I was driven back to the hospital after the Crew was sure I was alright. Of course, I wasn't alright, not after what I had seen.
It was twilight by the time I arrived back at the hospital. The streets where still busy with people and the few vehicles bustling through the streets. I was greeted by Dr. Acharya outside the hospital's main entrance and told him what happened. I didn't share the details of my memories but I did tell him that I experienced "flashbacks". The Doctor seemed quiet concerned about this, and mentioned that I should be staying in the hospital for longer with these symptoms. But Taschen's orders said I had to move out by tomorrow morning, and that I'd get my "welcome package" by then. When I asked Dr. Acharya what this "package" was, he said that it was something that every citizen gets when they arrive just to help them settle in, "but nothing too impressive".
I said my goodbyes to the Clean-Up Crew and thanked them a final time. Shakti gave me a gentle pat on back, her claws gently prodding the back of my shirt.
"Stay strong, alright?"
She and Kacper wished me the best and told me to keep in touch once I found a way. David stood in front of me in an awkward silence before Kacper nudged him with his elbow. He grunted before looking at me.
"Uh, George. I know this must be hard for you and stuff… I definitely could've been a bit more, uh, amicable. But, uh, promise that you'll stay safe, alright? This city can be dangerous if you don't pay attention."
Despite my rather dismal mood, I was charmed by David's clumsy but heartfelt advice. I put my hand on his shoulder and smiled.
"Thanks, David. And don't worry, I grew up in London, I know how to keep my wits about me."
Well, I grew up in the sheltered suburbs of south London, but they could get pretty scary too! Anyway, I said goodbye to David and the rest of the Crew climbed into the truck and drove off.
As I was led into the brightly-lit reception hall, I asked Dr. Acharya where Erik, Mary, and Adam were. He said that they weren't here, as they work during the early morning to noon shifts.
"They were quite worried about you, Adam and Mary. But Erik said that you were "stronger than you looked" and told them not to worry."
"You have a very caring staff."
"They are, but it doesn't take much to care, but they always work hard to put that care to use. That's why they're my right-hand men, and woman."
I was led back to the cafeteria, where the woman and her son from this morning were eating at a table on the far end of the hall.
"I recommend you have something to eat, then get some rest. And if you receive any more of these "flashbacks" or any other concerning symptoms, please let me know."
"How about you, Doctor? Will you be heading off?"
Dr. Acharya drew a long, tired sigh before responding.
"I have a lot of documents to sort through so I'll probably be here another hour or so. Like I said, if you have any problems, please let one of our staff know, and I get back to you as soon as possible. Have a good night."
"You too."
Dr. Acharya walked down the hall and disappeared. I walked towards the counter and got myself a meal. The same dry and bitter hospital food as before, I won't bore you with it. When I was done I walked back upstairs and walked towards my room. I walked through the door and glanced at the small, dark room.
Whatever small noise from the hospital was silenced with me closing the door. By then the sun had already set, and the dark blue sky was visible from the little window. With my last ounce of strength, I shambled over to the bed and crashed down onto the thin mattress.
The sheets felt cold.
I tried to go to sleep. My body was exhausted, but my mind kept racing. Flashing and throwing thoughts I could not leave be.
Those newly recovered memories were still fresh in my mind. The terror of feeling alone and helpless at the hands of these creatures felt real again. I wondered if there were others like me, who may still be in stasis to this day.
But one thing still haunted me. What that small creature had said to me.
"You will be part of something far greater."
What did they do to me? What were they planning to use me for? Part of me wanted to get up from my bed and walk to Acharya's office and tell him that I was worried about what the aliens did to me. But I was too exhausted. Eventually I succumbed to sleep.
I found myself in my old house again. I was standing in my parent's bedroom.
The tall being were looming over them on either side.
I saw my mother's head rise and look at me. She had a look of sheer horror on her face.
They were begging for me to save them.
But I couldn't move. I felt myself being drawn away from the room, my parents panicking becoming louder as they were pulled away from me.
I tried and tried to move, but I could only struggle against that similar, invisible force.
I awoke with a shout, my body aching.
I couldn't bare it anymore and began sobbing into my pillow.
The only reason they were there, was because of me. Because I couldn't control my powers.
How could I have let this happen? If I had only meditated more, or done- something, I don't know, I could've kept myself hidden.
My mind was a rush, I sat up from the bed and tried to calm down.
No, if I hadn't released that excess power in the park I would've lost control and ended up hurting someone. Also, I had no one to teach me how to control my powers, yet I found a way.
I only saw my parents paralysed. I didn't see anything else. There is still hope.
I got off the bed and walked towards the window.
I saw the white lights of the neighbouring buildings and streetlamps shining down on the black asphalt road. In the distance the outline of several skyscrapers with vague glowing patterns along the horizon.
I took a deep breath, and wiped the tears from my cheeks.
No matter what happens, whether or not my parents are alive, whether or not I have a home to come back to, whether or not the world I knew is gone forever, I will never give up on myself. I don't care how painful the truth may be.
I will find my place here.
The next morning I woke up to the sound of a beeping alarm next to my bed. I clumsily brushed my hand against the railing until I found the right button to hit before laying back down.
I opened my eyes and saw sunlight pouring in through the window.
I quickly pulled myself out of bed and made it for the door. From there I made my way up the stairs and towards Dr. Acharya's office.
I looked through the small window of the wooden door to see the tired looking doctor looking at his computer screen. His eyes then turned towards me and he gestured for me to come in. I opened the door and sat down on the chair next to his desk.
"Good morning, George. How are doing?"
"Not well, Doctor, there's something I need to talk about."
I went on to tell him my memories of being captured and possibility being experimented or operated on. The Doctor looked at me intently with his hands clasped as he listened to me. When I was finished, the Doctor rubbed the bridge of his nose before responding.
"George, if I had found any sign of alien implants or alterations in your check-up yesterday, I would've told you straight away."
I felt somewhat embarrassed, having forgotten that event.
"But I'm still glad you told me when you did. There are some subtle but more minor effects that result from abduction and long-term stasis but we simply don't have the time or the equipment to help you with that right now. I run a very busy hospital, and I need to make sure all of my patients get the care they need."
Doctor Acharya looked down at his desk. A moment of silence passed.
"But what do you think it means? That I'll "be part of something greater?""
Doctor Acharya sighed and turned to look out the window.
"Sounds like something ADVENT would say. They would always spout some sentimental rubbish right before they did something heinous. In my honest opinion, they, or it, just said that to you to give themselves a sense of grandeur."
I laid back in my seat. It made sense, but we still couldn't know for sure.
"But I seriously doubt they did anything detrimental, or else we would've known by now. Look, I'm very busy right now. Your welcome package will be coming in a few hours, and you're going to have to leave the hospital by noon. I'll make sure that you'll have a way to contact us before then but now, I think you should get ready for that."
I felt somewhat uneased, but at least my questions had been answered.
"Alright then. Thank you for clearing that up, Doctor."
"My pleasure. Good luck out there."
I left the office and Doctor Acharya to his work.
After breakfast I sat down on a bench in the courtyard. The sun beamed down and warmed my skin. Two children were playing on the dry grass and chasing each other, laughing and shouting as they did so.
I was thinking about what to do after I left the hospital. Adam mentioned an allotment, definitely somewhere I could work. And the comms rota, which made me anxious, both waiting for it and what it would bring. Either way, I had to be ready for anything.
My thinking was interrupted by the distinct sight of a tall blue Viper and a strong-looking blond man making their way into the courtyard. As I stood up to greet Mary and Erik, I saw the kids suddenly stop playing and speaking in mutters as they stared at the Viper. Erik turned towards them and gave the kids a strongly disapproving look, causing the kids to turn away and continue playing.
"George, how are you holding up?" Said Erik as he approached me.
"Not too bad. Yourselves?"
"Very busy, but nothing we can't handle, right?" Erik turned to Mary, who I noticed was carrying a large brown envelope in her arm.
"Right. Um, George, this is yours. It came in just a few minutes ago."
Mary handed over the envelope and I grabbed it. It felt like there several small objects stuffed into the paper. On the side was stamped: "To George Woodcroft - Courtesy of The City 56 Council".
"You'll find the address of the place they've given you in there. I got the same thing when I came here year and a half ago."
"Dr. Acharya also wanted you to have this." Erik passed me a small slip of folded paper.
"Contact numbers for the hospital, just in case."
"We wanted to say goodbye and wish you luck before you left, since don't have a lot of free time on our hands."
I looked around the duo, trying to see if there was anyone behind them.
"Where's Adam?" I asked.
"Sorry, George. He's busy right now, but he told me to tell you goodbye… We've got to get back to work too so…"
I took a deep, short breath as I held the envelope in my hands.
"I understand. Thank you both so much for everything, for being so patient and kind. I wish you all the best."
I stretched out my hand and I felt Erik's strong grip followed by Mary's scaled but gentle hand.
After we said our goodbyes the nurses left the courtyard and I sat back down on the bench.
I opened the envelope. Inside there was a plastic folder containing a few laminated sheets, a small plastic bracelet embedded with a metal square, and a single key labelled "27".
The sheets contained info on how the bracelet or my "Personal Credit Device" could be used to digitally store and transfer currency. There was also a temporary ID sheet, containing basic information and the city's seal. Alongside it were instructions on how to fully get my Citizen's ID and that I was expected to get it within thirty days.
On the other sheet was an address and a small map with directions printed below that.
My new home would be Flat 27 of Redwood Tower in Sector A.
I looked through the window at the clock in the hallway. It was ten minutes to noon.
I got up, and left the hospital for the last time.
I stood on the street outside the hospital, careful to not be knocked over by the bustling pedestrians. I looked at the directions printed on my sheet, It would be a half-hour walk from the Hospital to Sector A. As I left the hospital grounds, the high-rise buildings of the main street and the bustling crowds melted away from my vision. I was treated to the sight of dilapidated houses and ruined asphalt roads. I saw what used to be a local park closed off by a metal fence completely overtaken by grass and vines. On row of houses seemed to have been completely flattened to their foundations by some long-past explosion leaving the earth and wood scorched.
As I turned to leave the destroyed neighbourhood I noticed two figures walking alongside me from across the street. They were wearing hoodies that hid their faces and were quite far from me but I could tell they were tailing me. As I looked back at them, one of them suddenly put his arm out in front of the other and stopped him. I was nervous. The man were clearly annoyed and shouted at his partner. He then pointed at his wrist, then pointed at me, which confirmed my fears.
I was just about to take off running when they suddenly turned heel and started walking in the other way. I still ran through the street until I was certain I was far enough from them. It was only when I began walking at a normal pace again that I tried to piece together what just happened.
They had seen my inhibitor. Were they scared of me? If so, I hope it will deter other muggers. Because if I do end up in a rough situation, I'm either gonna have to give up, be pummelled to a pulp, or lose control and do something I regret.
Eventually, I reached the border of Sector A. A large, black, metal wall, about ten feet high, stretched out across the entire street. After a short walk through the quiet street, I made it to the checkpoint.
In front of the metal doorway stood two figures, each wearing the black fatigues I had seen before. They were each holding modern-looking machine guns in their hands. The first figure walked out in front of me and gestured me to stop.
"Halt. State your business." Barked the soldier.
His partner then walked up alongside him, fiercely gripping his gun at his side. His head was swollen and his eyes were black and large. Yet his body had the proper human proportions. This must be one of the Hybrids.
Don't stare, focus.
"Uh, I'm George Woodcroft. I've been assigned residency here." I fumbled.
"Papers please."
I walked up and passed my temporary ID to the solider. As he read through it his Hybrid partner kept his eye on me. He looked at the inhibitor on my wrist and I saw his large brow wrinkle around his black, beady eyes.
Don't stare.
The soldier then passed the ID back to me and turned to face his partner.
"All clear. This way please, Mr. Woodcroft."
I was then led to the large booth in in front of the gate whilst I saw the hybrid fumbling around a wall of red lockers from behind the thick glass. He turned and went up to the front of the booth with a small object in his hand.
"This is yours." He said in a strange, shrill voice. Similar to Adam's but with a slightly heavier tone to it.
In his hand was a small device similar in size and shape to a USB. It seemed to be made from the same silvery metal my inhibitor was made from.
Right after I took the object from the Hybrid's gloved hand, the human soldier turned to me and gave a serious glare as he spoke.
"This is the key for your psionic inhibitor. It will allow you to remove it once you are inside Sector A and in range of the localized inhibitor. You are not to have your personal inhibitor removed outside of Sector A for any reason. No psionic activity other than consensual telepathy is permitted here or anywhere else in the city. Understand?"
The soldier sounded stern but drained, as if he had to say this to dozens of newcomers before.
"Yes, sir." I put the key in my pocket.
"Right then. Step over to the doorway." He gestured over to a narrow passage next to the main gate, just wide enough for people to go in single file.
"Once you're in I'll close the door behind you and open the one in front. So don't freak out when it gets dark in there, the lights haven't been fixed."
Just as I stepped through the open doorway, I turned over to the soldier one last time.
"Um, just asking. Do you know where Redwood Tower is?"
"Big red building four blocks down and on the right. 'Will make for interesting company." He said with a smirk.
I heard the out-of-sight Hybrid say something as the door behind began to close with a whirring mechanical sound.
"It was just a joke, Mike!" I heard him shout back as the door closed with a thud.
I remained in darkness for a few seconds, nervously gripping my papers.
Just then I heard the same whirring but in front of me, and saw the sunlight peer through the widening gap. When the noise stopped I saw the street in front of me become visible.
As I stepped out onto the pavement I suddenly felt an immense cold over my body that stopped me in my tracks and left as soon as it appeared.
I adjusted myself, and saw beyond the row of one-story homes and small flats, a large antennae tower in the distance. I small purple light blinked from the very tip of the structure. This must be ranged inhibitor.
I decided to make my way along the street and follow the directions the soldier gave me.
After a short walk through the eerily empty streets I made it to Redwood Tower.
It was a rising apartment complex about six stories high. The walls were covered in dull red panels, and were reminiscent of red bricks. Some had flaked off and revealed the pale sandy material underneath. In front was an empty plaza with wooden tables and grass and weeds growing in the cracked pavement.
As I made my way through the glass door of the building and entered the lobby, which consisted of a small hall with green walls and a grey floor. I immediately noticed three hooded figures standing at the top of the stairs.
They turned towards me and I saw three strange pairs of eyes looking back at me. Two were black and small, the other was large and circular. More Hybrids.
They appeared to be sneering at me. I felt nervous. One of them then looked down and at my wrist and his expression dropped. He then nudged his parter with his elbow and mumbled something to him.
"We'll see." Confidently replied the large-eyed Hybrid.
He then put his hands in his hoodie pockets and began walking down.
"Hey, you there!"
Now I was really nervous.
"Uh, yeah?" I said meekly.
"You with XCOM?"
I could see one of the Hybrids at the top of the stairs put his hand over his face.
"Uh…"
"What about Templars?" He said as he stepped on the ground and walked towards me.
"Chandalas? Network? Psichos?" He was right in front of me now. He moved his head slightly and his two friends started walking down to join him.
"C'mon, you can tell me." He said with a smirk on his small mouth.
"I'm-I'm not with any-"
"Then what's this here?"
He tapped my inhibitor with his finger.
They were definitely sizing me up now. The only thing I could do was try to talk myself out of the situation.
"Look man, I don't want any trouble. I'm not with anyone. I'm just-"
"Alone?"
That stopped me. I knew he meant I had no "affiliations", but it did remind me that was, indeed, all alone.
"It's okay, man. We know how you feel." He put his hand on my shoulder, which caused me to grimace.
"Don't let this mug fool ya, I'm human."
I looked up at him. He had large, round eyes that were an unnatural violet colour. His nose was very wide and rectangular. His forehead was large and strange horizontal intents across it.
"Human?"
"Yeah. Behind all this shit ADVENT did to me. I'm all human. Me and my friends too."
He put his hand off my shoulder and put it in front of me.
"The name's Ron. That's Rick and Dan. You?"
"George." I said as I reluctantly shook his hand.
"Cool. You ain't from 'round here, are ya, George?"
They were obviously trying to gain my trust, for what I didn't want to know. I didn't trust them at all. I wasn't going to tell them anything further. Best to get out of here while I can.
"Uh, sorry guys. I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I need to go now."
Ron shrugged his shoulders.
"Hey, its cool. But before you go I need to tell you one thing."
"It's though for people out there. Even worse in here, when you're surrounded by aliens twenty four seven and the ones that aren't think they are. If you ever get into trouble, We'll help you out."
"Um, thanks." I said, quickly marching up the stairs.
I made my way to the second floor, which was a narrow corridor lined with numbered doors and had the same green walls and grey floors as the lobby. The walls appeared cracked and chipped in some places, and two of the fluorescent lights above me were flickering rapidly.
I then found the door numbered 27. After fumbling through my pockets I got my key and turned the lock. I opened the door and was greeted to the sight flipped over sofa laying on the stained brown carpet.
I walked into my apartment and saw the grimy kitchen unit and fridge standing in the left corner. On the right was an open door that showed a small bathroom with a shower and toilet surrounded by yellowed tiles. There were no other doors. In front of the tipped over sofa was a small wooden table were a TV once stood judging by the square outline of dirt on the wall above it. Between that were two windows with no curtains that overlooked the plaza below.
I sighed miserably as I looked at my new home. So this was it.
After placing my envelope and key on the table by the wall, and started pushing the sofa upright. I nearly jumped when the sofa-bed suddenly sprung out and nearly hit my on the head. It was a thin, weak-looking bit of fabric that I already dreaded of sleeping on.
The light from the windows caught the silver metal on my inhibitor. I decided it was time to take the thing off. I sat down on the bed and fished through my pockets again and found the small device. After a moment of searching for a hole of some sort, I found a small port on the back in the inhibitor and inserted the key.
As the device unclasped around my wrist with a mechanical sound, I felt as if a weight had been lifted off me. I still couldn't use my powers, but I felt more "aware" of them.
After placing the machine to the side, I laid down on the bed. I looked up at the bumpy ceiling with it's single, shaded light and wondered where to go from here.