<<Edited>>

I peer up at the black expanse overhead through the thick translucent walls over me. These walls are all that lies between us and the air outside. They block out the gases outside, which, if inhaled directly, can lead immediately to death. The oxygen regulators inside the cabins are all that keep us alive.

As usual, I wonder if any other planets host life, just like ours or maybe even different creatures in different conditions.

A siren starts ringing loudly all of a sudden, making me jump. Well, I am a little paranoid. Chuck that, I'm quite paranoid.

"Zing? Come on, it's time!" I yell, remembering that the siren is supposed to be our cue to report.

Just like he always does, Zing appears soundlessly out of nowhere that I know and winds up by my side.

"Ready to go, Fi?"

I roll my eyes. It's always me calling him, him coming, and then asking me if I'm ready. Why would he think I'd call him if I wasn't ready?

Not bothering to respond, I just walk to the exit and nearly barge outside, nearly because Zing yanks me back by my collar.

"Idiot, who's not wearing an oxygen tank? The answer rhymes with gala," he asks me.

"Oh, right!" I say, slapping my forehead.

I keep forgetting to take my oxygen tank with me when I go outside, even though I've been wearing it on my own since I've been able to walk. Zing tosses me my tank and I reach out to catch it in the last second.

"How many times will you forget it, Fi?" he tells me, annoyed.

I shrug and say, "That is gonna be the death of me."

He stares at me, unappreciative of my punny joke, making me impulsively add, "Literally."

It is a true fact, though. There's no oxygen in the chambers, so if anyone forgets their tank, they're as good as gone.

I put my tank into place and walk out into the corridors, Zing following me. The corridors are all devoid of any gases and have artificial gravity to keep us rooted to the floor.

We are supposed to go to an assembly point where the Head of Space Research is going to announce those shortlisted for the new space exploration scheme for which Zing and I applied. We follow the route map we were given when we registered, and reach the point in a couple of minutes.

Upon reaching, we are directed into a cabin. Taking off our tanks when we enter, we stand by the back of the cabin while most of our contemporaries crowd around the front.

Soon, the Head of Space Research, who introduces himself as Wick Zippin, walks in and talks about the scheme. He flicks out a sheet and reads out the shortlisted pairs who applied.

One. Not us.

Two. Not us.

Three. Not us.

"The last pair..." he drawls.

I have given up hope and am about to head out when I hear, "Arduch."

"What?" I whisper.

Wick Zippin repeats, "The fourth and final pair shortlisted are Zing and Fila Arduch."

I stare incredulously at Zing as Zippin continues, "The shortlisted pairs are to stay alert and await further instructions within the next two days."

Zippin puts on his tank and walks out. The other pairs who weren't shortlisted give us envious stares as they walk out.

Zing and I are the last to exit the cabin. I look at Zing to say something but stop short when I see his expression. Zing wears an intense expression that I never even knew he was capable of.

"Zing?" I say, my tone questioning when we're halfway to our cabin.

He absent-mindedly mumbles in response.

"Zing, what are you thinking about?" I ask impatiently.

"Fi, are you not even a bit excited about us being shortlisted?" his right eyebrow quirks up.

"Yeah, but we still have only 25 per cent probability of being picked."

"That's better than zero, Fi."

"That's true," I admit.

"Fi!"

"What?" I mimic his tone

"Fila Arduch, is this really you?"

"I'm certain I am her. Why do you ask?"

"The Fila Arduch I know would be ecstatic right now, 'cause we're one step closer to realizing our dream."

I absent-mindedly mumble in response, in a hazy trance myself.

"Fila!" he shakes my shoulders.

"What?" I snap out of my trance, now annoyed.

"Fila!" he squeals.

"Zing, I don't care if I lose out on the opportunity to go out of Zorg, and I will kill you if you don't tell me what the Zorg you're talking about right now!" I say, nearly yelling.

Zing unconsciously edges backwards, now careful, gesturing to me to calm down.

"Now!"

"Alright, alright!" he concedes.

I stand with my arms crossed and tap my feet, staring at Zing impatiently.

"Fi, did you forget?"

"Forget what?"

Zing gives me another shake as if to clear my head.

"Fi, this is all we've dreamed of from when we could think! Don't you remember how we used to stare out of the walls and wonder what lies beyond Zorg's confines?"

Before I know it, a smile spreads on my face at the memories.

"Zing, can I tell you something?"

"Sure."

"Okay, you know how we used to stare out and wonder?"

"I just said that."

I ignore his response and continue, "I still do that."

A look of surprise crosses his face.

"You do, too?"

"You do?"

"I do!"

"I still do!"

Someone behind us says, "I now pronounce you-"

"NO!" Zing and I exclaim at the same time, making the Zorgian jump back.

"But I thought you were-"

"Oh, for Zorg's sake!" I exclaim as Zing tells the Zorgian that we're twins.

"Oh!" he says and slowly backs away awkwardly.

Zing and I walk to our cabin, all the while reminiscing our childhood days of staring out and wondering. I even tell Zing about the times I imagined there was life elsewhere.

He starts at my statement and says, "Fi, I heard rumours that there came some signs of life elsewhere."

"Where?!" I nearly scream, my eyes widening.

"One of the planets of that star," he says, pointing out at a tiny white star almost invisible through the wall.

"Oh, really?" I exclaim, my excitement not waning at how far the star must be from us to appear that tiny a dot.

"Yes! I mean, I guess there has to be some place where life is possible, probably even without all of our fortifications."

My eyes now sparkling with the joy of hearing this new information, I extract as much news as possible from Zing. This was a random abstract thought I had and mindlessly kept chasing, but now that I know it may be true, I'm excited, so much!

After a while, Zing just stops walking. I turn around and look at him cautiously.

"What?" I ask him, unsure.

"Look, Fi, I know you're quite excited about this, but..." he trails off.

"What?" I repeat.

"Fi, it's just a rumour, it may not be true," he says dejectedly.

My face must look crestfallen, making Zing say, "That's why I didn't want to tell you at first."

"But, Zing, don't you see the possibility?" I ask, still hopeful.

"Of what?"

"Of Utopia being more than just a dream!" I exclaim.

"Fi, that's probably just-"

"An old tale?"

"Yes," he nods in reply.

"I don't care, Zing; I'm a dreamer, and I'm not gonna let realists like you pull me down."

"Fi, there's no point in believing in unlikely things."

"Hope is an extremely strong force, Zing; don't lose sight of it," I say and continue walking.

Utopia may not be real, but it doesn't hurt to believe it could be.

§°§°§°§

For some reason, the banner I created isn't getting uploaded so I'm posting it here.

Banner:

Link: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgtjhASWIAAy6qR.jpg:large

Thank you for reading!!

If you want to create any banners, PM me!

§°§°§°§