Maya's POV

  I stared at Alex, still trying to wrap my head around the situation. The man standing before me was a far cry from the 6-foot muscular guy I had met and banged in a haze of drunkenness just a night ago. Yet, there was something about him that drew me in, something that made me believe him, despite the absurdness of his story.

  As someone who had lived in Sector 11 most of her life, I knew the city's dangers all too well. A city teeming with a whole lot of edgerunners, and gun-for-hires, where only a few hundred sane people managed to keep their heads above water in a sea of over 50,000. My life hadn't been easy, especially after losing my parents at the age of 12. Since then, I had been on my own, navigating the city's underbelly with a mix of caution and desperation.

  My job at the tech company wasn't my dream, but it paid the bills. And, as I often did, I would go to hotels and meet with men; gigolos apparently, and spend the night with them to at least ease my fucked up life. I wake up early, drop the cash and leave early the next morning. But Alex was different. His innocence was palpable, a quality I hadn't encountered in a long time. Given my experiences, I couldn't help but feel a strange connection to him, a sense that maybe, just maybe, there was more to life than the city's harsh realities. And this certainly ain't love, just amusement.

  Alex POV

  As I stood beside Maya, I felt like a canvas of questions, each stroke of curiosity painting a masterpiece of confusion. My mind swirled with inquiries, a maelstrom of thoughts clamoring for attention. Who was I? How did I get here? What is this city?

  Maya's eyes seemed to hold secrets, and I yearned to unravel them. She appeared puzzled, yet intrigued, by my presence. Her gaze lingered on me, as if searching for something hidden beneath the surface.

  We stepped out of the hotel, and the city's vibrant pulse enveloped us. Towering skyscrapers pierced the sky, their exteriors a mesh of neon lights and futuristic architecture. Flying cars zipped through the air, their hum filling the atmosphere.

  My eyes widened in awe as I took in the unfamiliar landscape. "This is...incredible," I breathed.

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  Maya chuckled, a hint of amusement dancing on her lips. "It's just Sector 11," she said, her voice casual.

  I stared at her, bewildered. "Just Sector 11?" I repeated.

  She shrugged. "Yeah, it's not that big of a deal."

  I couldn't help but wonder what kind of world she came from if this wasn't impressive to her cuz it damn was the greatest wonder I've ever seen. As we walked, Maya pointed out various landmarks, explaining the city's intricacies.

  My mind reeled with questions. How did she know so much about this place? What was her story?

  As we strolled through the city, I noticed the diverse crowd. Humanoid beings, looking like half robots, half humans and guys with hoodies and cropped bomber jackets skating all around and others mostly men and women in suits apparently going to work. "Guess they both have something in common", I thought. The city's atmosphere was a mix of chaos and order.

  Maya seemed to navigate the city with ease, her familiarity with the streets and buildings evident. I, on the other hand, felt like a lost tourist.

  We stopped in front of a massive screen displaying the countdown timer. "What's this?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

  Maya's expression turned serious. "The countdown? It counts down from 50 years. Every time it hits zero, the city resets."

  I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Resets?" I repeated.

  She nodded. "Memory, identity, structure—all wiped and restructured. And everyone above 50 years old...they just drop dead."

  My eyes widened in horror. "How does it work?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

  Maya shrugged. "I don't know. But it has something to do with the city's core programming."

  I stared at her, my mind racing with questions. How did she know this? What was her connection to the city?

  As we continued our tour, Maya showed me the city's technological advancements. I marveled at the innovations, my mind struggling to comprehend the sheer scale of the city's capabilities.

  We walked through markets filled with strange creatures and exotic goods. I saw beings with cybernetic enhancements, their bodies a blend of flesh and machine.

  Maya navigated the crowds with ease, her familiarity with the city evident. I, on the other hand, felt like a small boat adrift in a stormy sea.

  Eventually, she led me to a deserted area on the outskirts of the city. A massive, crashed spaceship loomed before us, its hull battered and scarred.

  Maya sat down on the ship's hull, her eyes fixed on the city. I followed her gaze, taking in the breathtaking view.

  The city's neon lights twinkled like stars, a mesmerizing spectacle. I felt a sense of wonder wash over me, my questions momentarily forgotten.

  And then, without warning, Maya's expression changed. Her eyes narrowed, and she picked up an iron rod lying nearby.

  Before I could react, she swung the rod, striking me with a loud clang. I felt a searing pain, and my vision blurred.

  As I fell unconscious, I heard Maya's voice, laced with frustration. "This is always such a pain."