Alica woke up in her bed. No cuts or pain left. She got up and walked directly to the door to get out, but it was locked.

“Good Morning Ms, Cromwell,” the robot voice said. “Please come to the living room so we can finish our conversation from yesterday.” Alice felt her anger rise. She couldn’t leave, all she could do was listen. 

The tv turned on. Sophia was on the screen. She was standing this time, looking like a weather broadcaster.

“Hi, I understand that you are confused and scared. We all are. But sadly the situation is the way it is. Earth was hit badly and most of it was destroyed. We manage to find you all and are still looking for more humans. Most of the planet is unlivable and this city we stand in is the only place we can stay at in this moment.” She took a break and walked around on the screen, she finally stopped and looked straight at the camera. 

“We are not keeping you here to be cruel, but as the only choice. The world has been turned upside down and I think the best for everyone is to get back to normal life while we search for more people.” The tv turned off.

“Ms, Cromwell, I need you to read the leather on the table.” The robot voice spoke. Alice looked down at the table and saw the envelope.

Hello Alice Cromwell.

You have been assigned to work at the grocery store on the other side of the street from your home. “Meat and vegetables”.

You can start working when you feel up to it.


Regards

Sophia


“Is this some kind of joke!” Alice screamed to none in particular. She crumpled the paper and threw it on the ground. She stomped to the door and tried to open it.

“I’m sorry Ms Cromwell, but I can’t let you out in this condition,” the robot voice said.

“Fuck you!” Alice screamed at the roof.


Alice hit the door and screamed to be let out. This went on for hours until she had no energy left and just layed on the floor crying. It went on like this for days, she broke things in her apartment but each time after she slept the apartment was back to normal. After a few days she had no energy to keep it up and spent her whole day crying in her bed. Eventually she realised she couldn’t keep living like this, she was lonelier than she had ever been and lost a lot of weight, she looked sick.

The only thing she could think about doing to get out of her apartment and get some human contact was to get dressed and walk to her job.

“How are we feeling today?” The robot voice asked, when Alice put her hand on the doorknob.

“Great,” She said, putting on a fake smile. “I’m ready to go to work.”

“Good to hear. Goodluck on your first day and please don’t break anything or we will have to sedate you again.”

Alice dropped her smile and walked out of the apartment.


There were less people out this time. Alice thought that a lot of people were locked in their apartment like she had been. The people outside walked in silence and avoided eye contact. Alice walked forward to the first person she saw and tried to talk to him, he ignored her and kept walking. She sighed and made her way to “Meat and vegetables”.

Inside a woman was standing by the counter, there were not many other people there. Shelves were everywhere, there seemed to be no end to them and it looked like you could find anything you would ever need there.

“Hi, how may I help you?” Julieta asked in broken English. Her name was visible on her name tag.

“Uhm, I was assigned to work here,” Alice said.

“Oh okay, then you should walk back there until you see a red door and your shirt and name tag should be in there.”

“Thanks.”

Alice walked through the rows of items, hearing a buzz sound but nothing else. Inside the room work clothes with her name tag were laying on the table, like they knew she was going to come there today. She put it on and went back to the counter.


During the first week Alice tried to speak with everyone about the situation, but everytime she did they either left or changed the subject.

One morning Julieta walked up to Alice and pushed a piece of paper towards her.

“Goodmorning, did you sleep well?” Julieta asked. Alice looked down at the paper in confusion. On the outside of the paper it said; “Don’t mention the paper.”

“Um, eh, what is,” Alice began. Julieta hit her hand hard on the counter.

“I slept very well, you really get used to this city.” She said, avoiding eye contact and started filling up shelves. Alice stared at her with an open mouth.

“Excuse me,” a man said, putting his items on the counter. He looked annoyed. Alice helped him and once he left, she returned to the paper from Julieta. “If you want to talk about what is going on, come to building 1 apartment 4 at 21.00 tonight.” She turned the paper over, but nothing else was written on it. Julieta avoided her for the rest of the day.