AFIRE: fight for the Earth begins✓

16.4 ZURI

The story so far:

---- Aija is a Volunteer at the Pristine School at Innermost. She works along with Zuri and Ze, who are her friends. Aija witnesses a strange event one night – light emanating from Rez's body. The kidnapper is after her soul, next, but he leaves her alive and goes away. Another man finds her, he wants to take her somewhere else - Aija though wary of him agrees. Aija learns of the existence of the aliens – the Ytai. Also, about the R'ies and H'eon, Harvesting and Àvo from Etrie. Etrie tells her that the man, who Harvested Rez (Thieron), will now go after her. He tells her that the spy/kidnapper's name is Luka. Etrie asks her to work along with him. Aija agrees to work along with Etrie on Harvest Stopping Missions.

---- Thieron and Nala check out a new target and realize that Etrie's team was trailing the same target.

---- Xan is a student at the Pristine School. He attends Cello classes at the same academy as his best friend Vaughn. Xan is preparing for the mandatory Eligibility Test that he must take once he turns sixteen. Xan has a small party on his birthday. Xan feels like he is being constantly watched. Xan takes his Eligibility Test and does well. He gets his Medicine Administration done. Xan feels sick and at his party, he faints.

---- Zuri is back at her hometown. She tells Alex why it's important to do well at school - so that they can both live at Innermost and bring their parents there too. Zuri meets with her friends. She admits that she likes someone - a girl. Her friend Amyas tells her that he likes her.

---- Aija invites Zuri on a Harvest Stopping Mission. Zuri agrees to go and leaves her hometown earlier than intended. 

---- Zuri is picked up by Kuna, Etrie's partner. He tells that Etrie will erase her memories.

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****16.4 - Zuri****

Zuri remained quiet for the rest of the way to the Terra-Turbo station; once they were there, and she had scanned her finger at the Pay Gate she asked the Ytai, "Where are we going?"

Two messages beeped into her Scroll now small in size and on her wrist. One registered her entry (it was free for volunteers), and the other was a message canceling her entry since it was an error.

"What's happening?" she asked.

"Your entry will be recorded when you tap, so..."

"I know that."

"Listen before you speak." Kuna snapped, and she flinched at the suddenness of it. "So, it has been erased for you. Else, the records might get you into trouble. The Secures might question you regarding such unusual travel activities."

Zuri was scowling at Kuna the entire time, miffed by his rudeness.

"Fine, where are we going?" she asked.

"East."

"Wow....very informational."

Kuna glared at her, hearing the sarcasm in her voice, and she felt proud for irking him. Where ever it was in the east, they reached there about two hours later. It looked like a tiny town, even smaller than hers, but better maintained than Apper town. The roads were wide and neat; the streets in Apper town were on the verge of crumbling.

Kuna led the way, and she followed him quietly. They reached a small playground, and a man was sitting on one of the swings.

"Etrie, Zuri. Zuri, Etrie." Kuna introduced them to each other.

Etrie smiled still on the swing as he held out his hand for her. "Nice to meet you, Zuri."

"Same," she mumbled and held her hand out for him. He shook her hand once firmly.