章 6: Connection

He looks at the thin smartphone in his hand in excitement. Quickly operating it, he looks through the collection of apps in it.

He is surprised. It seems like it have it's own in-built internet that seems to connect to some system in this planet. The range of it's connection is global, so even without a satellite, it can still connect to anything.

He tries using the call function then go for the emergency calls.

He didn't know if there are any police or FBI here. Though this smartphone seems to be connected somewhere so he decided to call that place. The smartphone have this convenient function which lists everything it connected to and he can pick to call wherever it is.

After waiting for awhile, he heard the familiar sound of someone taking the call. He looks at the options and quickly choose the speaker one so he can hear the receiver clearly.

["You've reached the Central Human Society Tower. May I know who is this?"]

He coughs, and takes awhile to compose himself. Even if it's not that long for him in perspective, he is still waiting for any human interaction so he felt a bit anxious.

"Right. Hello, my name is Neil Howard. Can you please help me?"

["Help? Are there any trouble in your area?"]

"Actually, I am inside this dilapidated building. It's in the middle of this forest. I don't know, but I hope you can help me get out of here!" He pleaded.

["In the middle of the forest?"]

The woman on the call sounds confused.

["Wait for a bit. I'll try and look at our database."]

He heard some clicking sounds on the receiver's end. After it stops, she speaks in a neutral manner.

["I'm sorry sir but you are not registering to our area of influence. Your connection seems to be somewhere outside our jurisdiction, so we can't help you in your predicament."]

"Huh? But I am in the middle of the forest! Can't you just put a rescue team or something?"

["Sorry sir. Rescue teams are only dispatched for high class personnel. I don't know how you got your hands on a high end smartphone, but due to you not being registered as one of our high class members, there will be no rescue teams for you."]

"Huh!? What the fuck is with that!?"

["Well then sir, have a nice day!"]

"Hey, wait!"

The line cut off.

He stared at the phone in shock, uncomprehending what just happened.

What does being a high class personnel do to a person stranded in a hostile area?

Isn't it natural to save people stuck in these areas?

He didn't know that the world have already changed. It's not just this place, it's the whole world itself.

The people in this world is not as forgiving anymore. They don't have any responsibilities. Human rights is nothing on this world anymore. So even if they don't help someone, no one will bat an eye. They won't be criticized by the people because this world works differently.

Without this knowledge, he thought that people will still try and help him. Maybe there are just some corrupt people in their organization or something.

He tries to call the Tower once again, but only the sound of the snooze can be heard. It seems like he is blocked or just being ignored by them.

".... Goddammit! What the fuck is wrong with them!"

He is fuming. He can't help but shout it out in frustration. His cautiousness against the elements outside are forgotten as he gets mad.

He tries to calm himself, though he really can't. He is still breathing raggedly, as his hands clenches, gripping the smartphone harder.

Good thing, the smartphone seems to be very durable.

After awhile, he sighs before looking at his phone.

There are no more he can connect to other than that Tower. He didn't even know how to find one.

It seems like while this phone can connect to everyone in this globe, it only connects to main networks like the Tower awhile ago. As for individual phones, he needs to add their numbers before he can call them.

It is frustrating. The only time he felt that hopeful, and it was crushed just like that.

"Right.... I'll think about this tomorrow...."

He felt a headache so he decided to stop this right now. He put the phone on the edge of the bed before getting comfortable on the blanket. The metal pipe is put in arm's reach and the lantern somewhere on the corner of the wall, the light set to Medium.

He looks at the ceiling before leaning on the side, his eyes now turned to the window.

"Maybe I will be stuck here for a long time." He frowned.

It is a depressing thought, but the reality is just that. No one is going to help him. He have to find a way and make himself safe.

The outside is full of unknowns. He didn't know whether there are other abominable creatures hiding on those greenery. He didn't want to try his luck and become monster feed.

"I have to sleep for now. Then I'll think what I should do next!"

With that decided, he tries to forget the stressful talk awhile ago and sleep. It's pretty hard but he managed to go to sleep after a few minutes of rolling around on the bed.