Chapter 2
The Lowlife (Part 1)
The people around Rigel did nothing but walk towards wherever they wanted to be. They made not a sound; like the beginning of a hopeless existence. Rigel looked around to find the cause of all of the quietness. A few soldiers were patrolling around the square and some of the streets surrounding it. This was the cause; an oppressive legion. The only sound was coming from a radio beside a window in an apartment room. It was playing a bossa nova genre tune. Rigel turned and headed down a small street. A few others walked down it as well but didn’t say anything to anybody. Rigel walked beside another person and tried to speak. “Look if we talk out here, we’ll both get into trouble” he said quickly and walked away. Rigel agreed quietly and didn’t say a word.
He looked towards what looked like a small café. There was a soldier standing outside in front of the door. Rigel walked over towards the door until the soldier stopped him. “You need retinal access” said the soldier pointing towards the retinal scanner attached to the wall by the door. He leant forward and rested his head against the scanner. It scanned his eyes and he leant back again. “Access denied” the retinal scanner showed on the screen below the scanner. The soldier didn’t look surprised about this. “Hold still” he said. But suddenly, he punched Rigel in the gut and then took out a small sized cylindrical retinal scanner from his pocket. Rigel fell to the ground back first. The soldier scanned Rigel’s eyes and then inserted the scanner into a hole in the bigger retinal scanner. It made a sort of recording sound to say that his access level was being stored. He pulled out the small scanner and put it back in his pocket. Rigel got up slowly but he felt seriously winded. “What the hell was that for?” asked Rigel painfully. “Hey, if you want get punched again, don’t ask me” replied the soldier, “now get your eyes scanned now or face being arrested”. Rigel walked towards the retinal scanner but gave a pissed off look at the soldier; he said nothing. Rigel leant forward and the scanner scanned his eyes. He then leant back again. The scanner made a beeping sound to show that access was granted. The door to the cafe opened. The soldier just stood at his post and didn’t turn again. Rigel entered the café but was only greeted by the emptiness of it.
All of the chairs were empty and there was no barman. There was a fridge on the other side of the counter with some graffiti on the door saying “Take what you want scavengers!” Rigel felt confused by this as he knew that from the graffiti and the dirtiness of the café, it was abandoned. He wondered why there was a soldier guarding the door. However, he felt intrigued by the graffiti and walked over towards the fridge. He opened the door and realised it was still running; he was lucky. Inside were a couple of portions of Slig Sushi, a bottle of Coke-a-Zade and a Scrab Cake. He took out the Scrab cake and the Coke-a-Zade and sat down at a bar stool by the counter.
He pulled the cap of the bottle and took a swig. The flavour fizzled in his mouth and made it cold as he swallowed it. He paused a bit and looked at the door. The soldier was still standing outside by the door. Then another person came to the soldier and asked for clearance. He leant to the retinal scanner and it scanned his eyes. It beeped in recognition and it opened the door. The stranger entered the café and sat down beside Rigel. He tapped his fingers on the counter while the door closed again. “Do you mind if I have that Scrab Cake?” the stranger asked. “Go for it, I’m not hungry” replied Rigel. The stranger reached over and took the Scrab Cake. He took a bite out of it and crunched on it slowly; he then finally swallowed. “By the way, my name is Valken” the stranger said. “Rigel” he replied. “Good to meet you” Valken replied. He finished off the rest of the Scrab cake while Rigel took another swig of the Coke-a-Zade. “Infact, why are we talking?” said Rigel, “We’ll both get into trouble”. “Because I know a place where we can” replied Valken. “Really” said Rigel sarcastically. “Yes” said Valken, “and if you have any second thoughts, keep them to yourself and follow me”. Valken stood up and walked over to the fridge; Rigel, intrigued by the new acquisition, followed behind.
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