A Change of Heart (the darker side of "A Brief Travels")

Finally a decent apartment. One with a working hot bath, which I was just about to enjoy.

The knocks are a bit frantic as I hear them. (At this hour?... that can’t be good.) “Just a minute” I got dressed a bit, and then opened the door. “Hi?”


“Hello. I’m…” An elderly woman starts.

“Just saying, hi? My work keeps me up anyways, as well. Why don’t you come in?” I ask. Knowing this is really good, or extremely bad.

“Yes, that's a lovely idea.” the elderly woman replied.

“Is there some type of problem?” a drone replied. “Could we perhaps help?”

“It’s just a new neighbor dear. One finally operates on my hours. I’m nervous, but with to say hello.” the elder lady replied.

“Confused.” The drone replied. “Verify Citizen identification number.”

“Excuse me.” I replied to the drone. “478C-57T-256. Authorization code: traveler. Model citizen level 6. You are built not to require this sort of thing, but it gets rather lonely late at night like this. And there is a code allowing for this within reason.”

The drone scanned me for less than 10 seconds. “Do either of you remember this code.”
“5593D-72BB-345. And Code 162 section 5b subsection 142c, I believe. I’m sorry dear I try to keep the sound to a minimum." the elderly lady replied.

“Minimum sound was acknowledged. I was simply on patrol of this hallway.” the drone replied scanning her over.

“I think its Code 163 rule 7 subsection B is more accurate.” I replied. “I haven't used that one in a while either.” I said

Drone took a minute, but even that he didn’t immediately kill us both was a great sign. “You have both been found to be within the margin of error. It’s Code 162 Rule 7b subsection 145c. Do you require a refresher on this section?”

“Seems we both could use one?” The elder woman asked”

“Code 162 to 163 are for those model citizens level 6 or higher. And then code 160 Rule 6a subsection 142 states that if at one can say to you we may request that it be limited to those rules that are within the margin of error, so I request that.”

“Verifying…. Affirmative.” the drone replied. “ Code 162 Rule 7b subsection 145c. Says you are allowed to refresh either other on the rules, but should primarily keep to your rooms, which was the assumed course of action. You were also quiet, so this shall be dismissed. Provided that in the future there is a simple text. As are allowed between your model citizen levels.” 

We both replied in some form of understanding. Wait about 5 minutes till the drone has moved on to the next floor. And I watch as the elderly lady brings a 5 year old child. “Hey little guy.”

“Where is my mom?...” He’s on the verge of tears.

I sigh very deeply. “I’ll find her, if you listen and follow my instructions, okay? I know that—”

“It’s okay. And my name is Timmy Vaguloo.” Timmy said. “I… My mom said trust people with your kind of eyes.”

“And you?” I stared at the elderly women.

“Maruim.” She replied. “And I shouldn’t have… They kept promising me a letter from my grandson, and I… I was desperate. But it’s not coming, and I would like to know why. So please?

--- 3 days later---

“I really am sorry.” Marium said, as she gathered with the other.

“You gave my son back in the end.” Timmy’s mother said. “That's all the apology I’ll ever need.”
“So… why can’t we go up?” Adam asked.

“What is in uncle Bolt’s workshop, lad?”  Banjo asked.

“Scary stuff, but it protects from those.. Things.” Adam said. “Look I just wanna know, and I think we all have a right to!”

“No one is disagreeing with that, Adam.” I replied. “Just don’t hate me?”

Banjo slid a blocker across the table before he could answer, and I slid off my jacket scars all across my arms as my red hair turned back to blonde. “They take the children to social engineer them. Make them some kind of perfection. It never did stick with me, or Gemini for that matter.”

“Wait then—” Adam started. A pretty normal rite of passage, question.

“I don’t know.” I replied. “That part they wiped well and clean, but I remember loving the fantasy stories. And I least like the red hair, and green eyes. I’m told they’re yellow with this thing around.”
The was a very long moment of silence as no one knew what to say. But either Adam need another escape, or I taught a bit too well. “Found some more stuff about eastern dragons.”

“Oi. Aunt Casie, found some more on eastern dragons!” Adam shouted to a bunch of small kids as they flocked to me.

“Yeah they um…” I started, and started my suitcase. “Well you all in for quite the story.” For the brief little moment doubt was the farthest thing from my mind. It’s never was just for the children I was helping with the story time.