'God in heaven, I bloody hate New York City.' I muttered, looking down at the many lights.

'Yeah, I know. Too many buildings, too many people. And of course, the Institute.' Casper said.

'And the orphanage.' I added.

'And the orphanage.' Casper agreed, pulling a face.

'Do we really have to?' I pleaded, flying closer to him.

'If you want to find out if we have tracer chips implanted in us, yes.' Casper said.

'Maybe I don't want to find out.' I said stubbornly. Casper raised his eyebrows at me. I scowled. 'Fine.' I mumbled angrily. Casper laughed, then flew closer to me and took my hand.

And the world felt loads better.

***

'Sooo…Where are we going to sleep?' Casper asked, after we had landed in Central Park.

'God knows.' I muttered, sitting down on one of the benches. Casper sat beside me and we sat in silence, listening to the cars and sirens and other noises you hear continuously in New York City.

'New York,' I said to Casper, 'The city that never sleeps.'

'Well, I don't know how it does it.' Casper said, leaning back and yawning, 'I'm exhausted.'

'We could just sleep in a tree.'

'I love being a hobo.'

I sniggered. Then Casper did. Then we were both laughing. And we wouldn't have stopped for anything.

***

I squinted as the sun filtered through the branches, waking me. I groaned and sat up, trying not to overbalance as the branch wobbled. I looked over at Casper, who was leaning against trunk, still sleeping. It was a miracle neither of us had fallen out of the tree while sleeping, as funny as that would have been. I looked down at the ground. There was already cyclists, joggers, even horse-back riders already up and doing stuff. It'll probably take half an hour to get both my eyes to open at the same time…

I looked at my watch. Wow. Already 12:30. It's a wonder nobody saw us. I started ever so gently beating Casper awake.

'OW! Crap… What is it?' He asked, grabbing my wrists.

'It's 12:30…pm.' I said.

'So…?'

I thought about it, then said, 'I don't know.'

Casper scowled at me.

***

'You know,' Casper said conversationally as we walked down 5th avenue, drinking sodas and holding hands, 'If we are going to The Institute, there's a very good chance we could die.'

I choked and nearly spat my sprite out my nose.

'That we could die?' I asked weakly. I leaned against him so my knees wouldn't give way.

'Oh yeah,' Casper said, sounding completely unconcerned, 'It's completely probable.'

'And when were you actually planning on telling me this?' I snapped, dropping his hand.

'I didn't want to worry you.' He said. I snorted.

'But I thought it'd be better if it knew.'

I looked at my feet, scowling.

'Melodie?' Casper asked, 'You do still want to go, don't you?'

No, actually, I think I'll take my chances with the computer chip…

I took a deep breath, counting to four in my head. Then I looked up again and said, 'Yes. Let's do this.' Casper smiled and took my hand again.

We took two steps forward…

And two robots leapt out of a hidden doorway.

'Hello kids!' One said, and more were coming up behind it…

I looked at Casper, whose hand had suddenly got very cold.

'Or there's a very good chance we could die right now.'

Hello reviewers! I'd just like to start by saying a Huge SORRY for leaving you all waiting. Life's been giving me Hell at the minute. Sooo…Happy New Year! I'm sooo sorry for not updating in like, weeks, and then I come along and give you a crap chapter! I feel truly guilty :( But don't worry, the next chapter will be faster AND better. My exams are finished and I've finally escaped the writer's block I've had since the end of chapter eight (did I forget to tell you about that? Heh-Heh. Oops)! So, next chapter coming SOONER! In the meantime, R&R!

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