We were not stopped as we passed through the crowd, trailing after the man with the black ink mask. People seemed to step out of our way, making a path for us to follow. I knew that it couldn't be anything more than coincidence or a nervous mind playing tricks. "Daniel," I spoke quietly, and yet as he heard me, he made no motion to focus on anything other than the outsider, "this is not wise. We should call the Angels, it is their job to handle unauthorized persons." He did not respond to me right away, his eyes still fixed on the retreating figure of the man. We moved through the crowd uninterrupted, brushing past Citizens without so much as a whisper in acknowledgement of us.

At last, he spoke as we crossed out of the threshold of the plaza, "Do you not want to know how they come and go so easily?" He asked me, pausing beside a building as we allowed the man a few yards lead. "We do all we can to keep their people out, and yet every year, they flock by the dozens. Don't you remember seeing them?"

I tried as hard as I could to remember a previous occurrence of that nature, but aside from this instance a specific memory of an outsider in the city could not be recalled. I voiced just that to him, and in response he did nothing but smile to himself and continue our pursuit.

The outsider was several yards ahead by now, unaware of the two young Citizens that trailed after him so carefully. It struck me as odd that he did not look behind him. A man who would take so many precautions to arrive here would surely use as many— if not more –when he exited once again. I studied him carefully, noticing the patterns in the way he walked. He leaned heavily on his right leg, and yet his posture was nearly as straight as our own; but perhaps age and hard labor had worn down his courtesies, giving his spine an odd curvature that allowed him to slouch forward. He did not walk as if he was afraid of detection, nor did he walk with arrogance. He simply seemed determined, yet the outcome of his situation did not matter. This was a man who held no fear, which led me to believe that perhaps he knew we were there; and even more so, perhaps he did not care.

"He is walking faster." Daniel said to me as he quickened his pace. A simple observation rendered this true, he seemed anxious, a curious emotion. He turned the corner, heading into the more industrial district of the city, where many if the buildings were still under construction. The Society was always improving the lives of its people, so renovation was nearly always underway. We wanted what was best for our Citizens, making them comfortable and productive was a top priority.

We turned the same corner, and I was nearly chilled by the absence of sound that followed. Now, far away from the plaza, the city was empty and devoid of life. It was a curious emptiness, I had never experienced anything like it before, yet both Daniel and the man with the black ink mask seemed unaffected. We turned another corner in pursuit, heading farther into the city with each step. It was almost strange to me how quietly we moved, our feet made no sound against the concrete roads, almost as if we were ancient predators hunting prey. Daniel seemed accustomed to this, and was unaffected by the unusual soundless travel.

"Daniel," my voice was a hushed whisper now. In this silence, we could not risk being detected; but the more we perused this man, the more I became sure of the idea that had been processing in my mind, "I do not believe that he is leaving."

I received a nod in response, and nearly inaudible words that soon followed, "You're right." He told me, his gaze still transfixed on the man. "I think he's meeting someone." I was surprised by the accusation, having not come to that conclusion myself.

As to why an outsider would need to meet anyone within the city walls was beyond my comprehension. Once a person had been relocated, they were not allowed to return and all connections to them were severed. This man shouldn't have had ties within the city, and yet, as he turned another corner once more, deep in the heart of the Society's industrial district, a familiar sight came into view. A large, seamless white wall, reaching approximately ten feet and four inches in height, and fifteen feet in width. It curved inward only slightly, creating the circular form of the inner city. The outsider had led us all the way to the edge of the Society, everything that lie beyond being the rolling hills of the relocation facilities, where those who did not belong spent their days working to ensure a better future for us.

We hid behind a building as to avoid being discovered, watching from the corner of our eyes this man who put his hand against the cool metal of the structure. We heard him sigh, a deep sound as if he had accomplished something difficult after many failed attempts. For a moment, he did not move. Then there was the sound of footsteps, not silent as ours had been, but rushed and echoing against the silence of the city. The outsider was not afraid, he did not flee, and I cast a small glance to Daniel in confusion. In response, he shook his head and placed his index finger firmly against his lips.

A white uniform, the creases and folds all new and freshly pressed, appeared out of the corner of my line of vision. The white jacket was zipped up to the neck, and the Society's insignia stood out boldly on the left side, above the heart. I could not see his face, not clearly, but as he spoke his voice became ingrained into my memory.

"You came."

"'Course I did." It was the man who spoke, his voice rough and gravelly in comparison to the Citizen's. "I told you that I would, and I always keep my word."

"I didn't see you at the ceremony. I was worried that maybe something had gone wrong..." The concern was audible in the Citizen's voice, and the emotional display of alarm for this outsider was incomprehensible. As children, we were taught of population control. We were taught that it was the limits of the city that made it very difficult to be fully initiated. Everything had to be calculated perfectly, or we would risk overpopulation; and because of this, everyone expelled from the city must never be communicated with. It was a highly punishable offense, so to see a Citizen conversing with such an outsider, and showing such distress as to their wellbeing, was unthinkable.

"I was there," the outsider assured, "just not in plain sight. If the Angels had caught me...Well, you know the risks we're taking."

"I know. I'm sorry; I wish it didn't have to be like this."

There was a chuckle that followed his words—a cough-like sound that was highly displeasing to my senses. "No point in being sorry. We'll just have to send somebody a bit quicker next time. Maybe Ren, he's been itching to get out. But, I think he'd look somethin' strange dressed up in that uniform of yours."

"Perhaps. You'll send him and Lilia my best, won't you?"

"I always do. Now, to get down to business."

"Do you have it?"

"Why would I be here if I didn't?" There was a rustling sound that followed his words, unlike any I had heard before, yet it held familiarity to it. "You be sure to take good care o' her. She's the only one we've ever found completely intact."

"It's beautiful. I'll take this over to our people in the historical records. They should be able to copy it all down for me." I glanced over to Daniel, having remembered that he was assigned a position in such a place. A small shake of his head told me that he knew nothing of the situation.

"Just keep it away from heat, you hear me? She burns up real easy."

"She'll be in the best of care, I promise. Now, for you—" There was a silence that followed. The passing of some object that I could not see in exchange. "Just what you asked for. All the information is there, along with a few parts that I managed to spare. Keep the parts, but I'll need the information back. Copy it down quickly, and I'll meet you back here in a few days to exchange again."

"I don't know what we'd do without you, boy. What's going to happen when you up and leave us for this life? You gonna turn yourself in."

A soft, warm hearted laugh came from the Citizen, "You know I could never do that to you. As long as you need me, I'm your man."

"Those are good words to hear. Now, you run off now and go find your girl. I'll send Ren next time around, so keep a sharp eye." Before more could be said, Daniel brushed his shoulder briefly against my own, nudging me for ward and motioning for me to follow him. We moved away from the wall with as much silence as we were capable of manufacturing. He nodded his head towards a half restored building less than twenty yards away, and I shook my head in confusion.

Quickly, he mouthed the words "Go inside." And no sooner did I hear footsteps begin to exit the street from which the conversation had taken place. I could not stop to question the actions that were being taken, but instead quickly followed him inside of the building. He closed the door solidly behind us, and turned to me with eyes alight with excitement. "Come on. Let's go to the top floor. The restoration has not been completed, and a wall is missing. We will be able to see where they're headed."

Before I could argue the methods of his plan, or even the course of action that he had put us on, he had begun to move through the building into the stairwell, and climbed up the stairs with a bizarre amount of enthusiasm. I was helpless to do anything but follow, unable to make him pause long enough to reason with him. As we reached the top floor and exited the stairwell, it was clear to see that Daniel was correct. From the large, unfinished room, one could look out at the city in all its beauty and see everything—even what lie beyond the Society, small settlements where the lesser people lived and worked. The view placed a pressure deep on my chest, making the task of inhaling air difficult.

"Look there." Daniel directed my eyes towards the streets below us, where two solitary figures walked in different directions. From where we stood, they were impossible to distinguish. "Follow the one going south. I'll watch the one headed north." He instructed, and I complied without question. The small blur against concrete was easy to trace, as it walked only along the wall and never deviated away or turned. For several seconds, it seemed, the individual remained on this course. Then, they began to move closer towards the city limit, until they appeared to pass through the wall entirely, and disappeared.

"Daniel," Both confusion and excitement lingered in my voice, making a dizzy combination of emotions that were disorienting; "he has vanished. He passed through the wall as if it were not even there." Daniel appeared to be as equally surprised as I was. Looking past the wall then, I realized that he had not reappeared on the other side. By the entirety of the definition, the outsider was gone. "There must be a breach somewhere in our security." the thought made an unpleasant, heavy emotion come over me, "This would put the safety of the Society is at risk. We have to alert the Angels—"

"No." He turned to me at the most startling pace, his eyes boring into mine with a seriousness that was impossible to shake. "Alyssa, we must not tell anybody."

"But we saw—"

"We don't know what we saw. Listen to me—" He took my hand in his, gripping it tightly and sending some form of electromagnetic spark burning through my skin. "This entire scenario could have been anything. A test. A training exercise for the Angels. To alert them to one of their own scenarios would be foolish, would it not? We mustn't say anything. They would be angry to find that we had left the plaza regardless, and they have bent the rules for us so much already. All we must do is go to our units, perform our assigned roles in the Society, and live a happy life. Will you do this?" His hand still held mine tightly, and it was clear to see that this situation meant more to him than he was willing to share. Yet somehow, against all my better nature and odds, I found myself consenting.

"A training exercise. That is all that it was." I agreed, nodding my head to fully confirm my choice.

He smiled warmly, all concern draining from his features. He let go of my hand then, yet the burning sensation remained. "Good. Now, it appears to be getting late. May I be so bold as to ask if you would like an escort to your new living unit?"  HIs offer reminded me of my courtesies, and I returned the warm smile he had offered me.

"I think that would be lovely."