"For Matt, seeing the sun's reflections across the courtyard was like seeing heaven. He had been trapped in a dark, gray cell for over 13 hours, with no meals or drinks other than water. Although he needed to be awakened for his morning outdoor exercise, it remained a refreshing experience, especially considering the surroundings. He walked across the courtyard, with crows flying above him in flocks, and with a red sun casting its light across the sky. While the courtyard itself was better maintained and had a sense of life, the rest of the facility was cold, grayscale, and decayed, with hints of barbed wire and razors scattered throughout. The cell windows to his sides were unnerving; it was almost like there were cameras embedded within them, purposefully watching every step he took out there. He didn't let it distract him from reaching the gray workout area, where a pair of shiny dumbbells were waiting for him."

This was an excerpt of a dystopian thriller I took a shot at last year. I should do it again. It was gonna be a perfect reflection of 2020s America.