is no one talking about that? "

[Gordon] - "You are hysterical, Karson! There are stats to support what I said while your claims are just un-based assumptions. "

[Karson] - "Well, I think the statistics are bullshit! You bunch of wanker just believing everything the bloody teacher tells you! I think society is perfectly fair toward minorities and that we are being fucked in the arse by whatever the teacher said! "

Karson looked around him and saw eyes fixed on him for what he said. He quickly had to concede to Gordon that he was wrong to avoid being labelled as an enemy of the public. Karson knew he couldn't win an argument against a bunch of indoctrinated people.

1:30 PM: Science class

Karson entered class but found his desk occupied by a scantily dressed boy.

[Karson] - "Hey, mate, that's my table! "

Said Karson as he rushed up to confront the boy.

[Boy] - "Ey, fuck off, will ye! I don't give a fuck if this is yer desk, ye twat. "

As Karson started to push him off his seat, the boy stood up and punched Karson in the face.

[Teacher] - "Hey, what's going on here? "

[Karson] - "That bastard punched me! "

Screamed Karson with a hand on his eye.

[Boy] - "Well he tried to attack me because I'm gay! "

[Karson] - "What? I did not do that! "

The teacher's empathetic face immediately turned to disappointment as he stared down at Karson.

[Teacher] - "You can't do this kind of thing, Karson! To the principal's office now! NOW! "

As Karson angrily got up to leave, the teacher swiftly snatched 20 pounds out of Karson's pocket.

[Karson] - "Hey, what the fuck do you think- "

[Teacher] - "Leaving my class doesn't mean you are exempt from tipping, lad. I'll be takin' 20 pounds for the trouble of dealin' with ye. "

Karson looked at his classmates for support but all of them avoided eye contact with him. Left with no choice, Karson started to head toward the door.

[Teacher] - "Anyways, just like I said yesterday, don't forget to drink plenty of water. Considering the price and environmental effects of bottled water, drinking from the tap is always appreciated. "

After school, Karson arrived at the bus stop but could not gather enough money to take the bus. Knowing that his mother won't be back from work until 9:30 PM and his father wouldn't care at all, Karson decided to walk to the field.

On his way there, he walked past a dirty and dark alleyway where he accidentally locked eyes with the boy who had stolen his desk earlier. This alley is the boy's home. He had a pack of cardboard for a bed and a bunch of dirty clothes for his bedsheet. Upon seeing him, Karson immediately accelerated his pace to get out of the boy's sight.

As Karson walked, he felt angry at himself for not taking revenge on the boy earlier. Because of him, Karson had to spend a whole 4 hours in detention to finish a 1500-word essay on why he should not be a homophobe. By the time he arrived at the field, it was already dark and his friends were preparing to leave by that point.

[Karson] - "Oy, mates, I'm sorry I'm late. "

[Gordon] - "Yeah, whatever bruv, we leavin' anyways. "

[Karson] - "Oh, then could anyone of you give me a ride back home? I live very far and it's kinda late. It would be really appreciated. "

[Gordon] - "We heard what you did in science class. We are not friends with a homophobe! "

[Karson] - "What the fuck? You bloody believe that? I was framed! "

[Gordon] - "Don't talk to us ever again, ye hear? We are done with ye, Karson! Walk back home on yer two legs, bruv. "

Karson was left speechless as his friends walked away from him without looking back. Dark quickly set in as Karson sat by a tree unable to go home since there were no street lights active. To "save the electric spending of the country" the government has decided to cut off all street lamps at night, leaving the city in complete darkness once the sun sets.

As the clock approached 10:00 PM, Karson simply sat silently against a tree in despair. Just as Karson was starting to doze off, the bright shine of a car light jolted him awake. The car stopped in front of him and his mother stepped out of the vehicle.

[Susan] - "Karson! Why are you still here? Get in the fuckin' car, you little shite! "

After shoving Karson in the car, Susan jumped into her seat and drove off at full speed.

[Susan] - "Are you taking the piss, you little shite! You don't realize how lucky ye are I was able to find you in time! You fucking realize after 10:00 PM all emergency services are suspended until tomorrow mornin'! "

[Karson] - "I'm sorry, mom. "

[Susan] - "You'll one sorry little shite if you met a crook. "

The two of them remained silent for a while as Susan accelerated through the empty roads. After seeing the state in which her son was in, Susan finally decided to break the silence.

[Susan] - "Your school called today and told me wha' happened. "

[Karson] - "Mom, it's not true! I was framed! "

[Susan] - "I know. That's why I'm gettin' ye transferred to a new school. I heard schools for the rich are less indoctrinated. "

[Karson] - "Are ye for real, mom? "

[Susan] - "Yeah. And we are movin' out of yer father's home. "

[Karson] - "How are ye suddenly able to do all this? "

[Susan] - "Got a promotion at work. Look, Karson, I want the best for ye. I want you to be able to live by your own rules and not be chained down by whatever this society tells you. I want you to live a little and not constantly be worried about money. I know what you can do, honey, I know you are more than just a simple little shite like the rest of them. "

[Karson] - "You think, mom? "

[Susan] - "I know my boy well. I want to see you find your way in life and be the hero of your own story. "

10:15 PM

Susan's car slowly came to a halt as it was stopped by a police blockade amidst the road. Several of the officers walked up to Susan's door and signalled her to step out of the vehicle. Just as Susan prepared to step out of her car, Karson suddenly noticed the homeless boy from earlier dressed as one of the officers.

[Karson] - "No! Mom, this is a trap! "

But it was too late as Susan had already pulled on the door handle. In a brute motion, the fake policeman pulled Susan out of her vehicle and pointed a gun at her face.

[Policeman] - "Give me all yer craps in it! All, includin' the content of your pantaloons. "

Susan slowly reached into her purse before abruptly spraying the man with pepper spray. The fake policeman screamed in pain while Susan jumped back into her car. Just as she was about to drive off, a gunshot rang in the air. Karson watched as smoke steamed from the pistol held by the homeless boy. The car did not bulge despite the rumble of its engine.

Not far from the blockade, two dark figures on the street were suddenly alerted by the gunshot. As Karson gradually overcame the shock, he noticed that it was his side of the windshield which was shattered by the bullet. But when he looked down, his mother was the one who took the hit for him.

Suddenly, a hooded figure pulled the car door open and reached its hands to help Karson. At first, Karson recoiled back in fear but the figure immediately pushed a piece of bandage on Susan's wound to stop the bleeding. The stranger's intentions quickly reassured Karson that it meant no harm to him.

[Hooded stranger] - "Come on, help me get her out of the car! "

Meanwhile, the other stranger walked up to the fake police officers and with a single wave of his palm, pushed all of them against the wall before their arms and legs fused with the concrete.

[Hooded stranger] - "Mike! She needs immediate medical attention! "

[Mike] - "Where is the closest hospital? "

[Hooded stranger] - "3 kilometres to the South of our current location. "

A blue glow emitted from Mike's arms under his coat before all four of them started levitating. In an instant, they were all flown to the emergency room's main entrance. Once inside, Mike rushed to the reception desk with Susan's medical card.

[Mike] - "She has been shot in the head, she needs immediate medical assistance! "

[Receptionist] - "Well, you have to wait. Take a seat while we prepare the operating table. "

Left without a choice, Mike sat with the hooded figure while Karson laid his mother flat on the seats. As time passed, Susan's condition worsened. Mike observed as people with lesser injuries passed before Susan.

[Mike] - "Stay here, I will go investigate. "

Said Mike as he snuck up to the emergency room's operating units.

After investigating each one of them, Mike suddenly came across a room where two surgeons were conversing.

[Surgeon 1] - "I think they said she was shot in the head. "

[Surgeon 2] - "Yeah, we simply gotta wait until she passes then we harvest her organs. "

[Surgeon 1] - "I don't think what we are doing is right, man. Kinda evil if you ask me. "

[Surgeon 2] - "Her ID indicates that no one will miss her if she dies. So no possible revenge or investigation from the police. Besides, bruv, do they pay you enough to be moral? Think of your kids, bruv. Is this meagre salary going to pay for their education? "

[Sugeron 1] - "Well, you kinda got a point... "

[Surgeon 2] - "So shut up and follow my directives. "

Mike immediately rushed back to the waiting area.

[Mike] - "K, hack their system now! Put her on priority! "

[Hooded stranger] - "Got it, Mike. "

A purple glow emitted from the eyes hidden inside the hood. Suddenly, as the receptionist checked her screen, Susan's name was put on priority. Soon, a medical team with a stretcher came and brought Susan into the operating room. Not even 10 minutes later, a doctor came out of the operating room and stood in front of Karson.

[Doctor] - "I'm sorry to inform you she died 10 minutes ago. Now, if you wish, we have several burial options or you could opt for cremation which would be less expensive considering your family's financial situation. Also, a tip would be appreciated considering the doctor's efforts. A minimum of 25% is the norm but you could give a little more. "

Karson couldn't digest all the information at the same time and was left stunned with his eyes fixed on the floor. The doctor somehow spent more time talking about postmortem purchases and tips than Susan's death.

[Karson] - "Shut the fuck up... "

Memories of Susan flashed inside Karson's head.

[Doctor] - "What was that? "

[Karson] - "I said SHUT THE FUCK UP! You mumbling mongoloid cares about nothin' more than your own interest. You bloody wankers left my mother to die waiting for treatment and ye dare act as if you tried to save her! The only tip you would get is the tip of my willy up yer arse! "

The doctor suddenly attacked Karson by kicking him in the abdomen.

[Doctor] - "Disrectful little bastard, who do ye think ye are? "

Mike suddenly appeared beside the doctor before slapping him so hard that he ended up collapsing to the ground.

[Mike] - "Are you alright? What's your name? "

[Karson] - "Why does it matter? I'm just some nobody. "

[Mike] - "Well, not to us. You are a person with a name and an identity. Unlike them, we value the dignity of an individual. I'm sorry for your mother and if there is anything I can do, name it. "

[Karson] - "Take me with you then. I have nothing left here. "

[Hooded stranger] - "Aren't there any more family members waiting for you? "

[Karson] - "My dad is a bloody bastard. He won't give a fuck about me. Whatever you guys are, it's a million times better than living in this shithole of a city. "

[Mike] - "Fine then, let's hopefully turn you into a Cyberknight. "

[Hooded stranger] - "That would be against protocol! Do you really think it's a good idea? "

[Mike] - "Relax, K, it's not a big deal. I'll take care of it. "

[Karson] - "Thank bruv, for real, you a lifesaver! "

Said Karson as he tried to shake Mike's hand.

[Mike] - "Of course! I'm Mike and this is Kadyn. "

Said Mike as took down his helmet and revealed the face of a young man with red hair.

[Kadyn] - "Hey, you aren't supposed to say my... "

Mike suddenly pulled the hood off Kadyn's head and revealed a blonde girl with glowing green eyes.

[Kadyn] - "Mike! "

Said Kadyn in frustration while burying her face into Mike's shoulder.

[Karson] - "I'm Karson. Thank you for everything you have done for me! "

To be continued...