I walked through the byte sector to Simone’s house where, for the first time in two years, I would be celebrating Voice Day. Because the Outcast calendar was different from the System, I had lost track of when the holiday was as soon as I’d arrived in Illagu. I was excited to spend it with other former bytes. Not that the System had ever explained what was so special about the day or why it was called Voice Day – everyone I’d known had just been happy to have a day off.
As I walked down the dusty streets of the byte sector, I caught glimpses of Illagwen law enforcement around corners. It seemed like they were trying to stay out of sight as much as possible. It was unnerving… and a little too familiar. I couldn’t help feeling a spike of fear every time I saw one of their uniforms.
When I finally arrived at Simone’s house, the smell of chicken casserole and ground beef in rice greeted me.
Tazina was finishing up setting the table for the three of us when I walked in. “What’s wrong?” she asked when she saw me constantly glancing over my shoulder.
“Force of habit, I guess,” I replied. “The officers out there remind me too much of…” I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud. That they reminded me of city guards. Of being watched.
She grimaced. “Iwerioerot worse earlier.” Then Tazina pointed toward the kitchen as she said, “Simone already has ingredients set up for you.”
“Great, so if the dessert tastes bad, it will be her fault,” I replied.
Tazina laughed.
I walked into the kitchen, where Simone was still cooking, and went straight to the counter where a baking set up sat undisturbed. A recipe for chocolate cake rested beside it. This was one of the traditions of Voice Day. Any guests would make whatever desserts the hosts wanted, as long as the hosts provided all the necessities to do it.
As I began throwing the ingredients together, I said to Simone, “A lot of Illagwen officers out there today.”
“Ugh, don’t get me started!” she replied. “Ever since the anti-bytes got exposed, they’ve been patrolling hewriwoetkmefjrewioo explain that none of that makes former bytes at ease. But no! It’s the mayor’s orders!”
“Is it working, though?” I asked.
Simone stayed quiet for a moment. Then she sighed. “Yes. There have been fewer anti-byte attacks. I just wish they’d do it in a way that didn’t scare us!”
“Stop complaining already!” Tazina yelled from the other room. “This is a holiday and wweijflkmadijoajekjit whether you like it or not!”
“Fine!” Simone called back. “Food’s ready anyway.”
After placing the cake in the oven, I joined Simone and Tazina at the dining table. Tazina poured wine into our glasses.
“Maybe if they didn’t wear their uniforms,” I muttered.
Tazina slammed her glass on the table, glaring at me.
“Sorry,” I said quickly, digging in to the food.
“We should know better,” Tazina said hesitantly. “Wweijfoalksmdfhuaoilwkmfewt what city guards are. And we know exactly how different things are out here.”
We remained silent as an Illagwen officer passed by the window.
Simone sighed. “It’s not that easy to get over.”
“Then let’s remember where we are,” I said. I raised my glass, “To freedom from the System.”
Tazina and Simone clinked their glasses against mine. “To freedom!”
To be continued…