Aaliyah: A Short Story

Aaliyah slowly trudged through the leaves scattering the sidewalks. It was a bitter fall day, breezy and a bit cold, but she enjoyed it. She was on her way to the farmer’s market for a few last minute things that her mother had needed for dinner that night.
Aaliyah was nervous. She could feel her heartbeat in her throat, and almost wondered if she was about to receive some sort of panic attack. She knew that to get to the market and back to her house in time for dinner she needed to take those new-fangled HyperLoop things. Though it was a good means of transportation, Aaliyah had never really thought that they were going to be very reliable. In fact, everyone that she had ever had notification about leaving on a HyperLoop was never

A short while later, Aaliyah had reached the boarding platform. Here goes nothing, she thought to herself. “Right this way, ma’am,” said the guard standing next the the doors. Aaliyah casually walked past him, making sure that her face showed as little tension as possible.

The inside of the HyperLoop was modern looking, and it smelled of new car and fresh paint, being that the Loops had just recently been introduced to the public. Aaliyah took a seat next to a sort of grouchy looking old woman, and began to run over what her mother had told her to pick up at the market. Okay, she thought. Just get in, get out and head home, it’s simple.

It was simple, but Aaliyah just couldn’t seem to get rid of the feeling in the back of her head, telling her that she shouldn’t be doing this, rendering all of the bad things that could occur upon her. She started to get up, but then thought to herself, No matter, I can do this. The HyperLoop jolted into motion, and without any further ado, she was off.

The system was quiet, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, if you listened closely. Aaliyah had begun to become more trusting in the Loop, and believed that she was going to return home safely and without

Days had passed, worrisome days, days filled with sadness, helplessness and regret. Aaliyah was still trying to find some way to save them, but it seemed that it was hopeless. They all really were going to die here, the edges of the world caving in upon them, their lasts breaths of life being stolen from them. But she knew she couldn’t give up. All of these people were counting on her to return home to their families, their homes, their lives, and on top of that, she would finally be able to earn some respect.

Ideas on means of returning home on her part were scarce, and so one day, when a man appeared at her side, claiming that he had an idea, Aaliyah became ecstatic. And apparently, it was simple. All they had to do was this; first, hook the ends of each of the HyperLoop cars to each other, next, gather everyone together to, and lastly, have them rock the front car up and down. The man explained that the Loop ran on waves that moved in horizontal motions for power, claiming that if they gave it that, maybe it would be able to carry them home