Chapter 2: Modernization

"It's a boy." I whispered to Pier.

The baby's now resting peacefully. His voice was tired and a bit hoarse from weeping loudly.

The both of us stared at the neonate in my arms.

Pier's eyes examined the infant. Not letting any detail pass through his sight.

"Neo Kizer 1202, manual systems activate." He mouthed out of the blue.

I was about to speak when a blue virtual monitorial screen flashed out of the baby tag. It shocked me but I maintained my composure.

"He's not just any ordinary neonate." Pier added.

Not just any ordinary? Letters started appearing from the screen. Silently we read it together.

'Bring the infant back to the prime leader's hall safely, reward will await.'

The light turned off, leaving me and Pier to stare at each other.

His distance in front of me made our contact easier.

"What do you think?" He asked.

Hmm... what is it that I think of? Madness and anger!

"We're not bringing this child to the prime leader, even if it's his child."

I wanted to shout but I managed to control my wail for the infant's sake.

"Why?"

Is that question really needed to be answered? Wasn't the evidences obvious?

"I found the child and I'll take responsibility and care of it, we can't bring him there. The prime leader is no good and irresponsible, he'll die eventually." I resumed.

Pier's face flashes discompliance but I didn't hoisted my advertence on him.

The prime wasn't able to satisfy our Hemian needs so why should I bring this child to him?

"At least know the reason why this neonate was called to that place." Pier contradicted me.

I just hissed to disapprove.

"Well, think of it first. If you want to do what is right, I'll help you." He added.

"Yeah," I replied to stop him from convincing me again.

The baby continued to sleep in my embrace. My eyes shifted on him.

I can see myself from you little one. Too bad you'd have to be born in a cruel system. But you're unconsciousness is something that I want. I'd rather be unaware rather than understand the agonizing fact of this world.

"We need to feed him. Hyper-salubrious milk will help. Besides he's wet with rain, quickly he needs to be changed."

Pier nodded with my statement.

"But where will we find such necessities in this woodlands?" He asked.

Simple, we're not to find it in this place.

"The center desmene stores all food for the citizens, it's heavily guarded."

Pier went silent as if he is thinking. After a few minutes he spoke while a grin is pasted on his face.

"What if you'll be the one to feed him?" His voice depicted a larky tone.

"I'm a he not a she Pier." I replied plainly.

He's just lightening the mood up but I don't think that is actually what we need.

"I was only jo-" His speech was immediately interrupted by footsteps. It sounds like heavy combat boots.

It's not impossible that they have followed us.

"Shh..." Pier signaled me to hide.

We went our separate ways. I carefully moved towards the nearest tree. While Pier hid himself by the rocks.

The footsteps are getting closer and closer, and as they move the baby in my arms started moving mildly.

My heart is already racing please don't cry.

"Sir negative. We saw no sign of the two Hemians." A guard near my hiding spot mouthed.

His voice scared my being out, he spoke with formality and no emotion could be seen in his voice.

Several footsteps followed him, and after a few movements it stopped. They all stood quietly at the other side of the tree.

My sweat started turning into uncountable bullets. I saw two deaths just for today and I wouldn't be able to bare it if I'll still see the end of this innocent child.

"Men move out!" The guard who formerly spoke ordered.

Synchronized steps exited. The sound is getting farther and farther.

At last, after a few minutes I can no longer hear them.

Inside my mind I sighed in relief. That was close.

I remained in my position and Pier walked towards me.

"We need to get out of here, they might come back." His voice was humorless.

I simply nodded. My eyes are still fixed with the baby.

"We'll our needs by the city. But before we get there, we'll have to blend in." Pier added.

An unknown danger awaits us but for this young boy I'll do whatever it takes just for him to live.

* * *

"Pier, take Neo with you." I said in a whispering tone.

Under the shadows of the dark alley, Pier took the baby from my arms.

I can hear soft wailing but it was managed to be silenced. No one must know that we are hear, especially the guards.

"I'll be back, stay put and don't move."

My orders were clear, he didn't answer but I saw him nod.

My heart is racing again, I know that going back to the city is dangerous but we have no other choice. I crept slowly out of the alley, but before I leave, I looked left and right.

Drones buzzing and guards marching with deadly tesla bullet guns roamed the once peaceful streets. Change is good but it can also destroy.

A45 choppers flew like birds in migration. Filling the whole sky looking for prey, Hemians to be exact. What happened to this world?

Heavily, I took a deep breath. This is hard but I must continue. I disguised myself as a slave so no one could notice that I'm still a free man.

Moment of truth, I stepped out of the dark, and immediately a drone turned its way towards me. Like a bee it buzzed, with rays dark as wasps he reached me.

I need to stand firm, the drone started to scan me. I moved no muscle to avoid suspicious activities. A red light passed through me from head to toe.

"Slave number 1086, scanning passed." The drone expatiated.

My collar saved me, the way how I got it is a long and disgusting story to tell. The drone whirred far from me.

Many civilians are walking through the streets. The red light in their collars makes them more identifiable.

My phase continued, I must hurry. The baby needs provision. I can't stay for long, he might die.

Quickly I walked towards the central desmene. The large hall acted as an arena, but there are no warriors, only hunger citizens. Successfully, I've reached the desmene. The door immediately opened after seeing my collar.

Even the food storage facility is automatically operated. The walls, and halls are innovated for modernized designs. No Hemian without a collar can enter and get provisions.

After my eyes were laid in the while area, the milk section caught my attention. It's located in the far side left of the desmene, next to the toiletries.

I must go. Hurriedly, I walked to grab what I came for. The carbon bag beside it made it easier for me to bring what I needed.

My actions were swift, other civilians were even looking at me with weird stares. I took more than three dozen of Hyper-salubrious milk, it's placed in a small box which inflates after opening.

I didn't bother to get anything for me and Pier, we can manage. The baby is our prior concern.

I headed out of the building, steps were big and I didn't look back. Pier is waiting for me, they can't stay there for long or else they might get caught.

The alley is not far from here, within a few minutes of sprinting I'll be able to reach them. I can feel my body sweating heavily, it's not just the run but also the circumstance. This is as nervous as a thriller movie, the only difference is just that I'm the actor, but too bad I can't win the Oscar's.

In my way back nothing changed, buzzes and guards roam around. My half running walk dragged me to Pier's hiding place immediately. Without further a do, I blended along with the darkness.

"Pier, let's go." I said in a whispering tone.

I waited for a minute but no one responded.

"Pier?" I examined the whole area but they are not there.

Not even an inch of movement could be heard.

Oh this can't be good. For the nth time my heart raced in an undeniable speed. Where could they be? Are they still safe?