Writing Camp + A Coded Symphony

Week 3 + The Beginning

Lucas never really sleeps.

His body lax against his cool sheets, and a couple of blankets on top of his still cold skin. He doesn't move yet his muscles are aching for him to do so. He has always been situational aware. Even as sleep lured him, his body was always on high alert.

There are days where Lucas will feel the exhaustion weighing him down, and he will close his eyes but never really sleep. His body needs rest. His eyes turned back into his head. Yet his mind continues to think, and t*****e himself as the silence continues.

Lucas hates the silence but he'd tolerate it.

He blinked his eyes open, staring above the dull ceiling. He realized that he fell asleep on the couch again instead of his bed.

Wearily, Lucas slowly sat up right. The clear glass door of his small balcony showed him that the sun just went down. The stars soon coming out, and twinkle above. By the looks of it, it's already dinner time. He confirmed it when he glanced at his clock.

His apartment was dark. No lights on. The citylights barely even made far into his cold home. Something that Lucas is thankful for. He didn't understand why he still stayed in the city when all he wanted was peace, and quiet.

(Maybe because Lucas is still waiting for that other shoe to drop on him. Maybe he's waiting for someone who might save him.)

Lucas looked down on his hands, and stretched his fingers. He needs to cut his fingers soon.

Then his stomach growled.

But food first.

Lucas tugged the blankets off his body, and ignored the vibrating phone on the coffee table. He feels sluggish. He doesn't want to talk to anybody tonight. Well, it isn't like anyone thinks he's a charmer or a good conversationalist.

His sweatpants hung low on his hips; showing a pretty strip of pale skin. Lucas shivered when his feet felt the cold wooden floor. He didn't mind, and approached the fridge.

The fridge's light gives shine inside his open floor apartment. It really was just one huge room, and a separate room for his bathroom. A small kitchen, and dining area. It was a complete kitchen with a stove, and oven. A microwave, the fridge, a coffee maker even though Lucas uses instant packs, and other essential things for a kitchen. There's also a two-person table by the counter island but Lucas rarely sits there. His living area with a comfy sofa, and a flat screen TV is more than enough for him. The bed that he rarely uses was just near the balcony, and on the way to the bathroom. His closet being a line of boundary, and a few houseplants that are on their way to death.

Lucas clicked his tongue when he noticed that the fridge was empty except for some frozen bread. He closed it. The apartment dark again as he stalked to his closet.

He needs to do groceries. Normally, he wouldn't do such a thing especially when he feels sour. But he's really hungry, and he doesn't want to worry Himari if she sees him passed out on the floor again.

(The last time was horrible. Lucas didn't mean for Himari to cry.)

Wearing his coat, and taking his wallet, Lucas left his apartment without much care if he looked like a hobo or a gremlin. Well, no one would care anyway. He lives nearby a red district, he's sure everyone looks to the men, and women in skimpy clothes to allure them than to his skinny body.

Lucas went down through the elevator with a faulty light. He was greeted by a clamour of people when the doors opened. They all seemed to stop chattering when they saw him. Lucas quickly pushed down the bile that quickly came to his throat.

"Please excuse me." His rough voice vibrated through the crowd in front of him. They made their way, and Lucas passed the probing gazes.

It's always his eyes, goddammit.

"Good evening, Mr. Taylor! Leaving for a party?" A voice from behind him chirped. Lucas already knew who it was way before he turned around to face this person.

"Since when did I ever leave for a party, Conrad?" Lucas drawled, facing the android with short brown hair, and black eyes with an ever present smile on his synthetic skin.

Conrad tilted his head. "Fair point! Although I must suggest that you wear a thicker coat than the one you are wearing, Mr. Taylor. It is 24 F tonight. You might get a cold with your get up!"

"I'll be fine." Lucas automatically said. He's used to Conrad's fussing. Despite being an android, he shows more care than any human person he had met. Maybe because android is tasked to look after this apartelle's tenants. "And also, didn't I tell you to call me by my name, Conrad? We've known each other long enough."

"And just like I always said, Mr. Taylor, I cannot because you are this establishment's tenant, and I must call you with respect!" It's amazing how proud Conrad looks right now.

Lucas shrugged with one shoulder before throwing a wave over. "I'll just go for a quick grocery shopping. I won't be long." He told the android, and left the warmth of the lobby into the cold, and vast area of the city.

Normally, a person will take an express cab or even those fancy transporter pods if you're heavy in cash to get where they want. The people inside the city are in a rush as always. Walking in haste; not caring about the people around them. Bumping into them accidentally; saying sorry with no caring intention. So monotonous yet constantly, people are blinded by the neon signs, and fake promises of a big city.

Lucas pushes through the thick crowd, and into a dark alleyway. It's his usual route to go to the supermarket without wasting a penny. Well, it's not like his job doesn't pay enough. He just wants to save—for what though?

Lucas ignored the voice inside his head. He just woke up. Didn't even have coffee. Left his phone vibrating. No breakfast, even though it's dinner already. This was a bad day already; he doesn't need those thoughts ruining everything again.

Apparently, the world loves to spite him when he is at his lowest.

The thick, dark clouds started to release heavy drops of rainfall to the people on the ground. Lucas didn't notice it at first until he saw his vision starting to blur from the heavy rainfall, instantly drenching his coat, and sweatpants down to his skin.

It only occurred to him now that he should have just ordered some fast food through the phone.

Cursing his slow brain, Lucas looked around to search for some place to take cover from the rain. He jogged as he looked around. It's a bit hard to see when the lights are blinding, and people approaching through the alleyway to fasten their route. Lucas was wet, stressed, and hungry. He should have listened to Conrad.

Then almost like a miracle, Lucas saw an area with a foldable plastic sheet in front of a run down pawnshop. He quickly took the chance to stand underneath it, not even bothering to question the shady scent inside the building or the slow, and grainy music.

Lucas let his hair stick on his neck, and cheeks. It bothers him, especially the feel of wet clothes against his skin but it's almost comforting in a way. He hasn't let anyone touch him for a long time. Even a cold one night stand doesn't seem to do anymore. Lips pressed against his. Wetness against his ache. It all becomes so cold, and dull as time passes.

What you've always needed is intimacy. Lucas didn't disagree nor agree to that voice in his head.

"Ohhh! What's this? What's this? A customer?" Sang by a squeaky voice behind him.

Lucas turned around to see an old bald man with thick white eyebrows, and missing teeth smiled up at him. He frowned at the old man. "I'm not. I'm just waiting for the rain to let up." He told him, and inched away when the old man stepped closer.

If the old man was let down by a possibility of a customer, he didn't show. He nodded in acknowledgement. "Rain. That's true. That's true. It is raining. Quite heavily so!" He stated.

Lucas knew that he was stuck with a looney for the meantime. He sighed heavily through his nose. His hands tucked inside his coat's pockets, not looking at the old man. He could feel the probing stare against his skin though. It makes Lucas feel a bit itchy, and awkward.

The rain just kept pouring. It hits the plastic sheet on top of him like a rhythm waiting to be tamed into a melody. Lucas tries to close the pitter-patter from his head but it echoes around him. Playing over, and over like a broken recorder.

Lucas clenched his jaw, and looked away from the rain in front of him. His gaze met the old man, who was looking at him in great interest.

"You are a customer! You are! You are!"

"What? No, I'm no—"

"Hold on! I got something for you!" The old man cackled as he slapped his bony hand against Lucas' arm. It sent chills down his spine. Thinking that this was starting to sound like the start of a horror movie.

While debating whether he should make a run for it or not, it went all to hell when the old man came back, and shoved a box into his hands.

"What the fu—"

"That will be $15!"

Lucas had never considered homicide in his entire life but he is starting now. "I'm not buying anything! Besides, isn't this a pawnshop!?" He exclaimed yet the rain only poured louder, making everything so hazy, and dark.

There wasn't much light to begin with in this alleyway. Only the ghosts of those neon lights from the main street touch the wooden planks, and the dark skin of the old man in front of him. It was eerie but Lucas had made friends with demons before. Why be scared now?

"That box you are holding is an AI software! Amazing! Amazing! It wasn't wanted anymore. Too loud. Too loud! The previous owner just dumped it here, and left! Gone! Disappeared!"

Lucas' frown deepened at the thought of a software just being dumped in a rundown pawnshop.

Artificial Intelligence has been long ago developed, and evolved greatly. It has helped humanity reach through the stars, and various galaxies. In some ways, AIs became the closest thing that the world could have to "World Peace". AIs are respected, and loved. So it was a bit of a shock that this AI software was just thrown away.

Nonetheless, Lucas has no need for an AI. "I don't need this." He pushed it back to the old man but the latter didn't take it.

"No take backs!" The old man shouted, and showed the money that was inside Lucas' wallet. "I got the pay! The pay! The pay!" He cackled as Lucas just stared dumbly, unable to even comprehend how the hell he didn't feel anything on his pants.

Before Lucas can even defend his rights, the old man sprinted inside his house. All the lights inside distinguished, leaving the building, and store dark, and creepy.

The rain continues to pour harder, and loud against the plastic sheet above him. But instead of a rhythm, Lucas only hears staggering beats of his vein popping out on his neck. God, he cannot believe there are people like this still exists!

Lucas glared at the box in his hand, and scowled deeply. He can't just throw it away! This software was still worth something. He might as well sell it online for twice as much. There's a lot of people who would demand for their own AI after all. Especially with that virtual concert coming up…

His mood worsened. He jammed the box inside his coat, and left this godforsaken alleyway, making a vow that he will never pass by this area again.

---

Lucas thanked the virtual cashier with a mumble of thanks, and a nod. It must be nice to be acknowledged because the cartoonish look of the virtual cashier brightened.

Luckily, the rain has finally let up by the time Lucas is done with his supposed-to-be-short grocery shopping.

Lucas went home without a preamble. His hunger was long gone, and now he was just filled with hate. He planned to just throw everything in the fridge, and go to sleep. The air was cool, biting his skin, and it felt nice.

To have something colder biting him instead of him.

"Welcome back, Mr. Taylor! Oh my, you are like a wet kitten!" Conrad laughed, and it sounded so human that if a stranger didn't look at his obvious metal plates on his body, he might have been confused as human.

Lucas scowled at him, and went straight to the elevator. It was a bit crowded; the other tenants looked at him weird this time than be mesmerized temporarily by his bright blue eyes.

It was so like him too that he forgot to start up the heater of his apartment. Lucas sighed heavily, and just like he planned earlier. He threw his groceries inside the fridge, and prayed to some supernatural being out there to not let his vegetables go to waste.

He stripped off his wet clothes, leaving them on the floor but it caught his attention the box that he was forced to buy earlier.

Lucas held the box in his hand, and unintentionally glanced to his desktop.

"No way, Lucas." He muttered to himself, throwing the box on the bed. He took a new set of clothes, still mumbling to himself that whatever it is that he is up to. It ain't good.

But how will you be able to sell the software if you don't know what it is? That traitorous voice inside his head made a compelling point that Lucas wanted to knock his head on the wall. There's only two things that are keeping him from doing that.

One: Lucas doesn't want to worry Himari.

Second: The paint job will be ruined!

Lucas glanced back to the innocent box of AI software on his bed.

It wouldn't hurt to try. It's just a tiny peak, and that's it! Lucas never acquired or had any hatred towards AIs, it's just… how they were used.

With a heavy sigh, Lucas took the box, pulling out the black chip inside. There was a sticker on one side with the writing—

"B-0027?" It was a weird name but what could Lucas know? He wasn't particularly knowledgeable about this.

Pushing aside the jitters in his stomach, Lucas inserted the chip in the port, and watched as his screen went from black to bright yellow in an instant.