Lies and Liars (Part 2)

I rush to the bookshelf filled with the completed lie books. I scan the names, over and over. No Alaska Hess.

I spin in a circle, desperately scanning the room. The dread of messing up and disappointing the Elders was like an anvil on my chest.

"Where could it have gone?" I run a panicked hand through my dark hair. I can feel the pressure building in my rib cage and closing my throat with terror. It was like being underwater and seeing all light fade away as I sunk deeper and deeper.

I can no longer see straight. The bookshelf in front of me is fading in and out of focus. Feeling suddenly dizzy, I sit down hard, jarring my head. I'm shaking all over.

I try to get my breathing under control, just like Doctor told me.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

Slowly. Painfully. I regained some control of my body.

Using the last of my energy, I drag myself into my cot. Ole Bertha and Alaska Hess will have to wait until morning.

Lies and Liars (Part 1)

Everyone gets a book filled with the lies people have been told on their 18th birthday. But someone must track the lies. Meet Samuel, or as the LCHX calls him, Sammy. He is responsible for making sure the lie collector machines run smoothly and that every person in his district gets their book on time.

Waist deep in a lie vat, I hear a familiar concerned whirring behind me. "Ole Bertha has broken down again, hasn't she? LCHX? " I call to the robot hovering. 

"I'm afraid so, Sammy. It appears that the inscriber has broken and impaled the lie paper. Again." LCHX moves to perch on a table, swinging its leg. 

I twist and wiggle my way out of the vat. "Really? That's the ninth time this month." My face and arms are covered in both machine and lie grease. "I give up! Can you send a request to the Elders to see if we can get another lie center to help?"

LCHX's gears twist and turn as the message is sent out. An automated response appears on its chest a moment later. 

The Elders have received your request. Please expect a response in 7-9 Etia rotations. 

"Thanks, LCHX." I glanced at the clock. It was nearly 5 o'clock Etia time. "LCHX, isn't it time for you to get to the dock so you can make it to your next lie center?" I turned to address the friendly robot, but it has already left. 

I sigh and start to clean my work station. As I do, I come across the schedule for all the lie books I need to deliver in the Shiel quarter. Most of them have been delivered, but the last one on the page hadn't been marked off. I frantically scan the page, hoping against hope I'm wrong. But to no avail.

Alaska Hess. 718 Trovel Street, Abry District, Etia.

I've forgotten one in my daily haste.

I yell and curse to no one.  I check the time again. 5:02. Too late. 

Blog Status Update

Hi to the followers of my blog,
As you may have noticed, the name, layout, and theme have all recently changed on my blog. This is because over the last couple of months I have chosen that I want to pursue writing as a career as I continue in life. Don´t get me wrong, I still love birds and will continue my activities involving birds, but more as a hobby. Now that I´ve said that, back to the blog. I´m not completely sure of what will be posted on this blog, but it will be a place where I try different styles of writing and experiment with my writing.
Thanks for sticking with me,
Cairn