Ch. 1 - A Sunny Day

Have you ever been walking to work, thinking: “What a beautiful sunny day!”?

One of those days where you thought you could take a stroll before heading back home in the afternoon, IF the boss decided not to let you do overtime again. Or, if the weather stayed the same until the weekend, maybe you could’ve gone somewhere with your family; a picnic, a hike, something like that.

We don’t think that anymore. We can’t.

“Click clack!”

The name is Marcus, Marcus Jones. 25, single, living alone. Just your average office Joe trying to survive in the big city… yeah, survive is the right word, these days. And, as you may have guessed, I’m walking my way to work right now. I live a couple blocks from my office, so I prefer to go on foot… No, I preferred to go on foot. It’s not like I have other options, now.

“Click clack click clack!”

Other things to know about me… I can’t go a day without coffee, the dark circles under my eyes must be frightening at this point and my friends believe that Mother Nature herself forgot to give my lips the ability to form a smile. That should be all… oh, and, as far as I know, I am the only one that thinks that all this isn’t norma- Wait, was that…?

“Click clack click clack click clack!”

Seriously? You’ve got to be kidding me!

After what happened, the streets are less crowded in the day, but people still have to go around. And, other side of the road, two people, husband and wife, if I had to guess, are coming this way. They are dressed impeccably and look around at other people like they own the place. No one is taking them seriously. On the contrary, they are starting to avoid them, and rightly so.

Idiots. Why? I don’t get it. You want to show us that you’re better than us? Fine, but not like this! Why put yourself at risk? Is it THAT important to you? Like, I can accept the snobbish attitude, but why, god, why are you wearing SHOES?!?

“Click clack click clack click clack click clack!”

The lady is even wearing heels… I know only one other woman who still dares to do so, and I’m 100% sure that she’s crazy… It’s over. It’s so over. Do you think we all go around barefoot or wearing slippers because we want to?! Idiots.

I took a peak just to be sure, but it seems IT still hasn’t noticed them, by some miracle. They must be lucky. So stop. Just stop.

“Click clack click clack click clack click clack click clack!”

They’re closer. The lady is sweating. Is she scared? The man holds her hand as they walk. Every few steps he stops and glances up, then he continues walking. They know the risks. They understand them. They chose to do it anyway.

Why? Is asserting your status that important to you? You still have time! Take them off! Stop! STOP IT!!!

“STOP!!!”

…shit. Shit shit shit! I’m sorry! Don’t look at me like that! I didn’t mean to! I’m sorry!

Run! Must hide somewhere! It heard us! Heard me! Has it? Can’t check! It must!

Huh? There! A subway entrance! Just a couple steps and-

“CLICK CLACK CLICK CLACK CLICK CLACK CLICK- THUMP!”

She fell. One of the heels broke, I think. I tried to turn once I was inside. There was no time. Not anymore. All became white.

“ZZZZZZZzzzzzzt!!!”

I covered my ears, but I heard the Lightning all the same. It’s not a real lightning, but the sound is similar and it’s not like we know any better. Before IT happens there’s always a white flash, so nobody has ever seen it.

I hesitantly went outside; it was a great risk, but I wanted to check. Maybe one of the two could have made it. Naive.

Right outside the staircase to the subway remained a broken heel and a top hat. And dust. Lots of dust. Under them the pavement was scorched, like a lighting fell there.

A tear started to fall from my eyes. I’m surprised I can still cry from things like this.

I looked upwards to the sky. And it looked back at me. It observes. All day. And if he hears something, he destroys it.

The Sun. Or, the Eye, as we call it now.

Three years ago, on a day like any other, people looked at the sky and saw the Eye. It was like the sun opened its pupil, looking down on us how it was always meant to do. It was closer than normal and its gaze moved frantically, checking every square meter of the surface of the Earth. Back and forth. Back. And forth.

People died. Scientist proposed explanations. What could have caused it. Why its new distance had no notable impact. After a month or so I stopped listening. It looked like the end of the world. Then, around six months after that day, suddenly, almost in the same, exact moment, the entire world stabilized. It adapted. We adapted.

And then it was just another day at the office, like usual.

I took the heel off the ground. It looks new. Freshly bought. Still prefer my dog-themed slippers, though.

Still don’t get it. They even seemed more aware than most people. Why would they-

“din din…”

I turned instantly. I know that sound. Everybody knows that sound.

From an alley emerged what could easily be described as a ghost. The pale figure moved so slowly, it almost looked like a slow motion movie. His eyes screamed terror and fear, as he continued to check his arms and legs. Gaze up and down. And up. And down. On his wrists and ankles were attached a sort of handcuffs, but without the chain. On the metal disks were fixed a couple of little bells. And, around his neck, a metal collar held a big one, like the ones you’d see around on cows’ collars. On his shirt, in big, black letters, was written: “EXECUTED”.

Another one of the Mayor’s ideas. Still don’t know how he was able to introduce the death penalty without anyone batting an eye, but he did and he likes for people to watch.

He said this type of execution was made to cut costs. I thought it was to make people fear him. To convince them not to defy him. But… nobody does. For everyone, this is just one of the parts of the new normal, and they gladly accept it. Nothing’s strange. Everything’s normal.

The guy finally noticed me. Not that we can talk, here in the open. It would hear us. Then again, I’ve never seen one of them talk. They’re technically free, and yet they know there’s a timer on their heads. They just have no clue WHEN they’ll screw up. Makes you wonder, if everyone is okay with the new laws of the Mayor, and if people keep electing him, where do these “Executed” even come fro-

“Ding ding!”

Huh? Is he…?

“DING DING DING!”

What the hell is he doing?! Why is he wildly shaking his head?! You’ll die, idiot! The Eye will hear you! Why… Why is he staring at me?

“DING DONG DING DONG DING!”

The arms too?! Stop! The eye contact… why doesn’t he break it? You’re… You’re talking to me?

“DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING!”

He’s nodding? What? What is it that I don’t see? What do you want me to see?

“DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING!”

Hey, let me go! Let go of my shoulders! You want me to die with you?! Why do you keep staring? What is it?

“If you have something to say, just spea-“

“ZZZZZZZzzzzzzt!!!”

“Thud!”

Ears… ringing… Eyes… all white…

“Huff huff…”

Arms… legs… head… Still have them all… What was that…? Why was he…?

Wait… Who is… lifting me up? Yeah, I can walk, just let me… let me hold to your shoulder… Down the stairs, yes… Oh, a bench…

“Ohi, are you okay, Marcus? We’ll be late for work if you keep spacing off!”

“Is… Is that you, Joshua? But… But I… There were two people and then… Then an executed grabbed me and…”

“Oh, come on, man! Stop making excuses already! It’s no crime to be a bit drowsy first thing in the morning.”

“But…”

“We have to go! And don’t give me that face! It’s just another day at the office. It’s not the end of the world.”