Noctura

fifty

seungyoon

THE BLACK jacket I threw on is a rain resistant one, because it's raining lightly outside. I changed into jeans and black hiking boots before I came out here as well. I thought sweatpants weren't the best for this excursion in the rain.

I have my hood up over my head, my black mask over my mouth and nose, and a pistol in the back of my pants.

The rain isn't soaking through any of my clothing yet, but if I'm out here too long it might start to soak through my jeans.

Hopefully I won't be out too long.

I move through the streets, heading toward a bus stop. Since it's only around five thirty, there shouldn't be too many people using the bus. If there are lots of people when the bus rolls up, I just won't take the bus.

But I have to head to the fourth sector, near the AAN building, because that's where Nephi ran from. So, that's where I'm going to start my search.

I reach a bus stop and sit down on the bench, under a cover, so I'm blocked from the rain. I lean forward on my legs and wait.

If I was Nephi, and I had just escaped the AAN building, where would I go?

I think about the other buildings around the AAN building. Is there anywhere that would be a good and safe place to hide?

Maybe.

I'll have to see when I get there, though.

The bus eventually rolls up and I look inside to see that there's only an old woman sitting at the very back.

I board the bus and move to the middle, sitting down right next to the window.

The bus starts to rumble down the road toward the fourth sector. As we're moving, I look out the window at the buildings passing by. I wish I could see more nature as we're rolling through the streets, but there isn't much.

That's just how the world is now.

I look out the window during the entire ride down to the fourth sector. Once the bus stops near the AAN building, I quickly step off and wait as it rumbles away.

With my hood and mask on, I begin moving through the streets, looking for abandoned buildings where Nephi could be hiding.

He couldn't be too far from the AAN building, but maybe he's been traveling this entire time. There's no way for me to know. But I'll just start looking closer to the AAN building and move outward.

I never talked to Nephi about what he should do if the AAN ever got to him. I never thought he would be captured by the AAN. I never thought the AAN would discover the Alliance base.

I move past an old building but quickly turn back, inspecting the front of it. I open the front door and find that it's unlocked.

Carefully, I step inside and silently close the door behind me. I touch the gun in the back of my pants to reassure myself and then continue walking into the old building.

The windows are boarded up, so I have to let my eyes adjust to the darkness in here.

But as my eyes are adjusting, it's hard to see.

I step forward and a board creaks.

I stop and try to look around, but I can't see very well. I listen for any sounds in the dark.

Silence.

I hesitate.

"Nephi?" I whisper.