“I can’t see anything!” Someone exclaims, trying to push away the cloudy fog in vain so he can see the road.
“You should get used to it,” Anyone replies, nonchalantly, walking further and further until Someone can barely see Anyone, “It’s like this everywhere except The County.”
“I’m telling you,” Someone insists, “I’m not from The County!”
“Then where did you come from?” Anyone replies, sneering. “Earth?”
Anyone watches Someone carefully. He doesn’t answer. Finally, Anyone continues walking, muttering about the rich people from The County and their weird behaviors.
Someone sighs.
Anyone has never met any person from The County. The people of The County tend to avoid other parts of Rethar, because they don’t want to leave their luxury.
Many people have said that The County is filled with so much sunlight, and it is so bright, that it makes people darker, with a delightful tan..
If only Anyone knew that Someone had merely visited there…
It’s a good thing they don’t, Someone muses, As soon as they find out I’m from Earth, they’ll be at another level with me…
Someone continues trying to wave off the fog with his hand. As soon as his visibility increases, the fog rushes back in to hinder him. He stops in exasperation and feels for his flashlight.
The flashlight, apparently, is in one piece, because Someone sighs in relief. He is about to turn it on when a person shines a flashlight into his eyes.
Someone shields his eyes from the bright light, eliciting a glare from the person.
“Don’t do that,” The person reprimands him, dimming his light. “It’s an offense to shield your eyes from an officer–”
“I won’t do it again,” Someone interrupts, hurriedly putting his hands down and allowing the light to blind him.
He squints to see the person behind the blinding light.
That person glares at him again.
Someone fidgets with his fingers nervously. A pause ensues between the two.
The person eyes him curiously as Someone looks around furtively. He’s not from here, so I can grant some exceptions, the person thinks, observing him carefully, but he looks like he’s searching for an escape route from me.
He watches Someone for some time and sees him grab something long and black.
Long and Black? Only officers are authorized to —-
“Are you using an unauthorized device?” The person barks out at him.
Someone hurriedly hides the flashlight in his pocket.
“N-no,” Someone stutters nervously, “I’m not having anything—unauthorized.”
“Who are you?” The person asks again, frowning at him.
“I’m Anyone,” Someone lies glibly. “Who are you?”
“I’m The Person of Troop 279,” The Person replies matter of factly, regarding Someone curiously, “As one of the Anyones, you should know that.”
“I should,” Someone mutters, pretending to be abashed.
These terminologies are driving me crazy!
Next thing I know, I’ll meet individuals who will introduce themselves as Nobodies!
The Person nods at him with approval, and moves on his way.
Someone waits for him to move out of sight, and out of mind before he uses his flashlight.
A wave of relief washes over him as the powerful beam of light breaks through the fog, improving his visibility.
Someone takes a few steps before turning his flashlight off, fearful of being caught. He didn’t like how the officer referred to his flashlight as an “unauthorized device.” Then again, Someone thinks bitterly, almost everything I own is unauthorized.
Including my presence..
He feels distinctly uncomfortable as that thought comes to him. Nevertheless, he ignores it, and continues walking into the fog.
His suspicions about being caught, though, were justified.
Written by Asiya Farooqi, member of Daybreak Writing Circle