Comforting music blasts through my wireless earbuds. The warm, humid air caresses my flesh, yet I still shiver in my flats, even if there is no breeze to cause the slightest tremble, nor more rain to soak my clothes and chill me to the bone. It's serene and quiet, the half moon casting slivers of light onto every inanimate object. Shadows hide around every bend, combining with the sharp chirps of crickets to create an ominous feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.

Dark chocolate locks are twirled between my fingers as I impatiently tap my foot. I check my trusty silver watch. As soon as I tap the screen, it brightly illuminates, contrasting the dim moonlight. Displayed in a white, bold font is the time: 11:10 p.m. Cody Simon is now ten minutes late.

I'm not completely sure why I'm bothering to linger on this cracked sidewalk. Maybe it's because I'm haunted by curiosity, and maybe even the slightest bit of fear. I'm not even sure if he'll even show up. Maybe this was a set-up, a trap to lead the government right to me. Of course, I could have fallen for his diabolical plan. My heart races and my head spins at the possibility.

"Sorry I'm late," Cody pants from behind me, causing me to start and rip out my earbuds, which I pocket.

"I'm here. Now what?" I query, attempting to keep my voice level and devoid of emotion. I don't bother to turn around. That way he can't read my face like an open book. Just like Ash taught me.

"It's too dangerous to converse here," he whispers, his voice slightly trembling. "Will you come with me?"

"Why should I?" I snap, spinning around to face him as my temper wins the battle of emotions brewing inside me. Green eyes blazing and stick-straight strands smacking my pale flesh, I spit, "I have no reason to trust you. You're one of those populars who doesn't give a hoot about anyone but yourself."

He seems genuinely shocked by my sudden outburst, hazel eyes wide and posture rigid. His lips open and close like a fish gasping for air. His eyes dart about as if begging the shadows and sparse sections of moonlight for the right words to say.

"That's what I thought," I mutter, folding my arms across my chest and piercing his lost eyes with orbs full of anger. "Can't even utter a single word in defense of yourself."

His eyes switch from shining with confusion to sparkling with annoyance. "I'm trying to help you. Just let me, or I can leave you on your own."

A sigh escapes me as I weigh my options. Maybe, just maybe, he can really help me. It's so difficult for me to trust another human being, but maybe that's exactly what i ned to pull me from my slump. Maybe, just maybe, something good can come out of this.

"I'm serious," the boy in front of me states, his eyes not revealing a hint of scandal.

"Yeah, okay. I'll give you a chance, a chance to prove this use of my time beneficial."

He slightly smiles. I notice he sports a small dimple on his left cheek which compliments his lopsided smile. "Great. Come on, then!

As he starts walking in the opposite direction, confidence in his step, I'm honestly not sure if I should trust him. Who says he's not like the rest of them, waiting his chance to pounce? Yet, another part of me, the wiser and stronger one, urges me to stop isolating myself, to let someone help me.

I put one foot in front of the other. Our footsteps blend together to form a steady beat against pavement and gravel. The only light that aids us is that of moonlight, which becomes obscured by clouds. Even with just a faint glimpse of light for a guide, Cody seems to know the path by heart. Strangely, so do I.

We pass by closed shops of numerous varieties. I can barely distinguish buildings by sight, but by memory, they are vivid as ever. Mansions that line the empty street are gaudy as ever in my recollections.

Once we've arrived at the door of our destination, I already know where we are. I don't need the aid of light to distinguish what is probably my favorite shop in town; June's Ice creamery, the ice cream shop I visited earlier after my run-in with Cody.

I gawk as Cody types in a code to unlock the door. "Did you just break into my favorite ice cream shop, because so help you-"

Before I can complete my threat, he grabs my arm and yanks me into the building. Scents of tantalizing ice cream and brewed drinks linger in the air. The warm colors are almost impossible to make out through the darkness, so I close my eyes and imagine them. I smile to myself, remembering the bliss that usually comes with being here.

"Earth to-"

"Autumn," I offer. "My name is Autumn. You should know that, Cody. We've been class mates for so long."

"I'm sorry, Autumn," he says earnestly, walking further into the darkened shop. "I don't have the best memory."

"What are we doing here?" I query, changing the subject and ignoring the hurt inside me.

I hear him sigh. "June is my aunt. I have the authorization to be here."

Snorting, I reply, "Sure."

"Are you always this impossible?" He mutters, his shadowy figure dragging a hand down its face.

I shrug before realizing he probably can't see me. "Maybe. You might not be around me long enough to figure that out."

"Hold out your arm," he orders instead of responding.

I sigh, complying. He gently lifts up the sleeve of my sweater, noticing just a square of angered flesh. Laughing at his perplexed expression, I pull my Chip out of my pocket, still wrapped in the old and disgusting gauze. Then, I slowly unwrap the bandage, revealing a faint piece of metal

Hesitantly, Cody takes it into his palm. Then, he pinches the gauze between his fingers, walks next to the door we entered through, and chucks in into the trash. I nearly burst out laughing as he feverishly wipes his hands against his jeans.

"You gonna turn the lights on?"

I can hear an exasperated sigh escape him before light floods the room. My eyes sting from the sudden burst of stimulation, and I have to squeeze them shut before they adjust. Glancing around, I find everything as it was hours before. The tables, the counter, and my special place in the corner.

Cody pulls something from his pocket, and I watch as he breaks off some gauze from a roll. He dabs something from a small bottle onto it and grabs my wrist, pressing down on it.

I hiss in pain, yanking my arm away from him. "Some warning would have been lovely!"

"Sorry. I just need to clean that."

Relenting, I allow him to finish cleaning my wound, biting down on my lip to keep from crying out.

"Thank you," I smile, trying to be nice for once and drop my defenses.

He nods, quickly gathering his supplies and putting them away. Then, he pulls my Chip from his pocket, where he must have placed it before. His eyes are wide, total surprise, awe, and excitement taking over his face.

"So..." I trail off, feeling vulnerable. "How are you going to help me?"

He pulls something else out of his pocket. It's a strip of something that looks strangely flesh type, and exactly the same color as my skin. Wordlessly, the boy I barely know places my Chip inside the wound, then presses the faux skin over it, pressing down gently. I gaze at my arm in awe. My skin and the fake stuff have moved into one, making it look like nothing is wrong. There is even a faint scar where there used to be one before it became an open wound.

"Now," Cody begins, grinning at his work," No one will know, but your Chip still isn't attached."

"Wow. Thank you." Then, my eyes narrow, and I can't help the suspicion growing inside of me. Humans are extremely selfish, and I'm sure Cody Simon is no different. "What's the catch, huh?"

"No catch!" He exclaims, then looks towards the ground. "Except, I want you to help me."

"I knew it!" I yell accusingly, feeling my walls build back up all over again. "Everyone just wants something for their own gain!"

He swiftly shakes his head. "This can help you, too. And everyone living in this city, everyone you care about."

This intrigues me. Leaning back against the wall, I search his expression for any giveaways, any signs that he's lying straight to my face.

"I want you to help me learn about Chips, to get rid of them."

My eyes nearly budge out of my skull. "Are you joking? I can't do that!"

"I can see it in your eyes, the need for the wrongs of this world to be right. You can tell me how you removed your Chip. We can change the world."

I shake my head back and forth, trying to take a step away from him only to remember I'm against a wall. "I can't."

"Will you think about it? I know this is something serious, and I'm not sure I'd trust myself either. But, please. You could give me hope."

"Hope?" I echo, confusion lacing my tone.

He sighs and shakes his head, turning away from me. "Forget it. Just think."

I take this as my cue to leave, my mind whirling once again and my steps a little less steady.