THE SIXTH ORDINANCE

Angelo looked incredulous and placed a hand on Sean’s forehead. “You sick, or what?”

Sean swatted his arm while still holding the jar. “I knew you won’t believe me. Never mind.” He put all his things inside the bag.

“Are you even hearing yourself?” Angelo replied. “I mean robots are cool, don’t get me wrong but I didn’t see one chasing after you and since this morning, you’ve been acting real weird. I don’t even want to point this out but you almost made a wrong blood transmission on a patient and got chewed out by the head nurse. That’s not you, Sean. You’re the most careful person I know.”

Sean rubbed his forehead. He felt so exhausted and embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I was just probably imagining the robot.” He stood up, walked away and went back inside. He went straight to the laundry room to check his drying uniform. His mind keeps coming back to the humanoid robot that chased him. He checked the wound from his shoulder by a mirror, it was not deep but it was there and it still hurts a bit. Four long red scratches marked his skin. He remembered the fear and pain as it tried to pull him back, its grip were metal and strong. It was real.

Angelo leaned back on the bench and finished off his burger. He looked up at the gray skies as he chewed slowly. He had known Sean since high school and they have been friends for so long – playing the same sports and taking the same program in college. Sean was known to be a creature of habit, a clean freak and a heart breaker but he was never a liar. He was determined to know more about the robot.

The clock tower chimed four times. Sean walked out the hospital wearing his fresh clothes again.  It was dark outside despite only being four in the afternoon. Thick, gray clouds laid the skies. He took out his umbrella, holding it in case it pours. He walked the bustling streets and felt eerie all of a sudden as if someone or something was following him. He glanced to his sides, nothing. He tried to remove the thought of the robot inside his head. 

He hurried up the stairs to the station and saw that it was practically empty – only a few students, a couple sitting on the bench and a person in suit and him were there. This day couldn’t get any weirder, Sean thought. He then looked at his watch – only three more minutes before the next train arrives.

It never arrived.

Ten minutes passed and the group of students started walking away behind Sean. The puzzled looks on their faces as they saw the trainless tracks was enough for Sean to also leave. He rushed down the stairs, jogged the roadside to hail a cab but saw no sign of vehicles on the road. The cars and buses were all parked and empty and the people were rushing all around him. Everyone was talking simultaneously, their looks perplexed and their eyes fixed on their phones. Something was up. He also took his phone out when someone tapped him by the shoulder, he quickly look to his left, no one was there. Someone laughed at his right side.

“Never gets old,” Angelo chuckled beside him. “Have you seen the news?”

“I was just about to,” Sean said dryly as he pocketed his phone. “But it’s getting later and Emma’s waiting for me. I need a ride. What’s happened to the transpo?”

“The leaders just issued the sixth ordinance,” Angelo’s tone was serious, he was reading through his phone. "'Transportations locked in. The used of transportations powered by engines or electricity are now prohibited excluding emergency vehicles, naming: ambulances, fire trucks, police cars and military tank engines. Those registered and approved only by the World Leaders are allowed to be operated in necessary situations as their functions follows.'"

Sean’s mouth hanged open, his brows furrowed. “What does that leave us then? Bicycles?” The ordinances gets stupider by the minute. He walked away looking for something he could ride on.

“Skateboards, too, maybe or horses,” Angelo shrugged. “Are military tanks for emergency though?”

“If a war breaks out, I guess,” Sean replied thoughtlessly. “Do you know a place where we can rent a bike?”

“Hmm, no,” Angelo shook his head. “I have friends with bikes, a cousin who sells skates – shoes and boards alike. Wait, how far is Emma’s school from here?”

“It’s two stations away. But I pick her up in our aunt’s house where she stays after class.”

“And that’s where?”

“A block from Emma’s school.”

“Right," Angelo nodded, his eyes squinting as he searched the crowd. "That’s still pretty far with bicycles.”

“Yes, but it's more efficient than walking. And even if we find one, I don't think anyone will let  us borrow or rent it. By the looks of it, everyone’s desperate for a ride so that is out of the question. If I run though, I could make it before the grocery closes and pick up Emma on the way.”

He glanced at his side, Angelo was not there anymore. He frowned but continued walking, his steps brisk. He must make it in time before the curfew. He started to jogged, his way was straight as he follows the train tracks above him.

“Sean!” Angelo called out. “Look what I found!”

Sean looked behind him and was surprised to see Angelo riding a bicycle towards him.

“Where did you get that?” Sean said, slowing down.

“I bargained with someone,” Angelo hopped down the bike.

“You sure that’s not stolen?”

“My friend, you offend me,” Angelo shook his head but was smirking. “Here,” he leaned the bike towards Sean’s side.

“You don’t need it?”

“Nope, I go where my legs lead me.” He let go as soon as Sean got hold of the handlebar. “You owe me.”

“How much?”

“I don’t need points, man. I need stories. Tomorrow, you will tell me all about that robot that chased you this morning.”

“Deal," Sean said as they clasped hands. "Thanks, man,”  He hopped on the bike and pedaled away.

“Every. Detail. Counts!” Angelo called out to him.

Sean grinned and shook his head and waved a hand to Angelo without looking back. Thunders boomed from the distance. Gradually, it began to rain.

“You’re soaking,” Emma said. She was wearing a pink, dinosaur raincoat. Her hand holding an umbrella, the other one rocking the bicycle parked by the gate. “Where did you get this?”

“Thank you, Auntie,” Sean was saying as the door slams behind them. Sean sighed and turned to walk towards the gate. 

“Em, hold the umbrella to your head. You’ll get wet.” He knelt down and buttoned her raincoat up to her neck then pulled her hood up to her head. Now she looks like a little pink dinosaur – red triangular spikes coming from her head down to her back. Sean wore his plain coat. He was cold and wanted to dry himself but did not push through the idea. Their aunt was not the type to tolerate a wet carpet or even another one of her nieces or nephews in her house. She was only willing to take Emma every weekdays after school because Sean and Emma’s parents pays her to do it.

It was still drizzling as the siblings rode away. They passed a city hall where a large number of people gathered holding banners made from cardboards or papers. They were protesting against the ordinances. Posters of food, electrical poles, cars and even pictures of family members were among the signs held up. A police car was burned in the middle of the crowd. Shouts of protests were heard all around while officers were holding riot shields as they surround the area. 

Sean turned the corner and there they found themselves in a place of broken houses. Ragged people sitting or staggering by the road, their eyes dead. He also noticed a group of high school students in masks vandalizing the wall streets with graffiti of protest for freedom and a stand to unite against the World Leaders.

These sights were not at all new for them – the rallies, vandalisms and even riots spread like a virus throughout the world since the first ordinance was issued. But they have never been to this side of the city and it felt so crowded yet so desolate at the same time. Sean shivered, his face was dampened and cold wind rushed through his face. He secured Emma’s arms around him as he pedaled harder to home.

“Peanut butter!” Emma squealed as she hugged the jar to her chest and cheeks. “Thank you, thank you, Sean.” She was jumping up and down then ran straight to the kitchen. Sean smiled as he dried his hair with a towel. He was grateful to be in a warm and clean clothes again. 

There was a knock on the door. It was Mrs. Del, their neighbor. She was holding a potted plant on her arm and holding out a plate with six slices of carrot cakes in them.

“Thank you, Mrs. Del,” Sean said as he took the plate. “Happy birthday.”

“Aw, you remembered,” Mrs. Del said, her voice soft. “Thank you, Sean. That’s half of the cake I baked. My husband loves them and I planned to make a delivery for him today. Unfortunately, they suddenly banned the vehicles. I don't even know why. I miss him so." Her eyes were brimming with tears but wiped it out immediately. "Anyways, enjoy the cake.”

Sean nodded slowly and watched her walked back to her room besides theirs. Emma ran towards him, carrying two sandwiches in each hands.

“Here, I made one for you,” she said as she bits voraciously through her sandwich. Her eyes got wide as she saw the cake. “Whoa! Carrot cake!”

Sean took his sandwich and put it on the side of the plate. "Mrs. Del brought this for us, it's her birthday today and she's alone. Do you want go over there and eat it with her?”

“Mm, OK!" Emma said, chewing. "I also wanna see her cactuses again.” As they stepped out, Emma pulled Sean’s shirt to a stop and immediately let go and dashed back inside.

“Wait, wait, wait. I need to bring a present.”

A minute passed and as Sean waited by the door, Emma poked her head from the living room, a crayon and paper in hand.

“You, too, Sean. You can’t go to a party without a gift,” she said matter-of-factly.

Sean smiled then walked back inside, and at the moment that he shuts the door closed, a loud crash was heard next door.