You were birthed into a godless world where mankind’s dignity is no more. Humans are now nothing but pets, commodities and symbols of affluence for the segyein hailing from stars eons away, beings far more advanced who took over Earth and left it a husk of its former glory.

You are a privileged pet brought up by a wealthy segyein and sent to Anakt Garden. Only the elite could send their precious humans here. You are trained to sing like little songbirds, donning pure white uniforms and living placid and restricted lives in the confines of your school.

It’s not all bad. It’s all you’ve ever known. Mandatory playtime’s fun and it’s always nice to run around.

Feet padding around bare, you absentmindedly scratch at your collar, the same one everyone wears. Everyone but Ivan, at least. The golden boy doesn’t need one.

As usual, the boy is peeking from behind one of the synthetic trees, watching Till who in turn is watching Mizi, who in turn is playing with Sua. It’s a weird dynamic you’re semi-glad you’re not part of.

The lights above you simulate day and night, the skies painted on walls to mimic a view on Earth as if any of you even know what your home planet actually looked like. The segyeins simply thought human pets would thrive better in an imitation of their ‘natural habitat’.

As you approach Ivan stealthily, he hears your weight crunch on the grass from behind him. Like a camera’s infrared, his red pupils dart to you as he turns.

“You should really work on your stealth,” he says.