The chimneys were spewing their usual black smog as the early morning shift was starting. Sadly, for many children it could possibly be their second or even third shift. This was the unfortunate fact that many children now-a-days had to face. I was lucky enough to have escaped the inhumanity, but right now that was the least of my worries. I had to make it to one of the hidden sanctuaries dedicated to many of these god forsaken kids; at least there I would be warm.

After braving the cold for some time, I finally made it to an alley in the middle of two inconspicuous buildings, its walls as black as the winter twilight. I started to bang on the walls until they made the solid sound of steel. Slamming the door to the rhythm of "The Entertainer", the door made a hollow thud when a boy's voice echoed out into the alley. His voice was thick with a Melbourne accent, asking me who I was. I responded, "It's me, Number One. Open the door." The door creaked open to a hallway lined with gloomy light bulbs, and I made my way inside. Despite the lights, the only thing I could make out was Wally's voice above the loud coughing coming from the end of the hall.

"Is it the typical situation Number Four?" I asked him. He responded, "Man, Number One, it's been hectic around here. A couple o' hours ago, these two kids brought in a jacked up one. His entire hand was missing, probably been freezing outside the entire morning. Nothing much we can do; just wrap the ruddy thing up and put him to bed. We're waiting for the other Sector to finish their drop." "What about you, Number One", he dropped in, "Where were you last night?"

I responded, "Important Kids Next Door business, highly classified. Where's the rest of the gang?" "Number Three is helping with the sick, Number Two is doing what he always does, and Number Five is "recruiting". We finally made it to the end of the hallway, where the foyer stood and the fireplaces were always lit to keep everyone warm. I could make out Kuki tending to one of the sick while she measured a girl's temperature. "Wow, it's a scorcher. Don't worry. We'll get you up and walking in no time. Take this and it'll be all better." Kuki glowed even brighter than the embers, as she handed her a pill. Her contagious smile provided all the reassurance the girl needed. She turned around and saw the both of us. "Hi Number One, Number Four.", her high shrill burst through the coughs, "How was the mission Number One?" "It was "motivating", Number Three.", I told her then asked her where Number Four was. "Oh, he's down stairs, working on his latest contraption. I saw what he was making and he's made a lot of progress." As soon as she finished her sentence, I started to walk towards one the four large, wooden doors with an intricate number four carved in the middle. Surrounding it were carvings of gears in various sizes.

The door was halfway open, so I pushed it aside. Hoagie's room was in what used to be a basement, and the stairs leading down were not easy to climb since no lights were installed. "Hoagie, 'you in here?", my voice bounced off the staircase walls and Hoagie's came shortly after. "Yeah, Number One, I'm in the study. Hoagie was an inventor.