The year was 3037, and earth, once a bustling place filled with life, was reduced to nothing but a farm of entertainment since an alien invasion colonised it and replaced humans as the top species.

  Now, humans serve the role of pets. Made and bred to entertain, accompany or even assist aliens. No human was made “naturally” anymore, since they were not allowed to meet naturally for the occurrence of attraction and mating behaviour to occur.

  Instead, they were genetically engineered and bred in a lab. High range humans with great genetic makeup and traits were formally bought from a human breeder, the process and its intention operating like adopting a breed dog.

  But the ones with less valued genetic makeup more prone to disease and instability, were either auctioned off or placed together in cramped facilities until they were either killed at the tender age of 14, or got adopted by an alien.

  Naturally the higher an Alien was willing to pay for a pet human, the more they could influence its appearance and genetic makeup.

  They still certainly have the capability for intelligent thought. But like robots the less people that remember the times before the Aliens invaded -when you could go outside and travel on your own accord, pick and choose what you wanted to do for the day and of course the freedom to dress and express yourself freely without immediate consequence- the less they knew they actually had a choice.

  Ironically so, the aliens had taken a strange fascination with the human concept of pop idols. Music in and of itself was a universal language of the world, no matter what species you were, any creature could enjoy a good jingle. Aliens aren't any different in this regard though they didn’t just enjoy the music.

  They actively got attached to the differently complex personalities of the humans performing it. So began the overwhelming surge of musical idols over taking the entertainment industry. As a result a bunch of these entertainment programs were created, where human pets could be trained to become idols.

  The most popular by far was called Alien stage. Where idols trained alongside each other in this place called anakt garden. An artificial paradise created to suit the needs and regulations of humans that couldn't be met with the current dystopian state of the world.

  The goal of the program is for the children to perform and compete against each other in a bracket style deadly singing competition where the loser dies, and ultimately one winner remains.

  The street blared with celebration as this year's winner was decided. Crowning none other than Dionne. A perfect clone of the previous three winners. Different shades of yellow in different forms from liquid to dust erupted on the streets. Gigantic holographic billboards displayed Dionne’s melancholic smile, bearing her title not with great honor or excitement but relief.

  It was broadcasted to every channel, a blimp in the sky flying around in impressive speeds to show the less fortunate the results- All those who lost, all those who got so close… But in the end, couldn’t defeat the bioengineered power of a girl in yellow designed to win.

  The children in anakt garden were perhaps the ones who paid most attention to these performances and timelapses showcasing the result of the current Alien stage. After all, they would be competing in no less than four years with the current champion beside them. Any extra information or intel they could gather would be crucial if they wanted to have a fighting chance at survival.

  It was hard for most, down right unbearable for some. Watching people die and having to grapple with the reality that it could be you. Tears and puking were not uncommon.

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  Especially since those who lost could’ve been loved ones. Family in both the biological and symbolic sense.

  This was the reality for once such child. With bubblegum pink hair that went all the way down to her underfeed waist, and blue eyes that looked like the long forgotten smoke ridden blue sky of before. Aruvia was her name, dressed in the black and grey colours the boy finalist wore against Dionne. Meant to be celebratory, meant to show support and hope for his survival she couldn't confidently show in word or action alone. But in the end he still lost, and now they just felt ridiculous. Yet appropriate, like every “friend” she ever met and saw the end of- she was already attending the funeral before they were even placed into the coffin. Aruvia replayed the moment in the final showdown between the boy in black and Dionne. Over-and over again. As if her mind refused to believe what was happening,but her heart was begging her to just accept the blow. She wasnt delusional, no she already knew he never stood a chance against the girl in yellow. The hardest part about that day wasnt the pain of losing her brother. The hardest part was everyone expecting her to be sad. Cheering for her brother when they clearly knew he had no chance from the very start. The other children in Arakt garden didnt give Aruvia much time to process it alone, as several people, most strangers, some familar faces, enveloped her in hugs and gave her their kindest sympathies.

  Treating her like she was a fragile little doll that simply couldnt handle another death- so instead they tried to lie and get her hopes up. Again. She should atleast be happy she caught onto the lie this time.

  because she had already accepted his death long ago. But

  his panic, desperation and exhaustion clashing with his dwindling confidence clawed at her hope for humanity. Which to be fair, wasn't that big to begin with. Like filing away the darker pieces on wood to reveal the softer, lighter bit below. Because that boy was her brother.

  The girl in yellow, they called- but Aruvia knew her by her more formal name: Dionne. This was her second time competing, which of course meant this was her second time winning.

  She didnt even spare Aruvia’s brother a glance as he got killed by a quiet gunshot. Quick, easy, and clean. Just a little trickle of blood falling from the side of his head. Aruvia replayed that part the most, singling in on the expression on Dionne’s face- that small souless smile she had as she gave the crowd a grand bow, like this was all just a normal performance. While her brother was gasping for air and trying desperately to regain his strength back. But the votes had already been decided. Her brother was already dead.

  A younger boy of larger size gave Aruvia an empathic glance. A conflicted, yet scornful expression set on his face as he couldn't stomach more than the final scene of the girl in yellow’s melancholic smile. The wrinkles in forehead showed he wore it quite often. He debated comforting Aruvia, fearing it would make the other girl feel demeaned. So instead he just quietly whispered, “Are you okej..?”

  Aruvia didn't turn away from the screen to face him, but he could still tell she was trying to keep it together. The high pitch of her voice and the drawn out articulation being a dead give away. Out of instinct or deliberate choice, he could never guess. “I'm fineeee..!” She practically sang out, more to herself than him. Looking expectantly towards the artificial sky, as if saying it out loud would confirm it.

  The bigger boy’s face hardened. His body was taunt-like coiled gears as he regarded Aruvia harshly, just like he did to the girl in yellow in the final scene. Her face reflecting the same inhumanity while projecting this same picture of nonchalant.

  “You're lying,” He said directly, not accusingly but a bit harsher than intended. “Why can't you cry around me? I'm not like the rest of them- I wont judge you for actually being real with me.” he continued, his tone carrying a distinct note of hurt.

  Aruvia finally looked away from the screen, shutting it off hurriedly as if to reassure the bigger boy. “I said I'm fine, he’s been dead to me for a long time now…”

  “You-You can't just say that and expect me to believe your ok!” The bigger boy stuttered out in disbelief, “He’s your godamn brother- I remember you crying yourself every damn night when you witnessed your first competitio-!”

  “And because of that I have no strength left to give, Yasu.” Aruvia interrupted, her voice trilling into a more passive aggressive cadence as she unsuccessfully tried to keep it civil. “He is dead, and so are 14 other people. And so will we be in a year.”

  The bigger boy, Yasu,was taken aback for a moment by the sudden cynicism. He couldn't hold the indignation in his tone as he asked, “You cant be serious.. I know you're not in a good state of mind right now but it doesn't mean you should just give up!”

  “If we keep practicing…” Yasu continued, desperate and pleading, “If we just keep fighting then maybe we can finally make some real change! Change that will never happen if we already accept defeat.”

  A small furrow had settled between Aruvia’s brows, the closest thing to a serious expression you could get from her. “But I'm not giving up, I just see no point in wasting precious time and energy on a fruitless endeavour,” Her words weren’t delivered harshly, yet it still stung Yasu greatly. Alas she continued, “-when we could be focusing instead on what we can change.”

  Aruvia’s eyes traveled discreetly to a boy surrounded by people. His navy blue hair and eyes almost masquerading as black, a human color. If it weren't for how it looked almost turquoise in the Artificial garden’s overwhelmingly bright lights.

  Yasu’s eyes followed hers, and settled on the boy. He didn't need any further explanation, just a small conformation; “Is that…?”

  “Yes,” Aruvia confirmed grimly, “We may have stood a chance on our own, but now we got two biologically engineered freaks to compete against.