Chapter 2- Deflect the system with your mind
Battery City
They don't issue out the pills as often as one might think, only about once a week. On what day and when depends on what work or occupation you do. Since I am still in school they usually give them out at the beginning of the week on a Monday, and at the most convenient time since there are a lot of us- Lunch. The two most common types are the yellow ones which increases happiness or joy and the smaller pink ones which raises hope. I guess to, what is that phrase? To foster 'team spirit' whatever that means, personally I think it's just to increase productivity among the student body. Because you can't have productivity without enthusiasm and you can't have enthusiasm without happiness and hope. Besides, increased productivity means a higher chance of getting good grades, which can help once one leaves school. Speaking of grades there is a third pill that you might see, a blue one which takes away stress. You get given this pill when you are about to take a test or exam, not everyone needs it though. These emotion pills do not taste very good, that is to say there is no flavor too them at all.
That in mind it's annoying although not fully surprising given what recently happened, that I have got an extra dosage come the middle of the week. Luckily there are ways to avoid taking them if you know what to do. Despite the fact they can add cameras; they usually don't put them in the bathroom, something to do with privacy. And that's where I am now. I guess I should be grateful. However, there are after effects on having them and I am not quite sure if I want to forget those recent events.
I should at least take one of them. Out of the yellow one and the blue one, the yellow one is more helpful in this situation. Glancing over my shoulder I see the new camera turned this way, it can't see me but it can see into this room. Better hurry up. Just in case I insert the blue pill into my mouth, but not swallow it, instead I place it under my tongue and drink only the water from the glass I have and then brave another look at the camera. Good it's facing away. Spitting out the blue pill, I inset the yellow one, which increases happiness, swallowing it as I drink the water. Then make my way out of the bathroom.
...
The Zones
It was disorienting when he awoke, and it took him a moment to remember what had happened the night before. Although he could tell that it was daylight, the room he was in was dark and cool, with the sun spilling in between the gap of the curtains, which seemed to be made out of a sheet of dark blue fabric, and the window sill. Sitting up he realized that he was still in the clothes he had been wearing before he collapsed, a simple t-shirt and jeans. With a jolt of surprise he also realized that he could hear voices coming from outside the room beyond the not quite closed door.
Thinking that there was no point staying where he was and curiosity getting the better of him since he couldn't tell what the voices were saying; he got up- letting the bed covers fall, found his shoes- which were together at the end of the bed, put them on and made his way to the door. A sudden feeling of fear took hold of him just before he gripped the doorhandle. What if these people were dangerous? What if they didn't like him? Where was this place and how far away was he from home? Why did they bring him here? He looked back to the bed where he had gotten up from, reconsidering his decision. Noticing that he left it untidy, he went back and made the bed. They have been good to me so far, he thought calming himself as he made his way back to the door, rescued him and gave him a place to stay the night, reaching out for the doorhandle for the second time, they can't be that bad, can they? Opening the door and exiting the room.