Ivory stares at the rows of houses outside her humble abode. All of the homes were identical. It was supposed to feel sickening but it wasn't for her. At least now it didn't. It had been years since the shift that threw the world as she knew it in a disarray. Accepting this was her life now and there was nothing she could do about it was part of what would keep her alive.
The young woman got up to get dressed. She was sleep deprived and desperately needed a coffee to start her day. It didn't help that she had a long day ahead of her. The poor girl had to work until the next day.
Ivory mutters under her breath, "Why the hell did we start getting endless days without ever seeing even a pitch black night sky. Was I in hell?"
The night didn't exist in this world anymore. All that existed was an eternal day. After sometime night cycles disappeared. People couldn't accurately track the time due to the sun's movement being fixed all across the world. It was a nightmare in the first couple of weeks but people got used to it.
Ivory adjusted her white coat and brushed her short black hair in the mirror. Her light brown skin had started to get sun burns from over exposure to the sun outside. She had to remember to apply that new sun screen that would prevent these breakouts. In fact, the other day she promised to take better care of herself. She wanted to commit to self care routines but they were often a drag. Nonetheless, the days just went by and she hadn't had much time like this to herself as well.
She stumbles over to the coffee machine waiting as the machine beeped and whirred, producing a hot cup of coffee. Taking a sip made everything that was unbearable. Bearable. The coffee sat on the counter for a second before she downed the entire cup.
Ivory curses looking at her phone, "Shit.. I'm going to be late."
The phone sent a reminder that her shift was starting very soon. It stressed her out not being able to see the time and just those words on a screen. It was yet another part of the new world she had to adjust to.
The thought festered inside her mind. The moment she got fired, she would be unable to provide for herself. No money coming in, would mean no money to spend on groceries or sunscreen. These thoughts made her shiver.
Ivory walked out of the house in a rush quickly putting on a pair of beat up gray sneakers and speed walked to her car. She noticed her neighbor Linda watering some planets in her garden. Linda was an older woman with grey hair and pale skin most likely in her mid sixties by now.
Linda had helped Ivory get through the readjustment period. The moment where in a mystical turn of events every town, house, and people held a touch of familiarity to them. Everything became the same and the world became mundane.
Ivory smiles politely and waves towards her neighbor all while looking through her jacket pocket trying to find the keys to her car. As Ivory finds her keys and tries to get into her car. Linda tries to speak with her.
Linda grins, "Ivory, how's working in that coffee shop going?"
Ivory smiles politely, "It's going quite well! I just really need to get.."
Linda says, "OH, did you hear? The council is making an announcement today. It's supposed to be a big deal."
The thought crossed her mind but what did it matter. The council was useless. It was created by people to create representatives to solve issues they couldn't fix. For example, the damn sun that never moved.
Ivory nodded, "Yeah I was planning to tune in but I really have to…"
Linda says, "OH and did you know there seems to be some tension regarding…"
Ivory smiles, "Sorry Linda, I really have to leave. I'll talk to you when I get back okay?"
Ivory gives her a quick wave as she starts her car and backs out of the driveway. She drives fast approaching the coffee shop that was only a few miles away. In a couple minutes the store's neon lit sign came into view. COFFEE WORLD.
Ivory parks her car and takes off her white coat. She puts on a basic green apron over her brown top underneath it.
Ivory mutters, "This is going to suck."
She opened the door heading inside as her coworker Abigail waited for her. Abigail was tall, had pale skin, and long brown curly hair. Abigail smiled warmly at Ivory whenever she saw her. In fact she may have been one of the few friends Ivory actually had. I guess that was due to her actually having a personality unlike the carbon copies of people around her.
Abigail rolls her eyes, "You're late again."
Ivory whispers, "I know… Did Nathan notice?"
Abigail shakes her head, "Our manager has been cooped up in the break room for quite some time now. Who knows what he's doing in there."
Ivory chuckles, "Good for me then."
Abigail grins, "Don't make a habit of it. Even though I'm sure you will."
The television blared in the background in the two girls' conversation. The council was preparing to talk about how they were planning to deal with the ongoing problem with a loss of control in their world.
A new reporter asks, "Council Member J, how will you attempt to restore the world back to what it was?"
The council member takes a moment to compose himself. He puts on a smile out of the blue to the point it was uncanny.
Council Member J says, "Well… We are testing different experiments to see why humans are unable to build new structures in our world.."
The news reporter exclaimed in a fit of rage, "You have no clue don't you? We are all going to die from this disease brought by the sun and you all don't seem to care."
The Council Member adjusts his black tie, "There is no disease. All that is, is just some serious cases of sun burn."
The news broadcast suddenly ends being replaced with an ad for a new type of sun screen.
The day goes by and seems to never end…
Abigail leans against the counter, "We've seen about 30 customers. I'd say it's about time to go home."
Ivory grimaced at that fact, she had no idea how long she had been there for. For most jobs instead of it being fixed on ending at a certain time. People were given a quota to meet and if that quota wasn't reached. They risked losing their jobs. Losing your job was the worst thing that could happen.
Abigail reaches out to touch her shoulder, "Hey it's okay. We can relax now and go do what we want."
Ivory nodded and took off her apron walking with Abigail to where their cars were parked.
A long mark on her arm similar to a sun burn had been spreading on her body. She noticed it in the morning but it has gotten worse since then.
Abigail notices the red marks spreading on Ivory's arm.
Abigail says, "You really should use that new sun screen Ivory. That doesn't look good."
Ivory was going to reply but suddenly. The world went dark for the first time in a long time. She collapsed in her friend's arms.