Metal Mayhem:The Rise and Ruin of Automatons

Chapter 1: The Beginning

It was a Saturday morning, and I was preparing for the day ahead. After brushing my teeth and changing out of my pajamas, I heard my mom calling me from the kitchen. "Justin, please come downstairs!" she yelled. "Coming, Mom!" I replied, making my way down.

We had recently moved to Florida and were still settling into our new home. Entering the kitchen, I was greeted by the delightful smell of pancakes. "Yay! Pancakes, my favorite! Thanks, Mom!" I exclaimed, giving her a grateful hug. She chuckled and handed me a plate of mouthwatering chocolate pancakes.

Between bites, my mom reminded me that we needed to go grocery shopping that day. I nodded in acknowledgment, but my mind was preoccupied with the delicious pancakes I was devouring.

After finishing my meal, I helped my mom with the dishes and then headed back to my room to change. I chose a white shirt, black jeans, and black Supras to complete my outfit. Styling my hair into a quiff, I made my way downstairs, where my mom was waiting for me in the living room.

We grabbed our jet packs and took off. Living in the future had its magical moments, and flying around with jet packs was one of them. As we approached the streets, we saw numerous people flying to their destinations, whether it was school or work. Eventually, we landed in a designated area and began walking through the streets hand in hand.

The cityscape was a mix of towering digital buildings, interspersed with a few remaining trees preserved by environmentalists. The once-blue sky was now filled with vibrant 3D animations. Robots had become an integral part of society, with many engaging in activities previously done solely by humans, such as purchasing food and caring for their families.

We entered several stores, purchasing all the necessary items. At the checkout, a robot cashier asked if I wanted to pay by card or cash. I opted for the card and handed it over. After completing the transaction, we left the shop and returned to our jet packs. These special jet packs could transform into various vehicles, including cars, buses, trucks, and even private jets. I asked my mom which vehicle she preferred, and she suggested a car. With a few button presses, our jet pack transformed into a luxurious black Lamborghini. We hopped in and sped away.

Our next stop was Aaron's school, where he had a weekend project to complete. One of the advantages of this technological advancement was the assistance it provided to children. Each child was assigned a robot friend that helped them with their needs, improving their mental health and physical abilities.

After a thirty-minute drive, we arrived at Aaron's digital school, an extravagant institution where children learned through immersive experiences. For example, if they were studying the moon, they could be transported there within a minute, learning through their senses. Although traveling to other planets in different galaxies was technically possible, the government had restricted such journeys, fueling speculations of hidden secrets.

As the bell rang, Aaron emerged from the school and rushed towards us with incredible speed. We were surprised by his agility. However, something seemed off—Aaron was alone, without his robot friend, Astro. "Hey, Mom. Hey, bro!" he greeted us. It was unusual for him to call me "bro" instead of "Jase." I asked about Astro, and he seemed unsure, mumbling, "Um... I don't know."

Suddenly, we heard a voice coming from a distance, asking who we were. We turned to see the source and realized it was Aaron. "Aaron?!" both my mom and I exclaimed. In an instant, the boy we thought was Aaron transformed into a robot. It apologized for the prank and quickly hopped away. I let out a sigh, feeling a mixture of relief and frustration. This was precisely why I harbored a personal dislike for robots. Calling out to Aaron, I motioned for him to come closer.

"Mum! Jase! How are you guys?" Aaron asked, joining us. My mom and I exchanged glances, still a bit bewildered by the robot impersonation. "We're fine, sweetheart. How was school?" my mom inquired, trying to regain her composure. Aaron shrugged nonchalantly, muttering, "Just the usual."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his blasé response. "Well, school was quite interesting for me today. We learned a lot about our daily lives and..." Astro, Aaron's robot friend, began to blabber on about their educational adventures, but I interrupted, "Alright, Astro. That's enough for now. We should head home."

With our shopping bags in tow, we made our way back to the jet pack. You might wonder how in the world we'll be able to carry the bags and fly at the same time. First of all, for your information, these are special jet packs. It can change into whatever locomotive machine you want it to be- be it a car, bus, truck or even a private jet! "Hmmm....what vehicle do you want, mom?" I asked her. "How about a car? You choose the type," she suggested. I smirked and pressed a few buttons on it. I then waited patiently. Soon enough, it turned into a luxurious looking, black Lamborghini. We hopped in a sped out of the streets.  My dad had arrived home from work by the time we reached our house. "Jase, Astro, let's give Dad a little scare. Don't spoil the fun," Aaron suggested mischievously, dashing off into the house. I grinned and decided to play along, remaining outside to help my mom with the bags.

As we walked towards the front door, carrying the groceries, I couldn't help but reflect on the day's events. Despite the occasional surprises and the robotic pranks, living in this technologically advanced future had its moments of wonder and excitement. We had the privilege of jet packs, immersive education, and robotic companions. But amidst all the marvels, it was the human connections and laughter we shared that truly made our new life in Florida feel like home.