“Fuck it’s that day again isn’t it?” Kinjo muttered as someone pounded on his door.

“Hey, bro get up! Yes, it’s the last day of our lives. We get to become ‘Patriots’ today and become part of the Hive mind.” Meridian said opening his step-brother's door.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Kin sighed, starting to get dressed.

“Well, we had a nice life though, right? I wish there was anything we could do.”

“Yeah for the 3 years I’ve been here, but man even if we get killed or brainwashed, at least we lived as well as we could.” Kin sighed but put on his black hoodie with a pink Omega symbol on it. “Welp let’s go.”

“Come on, let's go get some breakfast. It’s our last meal with self-control.” Meridian said patting Kinjo on the head.

“Don’t pat my head I’m taller than you,” Kinjo replied shooing his hand off his messy gray hair.

“Do you think I care? This is our last day together! Loosen up! Here, take your share of the Cities Embellishment for us to get our last meal: Breakfast!” Meridian exclaimed, giving Kin an envelope that had his name in it. Inside of the envelope was money that the city gives the kids to sustain themselves before they reach 18 and get assimilated into the Hive mind.

“Welp, let’s do this then.” Kinjo sighed grabbing his share of the money. Meridian smiled sadly and walked out the door and turned left towards some of the shops that the Hive had set up.

“What's your last meal gonna be Kinjo?”

“Are you absolutely sure McDonald's doesn’t exist in this world?” Kinjo asked somberly.

“Brother, I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that I have no idea what a ‘McDonalds’ is,” Meridian said looking at him with a downcast face.

He sighed. “Welp what about burgers then?” he offered.

“I mean, sure! It’s our last meal! Let’s find someone whos selling burgers! Dinner for breakfast!”

“Well, we should enjoy our last breakfasts so burgers it is.” Kin walked off into the direction of the food area and found a stall with someone selling burgers.

“Hello, I’ll take the largest burger you got with everything on it,” Meridian told the man at the stall.

“Same.” Kin replied. The two got their burgers and started to eat in the area sitting at a table. They sat there for a bit eating in peaceful silence both of them pondering what is going to happen to them. When they finished Kinjo sighed in satisfaction and said,

“Welp guess it’s time to go.” He said as he got up.

“Yeah, we best be getting to the capitol building before noon. We don’t want to be late.” Meridian mumbled through a mouthful of burger. He turned around and went to throw his trash away when he did, he noticed a middle-aged man wearing black gloves across the When he turned to the man, he was gone. He looked at where he was questionable then turned around and walked out of the restaurant. He turned right towards the middle of the city and where the capitol building was.

“Hey, Kinjo? Do you think the Gloved Ones are gonna make an appearance today? I think I might have just seen one back there, but I’m not sure.” Meridian said pointing back to the restaurant.

“Maybe. They are infamous for showing up when you least expect it, but my guess is that they’re here for you. After all, man, I’m technically not registered into this hell hole.” Kin sighed.

“If they do show up, you're coming with me. I don't care what they say. You’re my brother from…… well, wherever you came from.” Meridian said, tackling him.

“For the last time, I’m from Japan.” Kin sighed, pushing Meridian off him.

“How am I supposed to remember a place I didn’t even know existed? Now, what are you going to miss about life, Kinjo?” He said as he looked at the ground.

“Japan. And my time with you bro.” Kin replied.

“Nice, same here. A lot changed when you came around.”

“Yeah. Anyways, we go in now right?” He asked as they came up to a large metal building that looked like a metal box with a small door at the front.

“I guess that pretty much what they told us to do, even though I wish I didn't have to.”

“Welp ladies first.” Kin smiled bowing slightly. Meridian scowled at him and walked through the door into a large white room, brown droopy looking chairs were distributed all across the floor. In front of the room, there was a large stage with another double door behind it. Most of the chairs were filled with teenagers already. Meridian walked to the front of the room where no one was sitting. He went to a pair of chairs and sat in the right chair.

Kin, following right behind, sat to the left of him. After a few minutes, the door behind the stage opened and a man with a black suit and black tattoos all over his body walked out and said,

“Welcome children, to the 25th annual Patriot Day! As you may know, I am President Derall Broak. I am pleased to announce that today you all will start living life to the fullest! You probably have questions about what will happen. But don’t worry, you will all know everything soon. Now please, everyone step this way through this door where my assistants will direct you to a room.” President Derall stated as he walked back through the door. Meridian and Kinjo got up and walked through the door first where a servant stepped up.

“Ok well, I’ll see ya later Merid.” Kin said being escorted by a servant with black hair and more black tattoos on her body. Another servant stepped up, this one being a male with the same black tattoos. He looked at Meridian and gestured down the right hall, the opposite direction from Kin.

Meridian followed the servant as they walked down a white hall with pitch-black doors. After a while they stopped in front of a door that looked like all the others, the servant took out a key ring and fingered through the keys until he got to a key that looked like all the others. He put the key in the door and the door opened. He opened the door wider and gestured Meridian to walk inside.

Inside was a black reclining chair with a small table next to it. On the table, there was a small syringe with black liquid swirling inside. The servant walked up to the chair and motioned for him to sit down. Meridian walked over to the chair and sat down and looked back at the servant who just picked up the syringe.

The servant walked over to him and injected the syringe into the side of his neck. Meridian flinched then his vision faded into nothingness.