Tooty Cluster: Chapter 2
TOOTY CLUSTER
CHAPTER TWO: THE RED VILLAGE
My clone (I really should ask his name) began walking and the other clones and I followed. As we walked, sweat dripped down my forehead. It was excruciatingly hot and the walk seemed to take forever. I thought to myself… why did the gem bring me here?
As we walked, The clones spoke about their plans to continue building their city. They had chosen a leader, the man who spoke to me, to help create structure and order in this foreign place. I briefly felt a pang in my stomach at the thought of another leader with control, another President. Can humans exist in power without becoming intoxicated by it?
I could see a pyramid-like structure in the distance, floating above the sand. I couldn’t tell how far away it was. “Do you know where you came from?” I asked.
The man shrugged. “Does it matter? We’re here now.”
“Do you remember Earth?” Do you remember the Binary Era?
“Vaguely. Like distant and fragmented images. But we don’t like to dwell on the past here. We need to focus on the future, on survival. On making this planet habitable.”
“You’re my clone. I stepped into the cloning machine, and here you are.”
“Maybe you’re MY clone.” The man teased.
Somehow, this irritated me. Though he must have been teasing. “You’re my clone. I’m sure of it.”
“What’s your name?” he asked me as he stopped and began digging in the sand.
It reminded me of the army dogs back home. I mean, back on Earth. They would dig beneath the ground, searching for secret objects that might have been buried. Thinking back on it now… were the dogs searching for gems? Did my father always know about the power of the rainbow gem? But I can’t keep thinking about that place, im here now.
“Nitsua,” I replied.
He replied, “Okay, Nitsua. We all look a little alike. But you can’t prove I’m your clone, as much as I can’t prove your mine. But again. It doesn’t MATTER. Focus on the present. It’s barren here, We need water!”
