Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4 - 7 2018 | Page 35

expedition made in this new era. What they do not know won’t hurt them. This journey to the west is a
game of divinity or oblivion, and what a strange thought - Isaac Solomon, once the outcast and dreamer,
might just become celebrated as divine.
The year is 151 After Apocalypse, also known as the year 2203 AC.
Chapter 3 — Boredom: Ajax Query
The fifth day of continuous driving: this journey is boring me to death. I begged in vain for Isaac to let me
out of the landmaster for one night, just to explore this outside world I have never been in contact with. I
was never even familiar with the city New Mongolia; I was raised and trained in a military camp close to
New Mongolia, where I spent the first 14 years of my life. The days of my youth were chopped into blocks
of training, eating, sleeping and then training again.
But training against what? As far as I know, the virus was stabilized, and no outpost cities were in
danger. This era is yet young and full of dangers, but explorations such as this journey to the west will surely
breed enlightenment for humanity, fueled by a growing sense of hope and confidence.
With my own eyes have I witnessed the horrors of the mutated ex-humans that yet conquer the
planet: the gaunt shapes of these mutation-driven beings barely remind you they were once human.
Extended spines and extraordinarily long limbs are the common traits shared between these creatures, whilst
bulky tongues protruding from twisted faces only add to the features of alienation of these ex-humans.
“They” all stood solid and frozen, unaffected by changes in space or time; The mutation not only enhances
physical abilities but also extends the lifespan of hosts.
In a sick and twisted sense, this was evolution.
Noah says these mutated beings are simply in coma-like trances, waiting for set conditions to
trigger them. Once awoken, the creatures will spring into their hypervore stances, fueled by hunger. The
creatures possessed poor vision but strong smelling capabilities, fortunately was the landmaster coated with
scent blocker to prevent any predatory arousal from these mutated beings.
~
LOG ENTRY: Journey across continents
REGISTER: Noah Bolo
Date: Day: Statistics Notes:
08/08/151 5 12:32 of driving
Covered distance of current day ≈ 505 miles
Total covered distance ≈ 1751 miles
1751 miles from outpost city: New Mongolia
34 miles to outpost city: New Tajikistan
Terrain = Slightly sloped Getting close
to New
Tajikistan.
~
Chapter 4 — Macabre: Noah Bolo
It was obvious something was wrong when we approached registered territory of the outpost city New
Tajikistan. There was signal yet no connection to the communications hub of the city. At first I thought
they might have mistaken us for rogues. Gaining distance into the territory of the city, we could see the
outline of the city due northwest, dark against the blood red colors of a sunset sky, slowing down the
vehicle, we issue a docking report to the city requesting allowance into the city borders. Ten seconds… a
minute … two minutes … five minutes… and no response came. Anxious, we sat tensely inside the driving
cabin of the landmaster.
“I’ll venture into the city and register a docking permit,” I volunteered.
“Permission granted, Ajax will accompany you,” came the response from Isaac.
Armored in lightweight protection suits, Ajax and I step onto the dirt bikes set out for us by Adar,
making our way towards the city. Ajax was clearly stoked as he raced his dirt bike into the leaning shadow
of the city. I caught up with Ajax before entering the city gates, where we then proceeded to drive through
a long tunnel into the massive dome of the city’s center. We were blinded by the bright light that graced us
upon our arrival into the city, as a thousand eyes instantly turned and gazed upon us.