Eden

Prologue

"My life after all this time was a lie ". These words of realization kept running in my mind as I make my way to the cold, lifeless street of Harlem. Making me feel as if that I'm the only living person around. Once it was called the "City of Dreams" and now, Far from what I've imagined. Far from what the Circle told me. Far from what I was promised to. I fixated my eyes to what's in front of me, not realizing that I have reached my destination. "Heaven's Touch" is the name of the place. Such a name is an antonym for its appearance and state. I walk to the front door and knock. The doors open and I got blinded by a bright light shining from above. There a hand appeared reaching for me as it just cut through the light. Slowly I feel my self  drawn to it. My mind refuses to reach it yet my body is moving on its own. Flashes of memories and dreams bursts into my mind. Wonderful memories and colorful and ambitious dreams. What a sight if it were true!! But no, as I snapped back to reality I felt my self going numb. I have no control of my body, my mind clouded, my heart stops, my face pale, my eyes blank. "Here is your seat, we expect great things from you starting today Mr. Baron. Please do make us proud." My whole life was a lie and that is the truth. He left as I take my seat, I grabbed a file document and putted it on the table before me. I started to do my work and the world before starts to take a monotone filter. Vanishing before me are the colors of the world I came from, the world I thought was true. But it never was and it never will. After work the man earlier told me, "great job on doing your work. Always remember that we are always watching." He left with a grin in his face, I left the workplace and started to make way to my apartment. Even the landlord said the same thing to me, "We Are Always Watching." I grabbed the keys and went to my room, locked the door and sat down to my desk and grabbed my journal in my bag. I start to write what happened to me that day and the day after and the day after that. Day by day I lose myself to the system of the city and I know that I'll be a part of it no matter what. There is no use in resisting, " They are always WATCHING."  Knowing the inevitable, I wrote in my journal what may be my final entry. "To whoever may read upon this journal, spread the word among the people of Eden that everything the Circle fed us up until to this very day is a lie. We are foolish enough to believe their inticing words of a better future. We are not free men, they just make us think that way. But in truth we are slaves for their own selfish needs and desires. To you whom it may happen to reach my words, my life in Harlem written in paper, tui vero oculi et cor ad recipiendas voluptatis boni a malo. God help us all." As I finish my writing, I heard footsteps closing to where I'm at. I took my journal from my table and made my way to the window. With my last hope in hand I made my escape. Running through the monotone alleyway of District 13, I make my way to Spero, a safehaven from the eyes of the circle and an abandoned base of the Masqueradas. I reached for the doorknob but I felt a presence closing up behind me." Have you finished it Baron?", asked the hooded figure. I nod and it continued, " Were you followed?" "Forgive me but I am not very good with this espionage-thing that you're good at." "A simple nod would've sufficed, Mr. Baron" as she waves her hand in gesture telling me to follow her. We started walking through a system of alleyways. Avoiding to use the streets as much as possible as they were filled with Cyclops. Special Unit of the Harlem Police. As we reached a manhole, we diverged into the sewers." So where are the others of your group Luc-" she puts her fingers on my mouth. "They're here too, we've got to be careful or else." Understanding what she meant I followed her lead without uttering a single word. "We're here" ,she says as I see a small boat with an engine. "So this is the escape plan huh." "Were you expecting something else?" She glares at me. "Yes, I was expecting something grand." "Grand you say?" She gets in the boat and starts to run the engine. " Okay! Okay! The boat escape is grand enough!" I said as I got into the boat as well. Just as we were about to expect a clean escape lights started to run at our direction. The engine started and Lucette took control of the boat with haste. "Cyclops behind us in motorboats!" I shrieked. We made our way through the guts of Harlem trying to lose the Cyclops behind our tails. As the chase goes, I saw a light at the end of the sewers. My heart starts to beat faster as I am close to the freedom that I've yearning since I ever set foot upon Harlem. The light shines brighter as we pick up the pace. And when we reached the end of it I heard someone scream my name. I was sure it was Luc-----. ................................................................................................................................................................

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What is this? What happened? My head hurts.......................... 

"Mr.Baron!" Someone shouted  but who is Baron? "Mr. Baron your performace is dropping as ever again! What is the matter with you!? Do you want the Circle to question this pitiful performance of yours!?" That's right, I just remembered, my name is Baron. Upon realizing I apologized. " Just make sure you pass the report on time and as you are told. Understood?" "Yes", I replied. The man left with a frown on his face. I grabbed a file document and took a pen from my cup and started to do my work. Its all the same everyday but what's bothering is that day after day a part of my body hurts physically and none of my co-workers even bother. Actually they look like they're hurt too. My head throbs in pain and the words that came out of my mouth were, " Hurt? What's that?" "Work. I have to do my work. We look like machines. Wait. What are machines? What?" To take my attention from such thoughts I continued to do my "WoRk". 

"I am nothing but a speck of dust to the society. The Circle is the only truth that such an insect like me should believe. The Circle governs me in every aspect, from my mind to my very heart. What the Circle says then it is. What the Circle wants then it is a must. What the Circle sees is the only thing to be seen. To think is a crime, to fear is a belief. This is an oath I swear and a burden to accept. Until the time has come, my very existence is not any more a necessity."

                                                                                                                           - The Harlem Oath