The Best Day...

In the streets of Chicago lights shine brightly, numerous rainbow colors lined in neon cover the streets giving a more poppy feel to the one time Windy City. However, the facade of this cheery feel isn't good enough.

On closer inspection, down those darker alleys, this city reveals its darkness. The bodies along the streets give off a pungent nauseating smell that overwhelms you even if you're used to it. Shrill, horrific screams of those being killed the slow way, or even being raped, echo through the streets and alleys. The prayer for police sirens dances in the thoughts of these victims, but for many, help never comes.

When anyone bears witness they don't call anyone, they just have one thing repeating in their mind over and over. 'As long as it's not me. As long as it's not me.' They go about their lives without that sick guttural feeling of remorse that you're supposed to feel as a human being.

Children carry knives to school, teens get guns illegally to protect themselves. It's a fight for survival, at least for some.

The lucky ones live in protected and walled off areas, sipping freshly brewed coffee peacefully, looking down at the others struggling with a smile. Many of them work at the main hub of all revenue not just in the city, but in the world. An intimidating, tall, sleek looking silver building at the city's center, with a sign at its base, reading Paradise in white fluorescent light.

In one of the middle floors of the building in a corner office, sat a young man at his desk, juggling a lot in his head as he leaned back in his rolling chair.

"I got a week left on this project and it just feels like we're all fatigued and stuck. But, I can't screw this up if I want to get promoted again. I just need a spark or something right now, because the gears in my head are spent. I just hope when I move up I can do something more and actually make some real change. Cause right now, it feels like pure hopelessness."

"…Tobias.."

A feminine voice that sounded like a faint echo to him came through.

"Did I even eat today or….no I think I ran out too fast because I thought being way early would've been more efficient."

"Tobias…."

The voice came through again a bit more clearly but he is still lost in thought.

"What else am I forgetting, I feel like I am but I can't even recall what it is…"

"Tobias!!"

His name being said with such emphasis broke him from his spell and nearly made him fall out of his chair as he rolled back suddenly and sat at attention.

"Daydreaming again? Hopefully it wasn't about work like usual." The woman said.

She was seated on his desk comfortably, wearing the attire they all do, a scarlet jacket lined in purple along its seams, pants that have the same colors but in reverse, with a stark white button up shirt underneath the jacket. Even the shoes are all uniform, white with golden colored laces.

Her hazel eyes fixated upon his blue ones; he shook his head for a moment before speaking.

"I'm just deep in thought, that's all. When exactly did you come in here? I didn't even hear you."

She looked away with a coy expression, flicking her red tipped black hair.

"You know I'm sneaky Tobias, and you well…have a tendency to go wayyy out into space when you think. Must be a smart person thing."

"Just knock or something next time Zoey." He sighed. "What brings you in here anyways?"

Zoey huffed.

"I didn't realize I needed a reason to talk to my co-worker and best friend of 4 years. But, you are needed out of your office for a moment. If you're not too bothered to do it."

Tobias rolled his chair back and hopped to his feet. "I suppose."

When he walked into the semi open office with cubicles that hardly felt as confined as one might think, everyone in the room exploded in unison.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOBIAS!!!!"

Zoey crept behind him and patted his back as he stood dumbfounded, that's what he'd forgotten, his own birthday. They had a sign, a cake and decorations set up everywhere.

"I can't believe I actually forgot, that's really bad. We're behind, but maybe this is for the best. Take a day and just have fun, we'll hop to it tomorrow."

Tobias smiled. An occurrence that was incredibly rare with how seriously he took himself. He looked at Zoey and made a full sprint for the cake. In spite of the head start, she flew past him and got to the cake first.

Their co-workers all whispered to each other watching the two of them. Tobias and Zoey were pretty infamous for being work husband and wife. Their close relationship made many wonder about whether or not they were romantically involved.

The rest of the work day is spent chatting and enjoying themselves. Despite being Tobias' party, he made himself less of the focus, standing off to the side smiling to himself.

"I'm probably going to get a talking to. But I'll talk my way out of it.

-

Evening approached fast. Everyone else had left already saved for Tobias, who is making last minute preparations for tomorrow to jump start work the next morning.

He exited the building shortly after, finding Zoey patiently waiting for him.

"Zoey, we talked about this. You don't need to walk me home every single day."

"Tobias, there has been a severe increase in crime, and we both know that's saying something. Law enforcement doesn't care anymore, they barely make it to a murder scene. I don't want to have you missing and dead on the street for a week."

Tobias looked at her hesitantly but he walked and let her follow without a word. He didn't like that she felt the need to watch him, but the feeling of how much she cared always warmed him deep down.

The pair walked through the streets of postmodern Chicago in silence. Stay in a place too long and they'd get jumped, say a wrong word and they might be shot without warning. It was a harsh reality that closed around them more as they neared where Tobias lived. His apartment complex was a part of the 'safe havens' that their company Paradise provided.

The location is unique, a pristine, futuristic building amongst the edge of the slums.

Once they're at the entrance, Tobias quickly scans his digital ID card and they both walk in without a moment of hesitation.

They let out a sigh of relief in unison, before Zoey asked a question that she'd asked numerous times before.

"Why do you live so far from the safer areas? You've told me you've seen crime, bodies and all kinds of other things, and yet you remain here."

Tobias stood up straight, and looked down into her eyes with a stern answer. "Like I've said, I don't want to grow a big head. Every time I look outside I'm reminded of how far I could've fallen. As well as the trials people face, you know why I joined Paradise, and why I want to be promoted to the top."

She gave him a glare, before trailing behind him to his apartment.

"You can't save everyone in that capacity. But I'll follow you up anyways, when you sink from the reality of the upper echelons, I won't say I told you so. I'll give you a safe place to land."

Despite the gloom future predicted within those words, he felt his heartbeat accelerate all of a sudden. He didn't respond at first, as he got to his apartment and scanned his card, opening the door.

"Good evening and welcome home, Tobias."

He was caught up in his thoughts so much that his inhouse AI scared him.

"Ah! Oh…hello Meri."

The AI Meri, also known as Merical Columbine, is part of a series of AIs dating back to the year 2025. She is the newest series created, as Paradise has invested a great deal into their creation.

Meri stands only a few inches shorter than Tobias who is five foot ten. Although usually wearing much more convenient clothing today she decided to wear a maid outfit, with her deep blue hair wrapped in a messy bun.

Zoey jumped out from behind Tobias putting her hands on Meri's shoulders.

"See! I told you you'd look lovely in this!"

"I don't see the necessity of it. I feel it lacks any sort of practicality needed to do my job effectively."

Zoey turned to Tobias with a sly grin. "It's his 23rd birthday, so wear it to appease him."

Meri gave a look of shock, a rarity for an AI to make such an expression.

"Master, my apologies! I had no idea, I'll make you a cake right away!"

The whole situation sent Tobias in a mild panic, he chased after Meri and cut her off at the kitchen entrance. "They already had a cake made for me at work! I don't need another one. Also…we've talked about this, don't call me Master."

Zoey was snickering in the background, seemingly loving the fire that she'd ignited.

"Yes, my apologies Tobias. But please do not forget to tell me about such important days like this, I would've had things prepared for you the moment you awoke, and told you to take a rest from work."

Tobias felt himself cornered by the gazes of Meri and Zoey alike, both showing concern because of his workaholic life.

He rubbed his head before taking a deep breath.

"I will Meri, I didn't even think about it with how crazy everything has been. I'm still not used to you being here yet; it's only been three months."

Tobias trailed off after speaking leaving Zoey to immediately boost the mood.

"Tobias, don't get too comfortable. For tonight, we keep the party going at the fastest rising club in town!"

He and Meri stared at her like she was crazy, he was already exhausted and the AI wasn't too keen on letting him go out another time.

Without a word, Meri moved swiftly, showing that in spite of her appearance she truly wasn't a human; and grabbed Zoey in an attempt to escort her out as she squirmed in response.

"You're going to kick me out over that?! Tobias please talk sense into her! I had something planned out and everything!"

She cried as she spoke, whether the tears were real or fake was unknown. Tobias sighed and waved Meri off to let go of her, which she did, by tossing her into the couch like she was weightless.

"Meri, I appreciate you. But you take things way too far. You even scared a cat that wanted to visit the other day."

He walked in front of Zoey who was still in a slight daze from being tossed, looking her in the eyes.

"So, why the club? That doesn't suit someone as stiff as me."

Zoey looked up at him with a slight smirk. "I have a few things up my sleeve, plus I know you like one of the DJs."

Tobias thought for a moment before the light bulb went off in his head. "Ohh! That's right! I'd heard she was performing here but I didn't realize it was there. Still, one last question. What about your clothes? A lot of those kinds of places are very apprehensive of a Paradise uniform."

"That's the easiest one!" She threw her uniform off, wearing a black skirt and top that looked purposefully torn. A vibrant red mesh covered her legs and even part of her torso.

Both Tobias and Meri looked at her puzzled. He spoke up first after a few moments to process.

"How did you fit that…."

"Carefully. As for these boots, I left a pair here the other night very sneakily."

She paused for a moment before getting to her feet, shoving Tobias back to his room.

"Now go get changed!"