500 Days in a Black Hole

The news hit them while they were in a pool. The tropical city of Enkare had met the requirements of an ideal place to set up a scientific research lab for the Elite Science Team. The cool waters that flowed across the city from the Aberdares towards the Indian Ocean throughout the year and a national park that was home to thousands of species were some of the reasons this team decided to set up their labs here. The town skyscrapers rose high up in the air towards the CBD and dropped in height towards the outskirts of the town, where this big facility was located.

As usual, afternoons were for rest. Though cool waters flowed every day across the city, there was nothing to the scorching sun of December. Everyone carried a cooler. Others put ice under their caps; others went to the natural parks for shade. The afternoons witnessed little traffic on the road. People were always countable at this time, but towards the evening, their numbers doubled or even tripled to become countless. The silent afternoon would turn into a noisy evening filled with hooting, buzzing cars, and conversing people.

Ella and Tearless were in a swimming pool in their facility for a cooling session from the busy morning of thinking of solutions for problems faced by the people of their country and even the whole world. If you were new there, you would think the two were lovebirds. The way they were throwing water at each other and laughing as they played in the pool could be used as evidence of their love. But they were not dating. They had no plan to do so. They always argued that their mission for now was not to make children for the world but to make a better world for the children of tomorrow.

The radio was on. With a high volume, They, just like the whole world, were anticipating something. Something whose outcome would forever impact the way world affairs were run. It was the outcome of the presidential race of one of the three world superpowers, the Federal States Union. This superpower had a great influence on the world economy. It stopped wars and influenced almost every decision of the third-world countries, one of which is the country where the Elite Science Team research center was located.

The time had gone by, and the two were almost leaving the pool. They were inside it for about half an hour, something that their leader always frowned upon. For a moment, they all became silent. The radio had stopped playing the music for a live broadcast. They all knew that the outcome of the election would greatly impact the policies governing the advancement of science and technology. The news anchor started his broadcast. Their hearts almost popped out of their chests as the news anchor announced this most important news.

"Dear listeners, it has been confirmed that Adolf Rudolf will become the 46th president of the Federal States Union. His opponent conceded defeat, and President Elect Adolf Rudolf has thanked all the voters for their support," he said.

Life wasn't a rosy deal for Adolf Rudolf. It all began when his country got into a civil war that saw both of his parents killed by the rebels. His memories always took him back to the scene where, as a kid, he witnessed his parents die in front of his eyes. How he got into a Red Cross plane he never remembered. He restored his smile the moment he landed in the United States. He would rewrite his life story again. And he managed to write it. A story of greatness. From a refugee to the leader of a superpower.

Tearless looked at Ella, who was greatly elated by the news. She believed that the man who was once through pain would never hurt human beings. She believed that this was the right man to lead a superpower. She had hope that the president would release more humanitarian aid and not weapons, as most of the previous nation leaders did.

Tearless, on the other hand, never trusted anyone. He received the news and was elated for a second before anxiety took over. He never trusted anyone. When he remembered what people whom he trusted most and had a heart full of hopes in betrayed him and never wanted to help him after he lost both of his parents, he affirmed to see before believing what goodness said about people. Though he knew his opinion differed greatly from Ella's, he did not confront her. He had never wished to hurt her. Or anyone. Even the enemies.

Tearless got out of the water and tied the towels around his groin. From afar, you could see his little muscles, and the flesh on his chest was enough to not allow the bones to be seen. His abdomen was hairy and could be seen from afar due to his brown complexion. Some beards had begun growing on his chin, and he had dyed his hair with a blonde dye, perhaps for the holiday season. It was an unhappy season for him, as he had no place to call home as their land was snatched the moment he left for the city.

Ella also comes out of the water. She hurries, covering her body. Her blonde skin has been an item of pride for Tearless every time they take photos and post them. Tearless is always praised by friends for getting a foreigner into the traps of his heart. Her vivid brown eyes wandered on her brilliant blonde spotless face as she avoided direct eye contact with Tearless, who was staring at her. She left her hair on her shoulders as she rushed to the changing room to take off her swimming costumes. She wondered why Tearless had never told her that she loved her. Tearless gazed at her as she walked away. He admired her but remembered their purpose. He rushed to the changing room.