Blameless

FIVE

The cityscape of the Dome glowed with artificial luminosity, casting a sanitized aura over the meticulously planned streets and buildings. Neon signs blinked rhythmically, orchestrating a visual symphony of predictability. The air, filtered and conditioned, carried the subtle hum of a well-maintained ecosystem. The meticulously arranged flowerbeds and manicured greenery adorned the streets, a symphony of controlled nature designed for visual appeal rather than wild growth. The sanitized architecture of towering buildings loomed overhead, their polished surfaces reflecting the ambient artificial light. The streets, gleaming under the carefully managed cleanliness, offered an illusion of a utopian existence. Yet, Mia couldn't help but wonder if the streets in the Outer-Cities had a similar, if not the same, appearance. The people passing by, engrossed in their scripted lives, wore expressions of serene compliance, Mia greeted each one as they passed.
Unable to contain her inquiries any longer, Mia turned to Ty with a contemplative expression.

"Ty," she began, the curiosity evident in her eyes, "why did you bring me to that abandoned structure, What was that place?"

Ty chuckled, a mix of amusement in his voice. "That, Mia, was the building that was going to be the new Data Analysis headquarters, but it was never finished." Ty shrugged. "Guess it wasn't up to code so it just sits there, abandoned."

"Near town? You'd think it would be taken down by now. It's an eyesore." Mia shook her head.

"You didn't know it was there before I took you, did you?" Ty's lips curled into a sly smile.

"Well, no." Mia sighed. "But still, my point stands."

"And it's a valid point. Caddel would have taken the building down normally, yes, especially before anyone could see it." Ty paused for a moment. "But I think there's something unique about this one that made him keep it."

"Like what? The only thing I noticed that was different were those wooden boards. Not much is made with that material." Mia's expression stayed contemplative as she spoke.

Ty nodded, moving his hands to motion for them to keep walking. "Correct you are, so why keep it? Caddel obviously has plans for it." He opened his mouth to speak again but stopped, trying to find the right words to say.

Mia absorbed Ty's explanation, the resonance of his words stirring a yearning for the unknown within her. "So for now it's just your little hideaway?" Mia joked.

"We can call it that, sure." Ty stopped in his tracks, looking up at the house that stood before them. The concrete structure painted a beige color, the bricks surrounding the front door a darker red. Ty examined the build of the house, his eyes ending on the stairs leading to the front door. "Well Miss Blameless, this was a good conversation, but I believe it ends here." Ty slightly waved, turning around to leave.

"Thank you." Mia quickly spoke, watching Ty stop in his tracks. "For showing me the view I mean. I look forward to being your partner."

Ty turned only his head, looking over his shoulder. "We'll see how this whole partner thing goes." He smiled, turning his gaze back to the streets and continued walking.

Upon entering her home, Mia found her mother and Nana engrossed in conversation, their faces lighting up as they greeted her. The warmth of familiarity momentarily tempered the swirling thoughts in Mia's mind.

"Mia, darling! How was your day?" her mother inquired, a smile playing on her lips.

"It was... different." Mia replied, a thoughtful expression clouding her features.

Nana, perceptive as always, regarded Mia with a knowing gaze, her brown eyes searching her Granddaughter. "Different in a good way or a challenging way, dear?"