Arkdays [Pre-load]

Prologue 2

"You want to go outside the city Shia? We've got transport coming in soon, roughly about an hour and a half from now. It would be pretty risky. Not to mention that it's not legally allowed here..."

"I know! But... I haven't been outside the city in ages. Not in any way where I feel free, that is. We're only outside when we're traveling from city to city, and even then I end up resting for the mission instead of paying attention to the outside world."

"I understand your motives Shia, and there's nothing wrong with them, but-"

"Doctor, I'm just like you. Looking at the cities around me, it's hard not to lose hope. I need a breather."

The Doctor stands motionless, conflicted.

"Please Doctor. It'll be the only time I ask. I promise."

The Doctor takes a deep sigh of defeat, partially fogging up his mask. "Fine, I suppose a quick trip won't hurt."

Shia suddenly jumps up and into the Doctor, hugging his chest tightly.

"Now the problem is figuring out how to get out of here," the Doctor mumbles to himself, unfazed by Shia. He puts his elbow on top of Shia's head and rests his fingers against his chin, which ends up with him rubbing his face mask instead. Shia slightly pouts, but doesn't interject.

"You two are looking to leave the city?" A voice suddenly asks from behind, causing both the Doctor and Shia to recoil in momentary shock.

From behind them steps out a smaller girl, around 4'8", who looks to be in her early teens. She wears a black leather jacket and a white undershirt. She's holding a small hammer in one hand, as the other hand adjusts the brown hair that fell in front of her face. She brushes it behind her shoulders and looks up to the Doctor and Shia. She has a small scar that runs through her right eyebrow, and a couple scratches on her cheeks. Her piercing green eyes look up at specifically Shia with a certain intensity to them. However, the most notable thing about her is the Astellium buildup on her face, which caused small black crystal formations to appear on her cheeks and one on her forehead.

"N-no, you must've misheard-" The Doctor begins before being cut off by Shia.

"Yes, we are," Shia then whispers quietly into the Doctor's ear. "She wants to help us, Doctor. I gave her the medicine, so she wants to pay us back."

The girl stares back at the two expectedly.

"Yes, we're looking for a way outside the city," The Doctor eventually replies, still on guard.

"Let me take you to an exit, friend. The city people haven't closed a hole in the wall yet. It broke when we Migrated last."

The Doctor leans over to Shia and whispers to her "Our transport doesn't have any telecommunication devices - city five is incredibly strict about that. If she takes too long to take us there, or we sense she's misleading us, we leave immediately, alright?"

Shia nods, then turns her attention back to the girl.

"What's your name?" the Doctor asks.

"I don't give out my name to people in masks."

Suddenly, the girl starts walking away. After a few moments, she beckons them over and continues to walk onwards.

Shia and the Doctor look at each other, though neither of them are able to read each other's facial expressions anyways. Shia takes the first step, followed by the Doctor.

The three of them walked through the city, keeping to themselves if any people passed them by. Usually, to avoid any interaction, they'd act as if they were interested in the buildings around them if anyone walked near them. That being said, their efforts were somewhat in vain. While they did not have to talk to anyone, their mere presence was enough to create some conflicts.