I didn't know what to say, so I said nothing at all.

I finished my drank and let Noah order me a second. I could already feel the effects of the first. But after what Noah had just admitted, I was going to need a lot more.

I couldn't imagine never being able to walk normally again. I couldn't imagine just...

Not healing.

I needed to change the topic. Maybe it was cowardice that made me do it, but I couldn't fully swallow what he'd said. "So, where do you and Emma work?"

Noah looked a bit concerned, but he went along with it. "I work at a small restaurant near the center of the city. And Emma's a model for ads and stuff."

It was a little shocking to hear that there was still a modeling industry, but I guess if there were products being sold, they needed some way to sell them.

"Is she like...allowed to change bodies?" I asked. Wasn't the whole point of modeling having a very photograph-able image?

Noah shrugged. "Yeah, I think so. Sometimes, I think they even put her in bodies."

Like trying on clothes.

I let out a sigh and leaned an elbow on the table. The bar got a bit quieter as time passed and we talked about small curiosities that I couldn't help but have. Apparently, the Internet still existed, although it was highly restricted and very different. Night clubs were definitely popular. Kids who were young enough were put into schools, too, and they had group homes for those kids who came without parents.

Eventually, it was getting pretty late and I started to yawn. We'd been there for hours. Noah looked like he was ready to check out, too.

"Before we go...there is one other thing I meant to talk to you about," he said in a way that indicated I wouldn't love where he was going with this.

I nodded. "Ask away."

"Who's Asten?"

I nearly choked on the drink that I'd been bringing to my lips. My face went a deep shade of red. "I'm sorry, what?"'

"I said asked who Asten was. I know you went to that court hearing for a reason. Or Ava? And why did you go?" He had to be out of his mind to ask me this in the middle of a crowded bar.

But then again, I didn't have to admit to anything suspicious.

"Um...," I started. I tried to think of a way to explain it all. How did I explain Asten? How did I even begin? How did I say anything without incriminating myself further?

I settled for the easiest answer. "He was...is...the guy that I..."

Thankfully, Noah got where I was going. "He's your boyfriend."

I sort of nodded. It was a complicated, crazy story, but I guess, sure, that worked.

"I'm sorry about that...," Noah said, and he genuinely looked it. "I...couldn't imagine anything happening to Chance. Definitely not..."

Definitely not watching him be sentenced to death on live television.

I was tempted to spill everything. To mention that it was Asten, but it also wasn't Asten at the same time. To tell him the truth about how I'd ended up at the trash facility.

But I couldn't do that. And I definitely couldn't admit all that right in the middle of a bar.

"I think I'm tired," I announced, pushing my empty glass away from me. I carefully tried to stand, and needed to lean on Noah for support before getting my crutches under me. Honestly, drinking while on crutches hadn't been my smartest idea.

Noah stood up, too, and stretched. He paid the bartender and we headed towards the door, Noah leading the way and half holding me up.

The second we stepped outside, a cool breeze ran through my scant dress. I shivered and gritted my teeth. When had it gotten so cold?

"You know what, I used to like winter before all this," I said, looking up at the cloudy sky. It looked seconds away from snowing.

Noah laughed. "I used to want to live up north before the snow. But now look at me." He waved his hands up in the air dramatically. "Man, I was going to get a degree."

I smiled sadly at that. I'd considered college at one point, too. "Yeah...maybe one day."

He turned to me, a smile lighting up his face. "You're right. One day." He looked back up at the sky, then latched onto my shoulder. "Let's go."

"The pretty lady is running away so fast? Why not stay?" came a deep voice from mere feet behind me. I jumped and turned around. Noah's grip on my shoulder tightened suddenly.

A tall man with a dark beard stood right behind us, another two men at his side.

My heart rate rocketed.

This could not be good.

But I had to play along. "Yeah. Sorry about that," I responded, then started to crutch quickly away. Which frankly wasn't very fast since I wasn't actually walking, and I was still getting used to using crutches.

I hoped against all odds that they would leave us alone. I don't know why I thought I would get so lucky.

Because a second later, Noah's hand was ripped off my shoulder.