The next day I approached Morpheus, who was seated by Dozer and Switch near the helm speaking in low voices.

 "Um…Morpheus?" I said, hoping I wasn't impeding.

"Yes, Mouse?" he said, looking up kindly. 

"I was…just wondering…If you'd found a good broadcasting level yet…" I say, trailing off, realizing how childish I sound.  Like a kid in the backseat of a car, berating his parents with "Whenarewegonnabetheres"

Contrary to my sudden doubts, though, he sighs, taking it as seriously as I do, and shakes his head.

 "I'm afraid not.  And don't doubt that we are trying, Mouse.  The machines seem to have really beefed up sentinel security in this area of the sewers.  We've been searching for an opening, but it's been very difficult to secure one before patrols are sent out. We have an ongoing scan, though. Something should turn up."

"Oh." I say, feeling small and underfoot.  I'm about to turn and go when I look back.  "I'm just…really worried about her." I murmur.

Morpheus stands and comes over to me.  He puts a hand on either of my shoulders and presses down with gentle warm weight, squeezing slightly with a paternal air.

 "I am too, Mouse.  We'll go to her. Soon. I promise."

I feel a lump growing in my throat, and I turn and slide down a ladder and then go to my room and seal off the door, sinking down on the inside to the floor, my head rested against the cool metal.  I feel tears wanting to come out of my eyes, but I bite my lip sharply and blink them back. 

Soon he said.  Soon.

………………………………………………………..

The next day I awake to Tank banging on my door with a tray of "snot" as Apoch calls it, for me. I scarf it down, inquiring as to the occasion for a romantic breakfast in bed like this.  He pretends to blush, and looking at me through his eyelashes says in a high voice.

"You've got extra training today, honeybunches."

After breakfast I follow tank out to the chairs, my heart pounding a little faster than usual.  Somehow I feel like this is a really important day.  I'm plugged in and I open my eyes to a crowded street.  The sun shines dully through an overcast sky, and there are people shuffling by me on the street.  Everything is dull and gray, and I suddenly wonder…Am I in the matrix?  The other programs seemed less contrived than this…less real and detailed.  A man walking past me scowls.  A woman vaguely roves her eyes over me and clutches her purse a little tighter.  I hear a cooing pigeon somewhere nearby.  Suddenly I notice Morpheus's presence by my side. 

"Follow me." He says.

He begins speaking, in the serious tone he always takes.  Something about things not always being as they seem. Blah blah blah.  I'm trying to concentrate on what he's saying, but it's difficult to do while at the same time trying to discern if this is the matrix or not.  A man raises an eyebrow at me.  Someone laughs.  A street vender calls out hoarse advertisements for hot dogs.  It seems real.  The sidewalk is strewn with dried up gum and cigarette butts.  I look up, perking my ears to Morpheus's speech, which is still going.  "Until you're unplugged…." He fades out again, as a lovely looking girl walks by.  Her raven hair glints in the sun and it reminds me of Sherin for an instant.  She gives me a half-smile and then shyly blushes, looking away. 

"Are you listening to me Mouse?" Morpheus says, "Or were you staring at that girl who just walked past?"

I swallow, looking at Morpheus. 

"She just-"

"Look back." He says, his eyes traveling to a point over my shoulder.

I turn around and there's a gun's barrel pointed between my eyes. I stare, no time to do anything. 

"Freeze it, Tank." Morpheus's voice comes from behind me.

Suddenly all the sound stops.  All the jostling pedestrians and cars whizzing by stop.  In a delayed reaction I duck out of the way of the now motionless gun. 

My heart beat races as I stare at the cold face staring back at me from the still person holding the pistol.

"Agents." Morpheus says bluntly. "You know about them somewhat.  But the thing you must understand is that anyone you know, Jim, your mother, your father, or even Sherin, can become an agent in an instant.  And they are no longer the person you love.  They are someone who will stop at nothing to see you die."

I swallow hard. 

"This was a simulation.  But it didn't have to be.  Agents are always monitoring any underground movement.  They are fast, strong, and they'll know your every move before you make it.  Your only chance for surviving meeting one, is to run.  And find the nearest exit you can."

I listen dumbly to him lecture me, my insides feeling cold.  Even Sherin.

I leave the chair that day feeling unsettled at all that Morpheus has told me, and have a difficult time falling asleep that night.

………………………………………..

A/N: 22 already!? Wow! My lucky number amount of chapters—and more to come!!! I hope this chapter is lucky enough to score me some reviews!!  Cheers everyone!! ;o)