16 Scored To Rewind (1/2)
[September 25th. Genf - Nion's apartment.]
.
Nion woke up from a long sleep. Slowly and reluctantly, she uncovered her face. Streaks of sunlight that penetrated the glass window before had disappeared. Her eyelids opened to the empty unlit room. No daylight, no gentler breeze that was present earlier, just a cold wind whispering, calling Nion to wake up. Next to her bed, the pointless alarm clock, glowing red, 7:52 pm. she was unable to tell for how long she was sleeping but it felt like the mysterious dream lasted an eternity.
.
Confused about its nature and more importantly the meaning behind those last words she heard in her sleep.
.
\”My head... It is killing me.\” She groaned. \”I can't tell if I am still dreaming or not. These dreams, they've been... So vivid, it's almost scary.\” Nion ran her hands through her hair and realized that half of it is now gone.
\”Uncle... 'Noah'...\” As soon as she mentioned this name, tiny tears began dripping down her face. \”Why do I feel like crying all of sudden?\” She shook her head. \”Who can that be...?\”
.
She sat up facing the entrance door, dragged her feet off the bed, and rubbed her knuckles into her eyes while her legs were dangling slightly above the floor.
.
\”It feels like I am missing something...\” She frowned. \”Something that has a connection with that name, something I should have never forget.\” Nion talked to herself while stretching her arms, ready to get up.
.
Despite the confusion around her latest dreams or rather a vision, she felt surprisingly relaxed, awake, perhaps more awake than she had ever been.
.
\”How come it is 8 pm already?\” She yawned. \”Urgh, I am so dull... Maybe I should just stay in my bed, just reading some stuff and doing nothing... It's been a while...\”
.
The soft breeze coming from the slightly opened window and sweeping inside the silent room made her turn around her head where she was facing her own reflections on the large window glass.
.
\”Look at you!\” She slapped herself on the cheeks. \”Get your act together!\” She jumps up from the bed and going to get ready to go out.
\”Good evening Nion.\” Said a pleasant female voice.
\”Ah, Mitera... Good evening.\” Nion replied to a human size hologram that appeared next to her bed. \”Can you make me something too eat? I am starving.\”
\”Certainly, do you want me to cook one of your favorites: Meat Stew, Pasta, Ravioli, Sushi-\” Offered Mitera.
\”Eh, no... Just a plate with steamed vegetables would do just fine.\” Nion replied.
\”That's very unusual from you. You never asked for vegetables before.\”
\”I don't know, I just feel like to have some.\” Nion shrug.
\”Very well, your dinner will be ready in 10 minutes.\” Announced Mitera.
\”Great.\”
\”Also, I must inform you regarding your 'Social Credit'.\” Said Mitera.
\”What about that?\”
\”It appears that since you returned from your latest assignment it dropped lower than the authorized level.\” Warned her Mitera.
\”Well... I kind of saw it coming!\” Nion looked at her hand watch device. \”Zero? There must be a mistake!! I understand the circumstances and all... But 'Zero'?! She face-palmed.
\”There is no mistake, it appears that you've left the country premises without an official agreement - By the law of Prosper Aleksithimia it is considered as a crime.\” Explained Mitera.
\”Damn it.\”
\”Shall I book a 'Rehab - Capsule Session' to raise your score?\” Asked Mitera.
\”Yes please, the nearest one... I can't take public transport nor call a taxi, right?\” Asked Nion.
\”Well played Nion...\” She mumbled.
\”Yes, correct. All of your 'Keeper' privileges are currently suspended until you clear out the negative score.\” Replied Mitera.
\”I am sorry, but rules are rules. We need to encourage our citizens to flaunt good credit scores, it is a benefit for everyone to have a healthy community.\” Explained Mitera System. \”If the negative score is not cleared within 48 hours, you will be sent to ' The Metro'.\”
\”Genf suburbs... Hmm, wait a minute, now since I have the negative score, I can actually get in there...\” Nion wondered. \”Anyway, send me the 'Capsule' coordinates.\”
\”Certainly.\” Mitera said.
\”Ahem, Mitera?\” Nion called.
\”Yes, how can I help?\”
\”Do you know someone called 'Noah'? Perhaps it is someone I've met before?\” Nion asked.
\”Certainly. Scanning the global registry...\” Replied Mitera Systems. \”I found only one name that matches your request, you do not seem to be related in any way. The more detailed information appears to be 'locked'.\”
\”Even if I clear my score?!\” She asked.
\”I am afraid.\”
\”Noah... Who are you...?\” Said Nion thoughtfully.
.
Nion stepped into the shower, toes flinching as the touched the chilled ceramic floor.
.
\”Who treated my wounds?\” She asked Mitera.
\”I believe that was lady Seànn herself.\” Replied Mitera.
\”So I really did fight with her... What is wrong with me seriously?\” She sighed then continued removing bandages that were glued to each other because the blood got dry.
.
During this painful moment, Nion's eyes fell closed over and over, each time rewinding the scenes from her recent dream... The last strip of the woven fell to the wet floor.
.
\”What the?!\” Speechless, Nion gazed at her chest reflection. \”What is that?! How?!\” Her eyes roamed from one feature to another.
.
\”Why do I have a freaking 'hole' in my chest?!\” Just under her right breast, there was a giant mass of coagulated blood that was sipping down. The edges of the wound looked inflated and slightly burned over the extremities as if that part got pierces by something long and sharp.
\”The wound seems to have been treated correctly, so there is no risk for your life at this point. However, it is rather a deep cut.\” Mitera began scanning Nion's chest.
\”May I take a look at your weapon?\” Mitera asked.