Innova

CHAPTER EIGHT

The train glides smoothly over the track. It is silent and efficient. I stare out the window at the trees. The bark is black on most of them and they all have grey leaves.

I find myself wanting to be back in my Block, interrogating Devian about cake. I close my eyes and bring up a picture of everything thing that I've seen with color.

The first, a pale, pale pink flower. The second, the blue of a strangers eyes. The third, a slightly orangish brown rock. The fourth, Devian. The fifth, Devian's red blanket. The sixth, the green packet from Devian's bag. And seventh, the granola.

"APPROACHING STATION A. PREPARE TO DISEMBARK."

I sigh and pick my self up, forcing myself to stand and join the crowd by the door. I feel the press of people around me and gulp down the bile that is rising in my throat.

Don't worry, it's okay, it's only your brain being irrational, nothing bad is going to happen to you, your not going to suffocate, everything's all right, it's all going to be okay...

I hurry out of the train quickly, and a feeling of relief and washes over me as the crowd quickly disperses away from me. I close my eyes and do my breathing ritual.

Inhale, 1, exhale, 1, 2, inhale, 1, 2, 3, exhale...

I do this up to ten and back down until I'm calm. Once I'm calm I slowly open my eyes and look around me. Station A is pretty small and their isn't a lot of foot traffic around.

Nice place for a shady meet-up.

I walk out of the station and I realize why there is such little traffic. Section A must be a forest cause there all trees everywhere. I stare for a bit before remembering the time and hurrying my butt up to get to Street AG 620. I hope I have the right address. I turn down street AG and quicken my steps.

Street AG 620 isn't a house. It's a park. I can see little paths going through it and a small children's play area. I sit down on a bench a little ways in the park by the main path. I check my Notepad. It's only 14:53. I wait.

Officer Boney Shoulder shows up five minutes later. "Let's take a walk, shall we."

I get up and fall into step beside him. "You mentioned something about an Outsider?" I ask him. He stops and grabs my arm, dragging me off the track and into the trees.

I panic. What's he going to do? Was this a trap? Am I going to die?

I try to shove his hand off, but he quickly stops and grabs my shoulders, slightly shaking them as he puts his face next to mine. "There are eyes everywhere!" he whisper-shouts through clenched teeth before dragging me further into the forest.

I scream.

He whirls around and clamps a hand over my mouth. "Are you trying to die?" he asks. I freeze. I can't move.

I shouldn't have come.

What made me think this was a good idea? I silently go with him when he tugs my arm. I feel tears gathering behind my eyes. Stop it, you're strong.

I try to focus on where we're going but the trees are all the same and blur together.

I can feel the tears threatening to spill over and onto my cheeks but I force them back.

Finally he stops. After waving around some weird stick thing he turns to me and starts yelling.

"What the hell were you thinking?!? Do you have any idea the amount of deep shit you're in? They got you on camera!" he stops for a bit to I don't know, see how I react, take deep breath?

One small tear slips out of my eye. What the hell is going on? Why am I crying? A look of guilt flashes across his face. He lifts a hand to my face. "Raven, I..."

I pull away from him and wrench my arm from his grip. I angrily wipe away the tear but I don't run.

What's the point? I don't know where I am and he has the advantage. Might as well try to get the answers I came for.

"You said something about an Outsider?"

"Yes, I did. Where is he?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't act dumb Raven, you were on camera with him. You can't act as if you don't know what I'm talking about, he was carrying you."

"How do you know my name?" I ask him.

"Don't change the subject." His voice takes on a pleading tone, "Please, you don't know what they'll do to you."

"Why should I trust you?" I ask. "I don't even know your name."

He looks hurt by that.

"My name is Aaron Ekton and I'm 19 years old. I know you won't rememb-"

Woah hold up.

"YOU'RE ONLY 19?"

"That's what you're concerned about?"

"You look so old though."

"RAVEN," Aaron says gripping my shoulders, "STOP."

I flinch at the loudness of his voice. Aaron takes a deep breath and a step back, letting go of my shoulders. "I'm sorry, but you need to taking this seriously. You don't know the things They will do to get what they want."

"What'll They do?"

His face takes on a grim expression. "You don't want to know."

I kinda do, actually. I don't say that though, sarcasm isn't needed right now.

"Wait, did anyone else see us? On the camera I mean."

"No, I erased the footage. But that just means they don't know where he is. They know he is still in the area. They know that he is missing and They are desperate to find him. Extremely desperate."

"But why though?"

"They're entire system lies on this lie. This lie that there is no place for anyone Outside the Dome."

"Why can't They let people know the truth?"

Aaron groans. "Do you honestly think anyone would stay here if they knew about the Outside? No one in their right mind would!"

I think on his words. Would I leave? The thought never even occurred to me. It seems so... impossible. But then again, I thought Devian was impossible and he's not. The thought of leaving fills me with excitement. And dread.

"Raven."

"What is it Aaron?" I snap at him, angry because he interrupted my train of thought.

"You have to tell me where he is. Now. We don't have that much time."

"Is it possible for someone to leave?"

He stares at me in silence. At first he looks shocked and then, afraid.

"Don't even think about that. You don't know what they'd do if -"

Im quick to cut him off. "Would you stop that. Of course I don't know! I'm trying to figure this out."

"I forgot how stupid you could be..." Aaron mumbles.

I open my mouth to ask him what he means, and does he know me, but right then a shrill shriek fills the air around us.

Aaron looks at me with a horrified expression as I realize it's a siren. A siren for what though?

I don't get the chance to ask because at that exact moment, time stands still.