City Center, The (3 page)

The Outsider

The sleep pod
chimed, alerting Ava that morning had arrived, which meant another grueling day of rehearsals and training sessions with James and Helena. She almost wanted Graduation Day to hurry up and arrive so she could put an end to the vicious training cycle, but she knew after graduation her life would be even busier. Serving Royal Court meant more engagements and appearances. She dreamed of escaping and running off with Delilah for a day or two on some wild adventure. But where would they go? Find a way to cut through the armored walls and head toward the ocean? They’d never survive on the Outside.

“Good morning, Miss Rhodes. Now downloading this morning’s reports.”

The wall in the main room came to life with multiple streaming reports. Since she had no option but to select one, she chose the female Info-tainer with the sapphire eyes. Annoying, but less depressing.

“Last night’s big event proved to be most excellent. The final performance of the current Royal Court doing a Viennese Waltz was simply
fantacular
!”

A hologram of the performance filled the main room. Ava went to the kitchenette. She didn’t care to witness the overindulgent performance a second time. The juicer prepared a protein shake that tasted like nothing. She dressed in her ballet attire and took the transporter to the Studio. She waited in the lobby with the other nine candidates and listened to the females gushing over Royal Court’s final performance.

“The Queen’s gown was most exquisite,” Elizabeth said.

“She looked so pure and white,” said Anne, another Successor Candidate. “I hope to be just like her one day! Imagine bestowing so much beauty.”

“What did you think about it, Ava?” Elizabeth stretched along the bar.

“It was, um, I guess it was nice.”

“Nice?” Elizabeth looked confused.

“It was a little over the top for me.”

“Oh, ignore her. She’s worried she might actually succeed the throne and have to make an effort every now and then,” James laughed.

“With you as my dance partner,” Ava said, faking a curtsy.

After morning rehearsal and re-hydration, Helena gave the team a lunch break. Ava was relieved she wouldn’t have to fake an injury to meet up with Delilah. She jumped into the transporter to the South Sector—Delilah’s side of town.

The café bustled with the laughter and chatter of the mid-ranking residents. Ava’s white tracksuit—worn only by the high-levels—stood out in the café. Many of the mid-levels looked up from their hearty lunches and waved; some requested an image capture of Ava. Down in the South Sector, Ava’s and Delilah’s unorthodox friendship wasn’t shunned, yet Delilah always picked a booth in the far back to avoid being gawked at the entire time. Ava walked over, grateful to spend time with her best friend. Something she never experienced on her side of town.

“You’re free,” Delilah said.

“Helena can be so kind and generous,” Ava said, smiling. She scooted into the booth and reached for Delilah’s hands and held them for a moment. She was the only semblance of authenticity Ava had ever known.

“One hour’s better than nothing.”

“Always so positive, dear Delilah. Is there hope for me, yet?”

“It’s simple. Eat whatever you want. Watch whatever you want. And kiss whoever you want.”

“Truer words have never been spoken. Well, I can’t speak to the last one.”

“You can after Graduation Day.” Delilah winked.

“I can’t think of a worse fate than kissing James for the next eighteen years. I’d rather kiss an Info-tainer, or Chief Morray.”

“How’d the rest of rehearsal go?”

“James will never be pleased.”

“Don’t worry about James. You’re the one everyone wants.”

“I have no idea why the people favor me so dearly.”

“They’ve been following you for eighteen years. And you have pretty hair.” Delilah smiled and her brown almond-shaped eyes lit up.

“But why not pick someone more striking and exotic, like Elizabeth.”

“Elizabeth is scary.”

“Queens are supposed to be scary.”

“Maybe you’ll start a new trend. I don’t know why you’re so worried. You’ll be a wonderful queen.”

“James doesn’t think so. Helena doesn’t think so.”

“But I think so. All of the people in this café think so.”

“Whatever will I do without you?”

“Let’s not think about next week. Let’s eat. You look like you could use some real food.” Delilah pulled up 3D renderings of the day’s specials.

“I really want a double-decker tempeh burger with cashew cheese, but I know Helena will test my blood levels and send me straight to detox. I can’t handle one more body wrap.”

“This is our last week together. Remember
Roman Holiday
? Pretend this is your special week to do whatever you want!”

“Yes, who cares about an afternoon of torture? You’re worth it.” Ava laughed. She felt relaxed around Delilah. She could let down her guard and stop monitoring every single word, or facial expression—these were minor glimpses of freedom. The food arrived and Ava’s mouth watered; she couldn’t remember the last time she ate a sandwich. She took a huge bite, not caring if anyone was watching, or taking image captures.

“Do you think you’re ready?” Delilah watched Ava devouring the sandwich.

“Probably not after this.” She took another huge bite. “But this is what I call freedom,” she said with her mouth full.

“Your performance is perfection. I should know. It’s not just your technique. When you dance, you connect with yourself. You express emotions, unlike the others. They’re robots programmed to compete and win. They have no heart.”

“And I do?”

“You might have been designed to look and talk like them, but you’re so much more. I wouldn’t risk my reputation hanging out with you if it weren’t true.” Delilah smiled.

One of the many reasons Ava loved Delilah was her fearless ability to express herself. Delilah spent a lot of time with Ava teaching her to connect with her feelings. It was during their clandestine lessons Ava learned how to dig deep. The ability to emotionally connect gave her an advantage during competitions. She couldn’t have achieved that without Delilah.

After lunch they strolled down the main walkway. Ava wanted to savor every single precious second with Delilah. She looked toward the Garden Sector.

“Quick trip to the greenhouse?” Ava asked.

“You got twenty minutes before you’re due back.”

“A little time in my favorite place with my favorite person is better than no time. Last week together, remember…
Roman Holiday
.”

“Oh, clever girl, using my line.”

“See how much I learn from you?”

They veered off the main walkway, down the cobblestone path toward the giant greenhouse located in the Garden Sector. Ava enjoyed watching the workers tending to their plots of land. James was right about her being happy shoveling dirt. She’d much rather manage a garden than a busy schedule. She loved being around living things. Inside the greenhouse, she felt connected to the pulse of life. It was the opposite of her sterile side of town.

“This is definitely my favorite part of the city,” Ava said, inhaling the scent of dirt and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.

“But your side has the latest in technologies. All that glittering light.”

“Artificial.”

“True, but isn’t everything?” Delilah looked toward the solar panels high above, protecting the residents against the natural sunlight.

Whenever the topic of sunlight came up, Ava thought about the people living on the Outside. With the constant reports about the deadly air quality and the harmful sun, she questioned how they could survive in the toxic environment outside the City Center walls.

“Do you find it strange they can survive out there?”

“I think they’ve adapted,” Delilah said.

“Do you ever wonder what it’s like?” Ava asked.

“Not this again. For the hundredth time, no, I don’t wonder. You’ve seen the reports. If it were better out there, why do they try to break into the City Center year after year?”

“They seem to be more hostile during our times of ceremony.” Ava had been observing their patterns for years.

“Maybe it’s something in the air. Do we have to talk about this?”

“Do you think something will happen before Graduation Day?”

“Not with Morray keeping security at Level-5.”

“Do you ever wonder about the reports?”

“What’s going on, Ava? Is this pre-grad anxiety? Do you need some relaxa-mist?”

“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things lately. The reports have been erratic, especially the closer we get to the big day, and if the main objective is to keep the City Center in peaceful harmony, whatever is the point in inundating us with an endless stream of distressing information?”

“But, Miss Rhodes, the reports are vital and necessary for our survival. As a precaution, all City Center dwellers must remain abundantly informed,” Delilah mimicked an Info-tainer.

“You do that a bit too well. Interested in a new position after Graduation Day?”

“The last position I want is Info-tainer.”

“But think of the prestige,” Ava teased.

“I’m erasing the last three minutes of our conversation. Come on, let’s get some fresh strawberry-melons.” Delilah took Ava’s hand and they skipped toward the entrance of the greenhouse.

Inside the 50-story greenhouse, Ava breathed in the misty and refreshing air. She slipped off her sandals and let the damp grass spread between her toes. If she had a choice, she’d spend the rest of the afternoon in the greenhouse. They stepped off the main path and walked through a thicket of trees stretching hundreds of feet above ground. Workers in green tracksuits moved about walkways and bridges, collecting colorful fruits from the branches. They approached their friend Daisy, a greenhouse worker.

“Hi Daisy, how about some imperfects?” Delilah gave her a hug.

“Hello, my dears.” Daisy held out two pieces of fruit. “Excited for Graduation Day?”

“Not really.” Ava took the strawberry-melon, inhaling the sweet citrus scent.

“But everyone’s talking about your potential to succeed the throne, dear Ava. That’s exciting. I could be standing in the presence of our very next Queen,” Daisy said.

“I still have the final competition. Speaking of which, I better get back to the Studio or Helena will send out the guards, or worse, Morray’s Officers.”

“I’m going to miss you, Ava. But I’ll be watching you from Ret-Hav.” Daisy held Ava’s hand.

“That’s right. Are you looking forward to a life of leisure?”

“Fresh air and no more work!”

“Where you can dip your toes in crystal waters,” Ava quoted the commercial for Ret-Hav. Ava was happy for Daisy. She had worked hard for retirement. Just like all working-class residents.

Ava and Delilah left the greenhouse and headed toward the nearest transporter.

“Eight minutes until Helena sends out the guards,” Ava said. She wasn’t looking forward to an afternoon of combat training. She was about to say goodbye to Delilah when a warning alarm began screeching throughout the South Sector. Monitors began streaming an emergency report. People huddled around to catch the news feed.

“This is a bit extreme of Helena,” Ava yelled over the noise, laughing.

“We should see what’s going on,” Delilah yelled over the alarm.

“Look,” Ava pointed to a nearby monitor.

The male Info-tainer looked more serious than usual. “Attention all residents, the Los Angeles City Center has been breached. We’ve been informed that a terrorist from the Outside has infiltrated our city. This terrorist is currently at large. Chief Morray has his team of Officers working on the situation. All citizens are required to immediately transport to their dwellings until further notice. I’ve been informed. This is not a drill. We repeat…”

“I suppose this means afternoon training is off the agenda.” Ava smiled.

“Ava, this isn’t a joke. We need to get to our dwellings.”

Delilah reached for Ava’s hand and started to pull her down the walkway toward the nearest transporter station.

“What’s the rush?” Ava asked. “This is probably just another one of Planner Dickson’s drills. He is always a bit overly ambitious and protective in the days leading up to high ceremonies. Shall we watch everyone unravel?”

Ava sat down on a bench and watched the residents rushing around, fighting to get to the nearest transporter stations.

“I’m going home. I don’t want to get caught up in this mess. You know the penalties for not following protocol,” Delilah said.

“Perhaps they’ll disqualify me from Graduation Day ceremonies.”

“That’s not funny. Will you contact me later so I know you’re okay?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll call you. Unless the ‘terrorist’ captures me.”

“Be careful.” Delilah hurried down the path, looked back one last time and waved.

The monitors continued streaming emergency reports. “We have been informed by high-level intelligence operatives and have it on good authority that this is the man who broke into the City Center.”

A hologram displayed a man with shaggy brown hair wearing utilitarian clothes. Ava moved closer in and studied his face. He didn’t look like a bad person. Or sick from breathing in toxic air. He was handsome and masculine and reminded her of Gregory Peck in
Roman Holiday
—except for the thick beard covering up the lower half of his face. Beards were forbidden inside the City Center. She reached out to touch the hologram but her hand swiped through the image.

“Chief Morray has ordered everyone to evacuate the area immediately. This man is armed and toxic. If you get within close proximity, you will be infected. You must avoid any interaction. We repeat, do not attempt any civic heroics. Retreat to your dwelling units immediately. He was last tracked in the South Sector…”

Ava perked up. If the Outsider was last tracked in the South Sector that meant he could be in close proximity. She debated about heading to the transporter station. She didn’t know why, but she wanted to stick around to see what would happen next. Her heartbeat thumped from her chest to her ears. Excitement buzzed through her body and she felt alive. She stood, waiting for whatever would come next. Then the entire City Center shut down. The monitors blacked out and the walkways froze. She had never experienced such an extreme level of silence. She was alone. The most alone she had ever been on the Inside. Something told her this wasn’t a drill. She started walking toward the transporter station a few hundred yards away. The walk seemed a mile long. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she sensed another presence nearby.