(Viewpoint: Roum)

  I don't know how long I slept.

  Here, time seems to stand still. No direct sunlight. No city noise to greet you.

  Just a white light that slowly brightens, as if the apartment were deciding for me that I had slept enough.

  I open my eyes.

  The ceiling is the same. Motionless. Clean.

  For a second, I forget where I am.

  The comfort of the bed, that breeze coming from I don't know where, my body had become light and free

  Then everything comes back all at once.

  Unit 1.

  Alpha-1.

  The map.

  The voice in the walls.

  I sit up suddenly, eyes wide open, heart pounding.

  - … Good morning ?

  Silence.

  No immediate response.

  That's strange.

  I run a hand over my face. I have the strange sensation of having dreamed without really dreaming. As if I had stayed awake contemplating a world, something had been playing in the background, in my head, like a film.

  I stand up. My feet touch the cold ground.

  –...haa~

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  It's nice

  Normal.

  Everything is always too good.

  I slowly cross the apartment. The bay window offers a different view than yesterday. The city is more active now. Silhouettes move along the walkways. Groups. Units.

  They all know where to go.

  But not me.

  — Assistant…? I said cautiously.

  A slight delay.

  [HELLO, Roum.]

  Her voice is lower than the day before. Less intrusive. Almost… polite.

  – Is it morning?

  [ACTIVE CYCLE: IN A WAY, IT'S ALREADY 11:00 AM]

  – You could have warned me.

  [YOU NEEDED REST.]

  I breathe.

  – Of course, and it's up to you to decide, in a slightly sarcastic tone

  [YES, THAT'S MY ROLE]

  – it's not worth it

  I head towards the bathroom. The mirror reflects my image without filter. No artificial enhancement. No correction.

  Just me.

  I look cleaner, brighter I would say. More alive.

  – Today… what is planned?

  A brief silence.

  Calculation.

  Analyse.

  [Unit 1 briefing in 38 minutes.]

  I freeze.

  – Briefing for what?

  [ MISSION D’OBSERVATION. ]

  – Observation of what? Why don't you ever tell me about important things?

  Another silence.

  [YOUR TEXT.]

  My stomach is in knots.

  - … Already ?

  [YOU ARE PART OF THE UNIT.]

  I look away from the mirror.

  — I haven't done anything yet.

  [ EXACTLY. ]

  I grit my teeth.

  – It's not me who decides

  [IF IT'S UP TO YOU TO DECIDE.]

  I get dressed in silence.

  The clothes are already there, put away, in my size.

  Simple.

  Functional.

  Neither military nor civilians.

  Between two worlds. Like me.

  When I leave the apartment, the hallway is more lively than yesterday, and my large door was transparent. My unit passes by. Some people look at me. Others completely ignore it.

  I recognize Ela from afar.

  She's talking to someone I don't know. She sees me. Stops. And waits for me.

  "Did you sleep well?" she asked through the door.

  I was surprised

  – Huh?, assistant, can everyone see me?

  She tilts her head slightly.

  "Of course not," Ela scoffed, "I can talk to you because we are from the same community and I only see your temperature."

  [AGENT ELA HAS ALREADY ANSWERED, DO YOU WANT TO GIVE ANOTHER INSTRUCTION?]

  – Yes, open the door

  I went out to join Ela

  We walk side by side. Her silence isn't heavy. It's... soothing; I rediscover a small pleasure that only she could offer me.

  .

  "Do you know about the mission?" I asked.

  - Yes.

  – And how does it work?

  ELA looks at me. For a long time.

  – I don't really know, Roum.

  A written test, that's how it works here.

  I nod my head, without being convinced.

  – Will the group be there?

  A faint, sad smile crossed his face.

  - Obviously.

  As if he had been summoned once again, a dry voice cuts through the corridor.

  – You're dragging your feet.

  Chetan is leaning against a wall, arms crossed. He sizes me up directly. Without any pretense.

  Is the new guy ready, or is he going to ask more pointless questions?

  "He's ready," Ela replied before I could.

  Chetan sneers.

  – It's the same.

  We arrive at a room darker than the others. A wide door. Black. Familiar.

  My heart is racing.

  "Is this it?" I whispered.

  Ela, please agree.

  – Nothing dangerous. Just a sheet of paper and a pen… normally.

  I look at her.

  – You always say that before or after everything falls apart, I haven't studied anything

  A corner of her lips lifts.

  – No need, we all know the answers, it comes naturally

  .

  The door opens.

  Inside, Alpha-1 is already there.

  Standing. Motionless. As if she had been waiting forever.

  His gaze fell on me immediately.

  I feel that familiar pressure. That feeling of being seen beyond what I show.

  – You're on time, candidate Roum.

  I don't know if that's a compliment.

  – Settle in, do as the others do, Welcome to your official test.

  I swallow my saliva.

  "What if I make a mistake?" I murmured.

  She stares at me, impassive.

  – silence .

  Silence.

  “What interests me,” she continued,

  That's what you'll do next.

  I understand now.

  The leaves appeared.

  This is not a skills test.

  It's a personality test.

  And I have no idea what grade I deserve.