Excerpt: Calico

People hustled through the streets, going home from their jobs. The sun was down and the stars were starting to be visible in the dark night sky. Lights lined the sidewalks giving those who were walking a little bit of light, but not enough to give reason to the sunglasses nearly all the people wore.

What they see through those glasses is the reason. Small labels appear around certain buildings in the distance. By focusing their vision the label enlarges and they can see if that is something they are interested in, or just go on their way. Augmented reality. Mixing real and virtual to provide an easy way to get directions or other information. At least, that was what most people used them for.

A boy ran through the streets, a similar pair of sunglasses on his eyes. If his eyes could be seen, they would be shown full of panic and frustration. He continuously glanced side to side, trying to find a face in the crowd that he knew. He knew it was hopeless but he could not give up. He could not. There had to be something that would lead him the person he was looking for.

He ran past an alley where a stray tortoiseshell cat watched the people on the street silently.