Saint's perspective

I won't lie to myself about how I felt having Willow around, and I never lied to her about that either. She was a lot of trouble, but, even though I probably will never tell her this and probably won't get the chance to after today, I liked being around her.

She's a focused girl and she focuses on the right thing; family. There aren't many people who still put blood before anything else, especially in a country like Geode where everything you've ever wanted will be offered to you on a silver platter just so you can betray your family. At least, after everything she's done and everything she's given up, she finally got her sister back. It's a shame about Kane.

I wave goodbye to Willow after she climbs into her car, but just when I'm about to look away, I notice weird marks on a grey sleeve. I'm not too sure, but it looks like that sleeve has letters covering it, and the only thing that comes to mind is that terrorist group that's causing a buzz in Geode at the moment.

It isn't odd or suspicious for anyone to wear clothing like that, but I don't think anyone would be daring enough to wear an outfit so close to the one broadcasted as a 'symbol of destruction', especially when the police are trying to hunt that group down. It's just ridiculous for anyone to wear anything close to their outfits. It's even more ridiculous for Willow to wear that under a long-sleeved black top; it's blazing hot.

I step forward to get a closer look at it, but the window is already up and the car is already moving. It would feel silly to walk up to her and ask to see what's she's wearing so I won't even bother to stop the car. I think she's had enough stress to last a lifetime, and I can't help but wish I did more for her. She deserves better than a short life without family and a painful end when her infection starts again.

Still, I think taking the cure was the best thing for her. No one else could really help her, and at least she won't spend the last moments of her life locked up in some lab and losing herself. It's just a shame her life will be shorter than what I originally predicted.

Willow's condition must be serious considering she already felt, even though it was little, some pain only a day after Aris gave her the cure. I doubt she'll even make it up to a year, and I don't think it's smart for me to be hopeful that she'll be some exception to Aris' cure and actually survive some of this.

I actually need to speak to Aris. He's probably irritated by now, but I don't think I'll ever stop asking until I get the answer I want; I'll keep asking if we can organise for Willow to speak to her family once in a while.

I know she'll be happy to be with Kane, but considering she did so much for Mathea, I figure it only makes sense that they get to speak again. It just seems messed up for someone to not speak to their family for months then hear about the news of their death. I don't know how I'll even be able to deliver that news, physically and emotionally speaking.

"Sorry." A blonde-haired lady bumps into me as I walk back into the building.

When I look up, I notice Aris is no longer staring at us from the window. He won't admit it, but I think he'll miss having Willow around. He did say she was entertaining.

I push a door open with my shoulders and fish Willow's envelope out of my pocket. I wonder if she explained everything in this letter; everything about her condition and what is really happening to her.

"Shit," I say out loud and ignore the glances from people around me.

As much as I want to respect Willow's privacy, I can't risk her spilling secrets to her family through this letter. The black market can't risk a slip up like this, not after everything we've all been through. I can always type out the letter, but leave out anything that could cause any problems for us. A handwritten letter would be more sentimental, but her family will have to understand.

I continue walking down the corridor and poke my head into a few offices until I find a completely empty one. When I'm about to give up the search and take the trip to my room, I watch a group of people, all laughing, walk out of an office to the left of me. A few of them bump into me before I'm able to peak into the room they just left so I can see if there's anyone else left in it; there isn't.

I step into the office and shut the door behind me, sliding my finger against the lock screen to lock the door. Aris isn't anywhere near finished, but he's been trying to make this place more modern. I think a lot of the upgrades aren't needed, but they make things a little easier and they do make the offices look cooler. Anyway, seeing as I don't own this building, I don't really have a say.

I sit on top of the only desk I see and rip the envelope open. I probably should have been more gentle because the papers inside tear a little, but it's not a major problem. There are two sheets of paper; one addressed to Mathea and the other addressed to...Kane.

I start with Mathea's letter, and my eyes widen as I take in the content. I shake my head as I get to the third paragraph and re-read a couple sentences just to make sure I'm not imagining things.

Willow isn't leaving the country, and by the looks it, she has joined the very group I feared. Now, reading this letter and thinking back to her clothing, she's definitely involved with the group lately being referred to as Square.  The only good thing, if I can even say it's a good thing, is that Willow doesn't mention the black market.

Although Kane knows everything, I can't help but skim through his letters just in case addressing the letter to him was some trick. I don't know what to trust now. I don't even know what to do about all this. This isn't the life she should have.

I shove both letters back into my pocket before pulling out my phone to see where the location of her vehicle is. I don't usually track the cars, but Aris allowed me to do it this once. When I look to my phone, the only vehicles I pick up are Kane's and Mathea's.

I shake my head as I walk to the door, unlocking it quickly before running towards the nearest elevator, but I decide against using the lift when I see many people crowded around it.

Luckily, the stairs are right next to the elevator, and I make my way to Bunker Level Two. The cameras should have picked up whenever she brought that outfit into her room, and everyone working there should know the clothing of Square.

I get to Bunker level Two and quickly walk over to the lady monitoring Willow's previous room. A new staff member should be moving in there by next week.

"Play the recording for the past month."

The lady glances up at me before nodding her head and mumbling words I can't hear. "When would you like me to start from?"

"I don't know...Start from today."

She starts playing the recordings slowly. "A little faster," I say, and she follows my instruction without saying a word.

She speeds up the video and the both of us watch Willow's movement together despite this lady not knowing what she's looking for.

The video plays backwards and I see Willow writing on her bed; it must be letters now shoved into my pocket. I see Willow in a towel as she leans against her door, and I see Willow running her hand through Saga's newly growing her. The recordings continue to play and I notice how she spends most of her time with Saga and Sogi.

I don't even know why I'm looking for some clue when Willow's letter gave me all the answers I needed to know. I just can't believe we all missed this. I can't believe I missed this.

The lady speeds up the video once and a few minutes pass before I notice something I believe anyone monitoring her room should have noticed; well, anyone focusing on doing their job right should have noticed.

"Stop," the video is paused at my request. "Play this forward now."

She does as I say, and I try to hold my anger in just thinking about how I could even notice this when watching these recordings play backwards. We watch the recording for a few more minutes just to be sure of what I've found.

"I need a list of everyone who's been monitoring this room for the past month."

Someone must have tampered with this tapes, because the exact same recording played twice; all the movements and placing of every object in Willow's room was exactly the same for a specific two days. If Willow was able to tamper with this herself, someone must have helped her.

The lady points to her screen and I never even noticed she was showing me the list already. On the screen, I see about five names and faces. I also see their schedules and there isn't anything irregular about them. I almost give up my suspicions about Willow having inside help, but a grey-haired lady with grey eyes catches my attention. Her name is Evelyn Hall. I'm sure she was assigned to be Willow's driver.

"How many of you take on multiple jobs?"

"I'm—I'm not sure what you mean."

"You work in the control rooms, right? What's the chance of you being offered a job in the kitchens as well?"

"It's happened to some of us. We've been low on staff lately." She looks a bit frightened so I decide to leave her.

"Thanks."

I walk away from the lady and think about talking to Aris. The only problem is that I don't have much to give him besides my suspicions that could cause problems for his staff members that might have nothing to do with Willow's actions. All I can say is that I'm certain she is joining Square and I can't track her car.

I find myself near Willow's room—well, Willows old room—and decide to continue in that direction. When I stop at her door, I knock before pushing it open to enter the room. I can't help but think the lady from the control room is watching me. This room might have caught her attention after I caused a bit of a scene.

I don't know when I start snooping, but my hands begin moving everything they can. I end up throwing the pillows to the floor and lifting up the mattress on the bed. I also feel through the duvet and throw open every cupboard I see.

When I look to the side, I see Saga staring at me and this causes us to both scream, but she laughs right after. "What are you doing, Frosty?"

"Nothing, Saga." I sigh then slip my hands into my pockets.

"You miss Willow." Saga laughs and holds her tummy as if it hurts her to laugh so hard. "You miss Willow."

"Okay, Saga," I chuckle just for the sake of her, "now get out of here."

Her laugh slowly comes to an end and she closer to me. She stops a few feet away from me before bending down, and, with difficulty, pulling up a tile from the floor.

"Willow showed me this one isn't tight. She let me hide my candy here." You can hear the excitement in her voice when she pushes the tile aside and pulls out a jar of candy. "Mummy says I eat too much candy."

I walk over to Saga and kneel beside her, looking into the space now in the floor. Saga sticks her hand back into it and pulls out a grey mask covered in the letter s. She pulls the mask over her head and smiles.

"Aww Willow left her mask here."

"You've seen it before?"

"Yes. She has a whole costume, but it's too big for me."

Saga pulls off the mask and throws it back into hole then opens her jar of sweets and throws one into her mouth. I watch as she closes the jar and puts it back into the hole. She starts placing the tile back in the original spot and I help her do it.

"Bye, Frosty." Saga jumps up and walks to the door, but she stops right before it. "Wait, can I have the mask now that Willow is gone?"

"No," I say quickly, "and you should come back to get this jar later. Someone new is moving in."

I watch as Saga pouts before hurrying out of the door. When she leaves, I pull the tile out and grab the mask. Willow is definitely in the Square.

I know Aris will be worried about this; he'll be worried about what she might say to people if she isn't being monitored in a place that's not Geode. I'll have to tell him. We'll have to find her, but I don't think that will need to be a priority, because her letter doesn't make it seem likes she's out to expose us or that she even needs to.

I sigh as I pull the letters out of my pocket, and read them again.

Dear Mathea:

Hey, T. I know this letter is addressed to you, but it's really for the entire family. I just wasn't sure our parents would understand how desperate and serious I am about these issues so I was hoping you'd be the one to read this letter and try explain things to them. I think they'll understand more if someone explains it all face to face.

I know you'll be angry at me for what I'm about to say, but I'm hoping you try to understand why I am doing this all, and if you don't understand, I know you love me enough to help me anyway. I know mum and dad love me too, but you're a softy (but if calling you that makes you more angry, then there's not a soft bone in your body!)

Anyway, I won't be leaving the country. Don't get excited, because you still won't be seeing me. I'm sorry I lied about visiting. Well, I didn't really lie. It may be possible to visit and call you; I just can't promise it will happen, and if it does happen, I can't say it will happen anytime soon.

I'm really sorry, T. Tell mum and dad I'm sorry too. I just didn't want to cause further trouble by telling you the truth. You may have caused a scene. You could have tried to stop me or join me, and I can't have that. I can't have you going where I am going.

I doubt you'll know this, but there are a group of people doing everything they can to bring a change to this country. They're fighting for true justice, and that's something I need to be a part of. I've experienced so much and have witnessed so much that it wouldn't be right if I just relaxed on some beach house with Kane.

I need to fight for change, Thea. Maybe you and Kane would have liked to join me, but, selfishly, I felt I needed to take this choice away from you. I don't want either of you doing anything for me, and if you truly want to fight for a change in Geode, I'm sure you'll find your own way of doing that.

I'm sorry for lying to you, T. I really am sorry, and I hope you understand this. It may be difficult, but I hope you don't worry about me. I'll be alright. I'll be safe, and I'm so happy that I can fight for something that means so much to me.

This may seem unfair, but I need to ask you for something. This is the part that is also addressed to mum and dad; I need you to help Kane is any way you can. I know you can't contact him, but I'm sure dad will make contact with Saint at some point or maybe Saint will reach out to you.

The people we were with will provide him with anything he needs to live (until he finds a job), but if there is a way to get him things that can actually make him happy, please do it. It may be silly sending him gifts so maybe you could get funds to him, and Kane can get whatever he wants. It's not much, but sometimes the little things can make a person happy.

Also, if you are able to get anything to Kane, I hope you all write him notes. He'll need love and support especially if the side effects of the cure kick in. I left another note in this envelope addressed to Kane. If you guys happen to get anything to him, please send my note as well. I couldn't leave it with Saint because that could have been suspicious, and I couldn't find a way to slip it into Kane's pocket. Anyway, the second part would've been risky if Kane read the letter too soon.

I love you, T. Send my love to our parents.
Love, Willow

Dear Kane:
By now you would have realised I won't be joining you, and if the time ever comes when I choose to, I won't be joining you soon. I've explained this all to my family; I met a group of people who are fighting to change Geode, and I've decided to join them.

I need to do this. I've seen too much to remain silent. I hope you understand, Kane, that I need to stay behind and fight for justice. I didn't want you to feel pressure to join me, and if you ever truly want to join the fight, I know you are capable of finding your own way to make an impact.

Honestly, I also didn't know how to say goodbye. I didn't want to say goodbye.
I'm not sure when you'll get this so you could be angry at me or you couldn't be bothered. Either way, I want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't be there with you, but I hope you live happily regardless of my absence. I know you'll be okay. I've also asked my family to help you in any way they can. I'm so sorry Kane.

I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. Thank you, Kane. I love you too. I love you in all the ways you could love me.
Love, Will

When I finish reading Kane's letter, I start to feel sorry for him. I guess it's better I found out about Willow joining Square now, because I can get the letter to Kane sooner. Maybe I can even go after his car.

I think he should know about this sooner rather than later so the poor guy doesn't panic when he doesn't see her on the other side. It'll be easier to reach Kane than the Bare family since the Foster government will keep their eyes on them, but I know I have to make a plan to get this to Mathea.