Equals

Chapter 5

 Michael

           We go back to where she first dropped me off of the plane. She says it’s the most predictable place he’ll be, since he’s always arriving here with ‘newbies.’ Sure enough, she’s right.

          “Michael!” She starts running, and a second later he turns around. She wraps her arms around his neck. “I really want you to meet someone, she’s amazing.” She walks back to me and pulls me toward him. “Michael, this is Azurite. She’s a newbie—I mean she’s new to the Hideout. I’ve been showing her around, with the bakery and parks and things. She’s really amazing, tell him Az, and tell him about you.”

          I don’t really know what to say. I don’t want to brag about my simple journey like I almost died, but I don’t want to sound like some nobody who came here because she was forced. So I just say, “It-it really wasn’t as amazing as she says. I just…kept this note and figured out the clues and…here I am.”

          “I don’t mean about that silly, tell him about how many people came with you.”             

          “Oh…well I-I came by myself.

          “You what…?”

          “It wasn’t that hard, really, like I said I just—“He turns back to Madison.

           “You let her come alone?! Don’t you know how dangerous that is for a city kid?” She puts her head down and blushes. I put my arm on her shoulder.

          “Don’t blame her, really. She didn’t know I was coming in the first place. I was kind of a…surprise I guess.” Yeah some surprise, all I’m gonna do is make friends with you and destroy your city. “Anyway, the city really is amazing, I mean, it’s fun, but you really have to take it seriously. There are so many things that could go wrong at any second, and so many things to find here. I can tell…” Well at least that wasn’t a lie.

          “You really are special Az…”

          “Azurite, my name’s Azurite. And thanks.”

          “Azurite, well, do you want to see more of the city?"

          “Oh that’s okay Michael I’ll take her.” Madison’s voice cuts in.

          “Well actually I was hoping you could take the newbies to their new homes. I’ll see you at dinner, okay?”

           “Well, okay. Be nice to her, Michael okay? She’s really something s

           “I knew by the way you explained to me what you thought of the city I could trust you, to show you what I see. You really understand this place, even after the short time you’ve been here…I like that about you.” He rubs his thumb gently against the scar on my cheek. “You know what I noticed about you first?”

            “What?”

          “That scar on your face and hand.”

          “These things? Why?”

          “They tell me that you take risks, you take life seriously. How’d you get them?"

          “Ha, fell off a mountain side.” He chuckles softly.

          “Damn Azurite, you’re riskier than I thought.” It makes me laugh, but I put my head down so he doesn’t see me blush.

          “Well, life can’t be fun and games. Otherwise, what’s the point, really? I mean, you have no cares, but you wouldn’t feel anything. Everybody would be the same and—“I finally realize what I’ve been thinking all along. I’ve finally realized that the city I’ve lived in my entire life, my perfect utopia, is a complete lie. All it can lead to is destruction. “—equal…”

          “Are you alright?"

          “Huh, oh…right…I’m fine, thanks. So, can you show me anymore?” He smiles.

          “Ha, I’d love to just as much as you would, but it’s getting too dark. Maybe tomorrow?”

          “Okay, tomorrow, meet you here.”

          “Actually, I’ll get you at your house. We’re going somewhere different tomorrow.”

          “See you tomorrow.”