[ WP ] Our government has reached a point where they can control everything , and everything costs money including the air that we breathe .

*Would you like to purchase more air? * 
 
 I gasped for a breath as I slammed my hand on the terminal in front of me and chose the option that said **YES. ** A group of men and women walked by and looked down at me. They knew they could n't help, not in any way that would have solved the immediate problem. They enjoyed the air they bought, while I struggled to purchase more. 
 
 *How much air would you like to purchase? * 
 
 I could hardly see the screen as the last bit of air started rushing out of my body. I could feel the wind on my skin, the gentle breeze blew lightly on me, but I could n't breathe. I could n't even take any more gasps as I chose the first option that came up on the screen, not caring what it was or how much it cost me. My vision was blurring, my eyes were growing heavy and the terminal's loading was n't helping my situation. The words on the screen blurred in front of me. 
 
 *Air purchased. Have a great day!: ) * 
 
 I fell backwards, my hand flew off the terminal, as I took the longest and deepest breath I could. I continued to take long breaths as my heart adjusted for the new oxygen that I had available to me. My internal implants must have been going haywire as they realized what had happened. That my monthly limit had been reached and I needed to buy more. Thankfully, I was near a terminal in downtown L.A., close enough to rush towards it as I felt each and each breath grow smaller. 
 
 The head rush that came afterwards was *intense*, but necessary. My implants were registering the increase in oxygen and adjusting accordingly, hoping to slow down the head rush I was getting. They did n't, and I remained on the floor for a good fifteen minutes before I stood up. Even then, it was a struggle, as I tried to maintain my balance and walk back to the terminal. 
 
 I placed my hand on the scanner again, mostly using it for balance. I shook my head and accessed the accounts I had on file. 
 
 There were several there, including the most important ones. Oxygen, food, water, and shelter. My food and water balance were high, I had inherited both of those from my parents when they died. Oxygen credits did n't transfer and I realized I had purchased a whopping twenty-four hours worth of air. It had cost me a good few hundred dollars, but if I had purchased the weekly plan, I would have received a 15 % discount. 
 
 I sighed heavily as I signed back on to the Oxygen Market and selected the Week. It added on to the original twenty-four hours I bought and brought my total up to eight days. I went back to look at my shelter credits, which had been in the hundreds the last few months. My travel lately however had brought that total down to fourteen nights. It'd be enough to get home, using the Rail system would cost me a small fortune, but it was worth it to get back on private land. Any public place cost money every second you took a breath. 
 
 Literally. 
 
 I checked my bank account; the last check from Rotunda Incorporated cleared. That brought my total up to $ 3,000, but with what I had just bought that would dwindle down to around $ 1,500 in a day or so. 
 
 I signed off the terminal and turned around, realizing there was a small line forming at this kiosk in particular. I checked my ARM System, the Automated Regulation Management system. It displayed some of the vital information about my credits and supplies. I had around a hundred words to spare in conversation. I needed fifty of those, at least, for the Rail. 
 
 `` Excuse me, anyone have the words to explain what is happening?'' 89. 
 
 One gentlemen raised his hand and I walked down the line to him. `` Power out this whole sector.'' He glanced at his own ARM. `` Fifth sector this week.'' 
 
 The people wanted to leave. Luckily, government terminals ran on redundant power and were always active so anyone could use them no matter the circumstance. It was common for Sectors that lost power for people to pack up and leave, those who stayed were either mugged and lost all of their credits, or were kidnapped and became a part of the local Syndicate's games. `` Where will people go?'' 85. 
 
 He shrugged. `` Anywhere they can afford.'' He pointed to the Rail. `` Rail will have power for three trips.'' 
 
 I nodded. `` Thanks.'' 84. 
 
 The man nodded, did n't waste another word. 
 
 I made my way to the Rail and passed through plenty of people on their last credits. Each of them had their ARM stuck out, ready to receive credits if anyone was gracious enough to give them. Most of them were on their last food credits and eventually would sign up with the Syndicate if no one helped. 
 
 If there had been one or two, I thought, I would give them some of mine. But with a dozen or more, they would attacked me to get what I had. One of the reasons most people, including myself, wore long-sleeves. They never wanted to show their ARM. It was literally wearing your heart on a sleeve. 
 
 I stepped on to the Rail system, but before I could make it up the steps, everything rocked around me. I saw the explosion down the rail a bit, and a large inferno formed on the Rail system in front of me. By the time I realized what was going on, a group of Syndic's were running down the steps, power sticks drawn. It was a moment later when I felt the shock. My implants failed, and I fell into the arms of another. 
 __________ 
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