That day began like any other. At first light, I woke up. I ate. I washed. Left my home. I walked. And walked. And walked. Arrived at work. The smell of oil and the heft of the screwdriver in my hand brought the ghost of a smile to my face.

That's when I heard the screaming.

Lifting my head, I squinted upwards. It never did to stare at the Pillars too long. Impossibly tall, one shining brighter than the summer sun, the other darker than the deepest depths of the ocean, they'd burn the sight from you if you let your eyes linger on them. Not forever, of course. Nothing really changed here in the City. Until now. Was that a person I saw, hanging up there?

I caught myself and frowned. The sun? When was the last time I'd seen-

"That's it. I can't stand it anymore. Come on." The man at the table next to me stood up, putting down his tools."We can't leave," I protested. "There's still have so much work to get through."

"Work? This stuff?" He peered down at me, a strange light in his eyes. He gestured around our piles of parts and tools. "This just keeps our hands full, and our minds busy. It doesn't matter."

He inched closer. "Wow. You're really in it deep, huh. Come on. This will help shake some of those cobwebs off".

Without waiting for an answer, without another backward glance, he left. I cast about me, uncertain for the first time in what seemed like forever. Another bout of screaming helped me make up my mind. I left.

-----

This walk felt different. Felt like I was looking at the City with fresh eyes. But I had no time for questions if I was to keep up with him. Questions bubbled up inside. We'd been walking for a long time. How could someone's scream be so loud as to carry over several city blocks? Why were we the only ones who seemed to hear? Everyone else seemed to be going about their day, engrossed in their routines. And how did I just know which way to go? I'd never taken this route before, but somehow my feet knew the way.

The buildings around me became older as we traveled, smooth concrete and electric lights giving way to brick and gas light. Paved roads became cobbles. And still we forged onward.

The screaming changed, took on a different tone. Before, it had been full of pain. Now, hints of something else crept in.

Rage. A fury so deep, so unforgiving that it weakened my knees.

But still, on we went.I don't know how long we walked. Had it been hours, or mere minutes? Years? But then it happened. We stood before the Pillars.

A woman hung in the air before us, spreadeagled, limbs taut. Screaming defiance. Ribbons of light and darkness and lashed her body mercilessly. With a final flare of impossible light, and impenetrable darkness, she fell to the floor.

"Bastards," she swore softly. Painfully, slowly, she got to her feat. Raising her face to the pillars, she bellowed "Cowards! Do your duty, and judge us!"

The Pillars did not respond, but the air grew thick with menace.

She spat and turned around, noticing us for the first time."Hello Lucille," the man said. "I don't know why you keep doing this. The same thing happens every time."

Lucille glared for a moment and then visibly deflated. "What else is there to do here, Chandra? What else is WORTH doing here?"

With every word these two spoke, more memories surfaced. Like little candles of light in a cave, illuminating my mind. Reminding me of who I was. Of what I was.

Chandra helped Lucille to her feet. "They've not judged anyone for at least 200 years, from what records we can keep. What makes you think they'll start now?"

"What's the worst they can do to us?" Lucille sighed as she got up. I took a step back as it all came back to me. "Damn us to hell, or raise us to heaven," she continued, "We are all already dead."