For You I

Issac peers through the door as his father cowers in the hall, grabbing at his head and muttering undecipherable words while Issac’s mother attempts to comfort him.

Even after two decades, the effects of the first world war remain as deep scars on his father. These moments aren’t rare, they’ve moved houses multiple times in hopes of finding a home where the attacks will lessen in number, or severity.

Never before, however, had his father had such an attack on the first day in their new house.

The next day, Issac is dropped off at school by his parents. Both sleep deprived on their way to work.

“Honey, have a wonderful day at school.” Issac’s mother said.

Issac only nods. He despises having to attend a new school annually, though he can find solace in the fact that he struggles to make friends. Each time he moves he leaves nothing behind.

After a painful introduction, Issac sits near the center of the room and daydreams as the teacher speaks. Much of the subjects taught during this time are boring and uninteresting, too simple for the young mind that scored the best on a 12th year exam as an elementary schooler himself.

“Issac?”

“Hm?” Issac returns to class, a group of young boys approaching him.

“What do you like? Do you play any sports?”

“I like buildings.” Issac responds. As usual, the children in front of him give him a strange look, the same response at every school before. But Issac believes there is no reason for him to lie just to fit in, even if his response leaves him alone during playground time.

Issac watches as the children play, the boys indulging in sports or bothering the girls of the class.

As for himself, Issac stacks pebbles and woodchips. His highest record is a building three feet tall, a robust building that could have been much more before it was destroyed by children looking to get a laugh out of it. He only hopes today he can trump his magnum opus.

“Ow.” Issac looks at his right index finger cut after grabbing a strange woodchip.

“You should be careful with that or you could get an infection.”

Issac stumbles back at the voice coming from behind him. It’s from a young girl in his class, she has short hair and is missing a bottom tooth.

“How long have you been there?”

“Huh? I’m not sure. You didn’t notice? I was passing you pebbles and stuff.”

“I… thought this was just a good spot.”

The girl giggles before grabbing his hand and wrapping his finger with a bandage. “I’m Elena.”

Elena left soon after giving Issac simple first aid, Issac mesmerized by the girl he believed to be the prettiest. The rest of the class also agrees, but there is something else that draws his interest,

“Everyone.” The teacher gathers everyones attention with Elena at her side. “Please give your congratulations to Elena who is being considered for the advancement program. She could be the youngest girl to ever graduate high school and attend university.”

Everyone congratulates Elena, but Issac only has one thing on his mind; a goal he must achieve or forever regret it.

“Hmm, that’s a pretty hard practice problem book, are you in the program as well?”

Elena once again startles Issac. About a month after the announcement of Elena’s consideration, they once again find each other as Issac buries himself in books. Much of what he has studied has been simple, even the book he holds gives him little challenge.

“I’m not, but I would like to be.” Issac mutters.

“Then come with me!” Elena drags Issac along with her, finding a tall man speaking with the principal of their school.

After Elena’s introduction, Issac is given a quick interview. Astonished by Issac, the tall man offers him a position in the advancement program alongside Elena on the spot.

Issac and Elena graduate high school at the age of 14. The years since joining the program were filled with exciting studies, much of which they did together.

Elena always amazes Issac. His genius is to learn with ease, but for Elena it is natural. Almost as if she can grasp any concept and expand upon it, a free spirit to his technical mind.

Despite both their genius, Issac always finds her more amazing. The only reason he ever delved into his academics was because of her, he hoped to stay with her. He hoped to make a friend at last.

“Issac, where are you going to go?!” Elena yells, both have stacks of offer letters from universities around the world.

“I… I’m not sure.” The past years have been a dream, but the days seem to be coming to an end. He can only think of how much fun he has had with her. “I want to go where you will go. I really like you.”

Issac looks to Elena, wondering how disappointed she will be but finds a wide smile instead. “I feel the same way.”

And so, Elena and Issac attend the same university. The first day a seminar in classroom 102 where the two youngest students to ever attend are introduced.

“I’m Elena, I want to study medicine and human biology.”

“I’m Issac, I wish to study architecture.”

And for many years they do, until,

“Physics?” Eleana asked.

“Yes. You two are incredible geniuses, your years at our university have proven as much. But we want to see if you can aid us in this venture. We believe we will use it to harness great power soon. Depending on your contribution, you may receive great funding as well.”

“Very well.” Elena mutters.

“Ouch!” Issac jumps as Elena pricks his arm to collect blood.

“Sorry.” Elena said, kissing his cheek in return.

“We can still say no.”

“But it will make things far more difficult, we can just bear with it for now. The same way you do for me.” Elena rubs Issca’s arm.

Issac often offers Elena blood samples despite his fear of needles. The two now live together, much of their living made from aiding researchers or however little funding they can scrounge. Most funding is prioritized to war power, something they must conform to if they wish to survive and study what they enjoy.

“For you, I will endure a thousand needles.”

“Only a thousand?” Elena laughs as she hands Issac a notebook, much of what is inside just some of her findings.

“Incredible. Have you presented any of this? Seriously, you could strengthen the immune system beyond comprehension.”

“It doesn’t make things explode so no one will listen. It also means some big guys in suits will make less money off pills and hospital bills.”

“I see. Then perhaps we should take a different route.”

Elan giggles. “Not yet, I’ve much to do still after all. But if you are by my side, I will have the courage to do so.”

“Of course. We should celebrate your findings, how about tonight?”

“I’d love to.”

“Look at you, what a handsome man.” Elena says as Issac opens the door to their car for her.

“Also, the luckiest alive given the honor to be with an angel tonight.”

“I’m the lucky one mister!”

The two arrive at a local fair. They can’t remember the last time they allowed themselves to enjoy such fun, much of their time spent deep in papers. They enjoy the games, the food, and set up for the fireworks show to begin.

“Issac, thank you for being my backbone for so long. Even when I get discouraged.”

“Anytime, I have nothing else I would rather do.”

Elena rests her head on his shoulder. “You know, I’m sure we could get funding for your projects. Architecture projects are easy to fund since they are practical.”

“Perhaps, but I want to help you. Your research is more beautiful.”

“Is it? Because it will improve health?”

“Yes. But there is another reason, a selfish one.” Issac looks to Elena, her white dress giving her the appearance of an angel. “The longer we can remain healthy, the more time I will have to be at your side and see you smile.”

As the fireworks start, Elena kisses Issac.

“Issac.”

Issac returns to himself as Zara calls his name. He stared into the fountain at the center of Ventura until being called, unaware of how much time passed.

“Yes?”

“Veronica won’t budge, I’m sorry.” Zara sighs. “We could try ourselves, maybe-”

“No. I won’t let you be hurt; you have much to do. But thank you, Zara, you’re a wonderful friend.”

“And you the most admirable man I know.”

Issac walks to building 2, the skyscraper where Veronica resides. The city below has been ripped out from a futuristic universe and placed into their world. Even Issac finds it hard to believe just what they have built.

At night, the city is the brightest area on the planet, perhaps the loudest as well as music grows with intensity as the neon lights of the city do. Drunkards dance with random holograms on the streets, food stalls are surviving the rush hour, the luxury of indulgence – the greatest human pleasure - has returned.

Welcome to Ventura, the city of your dreams.

Issac stares at a hologram of Veronica speaking, soon after a woman wearing nothing but a bra and panties swings her arms around Issac.

“Hey, I’ve seen your face before.” She nears his ear. “I’ve never been with a genius.”

Issac pushes her arms away and rushes for a trolley. Jumping on, the trolley steams through the city of Ventura in a circular pattern ending at the underground transit center. Multiple trolleys circle the city without stop, the only way on or off being the stations where the trolleys do slow for those in need.

Issac hops off at the front of building 2. Guards stand at the door wearing exoskeleton pieces on their arms.

Smaller but effective with those weapons.

“I’m here to see Veronica.”

After patting him down, Issac is allowed inside and up the elevator to the 50th floor.

Veronica’s room is a large open space. A bar, entertainment area, kitchen, and various rooms connected down the hallway, much of it was modified to her liking as most of the building is composed of smaller rooms meant to house many or accommodate offices amongst other special rooms.

Veronica sits on the patio staring down at the city with a bottle in hand.

“Fine then! Drown yourself in drugs! I don’t care!”

Lily storms past Issac and out of the room as he makes his way to Veronica.

“Made a decision?” Veronica said, her words slurred.

“I have. I will create your weapons.”

Veronica kicks her feet up in celebration. “Fantastic! Then we have a deal!”