Chapter 1

Lotus City

Waxing Cresent Moon, 7th Bright Lunar Fortnight

NRE 1084 (New Revival Era)

Amaara sat on the couch, astonished to her core, staring at the delicate silver bracelet placed on the glass surface of the coffee table. Translucent purple gems beaded on the leaves of the vine pattern of the chain were shining brightly right now.

How bizarre this week was? She had just came back from the high school with the best news, and waiting at home was the worst news. She was so happy to announce her ace result in finals to her grandma! The public transport bus which her grandma had got on to come home today met a gruesome accident and most of the passengers were injured severely. The driver lost his life right away. and the truck which collided to the bus was turned over. The driver of the truck was found high on drugs after the PM report.

She ran to the hospital, scared and hyperactive. The public hospital corridor was filled with the noise of crying, doctors' yelling and ambulance sirens. The nurses and hospital staff were running here and there. Amaara's mind was blank. The noise around sounded muffled in her ears. She caught the arm of a nurse who was running to the reception area. Her hands were sweating and numb because of the fear of unknown.

"I...I...." She couldn't even voice out her request.

The impatient nurse of about to snatch he arm away rudely. But looking at the trembling hands she glanced at the person. The girl seemed to be a teenager. The navy school uniform she wore looked formal and just like those from noble aristocratic schools. Her hair was wrapped up in a tight ponytail, but a few strands were leaked out with sweat oozing through her sideburns. Even though her expressions were dull and scared right now, her bearing seemed elegant. The nurse was surprised with her thoughts. How could she describe a teenager with a word 'elegant'. But she couldn't find any counter thought for not doing so. She shook out her thoughts and asked the girl gently.

"Are you a relative of a patient?" The girl nodded with anxious eyes.

"Don't worry. Be strong. Just go to the reception counter, the staff and police will help you out." The nurse squeezed her shoulder to comfort her somewhat.

Amaara was frozen. Green dress which her grandma liked was intruded with the blood splatters. She reached out to touch her face. That wrinkled face with shiny silver hair and the kindest smile. The tears she had kept abey started flowing mercilessly flaunting her weakness, fears, annoyance, anger, everything.

"May I know your name?" The accompanying doctor asked in intension to make the report.

"Uh...yeah. Amaara Thanatos." She coughed and answered. The doctor nodded.

"And, who would you be to her?"

"I'm her granddaughter." Amaara sat on the iron chair beside the bunker lethargically.

"And her name?" The doctor understandingly asked all the minor questions as he could see that the relative was still in shock.

"Ella Derya Numen." The doctor looked at her state. The girl was panicked.

"Are you an adult, Amaara?" The doctor asked.

"I.... I'm getting there. Next week." Amaara replied feeling panic and anxiety in addition to the fear before. Does mom knows about this? How would she react?

"Can you contact any relative or your guardian?"

"My mother is not here. She is abroad right now. She can't come here on immediate notice." Amaara replied.

"Oh. I guess she should know about this news. If you want, we can consult and inform her about this. And we need an adult relative's permission to scan her Ambit system for further treatment." The doctor advised.

"Can you tell me about her condition first? I shall talk to my mother personally."

"Okay. Fortunately she was farthest from the collision so there are some minor injuries and shoulder trauma. But her head must have collided with metal header overlaying the window hence she sustained a severe head injury with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. She is in coma right now and we have started the treatment. Please contact your mother as soon as possible so we can proceed further to admit her in exclusive room for treatment."

"Will she be alright? How long will coma last? What will happen if doesn't wake up..." Amaara broke down once again. The nurse from earlier had just came. She gave her a glass of water.

"We have already started the emergency treatment and we can speed up if you contact your mother quickly." Amaara nodded. The doctor went to the other side to look at another patient.

"I shall talk to her right away." Amaara lifted her left arm. There was a wristband on it. She tapped it and a censor screen spread out in front of her eyes. This was her profile in Ambit system.

Ambit system is a universal network administration for communication and data matrix. Every person on their birth would recieve an Ambit profile alongside their own identity from their respective government, which will include all their personal and private information. It is connected with banking and insurance system. Hence, in case of some calamity, the Ambit profile would help the authority to identify the victims and help them further. But they can access the profile information like name, address and emergency contact persons only after 12 hours of being unidentified.

After becoming an adult, the individual will have to inject their Ambit profile liquid chip in their body, so that they can use it through their brainwaves. For adults, in case of any accident, authority can scan their ratina to get the basic identification.

A lady in white coat appeared before her eyes

as soon as Amaara dialed the contact.

"Baby, how are you? I talked to mother this morning. She said your results will be out today. Wait. What's up with your eyes?" Her mother was silent as she looked at her face.

"You're crying. Amaara. What is it?" The lady who was just happy and cheering took a serious appearance after seeing her precious daughter crying.

Amaara let out a series sobs as she pouted and recited the whole scenario. The lady was in shock as she sat down on the bench next to her.

"Okay. Okay. Calm, baby. Amaara baby. Calm down. Look at me..." The woman who was just stunned sat up straight and encouraged her daughter. After all she was not present at the time with her. And her daughter had to handle everything. She could take a flight immediately but still it would take upto 3-4 days to reach there. Amaara had to be strong.

"First go to the nearest senior doctor and let them talk to me. I will instruct you about what to do next. Okay?" Amaara nodded.

"Very good. Now go, quickly." The lady let out a strained smile.