Here's another chapter to this story. Hope you enjoy!

An audible sigh was released from my body once the door to my house closed. Everything felt so empty compared to when Ruby's laughter filled the streets and her voice rocked my mind into relaxation. More importantly, she made me think. Nothing too important mind you, but for the first time in memory I felt like something outside my realm of control was in my senses. It was certainty different but at the same time pleasant. My thoughts only made the deafening silence that swept through the house more noticeable. From the kitchen just right of the doorway to the Sound-Set room and bedroom just beyond. For the first time, I felt...unease with my solitude. That wasn't right. I was happy. People didn't feel 'unease' or anything BUT happy. But if that was true then why did nobody act like they were happy. Compared to her, everything else was just pantomime. She must have a different kind of happiness Slowly, I began to walk towards the Sound-Set room. Maybe a bit of news would clear my head. These thought were infectious. She was just one girl. One girl who laughed like she meant it and smiled like it was the last she'd ever smile.

Once inside the Sound-Set room, comfortably seated, my eyes drifted to the phone. Maybe I should just make the call. All it would take is her name and her description. She might not have any contraband but it is better to be safe than sorry. Everyone else I knew would not dare act like that in public. Within the hour she'd never be heard from again and her house would become a delightful Burn. My hand hovered over the buttons. Still, what harm could she do. She was a bit odd compared to most but she was enjoyable to talk to. Also, she was happy, just a different kind of happy. And she made me feel...something...as well. Besides, I can't really speak compared to what I held within my vent My expression turned sour once again. This girl was going to be the death of me I swear it now. Shaking my head, I quickly turned my 4-walled, Surround Sound, Sound-Set 200 on to a bearable volume and let the words carry me far away.

" In other news, a record 17 Burnings took place in the residential district alone...

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Burnings

Redacted

BURNINGS"

A frown overtook my face. This wasn't right. The Sound-Set always allowed me to clear my head and think about nothing except my own pleasure. But this was just white noise. A knife in my ear compared symphonic melodies of Rubies voice. They were speaking but saying nothing. They babbled on and on and on but for what purpose. To replay the same messages and the same advertisements and the same damn government-issued, quality-controlled, ad-stricken mindless drivel. Ruby spoke with a rambling fluidity that meandered here and there to whatever she saw fit. She remarked on the beauty of dew in the morning and the sadness of our plight as humans. She spoke with conviction and with passion. She delivered messages.

With a jolt I realized that my teeth had began to clench forcefully and my arms were pinned to the char as I had a white-knuckle grip on the armrests. A painful migraine began jack-hammering on my skull. Breathing became laboured and quick. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't breathe. I was going to die sitting on an armchair in my house with nothing to show for it. I had to breathe. NOW! Breathe!

Slowly, I got my renegade thoughts under control and my breathing returned to normal. A quick assessment of myself showed I had no physical damage. A lungful of fresh air and a light massage of my temples made myself feel better. Next topic, figure out what the hell happened to me. It must have been her. Ruby and her damn talking. It wasn't right. Talking wasn't supposed to do that to a person. Chatting was a pleasant experience reserved for break rooms and afternoons. Not late-night, run ins. She must have had a book. That's the only explanation. She must have something. Its not possible to make someone else feel this terrible with words. Only books could do that.

I realized it would be in my best interest to rid myself of both Ruby and that vile thing in my vent. I scrambled towards the bedroom and flung the door open. With haste I shoved the bed towards the wall, climbed atop it, and tore the loose vent cover off the wall. Their, just beyond the light, was the thick, leather-bound novel I had stolen from a Burning. Thieving it was fairly simple. Wait until the fire had died down and the crowd had left, see novel which had survived the fire, pick up said novel, and race home. The problem, however, was I didn't know why I had taken it. It was as if I was drawn to it. I tried to turn away but I couldn't just leave it there. I tried to convince myself to bring it to the CG but I couldn't bring myself to do it. But now, now that I knew what they did and why we Burned them I had to report her and bring this book in.

I grabbed the book from its resting place and ran to the phone in the living room. I had punched in the most of the numbers for the local CG branch. My finger hovered over the last number. I can do this. I must. Its my duty as a citizen to report all books and offenders of the law.

Yet, why was it so hard. If it was right then why couldn't I do it. Why was everything so weird since meeting this girl. In frustration, I launched the book across the room and into the nearest wall. Panting, I slowly walked over to retrieve it. With trepidation and shaking hands, I placed the damnable thing back in its hiding spot behind the vent. The more I thought about it, the more I realized calling was foolish. I mean, honestly, calling was foolish. If I called I would have to report myself and the book. If I reported the book, I'd be taken too. Not even mentioning how little evidence I have against Ruby. She probably doesn't have a book. Maybe she's just weird. If I want to call I'll need to get more proof first. Not only that, but if reported her before I reported my own contraband I would have a better chance of not being removed. I need to talk to her more. Exactly. Everything is fine. I'm happy. I must be happy. There is no reason not to be happy.

I found myself suddenly exhausted. It is late after all. I walked into the bath room to grab my Central Government, or CG for short, issued medication. Keep away those pesky, thoughts and whatever happened to me in the Sound-Set room. However, right before I took them I heard a loud banging noise and what sounded like two people talking. A groan of annoyance slipped from my mouth. I would have to deal with it. People didn't ask unnecessary questions. Then again, would Ruby stand for this, smiling, I imagined her standing their shouting and being a dolt like always. After all, how could one question hurt? Making myself somewhat presentable, I made my way to the door.

Carefully opening it, I spied the culprits. A man and a woman, the man had short, silver hair and grey eyes while the girl had long, green hair with red eyes. Both were clad in a hat and CG uniforms. As the walked towards me under the streetlights, I heard their conversation. They were lugging some kind of metal contraption behind them that was filled wit tubes and glass towards a CG issued van parked on the road. It rattled and rolled as it hit cracks in the sidewalk.

"... is it just me, Emerald, or are we getting more and more of these calls. Don't get why but eh its our job I suppose." The man remarked

"It doesn't make sense. I mean why anyone would OD on meds is beyond me. Maybe they all had contraband and it made em sick in the head." The green one, Emerald, said.

"We'll find out soon enough once they get their houses searched." The grey one replied.

"Hey" I yelled, "Would you be so kind as to keep the noise down. It is difficult to sleep."

The two workers suddenly stopped and turned to me with an expression of...disgust? In half a heart beat it was replaced with neutrality.

"Sorry, mam, it won't happen again." He said with a touch of nervousness.

" If you don't mind me asking, why are CG workers out this late as night?" I inquired

They looked at each other and then back to me as if I had three heads.

"Routine maintenance, mam" Replied the green-haired one.

Maintenance? What about the sleeping medication and contraband? Still, the CG was in charge and I couldn't question them. This was too strange.

"Very well. Continue on" I said.

Like two horses just out of the gate, the scrambled to their truck , tossed the equipment in and hopped in. I heard something that sound like 'its your ass on the line, Mercury' just before they sped down the road.

How odd. Was everyone this weird at night? Regardless, this night had been too out of the ordinary for my taste. It was so different and strange it was all so difficult to comprehend. Heading back inside, I gulped down my sleeping medication, being careful to take the prescribed amount and nothing more, and fell into dreamless sleep.

The day following was like any other. Take my CG issued morning medication, get ready for work and head down to the office. Chat with co-workers about for the first 15 minutes following work. Remark about how good life is. Still, it still felt wrong. It must be lingering from thinking too hard. I just need to do my job and that will be another day done. No Burnings today either. A shame really. Its been too long since the last one. Annoyingly, I found myself becoming almost bored with work and thinking about Ruby. Her laugh, her smile, her expressions. One of my fellow workers, Neptune, even asked me if I was sick. I brushed him aside without a thought. He gave me an odd look but said nothing. I had bigger things to think about. How to prove Ruby had contraband. Thankfully, I got my job done on time and I could meet Ruby and our predetermined time. I wouldn't be caught off guard by her quirky mannerisms. I was sure of it.

~0~

"... and then I thought about how great it would be to just do somethin' worth while you know? Like somethin' that would really make a different or leave an impact. Don't you?"

It happened again. I tried to talk and see what she likes, what she does not like, and what her interests are to determine if she had contraband. But that disarming smile and the high-pitch and soothing voice made me feel all kinds of weird things. Thing I couldn't put a name on yet they had me nervous, anxious, and scared. I did not like these feelings. They were too radical and new. Still, I had to keep my calm and be her acquaintance.

"Yes, I suppose so." I replied

" I knew it! Ha, I got your number Weissy!" Ruby chirped.

Of course, she had to give me a nickname that dolt.

"Yes, well, this has been a pleasant evening. Thank you for the company." I smoothly responded.

" Anytime. After all you know what they say, happy Weissu happy laifu"

"Regardless, I hope that we can converse again tomorrow night." I said, carefully ignoring that last part.

"Sure, totally, I'm down. Sounds gooood in the hood".

"Excellent. Also, are their any activities that you enjoy doing, perhaps?"

"Ohh you mean stuff? I love stuff! Like watching the dew in the morning. Or the moon. Did you know there's a man in the moon? OOH and watching the cars drive down the highway. My dad, Tai, got arrested for driving to slow. Isn't that silly. He just wanted to see the flowers on the road." Ruby rambled.

Sighing internally, I prepared myself to a lot of talking in the future. The things I do to get rid of law breakers.

"You change the subject a lot and you think about the oddest things. You really are strange." I replied

"Well, I don't listen to the Sound-Sets or anything like that so I guess I have lots of room for more thoughts. Also, quick question, where do you work?"

This was excellent. I was finally getting proof. I mean who didn't listen to sound-sets? Unfortunately, she asked about my job. This was the moment of truth. If I didn't scare her off now nothing would.

"Oh I work down at the Burner's office. I simply collect calls from the various sources, determine if their threat level, and dispatch the appropriate response team. I have other menial tasks I must preform, such as operating the incinerator, but this is by far the most enjoyable. Especially when I get to watch. Nothing makes me happier than seeing an offender's house go up in smoke along with their contraband" I explained.

I had laid it on the line. That's what is. Nobody spoke of it, but everyone avoided Burner operators. Even fellow Burners. The risk of a rumour being started was too great. Rumours lead to action and action leads t everything you own going up i smoke. Still, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It made me happy. As I waited for her sudden excuse to leave, I almost didn't notice her giggling.

"Don't be so scared Weissy. I know a lot of people are afraid of Burner operators. But I mean you're just a person. A super pretty person at that. And besides, I kinda expected you had something to do with the Burnings. You stunk of kerosene the night we met. I smelled you before I saw you."

I barely managed to contain a scoff. I'm not pretty. Only this dolt would call someone pretty.

"Thank you for understanding. Most people would have made an excuse to return to their house by now."

"Not a problem, Weissy. I mean I like talking to you. A lot. Oh, we're at your house again in case you was wondering."

Her grammar was atrocious, it really was. Concealing a small smile, I headed to the door of my house. I was about to head inside when I heard footsteps stomping up behind me. Turning around, I was suddenly face to face with Ruby. Does she not know personal boundaries? And the sent of strawberries combined overwhelmed my senses and her silver eyes felt as if they could see straight through me and reflect every emotion I displayed. Quick as a flash, she slipped a piece of paper into my hands.

"By the way, here's my number in case you want to call anytime it don't matter I'm free. Also just oooone more question, are you happy? And I mean without all the yucky meds and stuff. Are you happy?"

"Wait, you dolt. What does that even mean?"

However, it was too late as she was already down the road and swallowed by the moonlight.

That dolt. Of course I was happy. I was happy. I suppose. I was happy I got her number if only to gather more information. That must count. Right?

Thanks for reading!

Again I'd like to give a shoutout to Enigma434 and White_Rose_Trash. Check out their stuff here on and Ao3.

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