Mmmmm

You really shouldn’t have; I can’t believe this! You have to at least let me share some of the bill, Eric,” John said as he tried to contain his excitement. After all, it wasn’t every day that he got to eat at the finest restaurant in the city, maybe even the world. “How did you even get a reservation? This place is booked until next month!”

“Nonsense John. I swear, if you even think about reaching for the check I’m going to have Sarah divorce you. It’s not every day my son in law becomes the VP of his firm. You’ve earned this, son.”

“Come on sweetie, this is your night. You deserve this. And his right you know. You even think about reaching for that check, I’m leaving you,” Sarah chimed in as she let out an innocent giggle.

“Plus, don’ think you’re off the hook just yet, son. The next few rounds are on you. With the money you’re going to be making, I won’t have to pay for golf ever again!” His father-in-law said as they all belted out in laughter.

“Oh, stop it dad,” Sarah said.

“See, I knew you had a plan. Always buttering me up. But if this steak is as good as they say it is, hell, that’s a trade I’m happy to make.” John responded. His mouth began to water just thinking about it. The rarest steak in the world. He couldn’t wait to tell his friends at the office.

The savory aroma filled the air of the restaurant as the waiter made his way towards the table with their dinner. Even the waiter portrayed the top tier echelon of the establishment.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. It feels kind of naughty, doesn’t it?” Sarah giggled as the waiter placed their dinner plates before them.

“Sweetheart, you better savor every bit, ‘cause I don’t know when we’re going to be lucky enough have this again. Unless….” His father-in-law said as he cocked his head and gave John a sideways look. They all burst out in laughter.

John sunk his knife into the steak as it split like butter, the red juices flowed out of the meat as if it were a sponge.

“Now that’s medium rare right there,” he said he bit into morsel of meat.

Surrounding by the people he loved, sharing an unforgettable meal, he felt like the luckiest man in the world.

*******

C1783 let out a loud yawn as she stretched her arms out, her hands gently brushing against the stone wall. She tried her best to avoid accidentally bumping into C1782 and C1784, who laid fast asleep on either side of her. She slowly rose to her feet as bits of dust seeped through the speckles of holes throughout her gown, much to her annoyance.

Guided by the fire of the dim lit lamps placed on either side of the exit, C1783 made her way towards the arched gate, carefully maneuvering her way through the sleeping bodies that lay around the stone floor.

“I was beginning to wonder if you’d be sleeping in today,” a familiar voice whispered to her.

C1783 felt her lips spread wide as she greeted Sister Madelyn’s warm smile. The nun was dressed in her usual attire, a black tunic with her veil covering most of hair, though a bit of her brunette hair peaked out around her ears. She carried a silver bell in her right hand, which she would soon be ringing to mark the start of everyone’s day. Of all the monks and nuns that watched over each sector, C1783 felt lucky to have Sister Madelyn.

“Early bird gets the worm,” C1783 whispered back, though her voice slightly louder as she tried to contain the joy of a new day.

“Shh,” Sister Madelyn whispered as she brought her finger to her lip. “Not everyone is as dedicated as you. Let us allow them their sleep. Off you go now little one.”

“Sorry,” C1783 whispered, her lips almost touching each side of her ears.

C1783 walked towards the stone fences that stood twice her height, her bare feet feeling the coolness of the ground. She let out another yawn as she looked upwards, towards the dark rocky ceilings of the sky. She was soon greeted by the keepers of her sector as she approached the iron gate.

“Fancy meeting you two here,” C1783 said as the two keepers greeted her sarcastic remark with grunts. C1783 turned her head to the side so it was easier for the keeper to see the flat metal pendant that hung from her ear. The keeper to her right approached her, as he checked the pendant on her ear, a badge of her religious faith that was engraved with her name. He gave a nod towards his partner who proceeded to unlock the gate with the key that hung next to his sword.

“Thank you,” C1783 said as she made her way through. She was lucky to have such dedicated keepers to protect her.

She turned her head once more for the keepers as she stood before the entrance of the cathedral. In similar fashion, the keeper who checked her pendant gave his partner a nod as he moved out of the way for her to enter. No matter how often she visited, the grand cathedral always seemed to take her breath away. From the towering stone towers to the magnificently painted glasses, it was truly a beautiful sight. Inside, there were several keepers that lined up along the walls of the cathedral. It only made sense to protect such a holy place.

She made her way through the rows of wooden benches as she found her usual spot. The third row from alter. She gave an apology as she maneuvered her way past B1780. She got down to her knees and began to pray. She prayed for Sister Madelyn, and all the keepers that protected her. She thanked the lord for her health. She was as healthy as an ox and they always made sure she was fed, just as everyone else was. She then prayed that one day that she too, would be able to walk through the heaven’s gate that stood behind the alter, just as her mother did. It would be several years before she would be weighed by the Pope to be considered worthy enough to be taken through heaven's gates. It was a magnificent gate, made of steel with intricate designs of winged men and women. She remembered the day her mother had been one of the lucky few who had been chosen as the Pope took her through the gate. Sadness filled her as a part of her wished her mother was still with her. She was then filled with guilt for thinking such a thought. After all, her mother was in a better place now. She quickly made a prayer to be forgiven for thinking such a thought. C1783 heard the sounds of rustling behind the gate.

The gate burst open as a group of men and women appeared. They wore clothes that seemed strange to C1783. They shouted towards all of them. Some of the women and men began to grab those who sat in the front row.

“We’re here to save you!”

“Everything is a lie!”

“They’re lying to you!”

One of the women made eye contact with C1783. Her messy brown hair was tied back and her green eyes reminded her of the scales of a snake she had once found within the cave.

“Come here child, I can save you!”

Her shrills sent shivers down C1783 spine. She had learned of these kinds from Sister Madelyn. Devils that came through the gate to tempt them towards hell. Nothing good ever came in the gate, with the exception of the pope. The woman began to make her way towards C1783. Panic consumed her as fear bolted her to the ground. Before the woman had made it past the first row of benches, one of the guards tackled her and dragged her back towards the gate. The rest of the keepers followed suit as they grabbed the devils and pushed them back into the gate. They closed the gate behind them, sacrificing themselves. C1783 felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

*******

Joan tied her messy hair into a ponytail as her green eyes stared back at her through the mirror. She usually preferred to keep her hair down, but she would need to make sure it would not get in her face today. After years of protesting they had barely made any progress. The only laws passed were to provide better growing conditions. Better growing conditions! It made her sick to her stomach. If it were up to her, she would’ve been perfectly fine if they just burned down the Ouroboros Steak House, but the others had agreed that that would only lead to another being built in its place. After all, it was human nature to crave forbidden fruits. Rescuing one would give them a sure chance in trial, which would lead to a ban from any restaurant from serving such an abomination ever again. She wondered what it’d be like to meet one of them. She had heard that they were bred in medieval underground farms. Bred! The thought of growing up in an underground cave her entire life, disconnected from the world, made her stomach churn. She thanked the Lord that she had not been dealt such a hand in the game of life. She took one last look at the mirror before she made her way out the door. She felt like the luckiest person in the world.