My phone lights up, signaling that I have another missed call. I turn it over without even bothering to read the caller ID. I know it’s Emeryx, she’s the only person who still talks to me nowadays. With a tired sigh, I look away from my bright computer screen and lay my head down on the desk. It’s late, I’ve lost track of time again. I should go to bed, but I’m so close to finishing this section of code. I’m this far into it, I might as well finish it now. I drag myself into a proper sitting position and turn back to the monitor, pulling my hair up and away from my face, when my stomach starts protesting. When’s the last time I ate? I honestly can’t remember. Some food would probably be good right now. I stand up, joints creaking from not standing up in several hours, and head over to my disgrace of a kitchen. I crack open the fridge, it’s light illuminating my small apartment. It’s pretty much empty. Man, I really need to get to the grocery store. As I shut the refrigerator, my eye catches a brightly wrapped package sitting on the counter. My last package of instant ramen noodles. As I prepare it, I think about how my mother would have yelled at me for my unhealthy choices if she were here right now. I’m startled by the kitchen timer going off, signaling that the ramen is ready. I carry it back to my desk carefully, not wanting to spill any of it on the wires and spare computer parts I have running all around my apartment. Blowing on the noodles to cool them down, I hit the enter key on my keyboard to see if my code will run. The screen goes dark, then words I’ve typed so many times blink onto the screen:
WELCOME TO THE CATALEA ARCHIVES
It’s primitive for now, but I can’t help smiling. This time, I’ll do something helpful; I’ll make something useful. I will not make the same mistakes again.
