Татьяна Васькова
The Deep of Oblivion

Author's Foreword

Hey everyone! It's such an honor knowing you're holding this book – my first one, the one I've been dreaming about forever. As a newbie author, I've poured my heart and soul into it, and I really hope it resonates with you.

Please be kind – I know it's not perfect, but I gave it my all. I'd love to hear what you think, any comments, wishes, or feedback! Drop me a line at TheDeepOfOblivion@gmail.com – your opinion really matters.

If you dig this story, I promise the sequel won't keep you waiting long!

And, of course, I have to thank the people who were there for me on this wild ride.

Zhanna K., my first reader and best friend forever! Your support was priceless.

Mom, my first editor! This story wouldn't be the same without you. Thanks for your keen eye and wise advice.

Anastassiya C., thanks to you, the main character is who she is! Your contribution to her creation is invaluable.

Tatyana M., thanks for your support and comments. I really appreciate it!

And, of course, thank you, my future readers! Thank you for your interest and for giving me a chance.

A small but important note: While the images of some characters are inspired by real people, this book is a work of fiction. All events and characters are a figment of my imagination, and any resemblance to reality is purely coincidental.

Chapter 1

A throbbing in her head pressed against her temples, like a vise squeezing her skull. Nia opened her eyes and tried to focus on the gray, rough wall right in front of her. An alley. Dark, unfamiliar, smelling of machine oil and something sickly sweet. She was lying on the cold ground, feeling the dampness seeping through the thin fabric of her pink skirt.

A skirt… Pink? She instinctively tugged at the hem. And a bluish top with weird patterns. This isn't my style, she thought. But what was her style? Her mind was a blank. Not a single thought, not a single memory. Who am I? How did I get here? her mind raced.

Nearby, on the ground, lay a small bag, more like a stylish clutch than something practical. Instinct told her the bag belonged to her. Gathering her last strength, Nia got up, wobbling, and grabbed the bag. Light, weightless. As if there was nothing in it.

The throbbing intensified, joined by some muffled sounds – either voices or the screech of metal. Without figuring out what was happening, Nia shuffled out of the alley, trying to stay in the shadows. I need to get out of here. I need to figure out where I am. And who the hell am I? That single thought pounded in her head.

Emerging from the alley, Nia froze, staring in awe at the scene before her. A city. But not like she imagined it. Or rather, like she thought she imagined it. Tall, warped buildings, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. Flying cars darting between them like fireflies. Huge screens broadcasting unimaginable images.

This isn't my world. She knew it in her gut. But whose is it then? Surprise turned to anxiety. Where is everyone? Why is no one noticing me? She was like a ghost in this shimmering, but cold city. Gathering the remnants of her will, Nia stepped into the nearest building. A large hall filled with people, or rather, their imitations. All were glued to screens hanging right in front of their faces or manipulating something with their fingers in the air. No one talked, laughed, or paid attention to each other. They moved like programmed robots, each in their own digital world.

Nia walked along the wall, trying not to attract attention, feeling alien and lost. She peered into the windows of strange little shops, trying to understand what they were selling. Some glowing capsules, strange devices with lots of buttons, food that looked like colorful plasticine. The prices were listed in some incomprehensible symbols: "50 TM," "100 TM." What was that? Currency? But it meant nothing to her. In one of the windows, between the glowing capsules and the plasticine-food, she saw her reflection. Long chestnut hair, slightly below her waist, framed an oval face. Large brown eyes, now full of bewilderment, usually probably sparkled with laughter. A delicate, slightly upturned nose and sensual lips – she was beautiful, even in this ridiculous outfit.

Despair crept in. She was completely alone in this alien, indifferent world. I need to find out something about myself, about how I got here. Finding a secluded corner, Nia sat down on a bench and opened the bag with trembling hands. Inside, there wasn't much: a slim wallet, a strange-looking key, something like a flash drive, and a holographic photograph.

The photograph was of her, but she looked different. Her hair was braided in an intricate style, her face held a confident smile, and her eyes sparkled with mischief. She was dressed in comfortable, loose clothing made of some soft fabric, clearly designed for active movement. They were sitting on the edge of a cliff, admiring the sunset. And next to her was someone with short, light brown hair. Their gender was hard to determine. Their features simultaneously read as masculine and delicate. They were sitting shoulder to shoulder and looked more like close friends than lovers. There was something about this person's eyes… something complex. A mixture of strength, tenderness, and a deep sadness.

As Nia examined the photograph, the silence of the hall was shattered by a sharp, piercing sound, like an alarm. Everyone around seemed to come to life as if on cue. People, like soldiers, synchronously rose from their seats and, without saying a word, headed in different directions. Some went to the exit; others, on the contrary, rushed to some workstations equipped with complex instruments and screens. Nia was bewildered. What's going on? What should I do?

Instinct told her it was best not to stand out. She stood up and looked around, trying to figure out where the main flow of people was moving. Some of them were heading towards the exit, apparently having finished their work. Others, on the contrary, were taking their places and starting to do something, immersing themselves in screens and instruments. Nia noticed that no one was talking to each other; everyone was communicating through some invisible channels. This world was both technological and frighteningly soulless.

Deciding that it would be best to observe someone, Nia chose a middle-aged man in a gray jumpsuit who confidently headed to one of the workstations. He didn't look suspicious and paid no attention to her. Nia began to follow him, trying to keep her distance and not attract attention. Where is he going? And what is he doing there? Maybe this will help me find out something about this strange place and about myself, she thought.

The man approached a complex apparatus, resembling a hybrid of a computer and medical equipment. He put some kind of helmet on his head and stared at the screen. Nia stopped a short distance away, watching him. What is he doing? Who is he communicating with? And what is this apparatus?

Nia continued to observe from afar, trying to decipher what the man was doing. He sat motionless, with his eyes closed, and some symbols and graphics flashed on the screen in front of him. "Something like an electroencephalogram," Nia thought, though she had no idea where she knew that from. Maybe this is a memory from a past life?

Suddenly, some more understandable images appeared on the screen – snippets of memories, vague faces, some places. Nia froze, mesmerized, watching the screen. Is this what I think it is? Is this apparatus reading minds? Can it help me remember who I am?

Curiosity got the better of her. Nia moved closer, trying to make out the details on the screen. She reached out to touch the image and accidentally bumped into a wire. The apparatus made a loud crackling noise, and the man flinched, tearing the helmet off his head. He turned sharply and stared at Nia with obvious irritation.

The man hissed, rushing toward her.

– You broke my connection! Who are you, and what do you want here?

Nia stepped back, looking at the man with fear. He was clearly not in the mood for jokes. "What do I do now? Lie? Run? Or try to explain who I am? But will he believe me? And what will happen if I tell the truth?" Her thoughts raced.

At that moment, two guards in black uniforms appeared in the hall. They quickly headed towards them, obviously attracted by the noise. Nia realized she was in trouble. Big trouble.

Her self-preservation instinct kicked in instantly. Nia whirled around and tried to run but tripped over a wire and knocked over another machine, which crashed to pieces with a loud bang. The man in the jumpsuit cursed angrily, and the guards quickened their pace, heading towards her. It was pointless to run.

Gathering her courage, Nia tried to explain the situation:

– Please, wait! I don't know who I am! I woke up in an alley, and I don't remember anything! I just wanted to know what's going on here!

The guards stopped, exchanging surprised glances. They clearly weren't expecting this turn of events.

One of them asked, approaching Nia:

– What are you babbling about? Are you malfunctioning? Spouting some nonsense.

Nia tried to repeat her words, but the guards interrupted her, not understanding what she was talking about. They clearly weren't prepared for such an unusual case.

One of the guards said, grabbing Nia by the arm:

– Alright, that's enough. You clearly need diagnostics. We'll take you to the Disease Study Center, they'll figure out what's wrong with you.

Nia tried to pull away, but they were stronger. They grabbed her and led her away, towards the exit. She resisted, shouted, tried to explain that she was fine, she just didn't remember anything, but it was all in vain. The guards didn't listen to her, considering her defective or crazy.

As soon as the guard pressed a button on his wrist, a wave of numbness passed through Nia's body. She could still see and hear, understood what was happening around her, but she could no longer move. Her body felt foreign, beyond her control. Fear gripped her heart. What was this technology? And what were they going to do to her?

The guards waited for the arrival of a strange vehicle. It was a streamlined capsule on an anti-gravity platform, most resembling an ambulance, only without any identifying markings. One of the guards explained something to a gaunt person (or robot? – Nia couldn't be sure) in a light blue suit, and she, motionless, was transferred to a gurney and wheeled inside the capsule.

Chapter 2

The ride was short. Nia watched in horror as the futuristic landscapes of the city flashed by outside the window. Where were they taking her? What awaited her? Her surprise was great when the capsule stopped in front of a building that didn't match its surroundings at all. It was an ordinary hospital, as if taken from an old photograph. Brick walls, windows with curtains, a green lawn in front of the entrance. No glittering technologies, no futuristic constructions. Just people in identical light blue suits scurrying back and forth with worried faces. What was this? A secret base? Had a time machine transported her to the past?

Nia was transferred to a gurney and wheeled through long, convoluted corridors. She lost track of time, listening to snippets of conversations echoing around: "…unusual case…", "…cognitive impairment…", "…requires full diagnostics…". What are they saying? In what language? Although…somehow I understand them, the girl wondered.

She was wheeled for so long that Nia completely lost her sense of direction. Where are they taking me? What are they going to do to me? And why does this hospital look so old-fashioned? Is this some kind of secret facility? She tried to sit up to look around, but her body still wouldn't obey her.

Suddenly, someone leaned over Nia and gave her an injection. A very ordinary injection, with a syringe. It was so unexpected and archaic that she didn't even have time to get scared. An injection? Why? Her vision went dark, and she fell into oblivion.

Nia woke up in a bright room, connected to many wires and sensors. People in light blue suits crowded around her, discussing something animatedly. They were talking out loud, in normal voices! After the silent streets and emotionless faces, it seemed incredibly strange and even a little scary to her. Did they even see that she had woken up?

"…unusual indicators…", "…complete amnesia…", "…no signs of brain damage…", – snippets of phrases reached her. Nia tried to understand what was happening, but no one was listening to her. Doctors and technicians continued to perform some manipulations, take tests, scan her body. Like a guinea pig. What were they looking for? She tried to say something, but her throat seemed to constrict.

After a series of tiring and pointless, as it seemed to Nia, experiments and tests, she was finally disconnected from the equipment and transferred to a small room, painted in white and gray tones. The room contained a bed, a bedside table, and a chair. No windows, no personal belongings. Only cold, faceless walls. Nia was left alone, without explanation and hope for rescue. “Prison. I'm in prison,” she sat on the bed, feeling the coldness of the sheets.

The days dragged on slowly and monotonously. Periodically, people in blue suits entered the room and asked Nia the same questions:

– How are you called?

– Where do you live?

– What do you remember?

She honestly answered that she remembered nothing, but they didn't seem to believe her. Their faces remained impenetrable, like masks. Why ask the same thing if you don't believe it? Are they mocking me? After they left, Nia went to the bedside table and looked at her reflection in the metallic surface. The same unfamiliar girl with brown eyes full of despair.

Most of the time Nia spent alone. She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to find at least some crack, at least some clue. Or wandered around the room, touching the walls, as if trying to feel a way out. But it was all in vain. There was emptiness in her head.

Three times a day, food was brought to the room. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, she was served nutritious but completely tasteless porridge and some pills. The food looked quite normal, but after what she had seen in the city: those colorful plasticine snacks, capsules, and other synthetic foods, Nia began to suspect something was wrong. Why do I get normal food, while everyone else gets something strange? Are they hiding something? Or do they want to feed me something? She pushed the plate of porridge away.

One day, Nia tried to refuse the food, but the nurse in the blue suit simply shrugged and said:

– If you don't eat, it will be worse for you.

No explanations, no persuasion. Just a cold, indifferent look. Nia clenched her fists.

She realized that she was trapped. They were keeping her here against her will, feeding her God knows what, and asking meaningless questions. She needed to get out of here. At any cost. She glanced around the room, looking for at least something that could help her. She needed to do something. She needed to find a way to escape. But how?

Chapter 3

One day, when Nia had already lost all hope, a man came to her room. He looked to be about fifty years old, with wrinkles on his face and a weary look in his eyes. He sat next to her on the bed, and Nia felt for the first time that someone was treating her like a human being. Could it be that at least someone sees me as a person, and not just a guinea pig? The thought flashed through her mind and disappeared.

– Hello, Nia, – the man said in a gentle voice. – My name is Doctor Emmett. I really want to help you, but, frankly, I don't know how to do it. You're not even trying to remember anything, and our equipment isn't showing any problems. Your brain is completely clear.

Given that this was the first person who had spoken normally to her, Nia decided to trust him and try to find out as much information as possible.

– Doctor Emmett, – she began in a trembling voice, – why are you examining me with such old technologies? In the city everything is so modern, and here…

Doctor Emmett raised his eyebrows in surprise.

– Old technologies? What do you mean? This is the best medical equipment we have. We even try to give you non-synthesized food, which is a great rarity these days. You should understand that such an examination is very expensive. About fifty million Times.

Fifty million Times… The amount seemed astronomical to Nia. What are "Times"?

– Times? What is it? – she asked.

– Times is our currency, – Doctor Emmett explained.

A memory of the prices in the city flashed in Nia's mind. "50 TM… 100 TM…", she thought. Now she knew that it was currency. And fifty million Times was a huge amount.

– I… I don't know if I can pay, – Nia said anxiously.

Are they keeping me here for money? What will happen if I can't pay? Nia thought fearfully.

Doctor Emmett sighed.

– Since your case is unique, the hospital is covering all the costs. For now.

Nia felt relieved. At least some good news. For now… Does that mean I'll still have to pay later?

– Can I move around the hospital? I need to stretch my legs a bit, – she asked, hoping to see something new.

Doctor Emmett frowned.

– It's dangerous, Nia. We don't know how your condition will progress. What if you forget where you came from and get lost? There are a lot of corridors here.

Nia tried to object, but Doctor Emmett interrupted her:

– Okay, I understand. You need some light and space. I can arrange for you to be moved to a room with a window. That's the best I can do for you now.

Nia agreed. A room with a window was at least some progress. Maybe she would see something useful from the window? Or just be able to distract herself a little from these gray walls and intrusive questions. But it was better than nothing.

Nia was moved to the new room in the evening. As before, she was given an injection, and she hardly remembered being carried on a gurney. She woke up in the new ward. It was dark, and the lights of the futuristic city were visible outside the window. Flying cars darted around, creating a bizarre pattern of light.

Nia lay in bed for a while, trying to recover from the injection. Then she got up and went to the window. The landscape was mesmerizing. Tall, curved buildings, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow, neon signs, advertising billboards floating in the air. But something was wrong.

Nia looked more closely. Evening seemed to have frozen in time. There was no sunrise, no sunset. The same twilight light all the time. She remembered that when she woke up in the alley, she hadn't seen the sun either. Was it always night in this world? Or were they keeping her in a place where there was no change of day and night? What were they hiding?

Anxiety grew, but Nia had many other reasons to worry. Doctor Emmett came to visit her periodically, and they had long, heartfelt conversations. As a result of these conversations, Nia realized that the doctors had already carried out all possible procedures and were not going to harm her. They just wanted to observe her condition. But why me? What's so special about me?

Doctor Emmett told her that he was a newcomer to this hospital, and she was his first patient. This seemed strange to Nia. Starting a medical practice at fifty was a little unusual. But the main thing was that she had at least one person she could trust in this chaos. Although… can I trust him?

Doctor Emmett began to visit Nia more often, and she looked forward to the time when he would come. The doctor decided to find out exactly what Nia could do by offering her different games and activities. He hoped to awaken muscle memory in her.

First, he ordered them to give him a ball, and they tried to play the games he knew. She didn't remember a single one and didn't know how to play. Then he tried to get her to cut and peel vegetables, but it turned out that she didn't know how to do that either.

– Maybe you can draw? – Doctor Emmett asked, taking a canvas, paints, and brushes from the closet.

Nia tried, but she only managed to make some meaningless strokes. She threw the brush on the table.

– I can't do anything! – she said.

– What about sculpting? – Doctor Emmett suggested, bringing a piece of clay.

Nia tried to sculpt something, but only a shapeless mass came out. She squeezed the clay in her hand, feeling it spread between her fingers: I am no one. An empty space.

– Okay, let's try something more complicated, – Doctor Emmett said, taking an old, broken clock from the drawer. – Try to disassemble it and put it back together.

Nia fiddled with the small parts for a long time, but could not understand how they worked. She leaned back in the chair, feeling despair engulf her: I can't even fix a broken clock!

Doctor Emmett was upset.

– What can you do then? – he muttered, looking at Nia with disappointment.

– I don't know, – Nia replied, feeling completely useless. Her eyes filled with tears.

Doctor Emmett pondered for a moment, and then his face brightened.

– Wait a minute! I have another idea!

He ordered them to bring him all the musical instruments that could be found in the city: a guitar, a violin, a flute, a drum. Nia tried to play each of them, but nothing worked. The strings did not obey her fingers, only whistling sounds came out of the flute, and the drum responded with a dull, arrhythmic thud. She threw the drumsticks away, feeling tears streaming down her cheeks again:

– I can't even make a normal sound!

Doctor Emmett sighed and put the instruments aside.

– Okay, Nia, let's not rush. Everything has its time. Maybe your memories will return on their own.

After that, Doctor Emmett stopped offering Nia any activities. He just came to her room, asked about her well-being. Nia felt that he was not losing hope, but also did not know what to do next. He just feels sorry for me, Nia stated.

The days dragged on, one after another, as alike as two drops of water. Nia looked out the window, trying to remember at least something from her past life. But it was all in vain. Her brain remained clear and imperturbable. I am a blank slate. But who will draw my life on it? The girl pondered.

Sometimes Nia began to think that she had simply gone crazy. That all this was just a figment of her sick imagination. But then she looked at Doctor Emmett, at his kind eyes and sincere concern, and realized that this was not so. She really had lost her memory. And she needed to somehow live on. Or at least survive.

On one of the doctor's visits, Nia, gathering her courage, asked:

– Doctor Emmett, why is there no sun here? When will dawn come?

Doctor Emmett raised his eyebrows in surprise.

– Dawn? – he asked again, as if he had heard something long forgotten. – I don't even remember dawn ever being… I think my grandmother or great-grandmother told me about the sun, but I can't remember exactly.

– What kind of lighting is this? Where does the light come from? – Nia continued to inquire.

– These are generators, – Doctor Emmett explained. – They supply the earth with energy.

– But how is that? Why doesn't the sun appear for so long? What happened? – Nia didn't give up.

Doctor Emmett sighed.

– There are legends that once the day began to shorten, and the sun appeared for less and less time. And then it didn't rise at all. We call this the Day of the Great Darkness. No one knows when the sun will rise again.

– But why did this happen? – Nia asked. – Doesn't the earth rotate in orbit? And if the sun disappeared, the earth would begin to cool down, wouldn't it?

Doctor Emmett could not answer this question.

– Hmm… You know, I never thought about it. I don't have the necessary knowledge in the field of astronomy. But I will definitely check with my colleagues and tell you next time. I myself have never been interested in this topic.

Nia felt disappointed. Doctor Emmett seemed so smart and knowledgeable, but even he couldn't explain what had happened to the sun. What kind of world was this, in which even the sun was just a legend?

The days dragged on slowly, filled with anxiety and expectation. Doctor Emmett did not return for a long time, and Nia began to worry. What happened to him? Why doesn't he come? Maybe he got sick? Or did he just forget about her? She rushed around the room like a beast in a cage.

One day, an unfamiliar man in a light blue suit entered her room. His face was impenetrable and cold, and his gaze was aloof.

– Doctor Emmett will no longer be able to visit you, – he announced without any preamble.

– What happened? Where is he? – Nia asked fearfully. She felt her heart sink.

– Doctor Emmett has been arrested for his interest in forbidden knowledge, – the new doctor replied.

Nia felt the world around her collapsing.

– Arrested? For what forbidden knowledge? What will happen to him now? – Tears welled up in her eyes. She had become so used to Doctor Emmett, to his kind eyes and sincere concern. He was the only person she could trust in this crazy world.

– Don't worry, – the new doctor snapped. – Doctor Emmett will be cleansed and sent for retraining again. Then he will reappear in the hospital and take on a new patient.

– Cleansed? And retrained? Won't that take a long time? – Nia wondered.

– No, not at all. It's only a few years. There's no need to worry about Emmett. He's been through this procedure several times. He starts getting too close to patients too often, and that's unacceptable and causes problems.

Nia was shocked.

– Cleansed minds? Several times? That's terrible! How is that possible? – There was despair in her voice. She pressed her hands to her chest, as if trying to protect herself from this terrible truth.

The new doctor just shrugged:

– These are the rules. Our job is to heal, not to befriend. You must understand that all this is done for your own good.

With these words, he left the room, leaving Nia in complete confusion: Mind cleansing. Forbidden knowledge. Friendship with patients is a crime? What is this world I'm in? And what will happen to me now? Am I next?

Nia spent what seemed like several more months in this hospital. How much time had passed? A week? A month? A year? Her favorite pastime was watching the lights of the unusual metropolis in the distance, and she began to prepare an escape plan. Since both days and nights were very similar to each other, it was unclear when the day began and the night ended. What difference did it make? It was always twilight here. She decided to wait for a time when there would be the fewest people around the hospital, and jump out of the window, since that was the only way out. It was the third floor, and she thought that even if she broke something, it would be better than just doing nothing. A broken leg is better than a broken will.

The girl tried to pull out all possible things and tie them together into a long rope, but the length was naturally not enough. Then Nia decided to drop the mattress from the bed down below, in order to at least somewhat cushion the fall. She barely managed to drag it across the room and lift it to the window. The mattress was heavy, and Nia had to put in a lot of effort to get it over the windowsill. The main thing was not to fall.

Then she tied a sheet to the leg of the bed, hoping that this would help her descend from a lower height. The sheet was thin and fragile. Nia understood that she would still fall, and possibly get injured, but she was willing to risk it. Risk is all I have left.

Waiting for it to become completely quiet outside the window, Nia climbed onto the windowsill, took a deep breath, and looked down. The mattress lay on the ground, like a small island of hope. Jump. Or stay here forever. Closing her eyes, Nia jumped.

Nia flew down, feeling the wind whistling in her ears. The sheet tightened, slowing the fall a little, but it was still scary. Just don't break your neck! She landed on the mattress, which, although it softened the impact, did not completely absorb it. Her legs were pierced with sharp pain, but Nia, gritting her teeth, got to her feet. Alive. And that's the main thing.

She expected everyone around to rush to her, start shouting and grabbing her. But nothing like that happened. The people passing by were simply going about their business, as if they didn't notice her. They behaved like obedient robots, immersed in their own thoughts and concerns. They didn't care. As always.

Nia looked around. The urban oasis was far away, but she decided that she needed to go there. There was nothing more for her to do here, near the hospital. Soon they would start looking for her, and then it would all be over. She needed to run. Before it was too late.

She needed to get to the city as quickly as possible, but in such a way that as few people as possible noticed her. Nia understood that she would have to move carefully, avoid crowded places, and hide in the shadows. Become a shadow in this city of shadows.

She ran towards the metropolis, trying not to pay attention to the pain in her legs. Strange vehicles rushed past, people in identical suits, billboards with incomprehensible images. Everything was alien and unfamiliar. I am a stranger here. And I always will be a stranger, the girl realized.

Nia felt lost and lonely. But she knew that she couldn't give up. She had to find answers to her questions. She had to find out who she was and why she was in this strange place. And she had to find a way to survive. At any cost.

After the desperate jump and the, albeit cushioned, but painful landing, Nia felt every bump under her feet. The pain in her legs pulsed with every step, reminding her of her risky escape. The roads she walked seemed endless, gray ribbons running into the distance. They were laid between some strange fields, where not so much trees, not so much bushes grew, all equally gray and lifeless. Like her life.

She wandered, stumbling, along these godforsaken paths, feeling hunger twisting her stomach more and more strongly. Due to the lack of change of day and night, Nia completely lost track of time. It seemed that an eternity had passed since she woke up in the alley. She didn't know how long she had been walking, but she knew for sure that she needed to eat. And drink. And find out who she was.

There was no one around. Only these endless gray fields and strange, emaciated plants. Nia began to doubt that she had chosen the right direction. Maybe she should have stayed near the hospital? But they would have found her there anyway. There was no turning back.

Chapter 4

When hope had almost faded, she saw a figure in the distance. A person? Or was she imagining it? Nia squinted, trying to get a better look. Yes, it was a girl. She was standing in the middle of the road, as if waiting for someone. Who could be waiting in this godforsaken place?

As Nia got closer, she couldn't believe her eyes. The girl was incredibly beautiful. Sparkling hair flowed down her shoulders, perfect makeup emphasized her expressive eyes, and her clothes were so stylish and elegant that they didn't fit in with this bleak landscape at all. She looked as if she had just stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine. What is she doing in the middle of nowhere? Nia thought.

The girl saw Nia and smiled.

– Hi! Are you okay? You don't look very well, – her voice was soft and melodic.

Nia was a little confused.

– I'm lost, – she squeezed out of herself. It sounded pathetic. – And my leg hurts.

The girl examined Nia carefully.

– Yes, I see. You've hurt your leg. And you look very tired. Let me help you. I live not far from here. We can go to my place, I'll treat the wound and feed you.

The offer was very tempting. Her leg really hurt terribly, and she was tormented by hunger. But something about this girl seemed suspicious to Nia. She was too well-groomed and beautiful so far from the city. She offered help too easily. Intuition screamed danger, but her body demanded rest and food. You can't trust anyone. But there is no choice.

Nia hesitated:

– Thank you. But I don't know…

The girl gently took her hand. Her touch was cold, despite the smile.

– Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you. My name is Lira. And I just want to help.

Of course, you just want to help, flashed through Nia's mind.

Lira… The name sounded like music. But what was hidden behind this beautiful cover? Having no idea where to go in this gray, monotonous place, Nia reluctantly agreed to Lira's help.

They turned around and went, seemingly without a road, straight to the west. Lira walked confidently, turning several times, as if she saw an invisible path and knew where she was going. She was here not for the first time. Who is she? And what does she want? Nia just obediently followed her, trying to keep up, despite the pain in her leg.

They reached Lira's house quickly enough. From the outside, it was a small hut, unremarkable and almost blending in with the gray landscape. It was so well hidden that it was impossible to see it from afar. Nia again felt a surge of suspicion. How can such a girl live in such a miserable place?

But when Lira opened the door, and a soft light lit up inside, Nia was amazed. The hut inside seemed much larger than it was on the outside. It was impossible! What the hell?

Nia involuntarily exclaimed:

– How is this possible?

Lira smiled, as if she had been expecting this question.

– This is an old technology, almost forgotten, – she explained. – In the two thousand nine hundred and thirtieths, due to overpopulation, each person was supposed to have only nine square meters of living space. Many people were uncomfortable with this, so scientists created a device that increases the space inside a room. Something like spatial distortion.

Lira paused for a second, as if thinking something over, and then continued:

– Now there is no problem of overpopulation.

She cut herself off, as if she realized she had said something extra, and said nothing more. A shadow flickered in her eyes.

At that moment, it dawned on Nia: two thousand nine hundred and thirtieths. Spatial distortion. “There is no overpopulation now.” Why is she talking so strangely?

Nia gasped:

– Does that mean I'm in the future?

Lira looked at her silently. Nia felt her heart beginning to pound wildly. Everything fell into place. The futuristic city, the flying cars, the strange technologies. She had ended up in the thirty-first century! But how? And why didn't she remember anything? What was this? A game? Or reality?

– What year is it? – Nia asked, trying to hide the tremor in her voice.

– Three thousand seventy-seven, – Lira replied. Her gaze was scrutinizing.

Three thousand seventy-seven?! More than a thousand years in the future! How was that possible? And what awaited her in this new, incomprehensible world? “I must find out the truth! At any cost,” Nia vowed to herself.

Stopping the conversation about time, Lira approached some strange device, resembling an iridescent cube with many buttons and glowing panels. It certainly wasn't a refrigerator, it was something from another time. To Nia's surprise, Lira took out food, but it wasn't the usual food, but colorful pieces, resembling plasticine, each of which glowed with its own shade.

Nia looked at it with doubt.

– What is this? – she asked, trying not to betray disgust.

– This is nutritious paste, – Lira replied. – With the taste of apple, strawberry, and even steak!

She handed Nia a small green piece, glowing in the twilight. It smelled like apple, but the appearance was not at all appetizing. Nia took it cautiously. What if it was poison?

Nia was even more surprised when Lira took out an ordinary bandage and began to bandage her leg in the old-fashioned way. She treated the wound with some brown ointments, smelling of herbs. It was so primitive. Was she pretending? Or were they all so strange here?

Nia, reluctantly biting off a piece of “apple plasticine,” couldn't resist:

– Lira, why in three thousand seventy-seventh year are you still using such outdated means? I saw in the city: there are so many advanced technologies there!

Lira raised her eyebrows in surprise, like the doctor in the hospital. Again, that surprised look. They were all hiding something.

– Outdated? What do you mean? This is the most modern thing we have. Bandages made of special material, with antibacterial properties, and ointment based on medicinal herbs.

Nia choked on the artificial apple.

– But I saw scanners, lasers, some memory readers. Surely you have nano-robots? Why don't you use them? Shouldn't medicine be more advanced in the future?

Lira paused for a moment, as if recalling something from history.

– At some point, long, long ago, the development of medicine stopped. I don't know exactly when or why. We were told that it was necessary. That it benefited everyone.

Benefited whom? flashed through Nia's mind.

– Stopped? How is that possible? – Nia was shocked. – Why?

Lira shrugged.

– I don't know. I wasn't told the details. They said it was related to some ethical issues. Something like medical technologies went too far and became dangerous.

– Dangerous for whom? – Nia didn't understand.

Lira hesitated again.

– Well, we live here, away from the city, we are engaged in agriculture. We have our own community.

A community? A sect? Nia's suspicions grew with each passing minute.

Something was wrong here. Too many inconsistencies. Too many oddities. Lira was clearly hiding something. “I must be careful,” Nia reminded herself.

After this strange conversation about medicine and history, an awkward silence hung in the air. Nia was digesting what she had heard, trying to put all these inconsistencies together in her head. “The cessation of development,” “ethical problems,” “dangerous technologies”… What does all this mean? And why is Lira so evasive in her answers? “I must find out the truth,” Nia thought.

Lira, as if sensing the tension, smiled softly.

– You must be very tired, Nia, – she said. – You probably haven't slept in a long time. And your leg hurts. Let me make up a bed for you. You need to rest.

To tell the truth, Nia really hadn't slept for a very long time. After escaping from the hospital and wandering through the gray roads, she was exhausted physically and mentally. The opportunity to sleep on a soft and cozy bed, away from danger and uncertainty, seemed incredibly tempting. Who knew when she would have such an opportunity next time?

She looked at Lira, trying to see sincerity in her eyes. Could she be trusted? Or was this just a trick? But fatigue took its toll. Nia felt that if she didn't rest now, she would simply collapse without strength.

– Okay, – Nia said, surrendering. – I'm really very tired. Thank you.

Lira smiled and led Nia to a small room, furnished simply but comfortably. In the center of the room stood a bed, covered with a soft down blanket and pillows. On the walls hung paintings depicting some landscapes that did not look like the gray fields outside the window. The room smelled of herbs and freshness. Too cloying. Too perfect.

– Here, make yourself comfortable, – Lira said. – I'll bring you something to wear for sleep. And then I'll leave you alone.

She left the room, leaving Nia alone. Nia looked around. The room seemed safe and peaceful. She went to the bed and ran her hand over the soft blanket. How she wanted to just fall asleep and forget about everything in the world!

Soon Lira returned with some kind of nightgown made of soft fabric.

– Here, take it, – she said. – I hope it fits you.

Nia took the shirt and looked at Lira gratefully.

– Thank you, – she repeated. – You are very kind to me.

Too kind, flashed through her mind.

Lira smiled.

– Rest. You need to gain strength. And I'll be around if you need anything.

She left the room, quietly closing the door behind her. Nia was left alone. She quickly changed into the nightgown and lay down on the bed. The blanket was warm and soft. The pillow was fluffy and comfortable. Too comfortable… This is alarming.

Nia closed her eyes. Fatigue instantly fell upon her. She felt the tension leaving her body. She was falling asleep…

But even in her half-sleep, doubts and suspicions did not leave her. What was Lira hiding? And why was she acting so strangely? Something was wrong here. Nia felt it with all her being. But sleep was stronger. And she fell asleep, plunging into restless dreams about a glittering city, gray fields, and a mysterious girl named Lira.

Chapter 5

Nia was awakened by some strange pressure in her chest. In her sleep, it began to seem to her that something was pressing on her and suffocating her, not allowing her to breathe. She tried to turn over, but couldn't. Something was restricting her movements. Another nightmare?

Abruptly opening her eyes, she realized what was happening. Her nightgown was shrinking! The fabric constricted her chest, arms, and wrists, like steel hoops. And the long hem of the shirt had already bound her legs, tightly wrapping them like a rope. Nia tried to move, but couldn't. She was like a fly in a web. What was this devilry?

Panic overwhelmed her. What was this nightmare? What was happening? She tried to scream, call for help, but the fabric of the shirt was squeezing her throat, preventing her from making a sound. Betrayal…

Gathering her last strength, Nia still managed to exhale a hoarse, barely audible cry.

In that same second, the door to the room burst open. Lira stood on the threshold, and she was not alone. Several guys entered the room with her, or at least, Nia thought so at first. But looking closer, she realized that these were not quite ordinary people. Freaks…

These were strange creatures with some additional limbs and unusual facial features. One of them had three arms, one of which stretched out from under his cloak. Another's face looked somehow blurry and indistinct, as if its features were constantly changing. What were these creatures?

Entering the room, they stared at Nia, restrained by the shirt. Some impatient anticipation was read in their eyes. Their gazes were sticky, disgusting.

– Where is the artifact? – asked one of them, the one with three arms. His voice was low and hoarse, as if he had been silent for a long time.

Nia didn't understand what they were talking about. Artifact? What artifact? Moreover, she couldn't answer. The fabric of the shirt was squeezing her throat and arms, not even allowing her to breathe.

Lira stepped forward.

– Loosen your grip, – she said to the shirt, as if addressing a living creature. – We need her to be able to speak.

The shirt loosened its grip a little. Nia was able to breathe and cough. Air… How wonderful it was.

– What artifact? – she asked hoarsely, looking at Lira with horror. – What are you talking about?

Lira no longer seemed like the kind and caring girl who had helped Nia on the road. Steel and determination were read in her eyes.

– The artifact should have been with her, – Lira said, her voice now sounding cold and detached.

Lira began to quickly search her belongings, or rather, the little that she had. The hospital clothes that she had worn since the escape, the nightgown that turned out to be a trap… Nothing more. There was nothing to search…

– She has nothing, – one of the freakish creatures stated.

– It can't be, – Lira objected. – It had to be with her. It's always with them.

Lira came closer to Nia and leaned into her face. Her breath was cold and unpleasant.

– Where is it? – she hissed. – Where is the artifact? Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.

Nia shook her head.

– I don't know. I don't remember anything. I really don't know what artifact you're talking about.

Lira recoiled.

– She's lying, – she said to her companions.

Some more time passed. They tried in various ways to find out where the artifact was. They asked questions, threatened, even tried to look into her thoughts with the help of some strange devices. But it was all useless. Nia really didn't remember anything. Or didn't want to remember?

Finally, Lira retreated.

– It seems she really doesn't know anything, – she said. – At least, not yet.

– And what do we do now? – asked one of the members of her gang. – Kill her?

Lira pondered for a moment.

– No, – she said. – We can't kill her. The artifact is connected to her. If we kill her, we may lose it forever.

– Then what?

– We'll keep her with us, – Lira said. – Until she remembers. As soon as she remembers where the artifact is, we'll take it first.

From that moment on, a new chapter began in Nia's life. Life in Lira's gang. She was a prisoner, but at the same time, a valuable asset. They watched her every step, not trusting her for a second. She lived in constant fear, not knowing what awaited her in the next moment.

But deep down, Nia still hoped. Hope that she would be able to remember her past. Hope that she would be able to escape from these monsters. And hope that she would be able to find out what this artifact was that they were hunting so much. “I will find out everything. Or die trying,” she thought.

Nia spent about a month in Lira's gang. Time dragged on slowly and monotonously, like a gray ribbon, like the roads surrounding their hut. During all this time, not a single new person appeared in their hut. It seemed that they lived in some isolated little world, cut off from the rest of the world. A sect. A godforsaken place.

She was assigned household duties: preparing food from this strange “plasticine” mixture, cleaning the hut.

After a while, Lira began to trust her a little. She was even allowed to walk around the district alone, collect herbs, or just breathe fresh air. But Nia couldn't go far. She was not given any technology, no means of transportation. Without technology, she couldn't go far, she would be quickly caught.

The girl understood that she was a prisoner. But she also understood that she had to wait for her chance. She watched Lira and her henchmen, studied their habits and weaknesses. She hoped that one day she would be able to escape. “I will be patient. And when the time comes, I will escape,” constantly spinning in her head.

One day, a man came to their hut. He introduced himself as a doctor from the very hospital from which Nia had escaped. The man was dressed in a light blue suit and looked very worried.

– I'm looking for a fugitive, – he said to Lira. – She escaped from our hospital about a month ago. We believe that she may be in this area.

Lira, without batting an eye, replied:

– There is no one here. We live here alone. We have not seen any fugitives.

Her voice was as even as ice. “She is an excellent actress,” Nia thought.

The doctor looked at Lira carefully, as if trying to see a lie in her eyes. Then he looked around the hut. Nia hid in the corner, trying not to attract attention. Just so he wouldn't notice.

Fortunately, the doctor noticed nothing.

– Sorry for the trouble, – he said. – If you find out anything, please let us know.

He left, leaving behind a oppressive silence. Lira looked at Nia with a warning.

– You see, – she said. – They are still looking for you. You must be careful.

A threat was read in her gaze. “She is afraid. So I have a chance,” Nia noticed.

After the doctor left, Nia's life returned to normal. She continued to perform her household duties, watching Lira and waiting for her hour. But now she knew that her past was still haunting her. And that one day she would have to make a choice: to remain a prisoner in Lira's gang or to try to escape and find answers to her questions. “I will choose freedom. And the truth,” she thought.

One day, Lira gathered all her servants and announced:

– I feel that there is another one.

Nia didn't understand what exactly she meant.

– Another what? – she asked, but Lira ignored her question.

But her people were clearly happy and inspired by this statement. They exchanged glances, smiled, and whispered something to each other. Something was about to happen. Something important. That would change everything.

That same day, Lira put on her best dress. It was made of some unusual fabric and sparkled in the light of artificial lighting. She looked as if she were going to a holiday.

Lira left the hut and disappeared into the gray haze. Nia remained in captivity, wondering what was happening. Where did she go? And what does it mean: “I feel that there is another one”? “I must find out. And be ready for any turn of events,” she thought.

Chapter 6

Several days passed, full of agonizing anticipation. What was Lira planning?

Finally, Lira returned. And she wasn't alone.

An unfamiliar man was walking next to her. He looked confused and disoriented. His clothes were simple and unpretentious, somewhat reminiscent of those in which Nia had awakened in the alley: a simple shirt and trousers, unobtrusive colors, no hint of high technology. Another lost soul.

He had a simple, hiking bag over his shoulder.

Nia felt her heart begin to beat faster. Who was this man? And why was he so similar to her? Like a reflection, but in a different mirror.

– Meet, – Lira said, introducing the man to her henchmen. – This is Ein. He will live with us.

There was falsehood in her voice. What was she plotting?

Ein looked around the hut with fright. It was clear that he did not understand where he was and who these people were. His gaze fell on Nia. Confusion and recognition were read in his eyes. “Does he know me? Or do I just seem familiar to him?” A quick thought flashed.

– Who is she? – Ein asked, pointing to Nia. His voice trembled.

– This is our assistant, – Lira evasively replied. – She helps us around the house.

Nia felt her suspicions increase. Something was wrong here. Lira was hiding something. And this Ein… He was the key to unraveling her past.

Lira had no sooner finished introducing Ein than her henchmen, as if on command, rushed to him and began to search his bag. Ein was clearly surprised and did not expect such a turn of events. He tried to resist, but there were too many of them for him alone. “Poor guy, he doesn't understand anything,” Nia thought.

They shook all the contents of the bag out onto the floor of the hut. Nia watched this spectacle with curiosity. What was there that was so interesting to Lira and her gang? Maybe something would give a clue?

Lying on the floor were: a pendant made of some strange, matte stone. An antique watch with a cracked dial and leather strap. Some item, the purpose of which Nia did not immediately understand. It was a small metal cylinder with some buttons and indicators. And finally, something that looked like a flash drive. Exactly the same flash drive as the one that Nia had in her bag when she woke up in the alley.

Nia felt her breath catch in her throat. A flash drive… What did this mean? Was this the key to her past? And why did Ein have one too? Coincidence? Or fate?

Lira ran to the bag and grabbed the flash drive. Her eyes burned with greed.

– This is what we need! – she exclaimed.

Triumph sounded in her voice. What did she know?

She tried to insert the flash drive into a device of incomprehensible purpose, but nothing happened.

– It doesn't work! – she said with disappointment.

– You probably need to enter a code, – her henchman said.

– What code? – Lira asked.

– He should have it, Ein.

Lira turned to Ein, who was still standing in shock from what had happened.

– Where is the code? – she asked sharply. – Where is the code for the flash drive?

Her voice was harsh and demanding.

Ein looked at her with incomprehension.

– I… I don't know… I don't remember anything…

Nia felt a pang of sympathy for this lost and frightened man. She knew what it meant to remember nothing. “He is the same as me. A puppet in the hands of fate.”

Lira's people were clearly upset that the flash drive was not working. They began feverishly sorting through different options, trying to enter something on the strange device. But all attempts were unsuccessful.

Lira watched this useless occupation with irritation.

– Enough! – she ordered. – You're just wasting time. He won't remember anything anyway.

– What do we do with him? – asked one of the henchmen.

Lira pondered for a moment.

– We'll do the same thing with him as we did with her.

She pointed to Nia. What was she plotting?

– We will leave him as a prisoner, – Lira continued. – We will watch him. Maybe he will remember something. Or his actions will clarify something for us.

She looked at Ein with contempt.

– Now you will be here, – she said. – And you will do everything that we tell you. Otherwise, you won't feel well.

Ein was still in a state of shock. He didn't understand who these people were and what they wanted from him. He looked at Nia with fright, as if seeking protection from her. “I must help him,” she thought.

Nia felt a pang of sympathy for him. She knew what it meant to be lost and helpless in this crazy world.

But she couldn't do anything. She was a prisoner, like him. And if she tried to help him, she would only bring down the wrath of Lira and her cronies upon herself.

Having lived for some time under one roof, in constant fear and tension, Nia and Ein realized that they were in roughly the same conditions. They were both prisoners of Lira, both remembered nothing about their past, and both were desperately trying to survive. “We are together. And together we can break free,” the girl constantly thought.

They began to talk, sharing their thoughts and feelings. But Nia was cautious. She had learned not to trust anyone in this crazy world.

Having once made a mistake with trust, Nia decided not to tell Ein the whole truth about herself. She didn't tell him that her flash drive and bag remained in the hospital, from which she had fled, forgetting about her things. She told him that she had taken nothing from the street on which she had found herself.

Ein, in turn, told Nia his story. He said that he had awakened in the same alley as she. Immediately after his appearance, Lira appeared nearby, who said that she knew him and would take him to a safe place. The name Ein she also came up with for him herself. A trap. She was laying nets.

Nia listened to him with great attention, but doubt crept into her soul. Why had Lira found such a lost and unremembering person? And why did she need them?

Nia told Ein that she also didn't remember her real name. She said that this name had come to her head when she woke up in the alley, and since she didn't remember her real name, she decided that she would consider the name Nia to be hers.

They both understood that Lira was hiding something. That she was using them for some purpose of her own. But what were these goals? And how could they get out of this trap? Together we will find a way out…

After several weeks of careful planning, Nia and Ein decided that it was time to act. They convinced Lira that Nia had begun to regain memories associated with the artifact.

– I remember… I remember that the artifact is hidden somewhere not far from the place where I woke up, – Nia said, trying to look as convincing as possible. – I was scared… of some people in uniform… they looked like policemen…

Lira became wary.

– And what? – she asked.

– I dropped the bag with the artifact so they wouldn't catch me! – Nia blurted out. – I was afraid that they would take it away from me!

Lira frowned.

– Where exactly? – she asked. – Where did you drop it?

Nia pointed towards the city.

– There, not far from that alley, near some abandoned building

Lira looked at one of her subordinates.

– Check, – she ordered. – Search all the abandoned buildings and their surroundings in that area.

The henchman went to the city, leaving Lira, Nia, and Ein alone.

This was their chance.

Nia and Ein exchanged glances. They knew that they had to act quickly. Now or never.

– Run! – Nia whispered.

They turned around and ran in the opposite direction from the city, away from Lira's gang. Lira, stunned by the sudden turn of events, froze in place.

– Stop! – she shouted. – Come back!

Her voice sounded full of anger and rage.

But Nia and Ein didn't stop. They ran, without looking back, knowing that they would be chased. Freedom. It was so close.

Nia, over the months spent in captivity, had memorized every detail of the surroundings. She knew that far from the house where they were kept, there was a small stream, a winding ribbon cutting through the gray landscape. This stream became their hope for salvation. "Water. It would wash away our tracks."

Running up to the stream, they took off their shoes and, shivering from the cold, stepped into the icy water.

The stream was narrow and shallow, but the water was piercingly cold. It burned the skin, restricted movement, but the fugitives were full of determination. They knew that this was their only chance. “If only they wouldn't freeze.”

They walked in the water, trying to step carefully so as not to raise splashes and create unnecessary noise. Nia knew that they needed to go against the current in order to hide the direction of their escape. Quietly and inconspicuously.

Approaching the stream, they carefully rubbed out their tracks with dry leaves and branches, hoping that this would confuse their pursuers.

Having walked far enough along the stream, Nia and Ein went ashore. They left clear footprints leading towards the hospital. They wanted to create the false impression that they were looking for the artifact.

Then, holding their breath, they returned along their tracks back into the stream, carefully concealing their true path. Hide. Confuse the tracks.

The water was unbearably cold. Teeth chattered, muscles cramped from spasms, but they didn't stop. They knew that Lira would not forgive them for escaping.

Finally, they emerged from the stream in another place, far from the hut. They were wet, frozen, but free. Freedom.

Before them stretched a gray plain, leading to the lights of a distant city. A city full of dangers and mysteries. But a city where they hoped to find answers to their questions.

Nia and Ein were exhausted. The icy water, the gray plains, the fear of being caught – all this had taken a lot of energy from them. But they didn't stop. They knew that they had to get to the city.

Fortunately, they managed to grab the bag with Ein's remaining belongings when they fled the hut. There was no artifact in it, of course, but there was a watch.

The watch! It was a real salvation. Thanks to it, the heroes managed not to lose their sense of time. Without the change of day and night, it was quite difficult to navigate, and the watch helped them keep track of how much time had passed. The lighting in this world was always like in the evening – dim and subdued. But it was enough to see the road and avoid obstacles.

After about seven hours, exhausted and frozen, Nia and Ein reached the outskirts of the city. Before them opened an amazing landscape, sparkling with lights and filled with the noise of strolling cars.

Chapter 7

At the entrance to the city stood a huge arch, made of shimmering metal. On the arch was emblazoned: “Tesla City”. Below, in smaller print, it read: "United Population Limit: One Billion People". And, right at the bottom, as if someone had forgotten to remove it, was visible “The Only City of New Earth”.

The population inscription looked like an electronic scoreboard, the last digits of which were constantly flashing. Nia and Ein watched as a unit was added to the number, and then immediately subtracted. It created the feeling that the city had a strict limit on the number of residents, and everyone who arrived took someone's place.

This inscription alarmed Nia.

– What does this mean? Why is the population limited? And what happens to those who disappear from the scoreboard? – she asked quietly, not taking her eyes off the flickering numbers.

Ein shrugged.

– I don't know, – he replied. – But we need to go further. I have a feeling that if we linger here, something bad might happen to us.

She understood that fear was nothing compared to the hunger and thirst that had been tormenting them since their escape from Lira's hut. Gathering her courage, they passed under the arch and entered the city.

Tesla City struck them with its splendor and desolation. Huge, curved buildings soared upwards, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. Flying cars whizzed by with a quiet hum.

Nia and Ein walked along a wide avenue, trying not to attract attention. Their clothes seemed to shout that they were strangers.

Soon they saw a huge skyscraper, distinguished from the other buildings by its architecture. It was made of glass and metal and resembled a huge crystal tower. Most likely, you can find water there, Nia thought.

– Maybe we should go there? – Ein suggested, nodding at the skyscraper. – It should be warm and, perhaps, there will be food.

Nia agreed. They approached the automatic doors. Nia let Ein go ahead, pushing him slightly in the back. “I need to see if a card or pass is needed,” Nia thought, but the doors opened without any obstacles.

They found themselves in a huge hall. It was a little more lively here than on the street. People scurried back and forth, staring at their gadgets. “They behave like zombies,” Nia thought. The main thing was not to stand out…

She felt her throat dry and her stomach twist with hunger.

Nia and Ein tried not to attract attention. They walked along the wall, peering around. Soon they saw a small door with the inscription: "Service Room". At that moment, a man in uniform headed towards the door.

– Now or never, – Nia whispered, and they quickened their pace, trying not to look at the man, so as not to arouse suspicion.

They managed to slip into the doorway, almost colliding with him. The man walked without looking back, as if he hadn't noticed them, completely absorbed in the screen of his gadget.

Nia quickly closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief, leaning against it with her back.

They found themselves in a small room, where round tables stood along the walls. On the tables were small, transparent glasses filled with water. Forgetting about everything, Nia and Ein rushed to them and, like thirsty travelers in the desert, greedily drained everything to the last drop. It was just water, but now it seemed to them like nectar, the most delicious drink they had ever tasted.

Nia, having quenched her thirst a little, looked around. Her gaze fell on a device that resembled the cube from which Lira had taken out food.

Ein, without waiting for an invitation, went to the cube and began to chaotically press the buttons.

– What are you doing? – Nia hissed, fearing to attract attention.

– Trying to create something edible, – Ein replied, without looking away from the buttons.

Suddenly, multi-colored pieces appeared from the device, resembling plasticine.

– Food! – he exclaimed. – It seems that this is really a machine for producing food!

They quickly pounced on the printed food, satisfying their hunger. Nia tried the "plasticine" with the taste of grapes, and surprisingly it turned out to be quite edible.

Having eaten and drunk, they felt a surge of strength, but also anxiety. They needed to leave.

– We need to leave, – Nia said, looking around. – We need to do something with our clothes. We stand out too much.

But there was nothing suitable in the room.

Then, trying not to attract attention, they left the service room and went out into the hall. Full, but very tired, they walked through the streets of Tesla City, looking at passers-by and buildings.

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