I always expected this to happen. I fought to prevent this messy schedule, but it was impossible.

As the sun set over the ocean, a breeze swayed along my face. I tucked my dark, black hair behind my ear and adjusted my sunglasses to sit up on my face. Not that I needed sunglasses anyways. If I were to adjust to the new way of life, the sunset was the new sunrise. I forced myself up off the sand, and back inside. I put on a few layers of clothes; it was cold at night. Grabbing my bag and coffee, I opened the door and went outside to my car. I drove quickly to work, but the traffic was extremely bad that night.

"This system sucks!" I yelled out loud as I slammed my hand onto my horn. A few other vehicles beeped back at me, but I didn't care. By the time I got to work, it was pitch black outside. I envied those who worked the "morning shift". Originally I volunteered to work the morning shift, but my company wouldn't allow it. They needed me during the main parts of the night to work as a floor manager. My company was in charge of everything related to time. We controlled most time changes, as well as the nocturnal laws. I'd always been very against the new nocturnal system, but surprisingly enough, I didn't quit my job. Over the past decade, I'd risen to such a high position with my company that I couldn't possibly consider quitting. Even if it meant I'd have to jump on board with this psychotic way of life.

When the nocturnal shift was first suggested, everyone thought it was crazy. Of course my position on the subject never really changed, it just changed depending on who I would discuss it with. When my company first decided to support the idea, I tried to convince them it was a mistake. Eventually, I began to act more neutral. If my company was in favor of it, I couldn't be opposed; otherwise I might have been fired. Originally the nocturnal system was supposed to be a major shift where 50% of all company staff would have to change to the night shift. However, it expanded after many people had complaints. Some were upset that their families were on different times than them. Others were jealous of the new experience. People ultimately came together and decided that shifting everyone to the night shift would be the best possible solution. That way, it was fair to everyone.

To me, there never seemed to be much logic behind the nocturnal system. Regardless, I continued to run my department of the company, and I followed along with the new measures. We were 8 months into the nocturnal system and everything seemed to be running smoothly. But that one day, on my way into work, it was the darkest night of the year. Everybody was a bit on edge throughout the days leading up to it. Mostly because nobody knew what could happen on a dark night like this. Conveniently, that night, the power shut off. The entire city was experiencing a massive blackout. Little did people, that night, everything was going to be a mess. Right off the bat, people were already crashing into each other. No matter how slow we went, it was too black to prevent this. I called my boss to find out what I should do.

"Hello, sir. It's very dangerous out here. I'm not sure we should be telling people to come in today," I stated hesitantly.

"No. Enough people have called in sick today. We can't afford to lose anybody else today."

"Okay... I guess I'll see you at the office," I said. That phone call was pointless and short-lived. I continued to drive straight through the starry night, praying nothing bad would happen to me. I new this was a dumb system. Everyone was crashing and showing up late. When it's that dark, there's really nothing else you can do.

I always expected this to happen. I fought to prevent this messy schedule, but it was impossible.