Historical Holograms From A Runaway Punk
Hologram Recording Transcript: September 21, 2096

Aw man, everything about the Archery Range was foreign, the place, the people, the buildings, the land. They dressed nothing like the people in the city, wearing baggy clothes, mottled green pants, and a soothing blend of green and brown colors just like the forest. Trees were everywhere, and everything smelled so fresh. Ivan assured me I would do well here, especially with Zora, the Matriarch in charge. Ivan did not want to keep the Mil-RAT, so he gave it back and said it was worth more than just a ride. He told Zora about it too; not sure why it was so important. It’s just a ball. But Ivan left, not wanting to stay, riding away on his Mike the Trike.

When I first met Zora Neale, she seemed kind and gentle. She had long, curly brown hair, dark brown eyes, and creamy brown skin. When she looked at me, I could feel her full attention, as if nothing could take her eyes away from me. She sometimes makes me nervous, like she does not fully trust me. But she welcomed me with open arms, a warm smile, and a big hug, “You are my child now, and I am here for you. It doesn’t matter where you came from. What matters is right now.”

At first, I didn’t know what to say. All I could do was look around, observing what the other people were doing. Some of them looked my way and waved while they were busy working on their side projects. Others smiled as they walked by. I felt a little weird because I wasn’t used to friendly people. I asked Zora, “Can I learn how to read and write?” With my question came a look of determination on her face as she knelt to my level, “Yes, you can, and I know exactly who will teach you. But first, we must get you settled into your new home. Now tell me, King, that’s your name, right?” I nodded.

“King, where did you get that Mil-RAT? Now be honest; no one will take it away from you.” I explained that I got it at the same place I got my name. She seemed even more intrigued, “Can I look at it?” I shrugged my shoulders as if not caring, putting it in her hand. “Do you know what’s on it?” I asked her.

“Well… these inscriptions were carved by the military. This is a piece of military intelligence you have. I’m just curious as to why you got it.”

“Maybe my mother might know?”

“That’s a possibility. Make sure you hang onto this and don’t give it to anybody else. Better yet, let’s put this away under lock and key, make this our little secret. Okay? No need to tell anybody what you have.”

“Is the Matriarch your name?” She laughed and said, “You can call me Mom. How’s that?”

“Well, you don’t look like my mother.”

“Who cares if we don’t have the same skin color? I can take care of you just like any mother.”

“Will you help me replace her?”

“Of course, I will. Just not right now. We have to make a plan and see where she might be, send scouts out, and listen to what’s going on in other places. Do you understand that?”

“Yea, I guess so.”

“Travelling out in these parts isn’t that easy. We have to be careful.”

“Ivan said not everybody gets along out here.”

“And he’s right! We must plan very carefully if we are to replace your mother. Okay, King?”

A rock hit the back of my head, which made me yell out, “OW!” Zora looked around and saw a kid hiding behind one of the trees close by, “There he is. Zi-Yen, come on out and meet your new sister.”

“SHE NO SISTER!” I could hear him yelling from behind the tree. “Zi-Yen, come over here and be nice. We have a new family member.”

The little boy poked his head out from behind a tree; he was half the size of me with black hair and black almond-shaped eyes, like my mother. “That’s Zi-Yen. He’s a little shy when it comes to strangers. It might take him a few days to warm up to you, but he will. Let’s leave him alone for now.” I gave the little boy a funny look as we walked away from him. He tried throwing another rock at my head, but luckily, I ducked out of his way. He was not my welcoming party.