After playing through Bioshock Infinite, I was inspired. My friend and I talked about this mystical floating space city and I ran with the idea, turning it into something unique and, hopefully, poignant. Here's a rough start to what will hopefully become a classic finish.
ooo
She stood steadfast against the pouring rain as she waited expectantly on the docks. The choppy waves threatened to overcome the rugged wood, but her gaze didn't falter from the sea. "I don't know what you're looking for out here, miss, but it certainly can wait for a better day." The unexpected voice caused her to jump and nearly slip on the slick, rain soaked lumber. The lighthouse's beacon swept across the barren ocean waters, much to her disappointment. She turned and saw a squat woman heralding her from a nearby shanty, beckoning her inside for a reprieve from the storm.
"I'm expecting a ride; one I can't afford to miss." She stepped off the docks and walked toward the shelter, deciding the ocean wouldn't birth a boat in the near future.
The woman stepped back, allowing her inside. "Only ride you'll get in this weather is one straight to heaven." The shanty held a welcome warmth after the cold of the wind and rain. She took off her rain slicker and laid it on a chair, shaking out her wet hair. She had been wearing a hat at some point, but the ocean had claimed that when she first arrived.
"Thank you for allowing me shelter." She shivered as water from her hair dripped down her back. "I can't stay long. My boat should be here any moment."
The woman offered her a blanket, which she took gladly. "What's out there for you that's so important?"
She reached into a pocket and pulled out a drenched paper. She carefully unfolded it and set it on the table. It was smudged and the folds were starting to come apart, but it was still legible. "I was told to find this place and to keep the information hidden from anyone inland." The paper depicted a city that appeared to be floating in the night sky. Above were the words 'Regeneration Island! We can do it all here!' in a speech bubble, spoken by a smiling woman. "I have business here."
The woman squinted at her before turning and grabbing a book, pawing through the tattered pages. "That place looks marvelous. Er, what did you say your name was, sweetheart?"
"Oh, I didn't. The name's Annalise Grey," she paused, "Maycomb. Annalise Maycomb. I'm not sure why I said Grey. I suppose these storm clouds have effected my mind." The woman gave a halfhearted laugh. "And what's your name?"
"Most people tend to call me the gate keeper."
"Gate keeper?" Annalise inquired as she put the paper back into her pocket. She glanced anxiously at the door, wondering about the status of the ship.
The gate keeper placed the book back on the shelf and walked toward one of the walls. She ran her hand along it before stopping with a sound of discovery. She gripped the spot and pulled. The wall slid away with some difficulty. Annalise stepped back, unsure what to think. "Yes, Annalise Maycomb. It suits me because I'm usually the one ushering people on their correct path as opposed to staring ignorantly out at the sea." She motioned to a staircase that had been revealed.
"What are you talking about? I should really get back in case the ship has arrived." Annalise slowly walked backwards toward the door.
The gate keeper sighed in mild annoyance, as if this were common place for her. "There is no ship. That's just their way of seeing who's serious. Considering you've been out in that weather for about an hour now, I'd say you're as serious as they come. If you want to get to Regeneration Island, we have to take the stairs."
"I don't understand." She backed into the door and groped blindly for the knob.
The gate keeper massaged her forehead as if this were a great chore for her. "Marrissa Campbell was the name attached to that flyer you received. You have business with her." Annalise stood still, her escape attempt forgotten.
Annalise considered the stairs, stepping cautiously forward. "You've heard of Marissa? I spoke to her breifly. She offered me work."
The gate keeper motioned to the stairs once more. "And you'll find plenty if you follow me. I promise you that if we get down there and you don't like what you see, you can go back to waiting for transport that will never come."
Annalise took a deep breath and walked briskly forward, taking the lead down the stairs as the gate keeper waddled behind her, shutting the wall behind them. She turned, looking at the dark barrier behind them. It was with great effort she continued forward, breathing evenly with her footsteps, counting the stairs for comfort. As the number approached the hundreds, she conceded defeat. The numbers had calmed her, but the feeling of unease lingered.
"I always forget how long this staircase is," the gate keeper huffed, out of breath. Annalise didn't respond as they finally reached the bottom. A flickering light and walls of darkness greeted them at the bottom. Stumbling forward, the gate keeper ran her hand against the wall as before. It slid away revealing a large, open room lit by moonlight. In the center was what appeared to be a spacecraft.
"What is this place? Why is the weather so calm here?" She was drawn to the craft in the middle. Man had barely taken baby steps in space and here was a contraption better fit in a television show about extraterrestrial life. "What is this?"
The gate keeper rolled her eyes. "You ask too many questions, or rather, you don't ask the right ones." She hobbled over to where Annalise was running her hand along the smooth, metal surface of the craft. "This is the ship for which you've been waiting so patiently."
So many questions ran through her mind, but she doubted the gate keeper would comply with answering them. "What happens next?" She finally managed.
"That's up to you." This was all so hard to take in and not something she should even be considering, she told herself. She pulled out the flyer once more and turned it over in her hands. She had nothing to her name save a few dollars. No home, no family, no responsibilities beckoning her to return.
"I have nothing to lose."
The gate keeper nodded. "That's what I wanted to hear." She opened the door of the vessel and climbed into the metal interior. She stood expectantly at the door, awaiting Annalise to enter. With a deep breath, she followed, dropping the flyer in the process. It skittered along the ground, blown by the wind. The two climbed into seats at the very front of the ship, belting themselves in. The gate keeper interacted with the control panel of levers, switches, and buttons that seemed to be placed at random.
"Oh, one more thing," the gate keeper said, reaching for something beside her. "We can't have you knowing the path to paradise." She produced a metal rod and smacked Annalise with the blunt instrument, who slumped over and knew no more.
