Chapter 10 – Wondering About Carrie

October 20th 2027 13:04

A week had passed since Pov started her job in this city. Basically, her main job was to help other chefs with cooking and serving food for takers. The fact that someone could take the food for free—without having to trade for anything—was something that Pov was still not used to. Too much time with the old system to be familiar with this new system.

Throughout the week, she hadn’t spotted Carrie at all. Not that she was actively searching; her job kept her busy, but she had thought she would catch sight of her by now.

Perhaps she had left her that day. But… if she had, then why leave her luggage behind?

Perhaps something had happened to her that day. That was more plausible. But, knowing how dependable Carrie could be, Pov believed that she would be fine. If anything, it was likely that… she had gotten into trouble, solved it, and was now continuing her pursuit for food that tasted good.

Her best guess was that she was taking food here and there; while at it, figuring out how to cross the blocked road so she could go to the capital city. Maybe, knowing that Pov wouldn’t be lonely here, Carrie was even considering leaving her behind?

… Ever since meeting with Kez, Pov thought, feeling mentally tired, I feel like I’ve been using my head too much…

Surely, for now, there was nothing wrong with not thinking and just doing her job? She would continue thinking when she felt like it, she supposed.

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14:21

‘I heard that there’s a taker who doesn’t give back to the community,’ the head chef said. He was an old man who seemed to be seventy, wore a tall chef hat and a white uniform. He and Pov were free, on break, and he decided to share what he had heard. A taker who didn’t give back. That was a taboo in this city. ‘A young woman your age, Pov.’

‘I see,’ Pov remarked. The head chef needed some sort of response during conversations. She had learned that during her time here.

‘She would take food and—you won’t believe this—right after taking that food which we had cooked earnestly, she would say that it’s tasteless!’

That sounded familiar… A young woman her age. Searching for food. Would often remark with “tasteless”. Wait a second… That’s Carrie, isn’t it?? ‘Um… head chef, do you have descriptions of this woman?’

‘Heard she has black hair that reached her neck.’

Check.

‘She wears dark blue jacket and black trousers.’

Check.

‘And has an expressionless face.’

That’s Carrie!

‘Why do you ask?’

‘I was… curious. Do you know where she had last been seen?’

At that, the head chef shrugged. ‘Who knows? One thing for sure is that the guards around have been given details of her descriptions and are actively searching for her. Our job as chefs remains the same: Give to those who would like to take. But can you believe it? “Tasteless”, she says. What an insult!’

‘Your rage is not unfounded, Sir.’ Pov nodded, agreeing. When Pov had been on a journey with Carrie, on some rare days she would say that her food wasn’t bad. But most days she would say that they were tasteless. And on those most days, she felt really frustrated. Especially because even until now Carrie’s food preference still eluded her.

‘I think our break will soon be over. Let’s go back.’

‘Let’s.’

… The guards have been given Carrie’s description. Now, it’s about time before she’s caught. I… I have to search for her and warn her…!

The problem would be that… she wouldn’t find the time to. Not when she had to do her job. Not when Odyssey would monitor her later.

This is difficult…

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15:01

Pov served food to the people. The process involved cooking the food, arranging it on the dish neatly, and giving it away with a smile. All these contributed to the taste of the food. Also, when she smiled, the people who took the food would also smile in return. A nice exchange, she would say.

This whole trust system was, in her mind, nice.

Back then, in the old days, when money was used to run the economy, people were starving in the streets. Thus, it lightened her heart when she could give away food to those who needed it. In this city, she didn’t see anyone meeting their end by starvation in the streets. Everyone looked healthy and nutritious and happy.

This system is nice, Pov thought.

‘I’ll have that soup,’ someone said.

‘Right away!’ Pov answered. To which, she took a glance at the taker, and… ‘Carrie?!’ she exclaimed.

‘Oh,’ she remarked. ‘So this is where you’ve been.’

‘… You’ve been searching for me?’

‘Yes.’

‘And that involves taking and trying out different foods until you’ve become the talk of the city?’

‘It’s not like I can search you without eating food.’

Fair. ‘Well, Carrie, this place has a good system in place. You can take food, but I think it’s best that you get yourself a job and give back to the community.’

‘Give back? Those guys had rifles and took my luggage. There were lots of hard-to-get food ingredients there. I’ve given enough.’

Now that Carrie mentioned it, Pov never got her items back. ‘Maybe they’ll give it back if we ask nicely.’

‘… Do you really think that this is a good place?’

‘What? Yes. Why wouldn’t it be?’

‘You should see what I had seen that day then.’

‘What had you seen?’

‘I’ll show you. After I have my share of food.’

… Thus, Pov served Carrie a dish of soup.

Surely this place couldn’t be bad…?