stairs. An idea forms in my mind, but I'm not sure how to pull it off. I glance one last time at Guard Nev's indifferent frame. If ever I wanted to sneak away, now is the time.
I eat quickly, barely taking time to taste the food. If I want to make a break for it, now would be the best time. Guard Nev is newly distracted. He won't notice me sneaking out the back door. I take my time going down the steps. If he's watching me, then I need to look casual. At the bottom of the stairs, I pause and hold my breath. Will he come?
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi. He doesn't come, so I push through the back door and into the alley. My steps are quick now, and I make it to the corner and peek around. No guard in sight. He really didn't see me, and I'm really free to do some exploring. The possibilities are endless.
I make my way toward the Training Dome for one reason—if Guard Nev were to realize I was missing then he would look at the Lake first.
A transporter zips past and I watch it go. Taking one would get me to the dome faster, but still I hesitate. Few things allow me to feel at home, but walking is one of them. I keep walking.
The Training Dome sparkles in the sun as it always does. A guard sits at the gate. He looks as bored as ever. “Name?”
“Hana Norfolk.”
He glances at his HELP comp and his bored look changes to a frown.
Uh oh.
“Miss Norfolk, I'm going to have to ask you to stay here for a minute.”
Great.
My first instinct is to run like I did the first time I ever sneaked out at home. I was caught by a guard while trying to meet up with Fischer’s group of Christians. That didn't end so well, so in spite of my instincts, I make myself to stay put.
Only a few minutes pass when a transporter arrives. Guard Nev climbs out, his nostrils flared and his eyes shooting flames of fury at me.
“Identify,” the gate-guard says.
Guard Nev holds out his arm and the other guard runs his HELP comp over it. It makes a beeping sound and the guard nods. “Nice time, Guard.”
Guard Nev doesn't reply. He jerks his thumb toward the transporter. “Get in.” His words are as chilly as the Mississippi in the winter.
I climb in, frustration and shame running through me.
“I thought you were better than that,” he says. It’s so unlike him to open up this way that I stare at him. “You took advantage of me.”
It hits me then that he thinks we're friends. He's opened up to me and I've opened up to him. He knows my mother. He was beginning to think he could trust me. I let him down.
I sink into the seat of the transporter, wishing I could disappear. “I'm sorry.”
He doesn't reply and we make the rest of the ride in silence. At my building he walks me all the way up to my apartment, and when I move to enter, he positions himself to the right of the door, his hands clasped in front of him. He’s keeping watch directly outside my door.
Perfect. The one true friend I might have made in Greater City, and I just ruined it. He's never going to help me now.
17
Guard Nev remains silent as he walks me to class the next morning. Supreme Moon humiliated him, but what's worse is I humiliated him. He is angry.
We ride the vac chamber to the third floor, and Professor Higgins waits for me in the hallway.
“Hana, may I speak with you in private?” He glances at Guard Nev, but Guard Nev doesn't move. He frowns at the professor instead.
“Of course,” I say, surprised at Guard Nev's rude behavior. I step away from him. Thankfully, he doesn't follow.
“We will be taking a trip to Lesser City 1 this week. I know you are searching for someone—that's been obvious. That isn't allowed. Are you aware?”
Why is he telling me this? I shift uncomfortably. “I'm aware.”
He presses something into my hand. “Use this. No one will question you.” He smiles and hurries away.
A glance at Guard Nev shows that he’s watching me. I don't dare look at what Professor Higgins gave
I eat quickly, barely taking time to taste the food. If I want to make a break for it, now would be the best time. Guard Nev is newly distracted. He won't notice me sneaking out the back door. I take my time going down the steps. If he's watching me, then I need to look casual. At the bottom of the stairs, I pause and hold my breath. Will he come?
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi. He doesn't come, so I push through the back door and into the alley. My steps are quick now, and I make it to the corner and peek around. No guard in sight. He really didn't see me, and I'm really free to do some exploring. The possibilities are endless.
I make my way toward the Training Dome for one reason—if Guard Nev were to realize I was missing then he would look at the Lake first.
A transporter zips past and I watch it go. Taking one would get me to the dome faster, but still I hesitate. Few things allow me to feel at home, but walking is one of them. I keep walking.
The Training Dome sparkles in the sun as it always does. A guard sits at the gate. He looks as bored as ever. “Name?”
“Hana Norfolk.”
He glances at his HELP comp and his bored look changes to a frown.
Uh oh.
“Miss Norfolk, I'm going to have to ask you to stay here for a minute.”
Great.
My first instinct is to run like I did the first time I ever sneaked out at home. I was caught by a guard while trying to meet up with Fischer’s group of Christians. That didn't end so well, so in spite of my instincts, I make myself to stay put.
Only a few minutes pass when a transporter arrives. Guard Nev climbs out, his nostrils flared and his eyes shooting flames of fury at me.
“Identify,” the gate-guard says.
Guard Nev holds out his arm and the other guard runs his HELP comp over it. It makes a beeping sound and the guard nods. “Nice time, Guard.”
Guard Nev doesn't reply. He jerks his thumb toward the transporter. “Get in.” His words are as chilly as the Mississippi in the winter.
I climb in, frustration and shame running through me.
“I thought you were better than that,” he says. It’s so unlike him to open up this way that I stare at him. “You took advantage of me.”
It hits me then that he thinks we're friends. He's opened up to me and I've opened up to him. He knows my mother. He was beginning to think he could trust me. I let him down.
I sink into the seat of the transporter, wishing I could disappear. “I'm sorry.”
He doesn't reply and we make the rest of the ride in silence. At my building he walks me all the way up to my apartment, and when I move to enter, he positions himself to the right of the door, his hands clasped in front of him. He’s keeping watch directly outside my door.
Perfect. The one true friend I might have made in Greater City, and I just ruined it. He's never going to help me now.
17
Guard Nev remains silent as he walks me to class the next morning. Supreme Moon humiliated him, but what's worse is I humiliated him. He is angry.
We ride the vac chamber to the third floor, and Professor Higgins waits for me in the hallway.
“Hana, may I speak with you in private?” He glances at Guard Nev, but Guard Nev doesn't move. He frowns at the professor instead.
“Of course,” I say, surprised at Guard Nev's rude behavior. I step away from him. Thankfully, he doesn't follow.
“We will be taking a trip to Lesser City 1 this week. I know you are searching for someone—that's been obvious. That isn't allowed. Are you aware?”
Why is he telling me this? I shift uncomfortably. “I'm aware.”
He presses something into my hand. “Use this. No one will question you.” He smiles and hurries away.
A glance at Guard Nev shows that he’s watching me. I don't dare look at what Professor Higgins gave
Similar Books
