Read Online CHOSEN: A Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Dystopian Novel by A. Bernette - Free Book Online
Authors: A. Bernette
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he and nearly
everyone else wore on their wrist told the time, made and received calls,
messages, and other tele-transmissions, could connect to the international web
of information and social networking for news, other televised programming, and
was programmed to monitor the wearer’s vital signs and link to the
registration.
The
device was commonly called a watch because it had been effectively designed to
allow the World Consensus to watch over all registered citizens while providing
the citizens with access to everything they needed to be active, productive, socially,
and economically involved.
There
was nothing wrong with it. “ Where is she?” he pondered . Stephen
paced nervously in his bedroom, stopping every so often in front of the double
paned storm window. The interior steel shutters were magnetically held against
the wall. He tapped it lightly, as he often did. It was secure.
He
glanced out the window, as if suddenly she’d be there knocking at the pane
telling him to hurry outside to see some intricate ice crystal formation or the
colors painted on a passing cloud. The only thing he saw was snow and ice,
packed down in most places. Patches of grey rocky ground peaked through where
the ice and snow had long ago receded and hadn’t come back yet.
Back
within the confines of his orderly room he kept a consistent stride between his
desk and the window. What he was really looking for eluded him, as he had yet
to find it. It was his first Spring break without Stella. Now, after a few days
he found himself missing her nonstop talking which could sometimes irritate
him.
The
door to his room squeaked lightly as he opened it to look down the hall. He
already knew she wouldn’t be there, but couldn’t resist checking again. The idea
of Stella possibly arriving without him knowing was senseless. Why would she
come back before she was supposed to? Especially her, and to the ARC. No one
came or went without planning, preparation, and someone knowing.
Without
Stella the ARC felt more like a large sterile prison, where he was trapped and
isolated. He’d spent every Summer of his life since he was five in this frozen
tundra. It had always been no man’s land. No one wanted it but every year he
was here just the same for six months most years.
When
they were young they only spent the few months that marked the Antarctic Summer
on the ARC, but as they grew older Zura and Johan wanted them to spend more
time there, on the ARC as a family. Now, just when it would start getting cold
in Northern Allegiance, they would leave the mild winters of their home in New
South City for what was arguably the coldest place in the world.
But
Stella, she wasn’t here with him and his heart literally ached. She hadn’t sent
him a message yet today and it was already 10:04 a.m. by her time. He kept
looking at the wall expectantly. She always messaged him by 10:00 a.m..
“What’s
wrong? Where is she?” he wondered again aloud, as he checked the time on his
watch for the one hundredth time and began tapping his fingers together.
Stephen
passed the mirror and noticed his long grey jersey shirt not evenly tucked into
his black cargo style pants. He fixed his clothing and smoothed his hair. He’d
shot up over the past year and was finally taller than Stella. He was still
thin and had not grown much muscle on his lean frame. He had hoped to add some
weight and muscle while in Antarctica but not much had changed and their time
on the ice was nearly up.
By
May they needed to head back to Northern Allegiance where they could continue
their research, taking files and samples with them. They’d set up their data
reporting systems and then prepare to come back when the temperatures began to
rise again to barely tolerable in Spring. Most of the other staff on the ARC
wouldn’t come until Summer had broken.
Before
he could begin wondering anymore, he heard the ding and felt the vibration on
his arm. It was Stella. Finally . She wanted
everyone else wore on their wrist told the time, made and received calls,
messages, and other tele-transmissions, could connect to the international web
of information and social networking for news, other televised programming, and
was programmed to monitor the wearer’s vital signs and link to the
registration.
The
device was commonly called a watch because it had been effectively designed to
allow the World Consensus to watch over all registered citizens while providing
the citizens with access to everything they needed to be active, productive, socially,
and economically involved.
There
was nothing wrong with it. “ Where is she?” he pondered . Stephen
paced nervously in his bedroom, stopping every so often in front of the double
paned storm window. The interior steel shutters were magnetically held against
the wall. He tapped it lightly, as he often did. It was secure.
He
glanced out the window, as if suddenly she’d be there knocking at the pane
telling him to hurry outside to see some intricate ice crystal formation or the
colors painted on a passing cloud. The only thing he saw was snow and ice,
packed down in most places. Patches of grey rocky ground peaked through where
the ice and snow had long ago receded and hadn’t come back yet.
Back
within the confines of his orderly room he kept a consistent stride between his
desk and the window. What he was really looking for eluded him, as he had yet
to find it. It was his first Spring break without Stella. Now, after a few days
he found himself missing her nonstop talking which could sometimes irritate
him.
The
door to his room squeaked lightly as he opened it to look down the hall. He
already knew she wouldn’t be there, but couldn’t resist checking again. The idea
of Stella possibly arriving without him knowing was senseless. Why would she
come back before she was supposed to? Especially her, and to the ARC. No one
came or went without planning, preparation, and someone knowing.
Without
Stella the ARC felt more like a large sterile prison, where he was trapped and
isolated. He’d spent every Summer of his life since he was five in this frozen
tundra. It had always been no man’s land. No one wanted it but every year he
was here just the same for six months most years.
When
they were young they only spent the few months that marked the Antarctic Summer
on the ARC, but as they grew older Zura and Johan wanted them to spend more
time there, on the ARC as a family. Now, just when it would start getting cold
in Northern Allegiance, they would leave the mild winters of their home in New
South City for what was arguably the coldest place in the world.
But
Stella, she wasn’t here with him and his heart literally ached. She hadn’t sent
him a message yet today and it was already 10:04 a.m. by her time. He kept
looking at the wall expectantly. She always messaged him by 10:00 a.m..
“What’s
wrong? Where is she?” he wondered again aloud, as he checked the time on his
watch for the one hundredth time and began tapping his fingers together.
Stephen
passed the mirror and noticed his long grey jersey shirt not evenly tucked into
his black cargo style pants. He fixed his clothing and smoothed his hair. He’d
shot up over the past year and was finally taller than Stella. He was still
thin and had not grown much muscle on his lean frame. He had hoped to add some
weight and muscle while in Antarctica but not much had changed and their time
on the ice was nearly up.
By
May they needed to head back to Northern Allegiance where they could continue
their research, taking files and samples with them. They’d set up their data
reporting systems and then prepare to come back when the temperatures began to
rise again to barely tolerable in Spring. Most of the other staff on the ARC
wouldn’t come until Summer had broken.
Before
he could begin wondering anymore, he heard the ding and felt the vibration on
his arm. It was Stella. Finally . She wanted
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