Timu's Young Adult Dystopian Fiction Novel
02-01-2016, 04:54 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-01-2016, 10:07 PM by Crowstone.)
first draft, 11 chapters, 1/31/2015. based on dream, with considerable extra details added.
second draft, typos and formatting fixed 2/1/2016
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1024 Chambers
A Young Adult Dystopian Fiction Novel by Timu
Chapter 1: The Poem
Chapter 2: Drafted
Chapter 3: Natsy Snait
Chapter 4: Aptitude Testing
Chapter 5: Final Evaluation
Chapter 6: The Dirt
Chapter 7: The Youth Lounge
Chapter 8: 100 days later
Chapter 9: The Plan
Chapter 10: Stronger
Chapter 11: Consequences
second draft, typos and formatting fixed 2/1/2016
--
1024 Chambers
A Young Adult Dystopian Fiction Novel by Timu
Chapter 1: The Poem
Show Content
Spoiler
In the year twenty seven sixty four
There will be a very terrible war
In the rainbow plaza, the first of may
A tragic end to the queens wedding day
The ones who attacked, who made this bloodbath
You will not survive, the new widow's wrath
Timu was so entranced that the words of the poem lost their meaning, and all she could think of was the gorgeous, heavenly voice that Brian Smoke recited them with. Brian Smoke was the dreamiest boy in class, with beautiful, flowing hair, and his mysterious, indescribable skin. But Timu was just an average girl, with above average, cute brown hair and averagely attractive averageness, who would never be able to win his heart.
"Timu! Are you paying attention?" shouted the teacher, Mr. Ursinpan, "What do you think of the poem?"
Timu stammered, "um,,, i think, it was very nice"
Mr. Ursinpan frowned, "Nice? Really? Terrible war and bloodbath? Sound nice to you?"
Timu mumbled "ummmmm, y-ye... nooooo...."
Mr. Ursinpan shrugged, "Alright, Timu, stay focused and pay attention. Moving on class, can you tell us why this poem is important?"
Diana raised her hand. She was the smartest girl in the class by far, and always knew the answer. The glance from the teacher was her cue to answer. "This poem is the only scrap of writing from before the Great Nuclear War that describes a date the could possibly be around our time!"
Mr. Ursinpan nodded. "Correct, Diana. You see class, though today's date is December 29th, Year 231, we don't know what date that corresponds to with the calendar that was used by our ancestors. While we use the same month and date system, our historians say that the Great Nuclear War could have lasted anywhere between two centuries and forty centuries. Assuming this poem provides an accurate prediction of the future, then we can simply wait until the tragic wedding happens in whatever the Rainbow Plaza is, and we'll know what our date is relative to the ancient calendar system. That will be our first step in learning more about the war and how it managed to erase the landmasses on the old maps."
The bell rang, denoting the school had ended. Mr. Ursinpan, yelled over the commotion, "Wait! Don't go yet, some of you have mail! Timu, Richard, Brian, Zarglob, and Mark, come up here. The rest of you are dismissed."
The five students got into the line. Timu was in the back right behind Brian. "Did you like the way I said that poem, Timu?" asked Brian.
Timu blushed and replied, "Yeah, i liked it a lot."
Zarglob got her mail and eyed Timu jealously before leaving. Brian whispered sexily in Timu's ear, "How about we got on a date tonight at the concert hall? 8 o clock?"
Timu blushed even harder and whispered back, "YES" very loudly.
Brian winked and got his mail and left, waving Timu goodbye.
Timu's heart was pounding and she didn't even look at the envelope Mr. Ursinpan handed her. She was already halfway home when she remembered the letter and opened it up.
In the year twenty seven sixty four
There will be a very terrible war
In the rainbow plaza, the first of may
A tragic end to the queens wedding day
The ones who attacked, who made this bloodbath
You will not survive, the new widow's wrath
Timu was so entranced that the words of the poem lost their meaning, and all she could think of was the gorgeous, heavenly voice that Brian Smoke recited them with. Brian Smoke was the dreamiest boy in class, with beautiful, flowing hair, and his mysterious, indescribable skin. But Timu was just an average girl, with above average, cute brown hair and averagely attractive averageness, who would never be able to win his heart.
"Timu! Are you paying attention?" shouted the teacher, Mr. Ursinpan, "What do you think of the poem?"
Timu stammered, "um,,, i think, it was very nice"
Mr. Ursinpan frowned, "Nice? Really? Terrible war and bloodbath? Sound nice to you?"
Timu mumbled "ummmmm, y-ye... nooooo...."
Mr. Ursinpan shrugged, "Alright, Timu, stay focused and pay attention. Moving on class, can you tell us why this poem is important?"
Diana raised her hand. She was the smartest girl in the class by far, and always knew the answer. The glance from the teacher was her cue to answer. "This poem is the only scrap of writing from before the Great Nuclear War that describes a date the could possibly be around our time!"
Mr. Ursinpan nodded. "Correct, Diana. You see class, though today's date is December 29th, Year 231, we don't know what date that corresponds to with the calendar that was used by our ancestors. While we use the same month and date system, our historians say that the Great Nuclear War could have lasted anywhere between two centuries and forty centuries. Assuming this poem provides an accurate prediction of the future, then we can simply wait until the tragic wedding happens in whatever the Rainbow Plaza is, and we'll know what our date is relative to the ancient calendar system. That will be our first step in learning more about the war and how it managed to erase the landmasses on the old maps."
The bell rang, denoting the school had ended. Mr. Ursinpan, yelled over the commotion, "Wait! Don't go yet, some of you have mail! Timu, Richard, Brian, Zarglob, and Mark, come up here. The rest of you are dismissed."
The five students got into the line. Timu was in the back right behind Brian. "Did you like the way I said that poem, Timu?" asked Brian.
Timu blushed and replied, "Yeah, i liked it a lot."
Zarglob got her mail and eyed Timu jealously before leaving. Brian whispered sexily in Timu's ear, "How about we got on a date tonight at the concert hall? 8 o clock?"
Timu blushed even harder and whispered back, "YES" very loudly.
Brian winked and got his mail and left, waving Timu goodbye.
Timu's heart was pounding and she didn't even look at the envelope Mr. Ursinpan handed her. She was already halfway home when she remembered the letter and opened it up.
Chapter 2: Drafted
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Spoiler
It was a wonderful day in Washington, EC, the capitol city of East Coast. The sun was shining low in the afternoon sky, reflecting off the Atlantopacific Ocean, people heading home from school and work. But among all the motion, Timu stood still, clutching The Letter in her trembling hands. She kept reading it over and over. She couldn't believe that she had been chosen. She was only 18 and she had her whole life ahead of her. She wouldn't even be able to have her date with Brian tonight. Everything was over for her.
When she finally got home, it was already past dinnertime.
"Timu, where have you been? We already ate!" said Timu's mother, but when she saw Timu's expression she rushed to her side, "What's wrong?"
"I... I'm sorry I didn't come home sooner. They drafted me. They're going to pick me up in an hour...."
Her mother embraced her, tears streaming from her face, "No... my baby... noooo.."
Timu cried too. "I don't want to go. Why can't they make someone else go? Why did it have to be me?"
Her mother cried some more, "It's the price we pay... it could have been me, or you, or anyone over 18 years old. It's just the price we pay, it's all completely random who they choose. If it wasn't you then it would have been someone else, and they would be having this conversation too."
Timu continued crying, "I know. It's my duty. But, I just wish, there was another way."
They cried for an hour straight, and there was a knock at the door. A man led Timu to the military van, which was very big and covered in guns. Timu turned and gave her mother one last look, the last look she'll ever get of the outside world, but the soldier closed the door.
It was a wonderful day in Washington, EC, the capitol city of East Coast. The sun was shining low in the afternoon sky, reflecting off the Atlantopacific Ocean, people heading home from school and work. But among all the motion, Timu stood still, clutching The Letter in her trembling hands. She kept reading it over and over. She couldn't believe that she had been chosen. She was only 18 and she had her whole life ahead of her. She wouldn't even be able to have her date with Brian tonight. Everything was over for her.
When she finally got home, it was already past dinnertime.
"Timu, where have you been? We already ate!" said Timu's mother, but when she saw Timu's expression she rushed to her side, "What's wrong?"
"I... I'm sorry I didn't come home sooner. They drafted me. They're going to pick me up in an hour...."
Her mother embraced her, tears streaming from her face, "No... my baby... noooo.."
Timu cried too. "I don't want to go. Why can't they make someone else go? Why did it have to be me?"
Her mother cried some more, "It's the price we pay... it could have been me, or you, or anyone over 18 years old. It's just the price we pay, it's all completely random who they choose. If it wasn't you then it would have been someone else, and they would be having this conversation too."
Timu continued crying, "I know. It's my duty. But, I just wish, there was another way."
They cried for an hour straight, and there was a knock at the door. A man led Timu to the military van, which was very big and covered in guns. Timu turned and gave her mother one last look, the last look she'll ever get of the outside world, but the soldier closed the door.
Chapter 3: Natsy Snait
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Spoiler
When the door finally opened again, the van was deep underground. The cavern was huge. Timu stepped out of the van and look around. Despite the graveness of the situation, Timu couldn't help be be amazed out how huge the cavern was.
"Welcome to the Grottoes," said a tall woman walking down some stairs before Timu, "I am Natsy Snait, the administrator of Grottco Utilities. As you know, we control the government and randomly select one adult citizen per day to be taken against their will to do labor for us down here. This is how we both provide energy for civilization and also keep control over the people."
Timu was surprised that she would outright say these terrible truths about the system she controls.
"You might be surprised that I would say these truths about my system, why, when I say it this way, it sounds downright dystopian doesn't it! But there's no other way to support society. It's not like you can ever get out of here. You will stay down here until you die, providing the world above with the power and food that it needs to survive. Complain all you want, but you will dig, and you will never escape."
Timu was very demoralized. She would never be able to escape here or see her family again. But Timu continued thinking. Timu became outraged! How could Natsy Snait do this to her people! "This is wrong," shouted Timu, "I will get out of here! And I will change the world! I'll find a better way!"
Natsy ignored her and pointed towards a doorway labeled Aptitude Testing. "Yeah yeah, I've heard it all before. The only way you'll get out of here is to finish your sentence, but no one has ever survived that long. Go to testing now. If you really want to get out of here, you better get ready to survive, or whatever."
Natsy didn't even look at Timu as she turned around and headed back up the stairs to her office. Timu watched her, gritting her teeth. Snait will pay for this. Finally, Timu looked away and headed through the doorway.
When the door finally opened again, the van was deep underground. The cavern was huge. Timu stepped out of the van and look around. Despite the graveness of the situation, Timu couldn't help be be amazed out how huge the cavern was.
"Welcome to the Grottoes," said a tall woman walking down some stairs before Timu, "I am Natsy Snait, the administrator of Grottco Utilities. As you know, we control the government and randomly select one adult citizen per day to be taken against their will to do labor for us down here. This is how we both provide energy for civilization and also keep control over the people."
Timu was surprised that she would outright say these terrible truths about the system she controls.
"You might be surprised that I would say these truths about my system, why, when I say it this way, it sounds downright dystopian doesn't it! But there's no other way to support society. It's not like you can ever get out of here. You will stay down here until you die, providing the world above with the power and food that it needs to survive. Complain all you want, but you will dig, and you will never escape."
Timu was very demoralized. She would never be able to escape here or see her family again. But Timu continued thinking. Timu became outraged! How could Natsy Snait do this to her people! "This is wrong," shouted Timu, "I will get out of here! And I will change the world! I'll find a better way!"
Natsy ignored her and pointed towards a doorway labeled Aptitude Testing. "Yeah yeah, I've heard it all before. The only way you'll get out of here is to finish your sentence, but no one has ever survived that long. Go to testing now. If you really want to get out of here, you better get ready to survive, or whatever."
Natsy didn't even look at Timu as she turned around and headed back up the stairs to her office. Timu watched her, gritting her teeth. Snait will pay for this. Finally, Timu looked away and headed through the doorway.
Chapter 4: Aptitude Testing
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SpoilerThe moment Timu walked into Aptitude Testing, there was a soldier sitting at the desk. She looked some details on the computer and remarked, "Only 18 years old? Pretty unlucky huh. That's the youngest you can be to get in here. That's less life you'll have had in the world above, and since you're younger, you're probably going to last a lot longer in the mines than those people."
She pointed down through the chamber, where Timu could see several other people, with ages ranging between their 40s and 80s lifting weights and exercising and being watched by other soldiers with clipboards. The eldest people were clearly having the most difficulty doing any physical work.
The soldier at the desk continued, "So, for the next week or so, you'll be doing that kind of stuff. We'll be watching you to make sure you're not slacking off, and also to record your progress. Try to make use of this time to get into best shape possible. It'll make things easier for you once you go to the mines. As added incentive, the better your scores are, we'll give you more bonuses, like, better food, or the occasional break day, and such."
Timu seemed confident that she'd be able to do well on the tests, but seemed uneasy, "What about those old people? Surely they need the bonuses more than I do?"
The soldier shrugged. "Yeah, but they're not very useful to us. The sooner they die off, the less resources we'll have to waste on them. It's young people like you that really keep the system going."
Timu replied indignantly, "Then why do you take old people at all?"
The soldier shook her head. "I'm not the one you should be asking those kind of questions to."
Timu was frustrated, "Well, can you at least tell me how long I'll be stuck down here? I know there's another way out that isn't dying!"
She pushed a few buttons on the computer and waved Timu dismissively, "Yeah, you're right, but, it doesn't matter. Nobody ever makes it that far. You're ready to go. Bye."
She pointed down through the chamber, where Timu could see several other people, with ages ranging between their 40s and 80s lifting weights and exercising and being watched by other soldiers with clipboards. The eldest people were clearly having the most difficulty doing any physical work.
The soldier at the desk continued, "So, for the next week or so, you'll be doing that kind of stuff. We'll be watching you to make sure you're not slacking off, and also to record your progress. Try to make use of this time to get into best shape possible. It'll make things easier for you once you go to the mines. As added incentive, the better your scores are, we'll give you more bonuses, like, better food, or the occasional break day, and such."
Timu seemed confident that she'd be able to do well on the tests, but seemed uneasy, "What about those old people? Surely they need the bonuses more than I do?"
The soldier shrugged. "Yeah, but they're not very useful to us. The sooner they die off, the less resources we'll have to waste on them. It's young people like you that really keep the system going."
Timu replied indignantly, "Then why do you take old people at all?"
The soldier shook her head. "I'm not the one you should be asking those kind of questions to."
Timu was frustrated, "Well, can you at least tell me how long I'll be stuck down here? I know there's another way out that isn't dying!"
She pushed a few buttons on the computer and waved Timu dismissively, "Yeah, you're right, but, it doesn't matter. Nobody ever makes it that far. You're ready to go. Bye."
Chapter 5: Final Evaluation
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SpoilerTimu's Aptitude Scores
Day 1: 28
Day 2: 30
Day 3: 68
Day 4: 149
Day 5: 150
Day 6: 149
Day 7: 150
Day 8: 150
Day 9: 150
"Impressive scores. You rank in the 98th percentile of 'guests' we've had so far, and 91st in those also 18 years old. A nice improvement around Day 3, let me guess, you did some training during sleeping hours?"
Timu nodded drowsily. She was much stronger than she was a week ago, but she was also very sore and very tired. The evaluator continued, "Okay, well, Make use of the bonuses wisely to make up for the sleep you've lost. You'll be getting the good food, and a deluxe meal every week. You can take one day off per month, and get access to the Youth lounge after you're done with your chamber for the day, and before sleeping hours. And as your final bonus, you get a shovel."
Timu shook her head. "I won't take them. Other people need these bonuses more than I do. I want to give them away."
The evaluator chuckled, "Oh, you're not the first one to have that attitude. You don't have to make use of your bonuses if you don't want to, but you're not allowed to give them to others. You can't, in fact. Anyways, go on. Your hole is waiting for you, shovel and food is inside. Just dig until the light on the wall indicates that you're done and then you can go to the lounge, if you want."
Timu entered the tunnel. The door closed behind her. The chamber was filled with dirt, and there was very little room for her to maneuver around. The only light was a large, glowing screen behind her, next to the door, which had a large #1, and a clock indicating the time.
Timu looked around. There was a shovel on the floor beside her, but, other than that and the screen, there was only dirt. What was she supposed to do with the dirt?
Day 1: 28
Day 2: 30
Day 3: 68
Day 4: 149
Day 5: 150
Day 6: 149
Day 7: 150
Day 8: 150
Day 9: 150
"Impressive scores. You rank in the 98th percentile of 'guests' we've had so far, and 91st in those also 18 years old. A nice improvement around Day 3, let me guess, you did some training during sleeping hours?"
Timu nodded drowsily. She was much stronger than she was a week ago, but she was also very sore and very tired. The evaluator continued, "Okay, well, Make use of the bonuses wisely to make up for the sleep you've lost. You'll be getting the good food, and a deluxe meal every week. You can take one day off per month, and get access to the Youth lounge after you're done with your chamber for the day, and before sleeping hours. And as your final bonus, you get a shovel."
Timu shook her head. "I won't take them. Other people need these bonuses more than I do. I want to give them away."
The evaluator chuckled, "Oh, you're not the first one to have that attitude. You don't have to make use of your bonuses if you don't want to, but you're not allowed to give them to others. You can't, in fact. Anyways, go on. Your hole is waiting for you, shovel and food is inside. Just dig until the light on the wall indicates that you're done and then you can go to the lounge, if you want."
Timu entered the tunnel. The door closed behind her. The chamber was filled with dirt, and there was very little room for her to maneuver around. The only light was a large, glowing screen behind her, next to the door, which had a large #1, and a clock indicating the time.
Timu looked around. There was a shovel on the floor beside her, but, other than that and the screen, there was only dirt. What was she supposed to do with the dirt?
Chapter 6: The Dirt
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Spoiler
She took a handful of the dirt. It was heavy to remove from the pile, but it got lighter in her hands. To her surprise, the handful was getting smaller, and was glowing. Then, the glow started fading, and so did the dust. Back in school, it was never really explained how exactly the power was being generating by Grottco underground. And though Timu still didn't know, she had a better idea of the technology behind the scenes. She took another handful, and watched it vanish. Somehow, her actions were turning the dirt into energy. And from that energy, Grottco somehow makes all the food, electricity and other things needed in the world above.
As she took more handfuls, she figured out she didn't even have to hold the handfuls. Simply taking handfuls and throwing them aside, or even dropping them, was enough to convert them into energy. Timu still didn't take the shovel.
Using just her hands, she would handle this whole pile, even if it takes her all day. She knew that they were watching her. Maybe her protest would make a difference, or maybe she was doing nothing but waste her own time and energy.
Four hours later, she sat down on the floor. The pile was only a little bit smaller than before and she was exhausted. She considered using the shovel. But Timu didn't need it. At least not yet. Mentally she told herself that she should never need to use it, but, maybe, it would be okay if she changed her mind.
A few minutes of resting later, she resumed her work. Hurling handful by handful aside, she worked her way an inch deeper into the pile. She wondered what would happen if she just stopped. They were watching her, but what could they do to make her keep working? What if she just sat here until she died, doing nothing for Grottco? They wanted her to die eventually anyway, why couldn't she just die now?
She rested again. There was no way she could do this all in one day. And then another pile the next day, and the next.
The screen behind her blinked. She turned and looked. In addition to the #1 and the clock, more information had appeared. There was an indicator of how much dirt she had dug already and how much dirt was remaining. A box marked consequences indicates that if she fails to finish a pile, a loved one above ground will suffer. Each day this happens, the consequences will be worse. From being fined to being executed. And most importantly, if Timu doesn't do her quota of labor, Grottco will find another, more horrible way to get it done anyway.
Timu had no choice. She continued to dig.
She took a handful of the dirt. It was heavy to remove from the pile, but it got lighter in her hands. To her surprise, the handful was getting smaller, and was glowing. Then, the glow started fading, and so did the dust. Back in school, it was never really explained how exactly the power was being generating by Grottco underground. And though Timu still didn't know, she had a better idea of the technology behind the scenes. She took another handful, and watched it vanish. Somehow, her actions were turning the dirt into energy. And from that energy, Grottco somehow makes all the food, electricity and other things needed in the world above.
As she took more handfuls, she figured out she didn't even have to hold the handfuls. Simply taking handfuls and throwing them aside, or even dropping them, was enough to convert them into energy. Timu still didn't take the shovel.
Using just her hands, she would handle this whole pile, even if it takes her all day. She knew that they were watching her. Maybe her protest would make a difference, or maybe she was doing nothing but waste her own time and energy.
Four hours later, she sat down on the floor. The pile was only a little bit smaller than before and she was exhausted. She considered using the shovel. But Timu didn't need it. At least not yet. Mentally she told herself that she should never need to use it, but, maybe, it would be okay if she changed her mind.
A few minutes of resting later, she resumed her work. Hurling handful by handful aside, she worked her way an inch deeper into the pile. She wondered what would happen if she just stopped. They were watching her, but what could they do to make her keep working? What if she just sat here until she died, doing nothing for Grottco? They wanted her to die eventually anyway, why couldn't she just die now?
She rested again. There was no way she could do this all in one day. And then another pile the next day, and the next.
The screen behind her blinked. She turned and looked. In addition to the #1 and the clock, more information had appeared. There was an indicator of how much dirt she had dug already and how much dirt was remaining. A box marked consequences indicates that if she fails to finish a pile, a loved one above ground will suffer. Each day this happens, the consequences will be worse. From being fined to being executed. And most importantly, if Timu doesn't do her quota of labor, Grottco will find another, more horrible way to get it done anyway.
Timu had no choice. She continued to dig.
Chapter 7: The Youth Lounge
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SpoilerAfter more hours of hard, grueling work, Timu eventually uncovered another door on the opposite side of the chamber from the screen. It was locked. Timu figured that it was just the next chamber, and had continued to dig.
Soon, there was only a thin layer of dust on the ground now. Timu was at this point just kicking and sweeping it around with her feet, which was enough to trigger the energy conversion. After a while, the screen beeped. The #1 was lit up quite prominently in green and some options had appeared. "Eat" and "Lounge" and "Sleep" were the only options, so she picked Eat. A tray of food suddenly appeared next to her shovel, which had laid untouched for the entire time. The food tasted pretty good. She dreaded to think what other diggers might have gotten for dinner.
When she was done, she pushed Lounge, and suddenly found herself teleported to a big room with red wallpaper and couches.
The others already in there all seemed to be in their early 20s or late teens, with the exception of someone with grey hair, but a well built body. One boy exclaimed, "Hey! You're new. Welcome to the youth lounge. So named because it's mostly just youths who get to go here. My name is Carvage. I'm on chamber 155."
The old man said that his name was Senarion, and that he was on chamber 421. Two people sitting next to each other introduced themselves as twins, Irene and Sam. Apparently, Sam got drafted without warning or a random pick because Irene didn't dig a pile one day.
Timu looked alarmed. "Yikes! I... didn't know that could happen."
Sam shrugged, "Irene didn't know either. But it's not her fault. I've been here for only a couple weeks less than her and... it's very hard for me too. She's on chamber 55, and i'm on 41."
The last girl, introduced herself as Celune. Celune... the name seemed very familiar to Timu. She had blondish brown hair and was very very pretty.
"You might have heard of me before... Princess Celune... chamber 12."
Timu had heard of Princess Celune! The royal family passed the ruling powers to Grottco long ago, but the family members are still referred to with the appropriate titles despite just being regular citizens. Timu's excitement was shortlived as she remembered that dire situation that everyone here was in. Dig until you die, and make the best of life in the meantime.
Timu sunk into a large sofa and listened to the others chat about their piles. Another girl teleported in. She greeted Timu, "Hi! I'm Aluza, I just finished Chamber 126. I haven't seen you before so you must have just finished Chamber 1! Well, welcome to the club I guess....." She took a seat in the corner and listened to Senarion describe the wild days of his youth, which the others here would never be able to experience for themselves.
Soon, there was only a thin layer of dust on the ground now. Timu was at this point just kicking and sweeping it around with her feet, which was enough to trigger the energy conversion. After a while, the screen beeped. The #1 was lit up quite prominently in green and some options had appeared. "Eat" and "Lounge" and "Sleep" were the only options, so she picked Eat. A tray of food suddenly appeared next to her shovel, which had laid untouched for the entire time. The food tasted pretty good. She dreaded to think what other diggers might have gotten for dinner.
When she was done, she pushed Lounge, and suddenly found herself teleported to a big room with red wallpaper and couches.
The others already in there all seemed to be in their early 20s or late teens, with the exception of someone with grey hair, but a well built body. One boy exclaimed, "Hey! You're new. Welcome to the youth lounge. So named because it's mostly just youths who get to go here. My name is Carvage. I'm on chamber 155."
The old man said that his name was Senarion, and that he was on chamber 421. Two people sitting next to each other introduced themselves as twins, Irene and Sam. Apparently, Sam got drafted without warning or a random pick because Irene didn't dig a pile one day.
Timu looked alarmed. "Yikes! I... didn't know that could happen."
Sam shrugged, "Irene didn't know either. But it's not her fault. I've been here for only a couple weeks less than her and... it's very hard for me too. She's on chamber 55, and i'm on 41."
The last girl, introduced herself as Celune. Celune... the name seemed very familiar to Timu. She had blondish brown hair and was very very pretty.
"You might have heard of me before... Princess Celune... chamber 12."
Timu had heard of Princess Celune! The royal family passed the ruling powers to Grottco long ago, but the family members are still referred to with the appropriate titles despite just being regular citizens. Timu's excitement was shortlived as she remembered that dire situation that everyone here was in. Dig until you die, and make the best of life in the meantime.
Timu sunk into a large sofa and listened to the others chat about their piles. Another girl teleported in. She greeted Timu, "Hi! I'm Aluza, I just finished Chamber 126. I haven't seen you before so you must have just finished Chamber 1! Well, welcome to the club I guess....." She took a seat in the corner and listened to Senarion describe the wild days of his youth, which the others here would never be able to experience for themselves.
Chapter 8: 100 days later
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SpoilerTimu checked the clock. 1 hour left until sleeping hour. About time to head to the lounge. 2 and a half chambers today. Pretty good progress. Massaging her hands, Timu looked down the tunnel. She could only see about 10 chambers down, since the only light would be from the screen in the chambers she was working on that day. Somewhere, far down the tunnel, the shovel would still be right where she left it, beside the locked door that leads to the main facility.
Taking note of the chamber number, 128, she punched the screen. As it shattered, Timu vanished, and reappeared in the youth lounge. Timu plopped comfortably on her favorite couch, and the Deluxe meal box landed in her lap a moment later.
"Stylish~" said Celune, scooting up next Timu.
"Hey hon~, looks like we got a cake!" Timu took the single fork provided with the cake and gave Celune a piece.
Celune chewed, "Chocolate... I love chocolate."
Timu giggled, "I love you! hehe! So, where did everyone else go? Bed already?"
Celune smiled, "Yeah, it's just us. I think we make it a bit too awkward when we're both here."
Timu nodded, "Mhm. I'd feel bad, but I think I've figured out a workaround."
Celune laughed, "Haha! Gonna punch a screen again?"
Timu calculated, "Not for this one! So, I'm almost to three chambers per day! Once I have three screens to work with, I could probably manipulate everyone else's schedule too!"
Celune worried, "Mess with other people's schedules? I don't think they would tolerate that. I'm pretty sure you're already pushing the line by sharing food with others!"
Timu recalled, "Well, I never would have started doing all this if Senarion didn't tell us about the Plan. He never saw anyone try it out, and... now he never will."
Celune sighed, "Oh... I miss Senarion."
Timu groaned, "Yeah... it's such a shame. But I've got to focus on the plan. They never stopped rulebreakers in the past, and they probably aren't going to stop me now."
Celune frowned, "But, changing other people's schedules, has that been done before?"
Timu hummed, "Loads of people have done it before. Why do you think there's even a lounge in the first place! What will really be hard is executing The Plan. But I'm not ready for that. But I will be eventually, and if they really want to stop me, then, they'll have to beg me to stop!"
Timu angrily devoured the remaining half of the cake in a single bite. Then, Celune and Timu made out for 50 minutes straight.
Taking note of the chamber number, 128, she punched the screen. As it shattered, Timu vanished, and reappeared in the youth lounge. Timu plopped comfortably on her favorite couch, and the Deluxe meal box landed in her lap a moment later.
"Stylish~" said Celune, scooting up next Timu.
"Hey hon~, looks like we got a cake!" Timu took the single fork provided with the cake and gave Celune a piece.
Celune chewed, "Chocolate... I love chocolate."
Timu giggled, "I love you! hehe! So, where did everyone else go? Bed already?"
Celune smiled, "Yeah, it's just us. I think we make it a bit too awkward when we're both here."
Timu nodded, "Mhm. I'd feel bad, but I think I've figured out a workaround."
Celune laughed, "Haha! Gonna punch a screen again?"
Timu calculated, "Not for this one! So, I'm almost to three chambers per day! Once I have three screens to work with, I could probably manipulate everyone else's schedule too!"
Celune worried, "Mess with other people's schedules? I don't think they would tolerate that. I'm pretty sure you're already pushing the line by sharing food with others!"
Timu recalled, "Well, I never would have started doing all this if Senarion didn't tell us about the Plan. He never saw anyone try it out, and... now he never will."
Celune sighed, "Oh... I miss Senarion."
Timu groaned, "Yeah... it's such a shame. But I've got to focus on the plan. They never stopped rulebreakers in the past, and they probably aren't going to stop me now."
Celune frowned, "But, changing other people's schedules, has that been done before?"
Timu hummed, "Loads of people have done it before. Why do you think there's even a lounge in the first place! What will really be hard is executing The Plan. But I'm not ready for that. But I will be eventually, and if they really want to stop me, then, they'll have to beg me to stop!"
Timu angrily devoured the remaining half of the cake in a single bite. Then, Celune and Timu made out for 50 minutes straight.
Chapter 9: The Plan
Show Content
Spoiler
The lit screens of chambers 893, 894, and 895 were too far away, and Timu had to rely on the glow of dirt being kicked up to see. It was a long walk, but Timu finally made it back to Chamber #1. She knelt to the ground and picked up the shovel. After 16 months, it was finally time to use it.
Timu started to head back, but stopped. She considered the door to the main facility. What if... there was an easier way? It couldn't hurt to check. She punched the door, and absolutely nothing happened. Just as she thought. It wasn't real.
She finally reached Chamber 895. Just a palmful of dirt before Chamber 896 would unlock. Everyone back in the lounge knew every detail of the Plan. If she failed today, then they will tell the next people, and they will tell the next people, and so on, until the next person strong enough is ready to improve the Plan.
She positioned the shovel carefully against the door to chamber 896. She pushed the button for sleep on chamber 894's screen. Normally, this would instantly send her to bed, but not this time. Timu destroyed the sleeping room. Then, she punched the screen of 893, shattering it. Normally, it would try to send her to the lounge and give her food simultaneously, but not this time. She already ate. Returning to 895, she squatted on the floor and got ready. She'd have less than a second for this last part. She took a deep breath and listened.
The clock on 895's screen counted down. Timu had changed the countdown to indicate when the sleeping room would be reset, rather than the end of the day, the time limit for digging out a chamber. "2 minutes left" the screen chimed.
Timu waited some more, until the screen began counting down individual seconds. "10 seconds left. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1."
And Timu grabbed the handful of dirt and hurled it at the screen. For the average digger, the dirt would fade away as it was lifted from the floor, but Timu was much faster than an average digger. The glowing dirt scattered over the screen and the wall around it. Timu hoped enough dirt had touched the screen in time.
The screen shone brighter than normal. And then, the entire screen vanished. The door to chamber 896 opened, and the shovel fell, landing with one half in each chamber. Timu looked through the hole that the screen had occupied. There was just one cable poking out of the wall, its frayed end no longer connected to the screen. She grabbed the cable and yanked it right out of the wall.
The door to chamber 895 and to 896 slammed shut. The chamber was completely dark. Timu, still holding the cable, got down the floor and felt around for the shovel. She grasped the handle of the shovel, and lifted it up.
It was the heaviest thing Timu had ever held. The weight of thousands of chambers of metal and dirt, even condensed into a virtual reality, was still nothing to sneeze at. The floor rose through her legs, through her torso, and up through her head until the entire tunnel was above her. She had finally done what strength alone could not to- break through walls that don't exist.
She was in the sleeping room again. A cable in one hand, and the other hand around a shovel inside a tunnel that had become intangible. The sleeping room of course, was completely dark and featureless. After all, you're supposed to be sleeping in it. Though Timu could not see how ridiculous the thing her hand was in looked, she knew that the people watching would be able to see.
This was the only part that Timu wasn't sure would work. Everything she just did was just to show what she was capable of. Now she had to see if they cared.
"Hello again! I have some new demands."
Though no one answered out loud, Timu heard the reply in her head anyway. "What is it this time? Another room you want to add to the lounge? Want to give everyone shovels? How come you didn't just ask us like those other times. What are you trying to prove?"
Timu waved her arms in what she hoped looked like a threatening manner. "This is bigger than schedule changes or food sharing. Though- that shovel thing is a good idea. But this time, I want out. Completely out. And if you don't take me out now... then I'll destroy the whole thing. I have the power to do so in my hands. No more dirt, no more power, nothing left for Grottco."
The reply: "You're that confident that the world can survive without us?"
Timu nodded. "Yes"
"No. The world needs us, and we need you. Put down the shovel."
Timu held the cable closer to her other hand. "Don't make me."
"Alright. So you really do know how it works. You win."
The lit screens of chambers 893, 894, and 895 were too far away, and Timu had to rely on the glow of dirt being kicked up to see. It was a long walk, but Timu finally made it back to Chamber #1. She knelt to the ground and picked up the shovel. After 16 months, it was finally time to use it.
Timu started to head back, but stopped. She considered the door to the main facility. What if... there was an easier way? It couldn't hurt to check. She punched the door, and absolutely nothing happened. Just as she thought. It wasn't real.
She finally reached Chamber 895. Just a palmful of dirt before Chamber 896 would unlock. Everyone back in the lounge knew every detail of the Plan. If she failed today, then they will tell the next people, and they will tell the next people, and so on, until the next person strong enough is ready to improve the Plan.
She positioned the shovel carefully against the door to chamber 896. She pushed the button for sleep on chamber 894's screen. Normally, this would instantly send her to bed, but not this time. Timu destroyed the sleeping room. Then, she punched the screen of 893, shattering it. Normally, it would try to send her to the lounge and give her food simultaneously, but not this time. She already ate. Returning to 895, she squatted on the floor and got ready. She'd have less than a second for this last part. She took a deep breath and listened.
The clock on 895's screen counted down. Timu had changed the countdown to indicate when the sleeping room would be reset, rather than the end of the day, the time limit for digging out a chamber. "2 minutes left" the screen chimed.
Timu waited some more, until the screen began counting down individual seconds. "10 seconds left. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1."
And Timu grabbed the handful of dirt and hurled it at the screen. For the average digger, the dirt would fade away as it was lifted from the floor, but Timu was much faster than an average digger. The glowing dirt scattered over the screen and the wall around it. Timu hoped enough dirt had touched the screen in time.
The screen shone brighter than normal. And then, the entire screen vanished. The door to chamber 896 opened, and the shovel fell, landing with one half in each chamber. Timu looked through the hole that the screen had occupied. There was just one cable poking out of the wall, its frayed end no longer connected to the screen. She grabbed the cable and yanked it right out of the wall.
The door to chamber 895 and to 896 slammed shut. The chamber was completely dark. Timu, still holding the cable, got down the floor and felt around for the shovel. She grasped the handle of the shovel, and lifted it up.
It was the heaviest thing Timu had ever held. The weight of thousands of chambers of metal and dirt, even condensed into a virtual reality, was still nothing to sneeze at. The floor rose through her legs, through her torso, and up through her head until the entire tunnel was above her. She had finally done what strength alone could not to- break through walls that don't exist.
She was in the sleeping room again. A cable in one hand, and the other hand around a shovel inside a tunnel that had become intangible. The sleeping room of course, was completely dark and featureless. After all, you're supposed to be sleeping in it. Though Timu could not see how ridiculous the thing her hand was in looked, she knew that the people watching would be able to see.
This was the only part that Timu wasn't sure would work. Everything she just did was just to show what she was capable of. Now she had to see if they cared.
"Hello again! I have some new demands."
Though no one answered out loud, Timu heard the reply in her head anyway. "What is it this time? Another room you want to add to the lounge? Want to give everyone shovels? How come you didn't just ask us like those other times. What are you trying to prove?"
Timu waved her arms in what she hoped looked like a threatening manner. "This is bigger than schedule changes or food sharing. Though- that shovel thing is a good idea. But this time, I want out. Completely out. And if you don't take me out now... then I'll destroy the whole thing. I have the power to do so in my hands. No more dirt, no more power, nothing left for Grottco."
The reply: "You're that confident that the world can survive without us?"
Timu nodded. "Yes"
"No. The world needs us, and we need you. Put down the shovel."
Timu held the cable closer to her other hand. "Don't make me."
"Alright. So you really do know how it works. You win."
Chapter 10: Stronger
Show Content
SpoilerTimu was launched out of the door to the tunnels, slamming into the wall across the hallway. She was back underground, in Grottco. She hadn't seen this hallway in over a year.
A technician looked up over a control panel. "Uh, sorry about that. We've never taken anyone out of there before."
Timu got back to her feet. "I'm fine. It didn't hurt at all. I want to visit Natsy Snait."
"She retired." said a voice behind Timu.
She turned around. A mean-faced man was standing there, with his hands behind his back. "I'm her son, Yuko Snait. I'm the administrator now. Timu, is it? Welcome back to the real world."
He held out his hand for her to shake. Timu looked at the hand, but didn't take it. "I want things to change. I'll shut down all of Grottco if I have to, but I'll settle for you just finding a different method to create energy than this...." Timu gestured towards the doorway she had been shot out of, "This... dimensional travesty."
Yuko shook his head. "I'm afraid not. This is definitely the most efficient balance between energy production and population control. We've done numerous tests."
Timu glared at him. "Don't make me use force."
Yuko ignored her threat, "Anyway, I'm afraid you're going to have to go back in there. Our laws say the only way you're allowed to leave is to die, or to reach the end of your tunnel. And sheesh, you were so close too. Only 128 more chambers and you would have been free! Legally free! But I'm afraid what you did was against the rules. You'll have to start all over again!"
Timu raised her fists. "You know how strong I am. I could take on all of Grottco."
Yuko laughed. "No you can't. You may be the first one to get out, but you're not that strong. I've seen people stronger than you. Several of my men can do you did in there... and better too!"
Timu tried to grab Yuko's throat, but Yuko grabbed her hand. "In fact, I could too."
Timu tried to punch Yuko in the face, but Yuko grabbed her other hand. "So you've punched hundreds of piles of dirt for a year or so, and now you're very strong. But I've been punching thousands of piles of fire all my life. And now, I'm the strongest."
Yuko squeezed his hands around Timu's fist, harder and harder. They felt hotter and hotter, and burst into flames. "Aughhh!!" shouted Timu!
Yuko grinned, "Doesn't it burn?"
He let go, and Timu dropped to the floor, desperately trying to put out the fires on her hand. "Now, uh, do you remember those consequences you've heard about? Normally we only do that if you don't dig up at least one chamber per day, which is, definitely not a problem for you anymore, but I think special exceptions to the rule can be made. Get ready to see some familiar faces in a week or so!"
Yuko kicked Timu through the doorway, which slammed shut behind her.
She was back in Chamber #1. There was a full pile of dirt here, she plunged her hands in it to cool the burning. It was okay she thought, after she calmed down. She'll just do the Plan again. In a little while, after these burns had healed, she would get the shovel again and break through the walls, and the destroy the whole system. And they wouldn't be able to stop her next time.
But then Timu looked at the floor again. They didn't give her a shovel. The Plan was now impossible.
A technician looked up over a control panel. "Uh, sorry about that. We've never taken anyone out of there before."
Timu got back to her feet. "I'm fine. It didn't hurt at all. I want to visit Natsy Snait."
"She retired." said a voice behind Timu.
She turned around. A mean-faced man was standing there, with his hands behind his back. "I'm her son, Yuko Snait. I'm the administrator now. Timu, is it? Welcome back to the real world."
He held out his hand for her to shake. Timu looked at the hand, but didn't take it. "I want things to change. I'll shut down all of Grottco if I have to, but I'll settle for you just finding a different method to create energy than this...." Timu gestured towards the doorway she had been shot out of, "This... dimensional travesty."
Yuko shook his head. "I'm afraid not. This is definitely the most efficient balance between energy production and population control. We've done numerous tests."
Timu glared at him. "Don't make me use force."
Yuko ignored her threat, "Anyway, I'm afraid you're going to have to go back in there. Our laws say the only way you're allowed to leave is to die, or to reach the end of your tunnel. And sheesh, you were so close too. Only 128 more chambers and you would have been free! Legally free! But I'm afraid what you did was against the rules. You'll have to start all over again!"
Timu raised her fists. "You know how strong I am. I could take on all of Grottco."
Yuko laughed. "No you can't. You may be the first one to get out, but you're not that strong. I've seen people stronger than you. Several of my men can do you did in there... and better too!"
Timu tried to grab Yuko's throat, but Yuko grabbed her hand. "In fact, I could too."
Timu tried to punch Yuko in the face, but Yuko grabbed her other hand. "So you've punched hundreds of piles of dirt for a year or so, and now you're very strong. But I've been punching thousands of piles of fire all my life. And now, I'm the strongest."
Yuko squeezed his hands around Timu's fist, harder and harder. They felt hotter and hotter, and burst into flames. "Aughhh!!" shouted Timu!
Yuko grinned, "Doesn't it burn?"
He let go, and Timu dropped to the floor, desperately trying to put out the fires on her hand. "Now, uh, do you remember those consequences you've heard about? Normally we only do that if you don't dig up at least one chamber per day, which is, definitely not a problem for you anymore, but I think special exceptions to the rule can be made. Get ready to see some familiar faces in a week or so!"
Yuko kicked Timu through the doorway, which slammed shut behind her.
She was back in Chamber #1. There was a full pile of dirt here, she plunged her hands in it to cool the burning. It was okay she thought, after she calmed down. She'll just do the Plan again. In a little while, after these burns had healed, she would get the shovel again and break through the walls, and the destroy the whole system. And they wouldn't be able to stop her next time.
But then Timu looked at the floor again. They didn't give her a shovel. The Plan was now impossible.
Chapter 11: Consequences
Show Content
SpoilerThough her wounds had not entirely healed, Timu punched through 40 chambers in the next 10 days. But on the last day, she only punched through one, and immediately went to the lounge.
When she appeared, she noticed some new doors in the main lounge room. Also, one wall had extended out considerably. Timu looked through some of the new doors, encountering an elderly woman who had rested there over night. "Good morning, I don't think we've met. I'm Timu!" said Timu.
"Ah, hello young lady... I've heard about you" said the woman, "Thank you for this new room.... it's much nicer than the old room i would nap in."
"Oh, you're welcome, though, I, I didn't ask for it this time. I haven't talk to them at all since they put me back in," Timu replied, confused.
"Really? You know, when I was your age, my father worked for Grottco. The way he described this place was much much worse than it is today. It's kids like you that have been making it better over the generations."
Timu nodded, "Yeah. I wish I knew that kind of information when I started, but at least I figured it out soon enough."
"Why, I think the original design for this place just had one huge endless pile of dirt that everyone would have to dig at without any breaks at all. Thank goodness Grottco was willing to make things a little more bearable to stop all the mayhem the strongest people would cause."
Timu shrugged. "Eh, but, not thank goodness that Grottco makes people come here in the first place."
The elderly woman nodded in agreement. A voice called out to her, "Ms. Greytail, it's time to get back to work."
Ms. Greytail sighed. "Alright, you take care now. I'll be back in a few hours, if you still want to chat. But I'll probably just go straight to napping."
Timu waved goodbye as the old woman disappeared. "Maybe someday, everyone will get the small piles of dirt that the weak people get now," Timu thought, "Wait no- maybe someday, no one will get any piles of dirt at all! And, we'll all be free! And stuff!"
Timu continued exploring the expanded lounge, but making sure to check the main room frequently. When Timu finally spotted Celune in there, Timu ran over and hugged her. "Cely, hey! They've added 32 rooms to the lounge! They even put maps up on some of the walls, it's so huge now!"
Celune smiled, "Wow! That's pretty great news! But I thought you were expecting new people today, not new rooms!"
Timu looked uneasy, "Yeah.. that's the problem. I had nothing to do with this bigger lounge, and I am expecting someone I know, though I'm not sure exactly who. But, I'm thinking, maybe, it's going to be a lot more than one person coming in, and that's why they had to make the lounge bigger."
Celune gasped, "Oh no..."
"I don't know what to expect at this point..."
Timu heard the sound of someone teleporting in. "Hello," said the newcomer, and Timu's heart began pounding faster. She released Celune and turned around. Brian Smoke was there, swooshing his gorgeous hair, with an amazing beaming smile on his inconceivably handsome face. "Timu, long time no see. It's good to see you again. How about that date you owe me?"
When she appeared, she noticed some new doors in the main lounge room. Also, one wall had extended out considerably. Timu looked through some of the new doors, encountering an elderly woman who had rested there over night. "Good morning, I don't think we've met. I'm Timu!" said Timu.
"Ah, hello young lady... I've heard about you" said the woman, "Thank you for this new room.... it's much nicer than the old room i would nap in."
"Oh, you're welcome, though, I, I didn't ask for it this time. I haven't talk to them at all since they put me back in," Timu replied, confused.
"Really? You know, when I was your age, my father worked for Grottco. The way he described this place was much much worse than it is today. It's kids like you that have been making it better over the generations."
Timu nodded, "Yeah. I wish I knew that kind of information when I started, but at least I figured it out soon enough."
"Why, I think the original design for this place just had one huge endless pile of dirt that everyone would have to dig at without any breaks at all. Thank goodness Grottco was willing to make things a little more bearable to stop all the mayhem the strongest people would cause."
Timu shrugged. "Eh, but, not thank goodness that Grottco makes people come here in the first place."
The elderly woman nodded in agreement. A voice called out to her, "Ms. Greytail, it's time to get back to work."
Ms. Greytail sighed. "Alright, you take care now. I'll be back in a few hours, if you still want to chat. But I'll probably just go straight to napping."
Timu waved goodbye as the old woman disappeared. "Maybe someday, everyone will get the small piles of dirt that the weak people get now," Timu thought, "Wait no- maybe someday, no one will get any piles of dirt at all! And, we'll all be free! And stuff!"
Timu continued exploring the expanded lounge, but making sure to check the main room frequently. When Timu finally spotted Celune in there, Timu ran over and hugged her. "Cely, hey! They've added 32 rooms to the lounge! They even put maps up on some of the walls, it's so huge now!"
Celune smiled, "Wow! That's pretty great news! But I thought you were expecting new people today, not new rooms!"
Timu looked uneasy, "Yeah.. that's the problem. I had nothing to do with this bigger lounge, and I am expecting someone I know, though I'm not sure exactly who. But, I'm thinking, maybe, it's going to be a lot more than one person coming in, and that's why they had to make the lounge bigger."
Celune gasped, "Oh no..."
"I don't know what to expect at this point..."
Timu heard the sound of someone teleporting in. "Hello," said the newcomer, and Timu's heart began pounding faster. She released Celune and turned around. Brian Smoke was there, swooshing his gorgeous hair, with an amazing beaming smile on his inconceivably handsome face. "Timu, long time no see. It's good to see you again. How about that date you owe me?"
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