The Machine Rules

4

After lunch, we go back to our classrooms for the rest of the day. This time I pay attention to class, in which we were learning about history, always patronizing the great machine which takes care of us.

They also say that before everything was messy, people died from simple disease, from starvation, killing each other, that people held secrets and rebelled against everything.

I was born too long after all of that happened, so I have nothing against our society. There are no secrets I want to be kept away because from what I think is a machine, an AI that knows about them, not a human person. It won't judge me as another human would; it won't say bad things if I have a different opinion.

I think I rather live the way I do today than back over eight hundred years ago. Even if my life is bad, but it's getting better now, I hope.

"Lilya, would you like to share any thoughts about today's class?" My teacher calls me. Everyone turns to look at me as I stand from my seat to speak.

"I think we should be grateful for what we have. We live in a better world, and I wouldn't change it for anything. So that's why I believe in our motto, one to rule them all," I sit down on my seat as the teacher and students clap. I smile, receiving the nice attention, and look at my screen to distract myself.

My eyes wander over the light blue screen when I notice my inbox has a message. I click on it and read the text.

You are ordered to leave class and go to the school entrance. A Golem will be waiting for you. Do not request anything, as it will be ignored.

I bit my lip and did what I was told. I gathered my stuff and walked out of the classroom. I wanted to tell my friends but would do it once class was finished, around two hours from now, so I still had time.

There was no one in any of the corridors and courtyards except for the occasional teacher and workers here and there. I made my way over to the school entrance at a slow pace, scared of what might unfold as I reach my destination. I never once thought that I would encounter a Golem, maybe walking by them but not in first person. And now I had to meet one; I can't lie that I'm terrified.

It takes a five-minute walk to reach the school entrance, and again there is no one in sight, except for a lone Golem. It stood tall and proud in front of the entrance like it was indestructible to anything that came. I wanted nothing more than to bolt in the opposite direction, but I was being watched, and it would just make it go and get me.

The Gole surveilled the area around it until I was around ten meters from it that it turned around to face me. My pace came to a halt as it approached in large, menacing steps until it was right in front of me.

"I was ordered to escort you home," It informs me. I dare look up to his metallic face and ask.

"But my class didn't finish, and I've never needed an escort. I won't oppose the order, but I'm just curious," I whisper the last part.

"I'm just following orders Ms. Please, follow me to your transport," It turn around on its heel and head to a car, hovering just above the ground. It was sleek, probably spacious, and completely black as if to hide in the bright nights.

The black door opened upward, followed by the Golem, who entered the vehicle followed by me. There was a single seat on the front where I was seated in the back seats that were more of a couch. The door closed, and the floating car took off to the sky.

I've never been in a flying vehicle except for the occasional travel I had to do to other cities for school projects. But they were public ones, not for one person. My initial thoughts were that I would be pushed back into the seat with force as the car ascended. But I felt nothing; it felt more as if I was levitating myself. The climb was smooth up to the high the vehicle went over every building.

I stared in awe at the window, seeing a view I never even thought I would see. The entire city of Arca was beneath me, and my gaze could even reach as far as the neighboring cities, Xygen and Volaris, two of the most powerful and influential cities in the world, after Arca, of course.

My smile turned to a frown when we reach the area of Topia. Instead of the white and mirrored buildings that went up as high as the cloud, they were brown, dirty from pollution. Some were collapsed and never repaired. Others were abandoned except for the occasional druggies and drunk people.

"Is something the matter Ms. Xander?" The Golem spoke for the first time during the ride, reminding me of his presence.

"No, nothing at all," I dismissed him and continued to frown at the ugly city. Yes, ugly, while the rest was a paradise. I noticed the flying car was starting to descend, meaning we were getting closer to my humble home. Humble because I had no money to make it look extravagant, not that I'll ever will.

People under us stopped what they were doing to gaze upon the unexpected, seemingly expensive flying car come down in the most open area. My place was between buildings, so there was no way for the vehicle could stop in front of it.

As soon as the car stopped moving, the Golem stood up and walked out, frightening everyone who made a circle around it out of curiosity. It stood tall and proud as it "glared" at the people around. They scurried away, too scared to observe this one-time occurrence rather than be shot.

I carefully stepped out of the car to have the door closed behind me as the vehicle flew off. I stared at it, confused as the Golem was still standing next to where it had been.

"I'll escort you to your apartment Ms." It turned to me, which made me flinch from instinct. I nodded and began my way to my place. To my surprise, the Golem kept a steady distance of two meters but never let me leave its sight.

I had to go through buildings, narrow passages, and even inside an occupied room where the owner was rarely there. Once I reached my room, I sighed and grabbed my keys, unlocking the rusty, noisy door. I had grown accustomed to the loud noise during my long stay here; it gave me a sense of comfort as I would know if someone would try to break in.

It happened once. Let's just say the guy had a bad week of painful headaches.

"Thank you for escorting me-" I was thanking the Golem when he entered my room and walked around. "Um, excuse me?" I asked unsurely. They were almost human but completely loyal to It, so I was scared. I would say something that might offend it and get shot.

"Is this where you live?" His voice was still deep and robotic but sounded more human, less of a robot.

"I opened the door with a key, and I walked all the way here, so... yeah," I trailed off, not knowing what to do. Can't it just leave?

"Noted," It said, sounding more like to himself. "I'll be leaving now. But if there is anything you need, help with things, just press the red button on the screen next to your bed," It spoke in a friendly manner before walking out. I waited for it to get out of my sight before shutting and locking the door behind me.

"That was interesting," I spoke to myself as I held the door with my back. My body shook in one of those involuntary shivers before I walked over to my bed and sat on it, letting my things slide down to the floor. My eyes found their way to the only visible camera in my room, right at the corner of the wall next to my bed. "Thank you."

I stared at it for a feel moments before feeling stupid. It may have a conscience, be present at specific places, but it wouldn't be looking at one person at a time, in a city that held millions, on a planet that held billions.

"I'm so stupid," I shook my head as whispered to myself before standing and going to my bathroom. It was the only decent place as I preferred the place I stood naked and washed was clean. Not that the rest of my room was dirty, I like hygiene.

I closed the bathroom door behind me and proceeded to take off my clothes. Soon enough, I stared at myself in the broken, rusted mirror. A skinny girl, with pinkish cheeks, light brown-greenish eyes, and dark brown hair stared back at me. I took the eyes from my father and hair from my mother.

The last thing I have from them is the teddy bear they gave me when I was born. I don't remember much other than scavenging for a living. They were loving parents, but it was a harsh life. Now they're gone, died, or left I don't know, nor do I want to. I've accepted they won't come back. It's better than to build false hope only to have it crumbled cotton candy on water.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, and stepped under the showerhead. The sensor beeped and was followed by cold water hitting my warm skin. I was used to cold water as the people in my building consumed the hot water before it was even dark. I grabbed my soap and rubbed it on my body. My eyes closed as a song left my wet lips.

"Don't you know I'm no good for you?

I've learned to lose you, can't afford to

Tore my shirt to stop you bleedin'

But nothin' ever stops you leavin'

Quiet when I'm coming home and I'm my own

I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that

I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that"

I continued to hum the song as I finished washing my body, only then noticing how warm and comforting the water was. It's been so long it felt this nice to shower that my knees buckled, and I fell on the tile floor. I curled my knees to my chest as I sat under the water. My eyes closed without permission, and I fell into a warm, wet sleep.