CHAPTER 3

Chapter 3: Micro Society

Artemis,

I almost dozed off listening to this man explaining the history of our country. I don’t know if it’s only us, from edge Six, who’ve been taught about this when we were young. 

I blinked many times and slightly slapped my cheeks to wake myself up. Elio, who’s standing beside me noticed what I did so he looked at me with confusion. 

As we enter this building, I decided to roam my eyes hoping that I could find some entertainment but oh boy I was wrong.  All I see is a white wall, white ceiling, white floor, white everything! I groaned as I follow the line, marching to wherever it is.

It’s like I am back in school, following our teacher as she explains everything inside the museum. Remembering those time sent chills to my bones, those where were memories that I wish I forgot but I can’t because I see a lot of things that reminded me with.

“Here is the great sage, as we call him, standing so tall and humble. The man who fought for our own freedom that led as here, soaring through the sky.” We stopped in front of a big portrait, wearing a military uniform, holding a riffle. 

“The man himself, President Abraham Nikolai.” With a humble voice but with dignified tone, he pronounced his name as If it was only yesterday when the man was well and alive. I sighed and stared into his eyes, he’s a great man but those who followed him were horrible.

After that long chit-chat walk, we finally reached this wide, high ceiling room. All of, the participants of the game, stood in front of another stage. As the man who lead us here went up and stood behind a glass podium.

This is the very first time that I stood next to a person who’s not from Edge Six so it’s kind of natural instinct that we grouped ourselves according to the Edge we came from, leaving an approximately one meter space in between.

“We are all gathered here for a bit of explanation on the game.” The man started, his voice echoed as we stood here, quietly listening. “As you know, Date a Liar has been existing for fifty years now.” He looked up as if he can still see the first year the game has launched.

“Enough with history.” He said and cleared his throat and fixed the paper in front of him. His gullible look suddenly took a turn when it was replaced by a more serious face, a face I often see on television while watching the state leader deliver his speech.

“Let’s talk about what’s going to happen before, during and after the game. As usual, y’all be staying on a hotel for a night then tomorrow you will be shown to the public, broadcasted by our top news channel and on the next day, you will enter the Micro Society.”

I suddenly took a deep breath when my heart beat became faster. I blinked three times and I clenched my fist in order to calm myself.

“During the game, you will play along to the only one rule. If you fall in love first or both, you would receive repulsion. If you manage to stay out of love, you will have the choice to pick your reward.” 

As he goes deeper on his talks, I came to realize that I am stuck between death and a pot of gold. Although I am very confident that I won’t fall in love because I have a boyfriend waiting for me back in my house. There’s still a bit of fear stuck on my heart.

What if, just what if, I fall in love?

What would Jose think of me?

“Going back to Micro Society, none of you know what really inside of it because it’s a known secret across us, the Mayans. Now that y’all are here, let me explain to you what’s really inside that tall building.” He said, that made me think.

I’ve always heard about this Micro Society, that it is where the game Date a Liar takes course but I never knew what’s inside.

This truly catches my attention so I freely lend my ear to him and silenced myself from having internal thoughts.

“You see, the fact that our country is floating in the atmosphere, developing a small society is not impossible anymore, even the development of a device that can be used as a head gear to enter other realities has been perfected.” He started and the long, thick red blind on his back separated on the middle and revealed a huge screen.

It’s showing multiple pictures with their respective labels. My jaw dropped when I saw this Micro Society that they have been telling me for the past years.

It is placed behind a glass window it has everything, from mountains to flowing rivers, birds and the sky?!

It’s like they built this in accordance to their concept of romantic scenery.

“Using this new devices-technological advancement, we could freely launch our game, control the sceneries and fulfill the needs of the likes of you in order to fall in love!” 

He said proudly and then he laughed as if he really enjoys the thought of someone dying just because they fell in love.

This game is as stupid as it gets but we can’t do anything because to the Mayans, the mistake of one citizen of a specific Edge may result to punishment of the whole Edge.

“You will wear virtual reality headgears in order to enter the Micro Society, it will divert your consciousness to your virtual characters but don’t worry, your bodies will remain inside the building with the full care of our scientists. It’s also very important to take good care of your bodies because it’s the only way we could sense your feelings.” He said, so there’s no really lying here.

Everything will be revealed to them.

“Then again, a slight notice of affection won’t make you out of the game, we will just observe you if you will develop a deeper feeling so that when it happens we can pull you out.” He added, I don’t know but at least that relived me a bit.

I’ve been worrying since forever that If I felt a slight affection to my partner, it may cause me my life.

“No more questions?” 

He looked at us but I just looked on a different direction, avoiding to catch his sight. “Okay then, see you again on your big day.” He said and suddenly the platform his standing on slowly went down carrying him.

We’re left here, all alone not knowing what should we do next so I end up having a staring contest with Elio. It was not that long because we split our sight when a group of people, all wearing the same white coat, suddenly entered this room carrying boxes.

I stared at this guy in front of me as he wrapped around my left wrist a smart watch. It’s rectangular, long but thin and when he’s done with the final attachment, the watch turned on and showed multiple symbols.

I guess that’s my heart beat.