You'd think that so soon after that near-capture (and near-death) experience, I'd decide to be a bit more cautious, and try a little harder to stay under the radar.

Instead, I pickpocket enough money to pay for a small car.

In less than an hour.

If Sage were here, I would never hear the end of it. He's always the one urging me to be more careful, to try not to take more than what I need to survive on a daily basis. And he really doesn't like it when I steal money--usually, he asks that I only take things like food and clothes. Unneeded food and clothes, at that. Part of it is a ridiculous idea of integrity he has (is it really possible to be honest if you're homeless?), but it also has to do with safety, which is the only reason I don't completely ignore everything he says. I'm much more likely to get caught if I go around stealing small fortunes every day.

But even if someone does find out about today, I'll be long gone already. That's why I decide to take this opportunity and go all out when I have the chance.

I guess it is a bit inconsiderate of me to take so much. I dart through crowds at the mall, staying in the areas that I know from experience are security camera free, my movements quick and furtive--except for the occasional moment when I crash into someone and "accidentally" knock everything they're holding to the ground. Hardly two minutes after each of these incidents, I am walking away with my pockets fuller, and their wallets ever-so-slightly lighter. 

I don't take nearly enough from each person to be noticeable, but as time ticks by, my pockets start to reach a bursting point, and I am forced to stop to avoid being caught. I mean, if I were to actually trip and fall, I'd really prefer to avoid having endless wads of money spill out of my jacket in the middle of the mall. Nimble fingers can only do so much.

While that was a wise decision, it probably isn't very smart of me to march into a store in the very same mall hardly minutes after I finish my pick-pocketing spree. But that's what I end up doing. In my defense, I need to disguise myself so that I can go out in the open without worrying about being spotted by the wrong people, which means I can't look homeless. So the moment I spot a fancy clothing store, and feel the wads of cash in my pockets, my first thought is, why not?

If that idea was stupid, staying in that store longer than I need to, with no reason other than the fact that the presence of a dirty little ragamuffin is clearly irritating everyone else there, is definitely even more idiotic. Some people might have felt uncomfortable in my position and backed out of the store as fast as they possibly could, not wanting to suffer the humiliation. But not me. Instead, I wear the label annoying hobo desecrating this store as a badge of honor. So, when a woman comes up to me and tells me (quite rudely, too) that I have to keep my "dirty paws" off of the clothes because I am "covering them with street filth", I may or may not have flipped the bird to her, and then mock-gasped, saying, "Sorry, my finger slipped!" in the most sarcastic voice I can muster.

I mean, she was practically asking for it. You can't blame me.

Possibly the stupidest move I make is spending half of my money in that store just to spite the people who were giving me evil looks. But I can't help it. I love the feeling of being able to say I told you so, and the expression on the cashier's face when he realizes that I have enough money to pay for everything is priceless. And just because I can, I smile sweetly and tell him to keep the change before I strut out of the building. The dumbfounded expressions on everyone's faces make it all worth it.

The rest of the day is a blur of me running around the mall and the surrounding area, trying to find suitable places for me to get everything I need. This includes swinging by the community pool--people aren't allowed to use the showers there unless they're going swimming, but hey, I'm never one for following the rules--and checking out several shops until I find a place where I can get a major makeover without being asked too many questions or paying too much money.

Soon enough, I'm cursing my stupidity from earlier this morning, as I really shouldn't have spent all that money just to spite the workers in the clothing store. But somehow, I manage to scrape together enough money and still have enough left over for a train ticket.

When I'm finally ready to head to the station, I'm almost unrecognizable. My hair is no longer straight and dark brown, falling just below my shoulders. It's been cut so that it barely reaches my chin, dyed a dirty blonde shade, and curled so that it frames my face in little ringlets. And my face is so heavily caked in makeup, I'm too scared to touch it for fear of messing it up. It's probably the foundation--I was determined to use the one that's a couple shades darker than my actual skin, though I didn't realize it wouldn't make that much of a difference.

I almost forget to change into new clothes, which is essential, especially considering the fact that I've literally been wearing the same outfit for years. And when I do remember, I'm about to get rid of all of my old clothes--but then I hesitate, knowing how much I've been through with them on. After a few moment's deliberation, I simply toss them into my new backpack, along with the extra clothes I bought. Even with all of the clothes stuffed in there, the bag still looks suspiciously small for my only piece of "luggage," but there's nothing I can do about it now. I'm certainly not marching back to the place where I got it and asking for a suitcase instead.

Finally, not wanting to be caught unarmed again, I slide a pocket knife into my jacket, and another into my boot. I'm not planning on ever taking those out.

It's starting to get dark by the time I reach the station. When I arrive there and start heading towards the ticket booth, I realize I definitely don't have enough money to travel more than two Sectors away. That's not as far as I hoped, but I doubt I will be followed out of even this Sector in the first place, so hopefully I will be okay.

After examining the map mounted on the wall, I decide that I should head south. Because of the way the Sectors spiral out from the City, which is somewhere near the northwest corner of the continent, travelling in the southern direction should take me through 18, and I'll be able to disembark in 25.

Everything is running perfectly smoothly. I stand in line to buy a last minute ticket for the train, which leaves about half an hour from now, and am pleased to find that there is, in fact, space left for another passenger. I have more than enough money to pay for the ticket and the man selling it is not at all suspicious of me, seeming to completely buy the fact that I am an adult. I am starting to think that this is almost too easy, that it should be at least a bit more difficult for me to just up and leave the Sector, when it all comes crashing down around me as I hear the dreaded words, the ones I didn't even consider I would have to deal with, leaving his mouth.

"Ma'am, before you get your ticket, may I please see your ID?"

I almost choke, fervently hoping that the makeup caking my face prevents the man from seeing the blood drain from it. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

He raises an eyebrow. "Your identification, ma'am. No one is allowed to leave the Sector without it."

"My--my--"

I'm not usually at a loss for words like this. But everything was going so well. I guess I just assumed that this would all be a piece of cake. I can't believe I forgot to consider, even for a second, that maybe you need an ID to be able to leave the Sector.

Shit. What am I supposed to do?

The man is staring at me, a hint of suspicion growing in his eyes. I have to come up with something, fast, or I am going to actually be hauled into a police station this time. And I did not go through all of today for that to happen. I need an excuse, or a fake ID, anything that will get me out of this situation.

I almost blurt out that I haven't gotten an ID yet. But people get their ID's after they've passed the Examination, so at some point between the ages of fifteen and sixteen. I could say that I'm not old enough for an ID yet, but I've already told him I'm an adult. I'd really prefer to not get caught in that lie.

"Ma'am, if you can't show me your ID, I'm afraid I can't sell you this ticket," he says impatiently.

Maybe I can say I forgot it at home and leave, pretending I'm going back to get it. And in that time I buy, I can figure something out. I guess I won't be able to catch the train going south then. Honestly, though, it doesn't really matter which direction I go, as long as it's away from here.

I'm about to give him my excuse when I hear it.

A police siren.

I whirl around, craning my neck to see what the hell is going on, standing on tip-toes to try and catch a glimpse of something other than the backs of people's heads. I realize a second too late that my actions might seem suspicious, but thankfully, the man who was selling me the ticket is also looking around, puzzled.

Then, through a window, I see the white police car, lights flashing, pull in outside the station. Two figures step out. I can't make out anything about them, but then they step into the light.

And it's the exact same man and woman from this morning.

Oh no. My breath catches in my throat, and I start to feel lightheaded, like I'm going to pass out. No, no, no, no no no no nonononono I cannot believe my luck. I should have been faster. I should have hurried the hell up with my shopping spree and gotten out of this Sector while I still could.

Because I have to get on a train and out of this place before they find me. Meaning, I need that ticket now.

I don't stop to think about how they knew I was going to be here. I spin around, trying to find a clock, and squint to see the time.

The train I want to catch leaves a little under twenty minutes from now.

I've got to get my ticket and get on that train before then.

"Ma'am." The man selling the ticket has turned his attention back to me. "Your ID?"

Panicked, I say the first thing that comes to mind. I do that a lot when I'm in a tight situation. My instinct is to start running my mouth, blabbering random things in order to buy time. "I--I need to get to the 25th Sector, sir, my mother is there and she's very sick, literally on her deathbed, and I just heard this from my dad today! I just really really need to get there soon, I have to see her before she passes away, I literally packed my bags in twenty minutes and came straight here but I forgot my ID at home because I was in such a rush, is there any way I'd be able to go there please--"

He's shaking his head. "I'm sorry, ma'am, the rules are the rules. I can't do anything about it, and I'm not risking my job because you were irresponsible. Again, I'm sorry, but that's the way things are. No ID, no ticket."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the two figures rush inside the station and enter the crowd. They move with purpose, as if they know exactly where they're going. And, with a growing feeling of horror, I realize that they probably do, because they're heading straight in my direction.

Shit.

Trying to remain calm, I survey my surroundings as discreetly as possible, desperate to find someone who looks relatively like I do now from whom I can steal an ID card. But with the crowds pressing in around me, I can't even make out most people's faces. I briefly consider stealing someone's ticket, but then I remember that I will be trapped on a moving vehicle for hours together, and if someone finds out I stole it, I'm screwed.

The only thing I can think of is that somehow, I need to get myself on that train without a ticket. The question is, how?

"Ma'am!" I'm jolted away from my thoughts by the irritated voice of the man with my--well, I guess it isn't going to be mine, huh?--ticket. "If you don't have your ID on you, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Other people are waiting for their tickets too, and you're holding up the line."

"Right," I mumble apologetically. "Sorry. I'll just..." Awkwardly, I sidle away, keeping the man and woman who are following me in the corner of my vision. Thankfully, they're having a hard time pushing through the crowds. If I stay in the station, I can probably stay one step ahead of them, since I'm used to navigating huge crowds like this. A quick glance at a clock tells me that I have fifteen minutes to find a way on that train, ticket or no. Surely once I'm safely inside, I can't be followed even further. And even if I am, how are they going to search an entire Sector for me? How will they even know what Sector I got off in? As long as I manage to get out of 13, I'm fine.

I need to keep my mind occupied to prevent myself from panicking. As I push through the crowds, I crane my neck to catch a glimpse of other peoples' tickets without seeming suspicious, noting the perforated edge present on all of the ones I can see. So, ticket stubs must be collected manually, and since no employees are standing near the rails where people line up to get on the train, they must be collected inside the train after it has left the station. 

Behind the marked lines in front of the rails, there are turnstile machines with little scanners, to which I assume people have to press their ticket before they're allowed through. I grit my teeth at the sight--people are easy to fool. But machines? Not so much. I'm going to have to find some way around those.

If the scanners didn't exist, this would just be a matter of hiding in the dirty, smelly bathroom that the train probably has while the stubs are collected. It's surprising how well hiding in plain sight works. But tricks like that won't get me past automated machines.

How am I supposed to do it?

I don't want to steal a ticket. I already considered that idea. I either have to get on without one, which doesn't seem to be an option, or I need to get one the regular way, by showing an ID and paying for it.

"Train 22502 from Sector 9 is arriving. Please stand clear of the rails. Train 22502 from Sector 9 is arriving. Please stand clear of the rails." A robotic voice echoes through the station, breaking through my frantic thoughts. It is closely followed by the heavy vibrations of the tracks, and the rumbling sound of a vehicle approaching, growing louder and louder. Then, with a whoosh of air, the train thunders into the station and slows to a halt. The doors open with a hiss and then hordes of people are pushing each other to get out.

Then the ticket scanning machines near the tracks where the newly arrived train is sitting come to life, their dark screens lighting up. People immediately rush to get in line to scan their tickets. I grit my teeth in frustration, wishing I was in one of those lines.

The same robotic voice starts speaking again. "Train 22502 to Sectors 18, 25, 35, 48, 63, 80, and 101 departs in ten minutes. Please scan your ticket and board the train. Train 22502 to Sectors 18, 25, 35, 48, 63, 80, and 101 departs in ten minutes. Please scan your ticket and board the train."

Shit. That's my train. That leaves me ten minutes to figure out how to get on.

Less, if you consider the fact that my two stalkers are slowly making their way towards me.

I whirl around suddenly, realizing I've lost sight of them. Panicked, I peer through the crowds, trying to catch a glimpse of where they are. And I nearly have a heart attack when I see that people have picked up on the fact that one of them is a police officer and are clearing a path for them. A path still headed straight for me.

My breathing starts speeding up, my palms getting sweaty. Why is this happening? How can they possibly know exactly where I am? My position has changed since I was standing at the ticket booth, but they somehow figured out I moved and have altered their path so that they're still going in my direction. It's like they've put some sort of tracking device on me or something--but that's not possible. They didn't even touch me.

As a quick experiment, I dart to the side and speed-walk to the ticket scanners. But when I throw a quick glance behind me, I see the man and woman pause, the man looking at something in his hands in concentration, before they switch directions again. To face me. My breathing coming even faster, I sharply switch directions and start walking again. But again, the exact same thing happens.

Shit, shit, shit, shit, could this get any worse?

I spin around, scanning the people around me, almost hyperventilating now. I need to find a way to search myself for any tracking device they might have put on me. Because there is no other explanation for how they always know where I am standing. But--if I spend time doing that, how am I supposed to get on the train?

"Train 22502 to Sectors 18, 25, 35, 48, 63, 80, and 101 departs in five minutes. Please scan your ticket and board the train. Train 22502 to Sectors 18, 25, 35, 48, 63, 80, and 101 departs in five minutes. Please scan your ticket and board the train." As if to punctuate the words, the train's engine turns on, starting to vibrate the tracks again. I don't have much longer. Five minutes. What the hell do I do?

I'm actually hyperventilating now, trying but failing to do breath control. Calm down, I try to tell myself, pressing my hand against my chest. Calm down. Calm--

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but we've got a LITTLE problem here! It might be a good idea to try and FIX it instead of trying to fricking MEDITATE! the little voice in the back of my head practically screams.

On cue, somewhere behind me, I hear horrified shrieking. And I spin around just in time to see what must be buckets of water start pouring from a part of the ceiling like a rain shower, completely drenching the unlucky people standing under it.

My eyes are wide with horror as I stagger backwards. No. No, I can't be that out of control. That's not possi--

In the general area of the restroom, a pipe bursts. Water sprays everywhere.

At this point, I am practically having an anxiety attack. My breaths come in short bursts, and I am literally gasping for air, trying to control my full on panic. What is happening to me? These sorts of things haven't happened around me in years. It started when I was five, but I eventually managed to get it under control. Then I got to live blissfully free of these problems, almost forgetting they existed in the first place, for nearly a decade. But I guess this morning unlocked them again or something, breaking down a dam that has literally been holding back torrents of water for two thirds of my life.

"Attention. This is the last call for train 22502 to Sectors 18, 25, 35, 48, 63, 80, and 101, departing in two minutes. Please scan your ticket and board the train. Attention. This is the last call for train 22502 to Sectors 18, 25, 35, 48, 63, 80, and 101, departing in two minutes. Please scan your ticket and board the train."

The moment the voice shuts off, yet another water pipe blasts open somewhere else, spraying everyone in the vicinity. Some people look like they've just gone swimming with all of the showers they've been caught under at this point.

And as for me? I'm stumbling around, my vision blurring as I struggle to gain control of my heavy breathing. I feel dizzy and untethered to everything around me, as if I'm locked in a bubble where nothing exists except for me and my panic, everything else a jumbled mess of sights and sounds.

To make matters worse, all of the pipes I managed to burst have not stopped gushing water, and they're literally starting to flood the place. I soon find myself walking in inch-deep water that is rising by the second. I'm barely aware of what I'm doing as I stagger like a drunken old lady towards the scanning machines, unable to focus on my actions, instead latching on to the thought of getting away, as far from here as possible. I'm just coming to the realization that I have no way of getting through a machine when one of the screens starts flickering, and then another, and another, and then they're all sputtering out and fading to grainy static.

Finally. At least one thing went my way today--the water flooding this place must have caused the technology to malfunction.

I literally climb over the turnstile by one of the scanners blocking my way. How much time to I have left before the train leaves? About a minute, surely, by the time I land on the other side. That's enough time for me to just make it through the doors of that train before they close, I think. I could actually make it out.

Or, more accurately, the whole panic mode thing distorts my perception of time.

Three things then happen at once. Three different sounds that pierce my ears, each one terrifying me for a different reason.

The robotic voice that announces the trains coming into the station. "Train 22502 is departing. Please stand clear of the rails. Train 22502 is departing. Please stand clear of the rails."

Thudding footsteps as the police officer and his lady friend reach the scanner I had clambered over, panting. The click sound of the safety being switched off for the second time today. "Stop right there, young lady!"

And a little boom from above me, muffled by the ceiling. Then a loud crash as the ceiling caves in, directly followed by the gushing, splashing sound of several tons of water cascading down with approximately the same force and quantity as a waterfall.

The good news: My stalkers are knocked aside, and completely drenched, by the torrents, also for the second time today.

The bad news: This time, so am I.

And the worst news: The train doors are closing.

I flail around, trying to crawl out from under the cascade of water. In a matter of seconds, I'm scrambling to my feet and snatching up my backpack, running for the doors faster than I thought was possible. I can't miss it. I can't have possibly gone through all of this trouble just to miss the train by a second, by a hair's breadth--

The doors close just as my arm gets through. And with me blocking it, it can't shut completely.

The train doesn't wait, though. With me half in and half out (well, more like a quarter in and three quarters out), the vehicle starts to pull out of the station, dragging me behind it.

I struggle to jam my entire arm in, but with the train picking up speed, it's all I can do to hang on. I'm literally pressed against the side of it, being pulled along with it as it gradually gets faster and faster, exiting the station.

A few kind souls inside the train stop sitting and gaping at my predicament. They get up and rush to my aid, grabbing my arm and pulling as hard as they can. I gasp a little in pain, but I feel the doors give a little. My entire arm goes in, then some of my torso, and then my foot gets inside as well. But it's not enough. It's not fast enough.

The train is about to speed out of the station, but before it's out in open air, it has to go through the short exit tunnel--and the walls narrow at the exit, so that if anyone was hanging onto the side, they'd probably be cleaved in half. My eyes are wide in fear, and I am struggling to get inside, but the doors refuse to give anymore than they already have, and I'm about to become a human shredded cheese--

With a loud grunt, the people grabbing my arm from the inside yank on my arm so hard, it almost twists out of its socket. With a little cry of pain, I tumble inside the train, my backpack following right after me, the doors finally closing with a little thumping noise. 

Hardly a split second later, the tunnel walls narrow and everything goes black, as the train speeds away from the brightly lit station. Away from 13th.

Panting heavily, I collapse to the floor. My clothes are drenched, my hair is damp and plastered to my face, and the makeup I was wearing is now so ruined, I probably look like a freak show.

But I don't care. 

I'm so relieved that I am alive, I start laughing out loud as I lay there on the ground in the middle of the compartment. I can't control myself. I almost kiss the floor, too, which must be incredibly dirty from all of the shoes that have been walking all over it since it was last cleaned, but I manage to restrain myself. There's no need for me to look like any more of a psychopath than I already do.

All I can think about is that I survived. I got away from the police. And now, I have left all of my troubles behind me.

For the first time in ten years, I truly feel free.

***

A/N: I have the next several chapters (up to 20 something) already written, but I'm in the process of editing them. They will be getting republished at regular intervals.