Introduction- This Is the World

Such an interesting existence, don’t you think? Who would’ve thought we’d come this far? A miraculous drug, a panacea that cures all of our troubles and let’s us live for over 5 times our original lifespan.

Well, not all of us. The better ones live and those that are, shall we say, lower on the intellectual totem pole don’t receive the benefit. Of course, logically it only makes sense. Why waste resources and time on such inferior beings? You see, it’s a matter of limited space, my friend.

Of course, as you might guess there seems to be some distress among the brutes that desire such a gift and yet are denied. Pitiful bunch they are, really. So much anger and worry. They only have a small amount of time; you think it would be wiser to spend it doing something more constructive. Then again, why would they be intelligent enough to figure that out? Poor things.

Part One- The Inferior One

This isn’t some miracle, it’s a medicine. Fuck, it’s not even that expensive I could buy it for my entire family right now. Who the fuck does these people think they are? They think I’m not worthy, well fuck them! I’m not a fucking idiot. I’m a hard worker; I live a good life- so what if I’m not a motherfucking genius, eh?

No person’s more deserving than another. If they’ve got the means and I’ve got the cash there should be no problem, but no. They reject me! Say I’m “inferior”- fucking bastards! This is absolute bullshit. Hell, my family helped build that lab where that shit was invented all those years ago. They were real fucking excited back then. Of course then they started hoarding it. All the smart people, politicians, and other so-called “important” people got that stuff the first year. Some of those sons of bitches are still around just living all high and mighty.

I’ll show them. One day I’m going to go right up there and get me some of that. Then I’ll spend the next 500 years rubbing it in their face. These people are going to get their asses handed to them. They haven’t the right to deny me, or anyone a longer and more productive life. I’ll show’em, God damnit!

Part Two- The Superior One

I never thought I’d ever say this, but I’m tired of living. Day in and day out all I do is work on the next project, the next invention, the next product, the next “new” whatever fucking thing it is these people want. I’ve been locked in this building for over 300 years. I’m more a slave or a pet than a real human being.

Why would anyone want to live this long? I’m just so tired. Every day it’s the same thing. Working and thinking, working and thinking, working and thinking. I really don’t want to work or think anymore. What good is a long life if you can’t enjoy it? They give this to “smart people.” Stupidest fucking decision I ever made.

I’d rather be an idiot, at least then I could’ve died long ago and be with my family. It has been so long since they’ve passed, and I still miss them with every ounce of my being. I can’t make new friends, not that I’d want to, they’d just die like everyone else I knew. Sure I can go outside in the courtyard or even through the city- with an escort that is. Can’t let me escape, can they? I’ve sure as hell tried over the years, but they caught me every fucking time, damn tracker chips.

Oh well, enough bitching. Back to work.

Part Three- Equilibrium

The sun sets. It is a cool evening and the cacophony of the city starts to subside to a dull hum. The leaves are starting to change and break off to go swirling about in the breeze before arriving on the ground, their final resting place.

Huge buildings tower above, like colossi milling about in anticipation of some big event. Their many windows twinkle in the twilight like millions of little candles and in time they go dark and the city seems to sleep.

This sleep is restless, however. Shadows lurch, scamper, and move between the buildings, the foliage, and the parked vehicles. They move with savage intent, purpose, they are hunting for something and the mere smell of their prey will send them into frenzy. The excitement is palpable, it lingers in the air and all who touch it seem to become entranced.

These figures glide through the streets without sound, and descend upon their target, a skyscraper. This particular edifice houses many of those who are deemed blessed by this society. Tonight, however, this blessing becomes a curse.

A myriad of lights illuminate the block, a beaming radiance in the murky twilight. Several people stand as sentinels at the entrance, and several more patrol the perimeter. They appear bored and lackluster; they have seen no real action and are merely going through the motions one more night.

Their world is suddenly plunged into darkness. The lights have failed and the attackers rush in and attack without mercy. Screaming and yelling rise at once throughout the area and are swiftly and efficiently silenced. It begins.

The group of shadows, people they are by appearance, but vengeful monsters they have become. They have been denied their cure, their chance at longer life and they seek to take it by force and they have tasted their first blood.

The entrance is breached and now the work commences. Searching and slaughtering are the only two objectives now. Muffled groans and screams are heard coming from so many rooms. Blood being spilled and seemingly immortal lives are being ended.

One man separates himself from the group, he is determined to find his prize and starts up the stairs as the others quench their thirst for vengeance in murder. He works his way up the plush, carpeted staircase looking for the laboratories. He soon finds what he seeks.

Another day of work is winding down for this man as he tries to improve upon the design flaws in one of his projects. He takes a moment to rest his eyes and stretch and glances over at the chrome, bulky storage tanks. In them is the substance which allows him to be here today, trapped and overworked with no real joy left. He scoffs and turns back to his project, just a little more and he can rest.

The door bursts open and the scientist recoils from the surprise. The man storms into the room and surveys the surroundings to find an enemy and his objective. He springs toward the man sitting at his lab bench and quickly puts an end to him. Strangely enough he never fought back and stranger still a smile crept across his face in the last few seconds.

At peace and free he was now. No more working and no more thinking. That was what that smile said, he was totally and utterly free.

The attacker did not notice these strange things. His eyes were fixed to the tanks, tears began to form but he forced them away, fragile work to be done. Now he went about collecting the syringes stored inside, one for each member of his family and one for himself. He cradled each one like a fine jewel and placed them into a satchel he had brought along. Gently and ever so carefully he lifted it and made his way out.

Down the stairs he went while his heart throbbed and tears flowed. He had shown them, he had shown them all! He was completely victorious. Now he would be able to enjoy this life for a long time with the love of his family like all those high and mighty “important people” got to do. His dream was realized.

~Zoo