Thia's POV

I don't know why I figured I'd just be able to walk outside and find Andy when I didn't even know where to look. So I did the last thing I wanted to. I talked to Terminus the armless statue god who was still around but ignored for the most part.  Not to mention a majority of his statues had been demolished during the Civil War and not replaced. In truth, it was rather sad and unfortunate.

"Hey Terminus," I waved.

"Hello young Thia." His voice was as loud, commanding, and annoying as ever. "What can I do for you?"

"I need help finding someone," I smiled, trying to be polite.

"Oh I see. Well, who are you looking for?" He turned his head and I could imagine him lifting an invisible hand to shield his eyes from the sun.

"A boy named Andy," I explained, tucking my hands in my pockets. Terminus raised his stone eyebrows.

"Andy Griffin? The trouble maker? Bad boy supreme?" Terminus scoffed. "Why you're far too young and sweet to be hanging out with him."

"Actually, he helped me when I was in trouble and I didn't properly thank him. I was actually rather rather rude and I was going to apologize to him," I explained, frowning slightly. How on earth did everyone think he was such a bad person? I mean maybe he messed up a lot from the sound of things but that didn't determine his character. Then again, I'd made the same assumption. I suppose I wasn't too different from other judgmental people.

"Hah. Well, I'm afraid I can't tell you. I'm not going to face the wrath of your parents if you get into trouble for hanging out with riff raff and ruffians. Good day." And that was that. There was no point in trying to argue with Terminus. It never went well for those who tried.

"Terminus. If you tell me I'll do something for you in return." This immediately piqued his interest.

"Well...my neck is a bit stiff and I do have an itch," he mumbled.

"Consider it done." Moving, I scratched lightly at his stony neck causing him to sigh. If statues could relax I assumed he was.

"If I recall correctly the young man was hanging out at the Anarchy club," Terminus noted. "Oh right there that feels nice."

"Anarchy club? What's that?" I asked. "Where is it?"

"I believe it's on the south side of town underground in the sewers. That's all I know," Terminus explained.

"Thanks T. I won't tell anyone you told me where to go," I promised, already running off and out of ear shot to his reply. Terminus's has directed me to the South side . I knew where that was but is was one of the farthest point of camp. The oldest part as well.

It wasn't hard to find as the man hole cover had a white A spray painted on it. Even just opening it a sliver I could hear music vibrating around in the space below. I wondered if anyone knew it was there or if they just didn't care. More importantly I wondered if my Mom knew the place existed.

Pushing the cover aside, I climbed down the rusty ladder and pulled it back over the hole. Music bounced around the walls and it was a wonder I wasn't deaf. I recognized the song. It was Volatile Times by IAMX.

And fortunately for me, there was only one way to go. A tunnel to the right. So, sucking in a breath I made my way down its length. It curved slightly and as I neared the end I noticed different colored lights strobing off the walls. Purple, blue, and white mixing together in a fire of colors.

The smell was a bit weird but I was immediately distracted as the tunnel opened up into a larger chamber. Dozens of people milled about dancing or hanging out with friends.

Some wore black clothes and leather jackets, others wore band shirts, some had dyed hair and piercings, others even tattoos. For the most part they were teenagers with the occasional young adult.

Tucked at the front of the room was a small stage with instruments for when people performed. There were a few bands in camp but I didn't pay attention to them much. Then again, maybe I should start paying attention to them if I was fling to hand out in a sewer full of punks, rebels, and just looking for a good time outside of camp's strict rules. To be honest it was actually kind of cool learning that a place like this existed.

Smiling, I pushed my way through dancing people who were so close together you could feel the heat of their bodies. I kept my eyes peeled for Andy's somewhat familiar face. At first I was worried I wasn't going to find him but I spotted him at last sitting on the ground leaning back against a wall.

He wore a dark shirt with the sleeves ripped off and the holes left behind had tattered edges. I guess he'd changed from earlier, and I guessed this was how Mama must've looked when younger. More edgy, irritated, and keen on wearing black.

"Hey." At first he didn't hear me and I was forced to try and yell over the music from hidden speakers. His eyes slowly travelled up to my face and his expression didn't give anything away.

"What?" He asked.

"I just wanted to talk," I shrugged. "I wanted to apologize for being rude this morning. I shouldn't have judged you the way I did. It's just... I have a lot going on. And I'm still not sure what to do without Marianna. I mean, she was really the only friend I had. It's...quiet without her."

Andy studied my face for a moment and he nodded gesturing to the spot on the ground next to him. I hesitated a moment but eventually sat down.

"Apology accepted," he smiled, resting his arms on his knees. "But I don't understand why you went out of your way just to apologize."

"It's the right thing to do," I shrugged. He gave me an odd look as if I confused him.

"You're odd, kid," he laughed faintly causing a slight dimple to form on his left cheek.

"Yeah, I know," I smiled, watching the crowd of people smiling and seeming to have the time of their lives.

"I suppose I should also apologize for being a dick. I didn't exactly thank you for stepping in earlier and I'm sorry it cost you your jacket." He gazed almost emptily at the crowd like he wasn't sure what to do.

"No problem. Do you mind if I ask you a personal question? Does Jenna hit you a lot?" Andy swallowed hard and I saw a muscle twitch in his jaw.

"Yeah. Doesn't bug me much though," he shrugged. I felt my heart sink a bit. It should bug him. He shouldn't be okay with it.

"Well, I'm glad you dumped her. She's not a very nice person," I admitted.

"Yeah," Andy laughed.

"How did you know Marianna?" I asked.

"We used to be friends as kids. But like I said, people change. I changed. I got in with the wrong crowd and the rest is history. Eventually, I got my head out of my ass and hopefully I'm a better person now than before." Maybe his past was the reason for Terminus' judgement but it wasn't my business to know what happened.

"I wish I could have helped more you know? If I'd just known it was that bad I could have done something." I shook my head feeling my throat tighten up a bit.

"You took a beating for her. That's more than anyone else did. You talked to her and treated her like she was human. You didn't pity her. She knew that, Thia." It surprised me more than anything that he actually knew my name and hadn't called me kid for once.

"Maybe, but I just feel like it wasn't enough," I sighed.

"Nothing is ever enough. The world always takes and never gives. It always expects more from you than what you've already given. It's unfair and harsh but the worst part of it all is the people who live in it. Each year there's someone worse than the last. It's like good people don't exist anymore." Andy looked frustrated and I figured it was because he'd been trying to figure out the reason why for years only to come up empty handed.

"When I was younger I used to ask my parents why there were so many bad people." I recalled the conversation. I was about ten and had seen some kid get his lollipop knocked out of his hand. Rather than apologizing and getting the kid a new one the person just walked off leaving the kid to cry. They were an adult. An adult who'd just ignored the fact that they had ruined a child's day.

"What'd they say?" Andy asked curiously.

"They said that bad people think they're being good too. Everyone thinks they're a good person. The only reason heroes exist is because people believe they're heroes. If that perception ever changed they could become the villains." The explanation had always stuck with me. Just the idea of perception being so powerful that it could turn a hero bad and a villain good. Or that villains could see themselves as heroes.

"Wise words," Andy nodded.

"Yeah. My moms are pretty smart," I grinned.

"Wish I could say the same. My parents..." Andy shook his head. "You know people get so sick of those sob stories about how bad teenage life is but it can suck so much sometimes."

"I wouldn't know," I admitted.

"Then you're lucky," Andy sighed. "I guess the universe likes you."

"Hey there little lady." I glanced up to see a boy maybe eighteen with wild blue hair, a suffocating amount of black clothing, and a sleazy smile.

"Hey," I frowned.

"Ah, don't be like that. Come on. I'll show ya a good time. Sitting is boring." His voice sounded like gravel.

"Scram Devon, she's a minor," Andy glared, his eyes narrowing.

"So?" Devon asked.

"You're 23 and she's the kid of the praetor," Andy explained, getting irritated.

"Ooh. Even better," Devon smirked, giving me a quick wink that made my skin crawl.

"Dude, go find someone else to try and stick your genitals in or I'm gonna knock your teeth out of your thick skull," Andy grumbled, standing up. He towered a good three inches over the other boy.

"Woah take it easy bro. Just having some fun. See you later babe." Devon winked again and turned on his heel waltzing off like he owned the place.

"Ugh. I hate guys like him," I grumbled, rubbing at my arms to get rid of the goosebumps.

"Yeah, most of the people here aren't like that. But you gotta watch out for those who are. Come on, I'm done here. I'm starting to hate this place." Andy offered me his hand and tugged me to my feet.

"Why? It seems cool. I actually kind of like it." I admitted looking around again.

"Jenna and I used to come here all the time believe it or not. I'd dance until my feet were numb," Andy shrugged," but now it's just bland."

"Why? Cause you have no one to dance with? There's plenty of girls." I said looking around expectantly. I spotted a girl leaning on a wall in the corner, she had shorter hair, and wore a light yellow dress. "She's pretty hot, what about her?"

"Thanks but no thanks." Andy kept walking weaving easily between the people. He hadn't even looked in the direction I was pointing. Sighing, I followed him as best as I could. Once outside it was amazing how quiet everything actually was. "You heard about what's been happening out in the wild?"

"Not really," I shrugged, but part of me wondered if it had to do with the pictures on my Mom's desk.

"Black stuff. It's spreading and no one knows what it is," Andy frowned, tucking his hands in his pockets.

"Sounds pretty bad," I sighed.

"You sound worried." He noted not looking at me.

"Well yeah. It's usually my parents who have to go and investigate this kind of stuff." I felt my chest deflate and a worry begin to creep in.

"Its their job." Andy pointed out.

"I know, I just worry. I mean, what if they don't come back one day?" It was a question that had always haunted me. What would I do without them? Andy's features softened for a moment.

"If anything they'll make sure they make it back. They have you to look forward to. Parents want to see their kids grow up. There's something charming about it." Andy tried to give me a reassuring smile but it just looked sad to me.

"Do yours?" I asked.

"No," Andy laughed," but it's okay. The only person who has to worry about me is me."

"But you lack role models," I frowned. "That's gotta be hard."

"Maybe. I just have to find the right person to be my role model. Someone who's better than me. Who cares about people." Andy looked at me and then looked away.

"Well when you find them I'm sure they'll like you. Maybe you don't have the best reputation but you have the heart to try for a better future," I smiled.

"You're wise for your age kid." And there it was again. Kid.

"I'm sixteen," I remarked.

"Seventeen. And a half." Andy added the last bit as an after thought.

"Cool." So that's why he called me kid. I was a year and a half younger than he was. Still didn't mean it bugged me any less.

"Maybe. Well, I gotta go. So see you around...maybe." He branched off to the right and I watched him go for a moment. He was quite the mystery but if there was one thing I could tell it was that he felt a lot more than he let on. A lot more sadness and pain than it seemed. Just like Marianna.

It hit me all at once. I was going to make sure what happened to her didn't happen to him. I wasn't going to let history repeat itself. I wasn't going to let anyone else give up on themselves. And if another person needed me then I'd be there for them too. I'd be there for everyone who needed it. No one was going to give up on themselves anymore.

There were a lot of bad people in the world. The universe needed another good one and it might as well be me. Glancing up at the sky I spotted Bastian fly over head with his wings sprawled out and his mouth wide open as he cried.

Smiling, I spread my arms out like when I was young and ran after him pretending to fly.