Chapter 1: Daniel

I know that I've seen this girl before. Her looks alone strike up something within me, and I think that there can be no doubt. Everything from her eyes to her hair suggests a familiarity that I can't seem to identify. The chance that the both of us heading to Tess's tonight is all just a coincidence is very unlikely, but it is a possibility. It's just that I can't deny the feeling that I've met her before. I've noticed that she's wearing a military uniform, so I figure that we could have crossed paths during an international conference. Not that I went to that many; in Antarctica I wasn't too involved with the decision-making side of the military. My lack of attendance hasn't worked in my favor and now that we've flown out I still don't know that much about the current state of the Republic. A little over a month ago, the Elector contacted Eden about an interview for an engineering job. If he passed the interview he and the other contenders would compete for the position. At first, I was very reluctant to leave what had been our home for the last ten years, but with Eden pestering me about the opportunity and the fact that I was receiving more pleas from Tess asking that I come and visit her, they finally persuaded me that returning to the Republic only had good outcomes. Now, just two hours after landing here, nostalgia has already been sparked by this girl: June Iparis.

After we were formally introduced to one another, I suggested that since we were both headed to the same destination that it only seem rational that we would walk together. After some hesitation, she agreed and told us that she could lead the way since she already knew where to go. We've been walking for about fifteen minutes now and the sun is beginning to sink behind the clouds as the sky is illuminated in light pink. The silhouette of the moon peeks over the horizon and a cool breeze passes by the three of us as we make our way through the Ruby Sector. There has been no conversation the whole time and I'm starting to get a little annoyed with this girl. She won't look anywhere near me and is keeping her distance a few feet ahead and off to the side of Eden and I. A couple more minutes pass by and the unbearable silence finally becomes too much for me. "How do you and Tess know each other? In my case we're old friends so upon our return I think she wanted me to join her in celebration." I bite my tongue realizing that my statement sounded arrogant, but I wait patiently for her response.

"We've been close for a while now. I suppose that Tess inviting you tonight could partly be to greet you both, but I do know for a fact that the reason I was invited over is because today is my birthday," June says looking down, slightly embarrassed with having to correct me. "Today I turned twenty-seven."

"Oh," I reply, somewhat surprised. I should've known better than to suspect that the occasion was all for Eden and I. It's been ages since I last saw Tess, and I'm sure that she has other people in her life that are going to come before me. "Well then, I'd say a birthday is a much better occasion to celebrate than my return." Out of the corner of my eye I see June shake her head as if she disagrees with me, but I ignore it. She really is starting to seem like a strange girl. My thumb reaches upward to rub against the intricate paperclip ring that's secured on my finger. All I really know about it is that Eden said someone who he can't recall made it for me while I was in my coma. Over the years, I've kept it as a reminder of that time, but now it's become a habit of mind to mess with it when I feel nervous.

Eden turns to me, the dim light shining on his short blonde hair. "Just so you know, our luggage is being dropped off at our apartment complex. I'm not sure which Sector the Elector said we were staying in, I'll have to check again."

"Sounds great, but-" my reply is cut short when I bump into something, nearly losing my balance and falling over. It takes me just seconds to discover that the "something" was June, who had finally stopped in front of a large building complex. I prepare to deal with her annoyance and irritation but instead, she just looks at me with a blank expression.

"We're here," she informs me. I follow her up the weathered stone steps and observe the unique architecture of the building. The stairwell is located on the front side instead of sheltered inside, and there are two red doors per level, suggesting that the apartments inside are fairly large. We keep climbing upward until we reach the third level and June knocks on the first door. Large windows are on both sides and I try to peer through them to get a glimpse of the interior. A good scent of some sort is wafting to us from the apartment and my mouth waters as I try and recall if I'd had anything to eat today through all of the commotion.

The front door finally swings open, revealing a petite girl standing in the doorway. Short auburn waves frame her face and I notice that she looks at me in awe with dark brown eyes. Her stance alone displays the tenderness and care that I remember so well from our days hiding out in abandoned places. Stepping forward I pull her into my arms and my head automatically tucks into the crook of her neck. This girl was like a sister to me, and I begin to wonder how I could have gone so long without her by my side.

I speak into her ear, my heart swelling with joy. "It's nice to see you again, Tess."

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