I slowly walked towards the toilet, with the guard keeping a distance behind me. As I reached the toilet, I noticed it was divided into two sections, allowing only one person at a time to enter. I opened the door, and the guard stood outside, watching.
Inside, the toilet was surprisingly clean, with wooden boards lining the walls. I stood there, waiting for Check to arrive, my mind buzzing with questions. I could hear someone approaching from the other side, and soon the door opened. In a low voice, I asked, "Check, is that you?"
There was no immediate reply, and I waited anxiously. Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the other side, "Don't say anything, just listen to what I'm about to tell you." All the questions I had prepared seemed to fade away. He knew things I didn't, and I realized it was best to stay patient and let him speak.
He continued, "First, I'll give you an idea of what's going on. The guards and authorities we see aren't the ones we know. They've already been taken over by the rich, who are trying to establish a new order. They're building different structure all together, categorizing people with some kind of codes. The people who used to live on the streets are now their hunting dogs, catching criminals and smugglers. If we are out there, they can't implement their system."
I was shocked by what he said, my mind swirling with confusion. Who had taken over the authorities? How had they done it, and what are they planning? I tried to process everything, but couldn’t make out a complete picture out of it. I stayed quiet, waiting for him to continue.
"I don't have much time," he added. "Don't try to talk when we're here. The device on your back will affect your body if you try to escape from here, and getting out isn't easy. Keep a low profile. If you draw attention from the guards, they'll take you downstairs to the lab. You won't come back from there; that'll be the end of you. So, don't act out of character or like yourself."
I wanted to ask so many questions, but before I could, he left the toilet quickly, leaving me stunned. I didn’t have time to ask him anything. I calmed my mind and opened the door. The guard wasn't there; he'd already left. I walked back to the main area, where the guard was waiting for me. I saw the other prisoners leaving one by one, but my mind was a storm of questions after hearing everything from Check.
I noticed how strangely he was acting, realizing that he might be warning me. If we show any sign of our true selves, we could be taken downstairs, where people are used for experiments, like animals. My eyes searched for Check, but he had already left the food area. The guards were taking them away one by one without any alarms. Could we just leave here directly?
My mind was a mountain of questions, but I couldn’t find any answers. I also noticed the man in the golden pyjamas sitting on the opposite side of the food area, receiving special treatment from a guard who was serving him different food from what we got. Who is this guy? He looked clean, well-groomed, and was wearing white leather sandals that looked expensive. His table was set with a fork, spoon, and knife, all neatly arranged, as if ensuring he ate comfortably.
But how did Check get this information? Did he have some insiders, or does he know the golden pyjama guy?
I didn’t understand many things, but I knew I needed to be vigilant, gather as much information as I could, and plan an escape. The problem was the device on my back—it was something I was vary of. As I walked back to my cell, lost in thought, I didn’t even notice when I reached it. The guard entered a six-digit code on the lock, but he hid it from my view. I could only see that the screen displayed numbers 1 to 10, but I couldn’t figure out the combination. The guard opened the cell and motioned for me to go inside.
Once the guard left, I noticed Check was already there, staring at me. I had so many questions, but I didn’t know where to start. He sat on the bed, and I stood there, unsure of what to say. I calmly sat on my bed, thinking about the possibilities of what Check told me.
First, he mentioned that the authorities had been taken over by the rich people. That means, after the apocalypse, someone took control of everything. It’s not easy to take over all these things at once, and while he mentioned the rich, it's unlikely that just rich people alone could manage this. There must be someone or a group behind it. That’s the tough question—who is behind all this?
Second, he said they needed to accomplish something, and that’s why they brought us here. So, that means they captured us to do their dirty work without any hindrance.
He also told me about categorizing us. Once they accomplish their goal, it will be easy for them to do what they need. After that, he mentioned some kind of codes. What is that about? What code?
I got confused, but one thing is sure—it may not be easy even if we get out of here. They might have implanted a code in each of us, like a dead man's switch that could explode if we do something. He knows some serious shit; I can see it in his eyes. And he’s scared of what he knows.
I need find a map of this place; I know that it won’t be easy. There are no clues on the walls or windows, and there’s no equipment. The building is the same everywhere.
But one thing’s sure—in every building, there will be a starting point and an exit. There should be two exits as per the building's structure. It’s a three-floor building, and underneath it is the lab. So, the exit likely starts in the opposite direction. From Check, it's confirmed that the lab is beneath this building, but we’re not sure how many buildings are out there just like this.
And if there are other buildings, who knows what’s inside them?
I don’t want to stay here like this. I need to get out as soon as possible.
But can I get anyone to help me here? The guards are very strict, and they are watching us all the time, so I can't rely on help from anyone here. The codes are important.
My mind is giving me endless possibilities to escape this prison, but the problem is the security code.
I closely watched Check, and in his room, there’s nothing visible, just like mine—no window, no other doors, and two cells. I can see the pyjama guy’s cell; he’s there now, still reading books. Where is he getting those? The rest of us don’t have anything, but he’s actually having a good time here. I can see he doesn’t speak to anyone. He just reads books, eats, and sleeps.
(Days and nights passed.)
I don’t know how many days I’ve been trapped in this place. My beard and hair have grown too much; I don’t remember the last time I cut my hair. My nails on my hands and feet have grown out too.
I tried to count the days, but it feels like just a few days have passed, though I don’t remember the exact number.
I sat on my bed and looked at the ceiling. It’s plain, like white paper—we could write whatever we want. After the conversation in the toilet there hasn’t been any update from Check. Every time I try to speak with him, he just avoids me, and many times I’ve looked at the toilet in front of him, but he didn’t follow me. That means one thing: he’s waiting for something or planning something and doesn’t want me involved. It’s tough not to speak with anyone; I’ve been in this situation before. It’s not the first time I’ve been trapped in these cells. Many times, I’ve been trapped, and each time I’ve come out, thanks to my crew. No, they’re not here now, and I need to get out on my own.
All of my thoughts are swirling wildly, then fading as my eyes slowly close. I’m drowning in sleep...
(Many hours later.)
Someone came and tapped my hand to wake me up. I suddenly woke up and looked around; nothing has changed—the same ceiling, the same cell.
I don’t know how long I slept, and I can’t tell if it’s day or night in this building. There are no windows, no visible sun—it’s like a cage hidden underground.
