No.2222012

I expected a different world on the outside. I expected the sun would shine brightly. I expected to breathe in a wide range of fresh and fragrant aromas. Sadly, one expectation I couldn't have was a welcome - a smiling face waiting to greet me. My folks were probably dead now. Any other relatives that knew me wouldn't have anything to do with me. There was Sally though, my girl from high school. Said she was pregnant, said it was mine. She stopped calling once it became apparent I wouldn't be getting out anytime soon.

Two large doors swung open. One of my expectations was met - it was a whole new world. The sun did not shine. Clouds of smog from giant factory buildings hung overhead, blanketing the sky. All I could smell was a putrid stench emanating from the sewer opening. The butt of a rifle jabbed me in the side. "Get in," the guard growled, jabbing me a second time in the direction of a van. I obliged, thinking to myself, "Maybe I should pay his family a visit." The van rumbled and set off. As the overbearing silhouette of my previous residence sank into the horizon behind me, a bleak huge cityscape rose ahead.

The buildings shared a common hue of grey, varying only in the darkness of the shade. The towering structures each radiated a hostile presence. The deeper into the city we went, the harder it got to breathe. We finally stopped at the corner of a busy road in front of a decaying public sector office. I was let out here and the van hastily sped off.

I looked up to see buildings on all sides climbing up to the heavens, their ascent shrouded by clouds of twirling grey smoke. I felt a tug. I looked down to see a young girl, most likely in her early teens, with dark hair and pale, almost-translucent skin. "These skyscrapers are like Gods to us," she said, spitting out the word with bile, "They drain our life force because they envy us. Never search for the top, never admire them." Amusing, and cute too. I reached out and tried to grab her wrist but she ran off. I guess some things never change.

I turned and entered the public sector office. On the second floor, a lady sat behind a desk next to the window. She was the one I needed to see. I saw two men sleeping on the pavement from her window with newspaper blankets. There are far too many people in this city. I grew up in a suburban setting - bungalows, gardens, friendly neighbourhoods. I wondered if that world still existed somewhere. There were a lot less cars back then. Possession of one began with the upper middle class.

"And your name is?" she inquired in an annoying nasal tone. The distracting, bright magenta of the woman's attire was very incompatible with the rest of this city. "No.2222012," I replied without a second thought. Then my brain caught on and I chuckled a little. "I'm sorry, sir. Your name is… a number?" she asked, looking puzzled. "No, that's not me anymore," I replied. After some thought I continued, "I'm Ex-No.2222012."

"Ex-No.2222012," I said again, feeling satisfied.