Shadows of Utopia

Echoes in the Dark

Darkness descended upon the city of Suburbia as the final curfew siren faded into the distance, leaving behind an unsettling stillness. The bustling metropolis came to a standstill, its rhythm steady. Unlike Utopia, where festivities continued teasing the senses of the citizens with joyful laughter and the thudding of fireworks, Suburbia was devoid of such merriment. The anticipation of the upcoming day hung palpably in the air.

Lying in his bed, Cy gazed up through the window at the mesmerizing ballet of green and purple streaks painted across the sky. The aftereffects of the Solar Outage, a barrage of solar flares that had assaulted the planet, were visible everywhere. Drones whizzed by overhead, their beams cutting through the darkness. Public announcements blared warnings over the speakers, cautioning the inhabitants about the consequences of breaking curfew.

Meanwhile, a religious group of adventists nearby chanted their incantations, believing that the return of their creator was imminent. Their gatherings were illegal and carried severe punishments, even death. Despite this, their numbers dwindled each day, but they continued to gather and try.

Sleep eluded Cy as the rumbling thunder of fireworks and constant flashes assaulted his senses. The single bed felt almost too small for his slender, athletic frame as his piercing blue eyes fixated on the ceiling with determination. He couldn’t shake the feeling that tomorrow would bring something significant, like a weight in the pit of his stomach.

Suddenly, a familiar sound at the window caught his attention. Confusion etched frown lines on his brow as he perked his ears to listen. Another clink. Excitement surged through him, and he flung himself out of bed, hurrying to the small window. Peering into the shadows, he could make out the familiar silhouette of Eurelia. Bathed in the ethereal glow of neon lights, her golden hair cascaded down her back, framing her flawless porcelain face.

Cy’s heart raced. Eurelia’s unexpected visit always meant something important. He couldn’t resist pondering what news she had this time.

“Cy!” Eurelia called out, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Shh!” Cy warned, holding a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. Opening the window carefully, he cautioned her, “We could end up dead.”

Eurelia’s face lit up with a mischievous smile, her green eyes glaring in the dim light. “When have you ever followed the rules, Cy? Besides, this might be our last night together.”

A wave of envy washed over Cy as he locked eyes with Eurelia, his emotions swirling within. Regret washed over him as he realized that she had recently become of age, opening the door for her to attend the hitch gathering with the elite. He wished he could shield her from the mysteries of the uncertain future.

Sighing, Cy shook his head and pointed to his arm, displaying the flashing tracker bracelet. “I’m being monitored,” he explained.

Her serious expression became clear as Eurelia stepped out of the shadows. “The High Sun festivities are tomorrow. The elite will be out in full force, and there’s something I need to show you.”

Fear and determination flickered across Cy’s face, his eyes widening. “Just give me a moment,” he said. He reached under his bed and pulled out a small, makeshift device he had crafted from scavenged parts—an old circuit board, a few wires, and a battery. With practiced ease, he attached it to the bracelet. A few beeps echoed in the room, and the bracelet’s light gradually faded before going out completely. With a sense of pride, Cy raised his arm, proudly displaying the disabled bracelet.

Eurelia raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Where did you learn to do that?”

Cy smirked, a hint of pride in his eyes. “You pick up a few tricks when you’re trying to survive in Suburbia.” He tossed the temporarily disabled bracelet onto the bed and maneuvered himself through the window, carefully descending the drainpipes until he landed beside Eurelia.

“Ew!” she playfully exclaimed, scrunching up her face and holding her nose. “You reek of fish.”

Cy’s eyes roamed over her figure, clad in a sleek black outfit that matched her eyebrows, giving her a stern yet playful look. He felt a sharp pang of envy in his chest as he noticed her bare wrist, a sign that she had come of age. “Some of us have to work,” he replied, squeezing her hand. “We only have an hour until my bracelet reboots.”

Eurelia glanced around nervously before taking the lead. “Let’s go,” she said, gripping his hand tightly as she guided them through the shadows, skillfully avoiding the beams of the drones.

As Cy and Eurelia moved through the shadows, a mixture of excitement and trepidation filled Cy. He couldn’t help but wonder what Eurelia had to show him, and what could be so important about the High Sun festivities she mentioned.

With stealth and caution, they maneuvered through the deserted streets of Suburbia. The usually bustling city now lay eerily silent under the cover of curfew, with occasional flickering billboards illuminating their path. The countdown for the High Sun festivities flickered across the billboard, the bright numbers catching their attention. Every sound felt magnified, making their hearts race in response. Above, the Skyrider drones darted through the air, their engines buzzing, carrying out deliveries.

In the midst of the stillness, a Shadowhawk law enforcement drone whirred overhead, its mechanical hum breaking the silence. The searchlight beam cut into every corner of the alley, casting an eerie glow as they sought refuge. Eurelia’s breath hitched as the beam narrowly missed them. Her grip tightened on Cy’s hand as she pulled him through the opening of an abandoned building. As they ducked inside, a brilliant beam of light suddenly illuminated the alley, causing stray cats to growl, hiss, and spit at the drone. With their hearts pounding against their chests, Cy and Eurelia sprinted up the worn metal staircase, their footsteps echoing in the building below as the beam of light illuminated their path.

Eurelia’s grip on Cy’s hand grew tighter, her urgency evident as she pulled him up the creaking staircase towards the dilapidated roof. Startled by their presence, the pigeons took flight, their wings flapping noisily as they scattered from the roof with the missing tiles. Eurelia jumped in surprise and screamed. She covered her mouth in realization, her eyes filled with fear. Meanwhile, the Shadowhawk drone ascended up the side of the building, emitting a low humming sound as its powerful beam sliced through the openings in the roof. Eurelia and Cy moved with quick precision, their footsteps barely making a sound as they carefully traversed the creaking beam.

Eurelia warned Cy in a whisper, “Don’t look down,” as she led the way, carefully balancing on the beam. Cy cautiously watched his every step, and slowly made his way across, his heart thumping in his chest. Looking down, he felt a surge of fear as he realized just how far the ground was below him. The deafening whirring of the drone outside drowned out all other sounds, intensifying their already palpable fear. Just as Cy was about to step onto the safety of the ledge, he lost his footing. With a swift and calculated movement, Eurelia reached out, clutching a handful of his shirt, and pulled him to safety. In search of safety, they swiftly sought refuge in a secluded corner, their hearts pounding as the drone emitted a series of beeps and zoomed away, its sound gradually dissipating into the distance.

Eurelia and Cy could feel the cool breeze rustling their hair as they watched the distant sky burst into a brilliant display of fireworks.

“That drone,” Eurelia said, her voice strained yet calm, “came uncomfortably close.” She picked up a small piece of debris and let it fall, savoring the metallic clank as it hit an unknown object below. The view from above revealed the vast expanse of Suburbia, a haunting scene of abandoned streets and deteriorating towers. Utopia’s lights, like a mirage on the horizon, glimmered in stark contrast. The sky above the city dazzled with bursts of vibrant colors, creating an atmosphere that felt like a glimpse into a hidden paradise.

Cy couldn’t hold back any longer. “What’s the big news?” he asked, eagerly awaiting.

Eurelia turned to him, a small, wistful smile curling her lips. “Look.” She pointed towards the horizon, where strange flickering lights pulsed in the distance, far beyond the limits of Suburbia.

“The Underworld,” she whispered. Her voice carried an almost reverent tone.

Cy’s brow furrowed. “You’ve risked all this... just for some myth?” His skepticism slipped out, though curiosity gnawed at the edge of his thoughts.

Eurelia turned her gaze back to him, her green eyes softening. “Meet me here, three months from today.” Her voice wavered with the weight of unspoken meaning, and Cy’s heart clenched at the sight of her unshed tears.

Cy swallowed hard. “Do you seriously think you’ll get chosen tomorrow?” The question escaped before he could stop himself.

Eurelia nodded slowly, the confidence in her smile slipping for just a second. “I’m going to miss you, Cy,” she whispered, her voice barely audible as she struggled to control the lump in her throat. With a gentle gesture, she tucked a stray strand of golden hair behind her ear.

Cy tightened his grip on her hand, willing himself to be her strength, though envy slithered deeper into his chest with every second. “Whoever picks you... they’re lucky,” he said, forcing a smile. But inside, something twisted.

“Thank you,” Eurelia murmured. “But soon... it’ll be your turn.”

Cy looked away, the weight of her words pressing down on him. “I’m kinda on the fence about it.” His voice barely carried over the cacophony of distant fireworks. “The elite... I’ve heard things.”

Eurelia wrapped her arm around him, pulling him close. “I need you to meet me here in three months,” she said, with a little chuckle. But Cy couldn’t help but feel the gravity in her request. As though, somehow, this was goodbye.

Surrounded by the low hum of the city, they sat in comfortable silence, until Eurelia broke it with a question that caught Cy off guard. “Join me tomorrow at the High Sun festivities… as my guardian, maybe?” She backed her question with her signature puppy dog face, her eyes wide and pleading.

As he looked at her, Cy felt his heart fill with warmth and affection. Despite his inner reluctance, he couldn’t bear the thought of her leaving, yet he knew he had to support Eurelia. A whirlwind of excuses swirled in his mind, but he settled on the most meager one. “I have to work. It’s high market day,” he muttered.

Eurelia was undeterred. “So?” she nudged, pushing her luck. “You can have Mabel watch your stinky fish stand while you hang out with me.”

Cy chuckled, shaking his head in defeat. “Fine, you win.” The realization of the passing time struck him like a lightning bolt, causing him to leap to his feet.