Dystopian Heart

Dystopian Heart

By Tammy Annette

Tyann crawled toward the chirping. How many seconds had it been? Maybe fifteen. She didn't think she had lost consciousness from the fall, but the sonic hit had definitely knocked the wind out of her. There! It had fallen over the edge of the catwalk, but luckily had caught on the grate. It hung there, catching a glint of moonlight, with the small flashing blue light keeping tempo with each of it's little chirps. She stretched and caught the cool metal in her hand. Tyann sighed in relief, as she held the heart shaped locket to her beating chest. She loved how Ziggy had chosen a romantic token, to encase the technology that would keep her safe. It only disabled them for just under a minute, but oh, was that minute precious. The red proximity light activated at thirty yards. Tyann discovered the hard way, that their range reached much farther, hence the blast she just took. Feeling grateful, she patted her protective vest Ziggy had made her. How he had laughed as he named it the, "Zesty." The brief smile left her face as the locket quieted, and on que, she could hear the faint metallic whirring of her pursuer waking up.

Slipping the heart with the broken chain into her right vest pocket, she braced herself to stand. Each labored breath was a reminder of her mission. Determination rising with each painful step. She had set the Electro Magnetic Field bumps as planned, strategically placed to disable the hub, the machines main power source. With a large enough disruption we could actually turn the tide. Ziggy had worked for months to get this right. She could feel his encouragement. "Do what you have to do love, then hurry back to me."

It saw her just as she was placing the last bump. If it were human, she would have said it looked surprised, almost hesitant, before coming after her. Almost, as if no human would ever dare enter that city, much less try to infiltrate the CPU center. "Yet, here I am", Tyann thought as she hurried through the maze of abandoned factory equipment. Eerie bones, reflecting shadows of a time when humans thrived. When we were so proud of our technological advances. "Now our technology advances upon us," she mused.

Stopping to catch her breath, she could hear the clanking thuds of it coming closer. Tyann forced herself to continue, knowing she couldn't outrun it in her current state. She knew she would have to find a place to hide. Spotting a nearby ladder to the lower floor, she half climbed, half tumbled down, unceremoniously landing on her back. With a new burst of blinding pain, she gasped for air and consciousness. The ringing in her ears was deafening, but as it subsided, she realized she could not hear the machine approaching anymore. She wondered, "Had the bumps gone off with out her noticing? Did it work?" She opened her eyes and promptly screamed out her gasped breath. The machine was hovering right above her, crouching and prepared to pounce from the top of the ladder.

Her right hand rested on her abdomen, and through her terror, she felt for the small object in her pocket and squeezed. Hoping, it had been enough time for the locket to reset. She rolled to the right as fast as she could manage. The assault of crashing metal erupted behind her. The locket had successfully paused the machine mid-air, and now it lay in a crumpled, metallic mass. She paused for a pensive moment, having never seen one this close before. The machine was an odd mixture of shiny titanium and grainy salvaged parts. Its design was fairly simplistic, and obviously modeled after humans. With an imposing v-shaped torso and appendages that ended in reticulated talons. She found an old nursery rhyme playing in her head, "Oh the better to grab you with, my dear." Shuddering, she noticed that where she expected a head to be, sat a cylindrical weapon, reminiscent of an old red stop light. Tyann pulled her eyes away, processing what she had just seen. "This thing is definitely built for killing, not conversation." She pulled her trusty, "Vesty," a little tighter around her, and started searching for a hiding place.

Tyann remembered seeing a conveyor belt that led into a dark tunnel of the abandoned equipment. Squaring her shoulders, she headed that direction. Relief filled her as she realized the opening was just big enough for her to climb in, and the crawl across the band, through the tunnel, was a good seven feet deep into the belly of the archaic equipment. She huddled, practicing her deep breathing while clutching the locket, as the hearts blue chirps halted and the red blinking began.

She noticed the machines footsteps sounded different on the old concrete floor. Tyann trembled, as its mechanical talons clicked closer. Her stalker was also emitting a strange, methodical bark, as it seemed to close in on her location. Realization washed over her like ice cold water, as she recognized that the bark came from it's weapons ability to echo locate. Her breath caught in her throat as its gun face suddenly appeared, silhouetted at the opening of her now, compromised shelter. She could feel it peering right at her.

Scrambling as far back as possible, she braced herself for the inevitable. She tucked her head down into her vest, and spoke directly to it. "Vesty, even you can't handle a blast bouncing around in here. "She closed her eyes and thought of Ziggy. "At least he and the others will be safe from these wretched things. Whenever the bumps finally go off anyway." The sound of scraping interrupted her thoughts and her eyes flew open. Unexpectedly, the machine had changed tactics, and Tyann found herself simultaneously horrified and relieved, as one of its talons unsuccessfully reached for her. Its claw methodically opening and closing only a couple of feet from her trembling body.

Through her panic, clarity arose, she became aware it wouldn't use its weapon in the tunnel. It somehow knew it could backfire and damage itself. As it slowly retracted it's talon back across the belt, it seem to study it. Feeling its way back. Thinking. Planning. It paused, glancing between the conveyer belt and her, before using both talons, to grab the edges of the band and began to tug. She could hear herself tearfully object, as the machine continued to use its powerful claws to clutch the belt, and proceed to pull Tyann out. As she frantically crawled against the movement, she squeezed the locket she still clasped, hoping that enough time had passed. The machines next yank was abrupt enough to unbalance her, as well as confirm, that it was indeed, still active. An involuntary scream erupted from her chest, echoing off the tunnels metallic walls.

It had her by the foot.

Head swimming from terror, she managed a kick, then another. While feeling a little confused by how easily she broke free, she clambered deeper into safety. She didn't notice the explosions at first. Tyann was too focused on the belt movement, or lack thereof. As she looked over her shoulder, shock slowly turned to joy, at the sight of the machine slumped over. She felt the unmistakable vibrations of the EMF bumps resonating through her body. Everything melted away as Tyann collapsed into a tear filled relief.

Suddenly, the surface of the belt felt different under her hands. Cool, fresh, and alive. She blinked back the abrupt emergence of light. Tyann's eyes focused on the new texture beneath her. Grass.

"Oh Ty, my love, let me help you up." Kind, gentle hands righted a patio chair before helping her sit in it. Her face beamed, as she raised her eyes to meet his, already recognizing Ziggy's voice. His green eyes sparkled. "You were on another adventure, weren't you my dear?"

Clarity returning, she wrapped her arms around the neck she had adored for over six decades. A sense of content enveloped her, as she observed her surroundings. Several outdoor tables of festive food and drink were being grazed upon by cheerful families. The lawn was freckled by soft blankets, supporting delighted sky watchers. Tyann sighed, as the heavens exploded in brilliant, multi-colored, star patterns, followed by soul resonating thunder.

Ziggy grinned, "Glad your back my love, the center is throwing a heck of a party." Tyann blushed, "How long was I out?" "Well lets see," Ziggy pondered, "We came out of our room about eight to enjoy the festivities and you nodded off in that chair shortly after. I'd say you slept close to an hour." "An hour!?" She coughed her surprise. Ziggy shook his head, "I know better than to try and wake you from one of those naps." As her annoyance dissipated, her eyes lit up. "I believe I have enough for at least three more chapters, and guess what?" "What?" He chuckled. "I finally figured out how to stop those wretched machines! Thank you so much for all the tips." "Ziggy clapped, "Well now! That's cause for a celebration! Excuse me, Miss, may I please have this dance?" Tyann's heart soared as Ziggy hummed there favorite song, while waltzing her through the courtyard, gracefully skirting bodies and blankets.

Both winded, they plopped back into their chairs and quenched their thirst with some sweet tea. They had sashayed around during the entire fireworks finale. Ziggy's smile faded as his brow furrowed, "Ty, It was a little disconcerting to turn around and find you face down on the lawn earlier." You sure your not hurt? I probably should have asked you this before I went swinging you around the yard!" Tyann sat up, "Now don't you worry honey, I'm just fine." She resisted the urge to comfort her aching knees. "However." Reluctantly Tyann exacted the heart out of her pocket. "I managed to break the chain on my locket. The one you gave me for our anniversary." Ziggy leaned forward and kissed Ty's cheek. "Now don't you fret my dear. Why don't you let me have a look at it, you know I'm still pretty good at fixing stuff." Tyann deflated into the warmth she felt for her husband. All these years, and he still had a way of making everything feel ok. Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed the scrutinizing look on Ziggy's face as he studied the locket. She could feel the hair on the back of her neck lift. "Is everything okay Zig?" He was still staring intensely at the heart, "Ty, I know I'm getting pretty old and all, but I just don't ever remember seeing a red light on this locket before. And why the heck is it blinking?" He looked up and locked his bright inquisitive eyes with her terrified, blank ones.

Tyann was too busy listening to see him. Too focused on what she could hear. Everything else melted away, as she became oh, so very aware of the faint sound of metallic whirring.