The wind breezes by as I peacefully sit near the lake, the gentle waves rolling into the dock. It's one of the areas that hasn't been touched outside of the borders. It's tranquil, and is the perfect place for me to go to when things are stressing me out.

Of course, I never get caught. I'd be under house arrest if my dad found out I was sneaking out here regularly. Of course, it isn't illegal, but he still thinks I'm a little girl, even if I am well over twenty and fully capable of defending myself. I'm surprised he hasn't found out yet. I was pretty sure he would have someone spying on me, making sure I don't do anything wrong. I mentally snort. That's all he's ever good for, keeping tab on me, but never caring enough to actually be there for me. Wouldn't want to have to deal with feelings now, right?

I sit for a while, mindlessly staring at the lake. Then, the sun starts dipping lower, lower than the trees surrounding the far side of the lake.

That's my cue to leave.

Outside the borders of my city, Swamp Creek, being outside in the dark is dangerous. If you wanted to travel overnight, you were thought as suicidal.

A sinister creature lurks in the shadows of the night, waiting for their next prey. Danger is written out on every tree, anything could pop out at you. Even some of the bravest of men cower in fear! Though, I don't blame them.

I quietly slip on my sweater and start walking briskly. The temperature has already started to decline, I'm shivering with every step. As I get closer to the wall, light fades faster and faster, and the guards start their rounds. Swiftly, I reach for the tunnel entrance and twist the wheel to get the hatch to open. Thankfully, this tunnel has been out of use for nearly three years. Despite that fact, electricity still hums through the tubed lighting. Ultimately, the tunnel leads me to a sewer drain in an alleyway. Popping open the lid, I straighten myself out and kick it shut.

If I was ever caught near the borders, my dad would definitely get suspicious.

It frustrates me to no end that I can't exercise my basic freedoms because of him. Legally, everyone else is allowed to cross the wall during the daytime. Every time I try, I am denied access. It's bullshit. If he wasn't mayor, he wouldn't have the resources to keep me in line. And if I didn't have hope that he would come back, I would have moved away a long time ago rather than live in this cage. Plus, I can't just leave my friends. Most people in this city want to stay here forever, under the guise that they are protected and safe.

The thought of living like this for the rest of my life makes my skin crawl.

"Ally! Come check this out!" one of my coworkers, and my best friend Trish exclaimed as I head towards my office.

"Trish, if this is one of your pranks..." I started.

"No really Ally! Come check this out!" I slowly lurched over to Trish, who was crossing her arms in annoyance.

"Hurry up!" she muttered, impatient.

As soon as I picked up my pace, she started grinning so wide I thought her jaw would unhinge. When I reached her , I stared at the phone shenhad in her hand. It was a picture of her holding a cute little pug...

"It's Jace's new puppy. He said that he picked a pug because it is my favourite type of dog. Isn't he sooooo cute?!" Trish gushed. I smirked at her, and she looked confused when she saw my face.

"Yeah he's pretty cute. But I mean, the dog is waaaaaaaaay cuter." I teased.

"Ally!" Her cheeks flushed a crimson red. "I meant the dog!"

Trish has liked Jace for a solid three years now. It's so frustrating watching them two act so couple-y, and they don't even realize it! I'm like 99.99999999999999999% sure both of them like each other, and they are both oblivious idiots. There is only one thing that separates them.

Denial.

I rolled my eyes at her, muttering a "yeah right" before heading to the elevator. You see, I'm a cognitive psychologist at the largest medical facility in the city. It includes a hospital, a clinic, and has an entire floor dedicated to research. There's also a rehab center nearby. Trish finally has settled as a medical office assistant for a job, a stark contrast to when she was in high school and had a new job every other day because she kept getting fired.

We've all grown since then.

I get off to elevator, when I see Kira Starr rushing through the hallway in her (surprisely loud) flats. She locked her gaze on me and mouthed something along the line of "thank God". She then started speed-walking towards me.

"Ally, you have to cover for me!" Kira exclaimed frantically. I looked up to my friend in confusion. She had a desperate expression on her face.

"What happened? Who are you hiding from?" I interrogated.

"It's Wayn...he's freaking me out! He followed me to the café, and I came here to visit my mom and I thought I lost him, but he followed me here."

"I swear, if that asshole touched you..." I growled.

"No-he didn't. I just need some time to get away from here! Preferably to a police station where I can report him."

"Just get in the elevator, I'll try to divert him in the opposite direction." I pause. "I know you have to get to work now but afterwards you really should report him. He doesn't take no for an answer."

She nodded, getting in the elevator. Wayne was a...special case. He was notorious for being one of those guys who flirt-fuck-ditch. He really disgusts me, and trust me when I say he is vain in every way possible. But he is hell-bent on getting to Kira, probably because she rejected him the first time he asked to go out. Like dude, just move on. He's even claimed he isn't the arrogant douche we think he is. That's all bullshit because he still doesn't know the first thing about being a gentleman (and he stalks people, what a fucking creep).

"Hey Ally," Wayn's voice interrupts my thoughts. "Have you seen Kira?"

"Yeah, I have," I reply, trying to keep my poker face on. "She went that way." I pointed to the hallway heading away from the elevator. Without hesitation, he strides over, calling her name and he descends down the hallway.

When he is out of earshot, I quickly call security so it's ensured he doesn't come back in and disturb the peace. He shouldn't have been able to come in anyway. Probably told the receptionist that he was here to see Mrs. Starr.

Lying jerk.

I cast my thoughts aside and get to work.

This one is kind of a filler chapter, but at least you know what Ally does now! You'll notice that i still have the original posted up, I'll be deleting that one when the plot of the rewritten one gets past the plot of the original.

Reviews and constructive criticism are appreciated!