As I step outside, I inhale the ever-present smoke that envelops our whole District. I resist the urge to
gag and cough and move quickly across the dark ground. I cover my dark hood over my light hair, and
move into a tight alley, placed between two warehouses. I turn my head slightly, towards my home, to
see if anyone has followed me, without breaking a stride. I see a metal door at the end of the alley,
slightly open. This might be my chance. I can sneak in and see for myself how the people in my district
live, rather than only hearing what my father complains about. I'm halfway to the door when I hear a
soft scraping sound of metal behind be and I turn quickly. Seeing nothing but the dark night, I take a
deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment, before moving forwards again. I'm more cautious about the
sound of my own footsteps now, moving lightly to not be heard.
Reaching the metal door, I feel its icy touch through my gloved finger tips before ducking inside. Inside
it's even colder and small shudder escapes my body. I've entered a large, spacious room, filled to the
top with boxes of materials. Without a light, I can hardly see my hands in front of me, or even
comprehend how high the ceiling reaches in this large room. I move carefully around rows of boxes,
feeling my way through this maze. I can see a dim light across the room, which seems to be coming
from another room. It's almost completely silent except for a slight hum which sounds as if it's coming
from the other side of that door. I wonder if that's where the workers are, if they are in their sewing or
preparing the fabrics.
I am so filled with curiosity at the idea that I might see what lies beyond that door that I fail to
recognize the soft footsteps that move towards me until they are directly behind me. Gloved hands
grab my shoulders from behind, and I resist the urge to scream. I freeze in place but the hands quickly
turn me around. The darkness is so great that I cannot see who is directly in front of me, but I know
they are only inches from my face. In this cramped row between piles and piles of boxes I have no
where to run, if I could escape the strong hands that will not release me.
My heart is pounding, and my body is tense. I struggle to move but feel no budge. "Who are you?" I say
in a harsh whisper. I can hear the slow breathing of my captor but hear no reply. I still cannot make out
his face, even though it is so close to mine. He begins to pull me back through the rows of boxes, back
towards the door that I entered from. He is pulling me quickly, but cautiously, aware that if one box
were to be pushed out-of-place, the rest could come crashing down, and I would be caught.
As he pulls me through the open door, the light of the moon allows me to see his face more clearly. As I
do, I take in a sharp breath. "You?" I say shocked. Inches away from my face, is my Avox. His icy blue
eyes pierce mine and it seems like he is frustrated by me; angry with me. His harsh scowl offends me.
How can he, my servant, treat me in this way? He has followed me, and then practically abducted me.
Treason like this could have him killed in an instant if I reported it. But realization hits me and I know
that if I were to tell my father about him finding me, I could have the same punishment enforced on
myself.
He has let go of me and has moved several feet away but I do not move. What if he were to tell my
father, or rather write to my father, of this event? He's probably planning exactly what to write as he
stands here looking at my with those piercing eyes. Should I beg? threaten?
"Please," I begin, without looking at him. "Please, do not let my father know about this. Or anyone." I
glance up at him and he stares back at me. "If he knew, he would disown me or have me killed. He can't
know. I only..." I stop. Why should I tell him? He would only think I was a fool. A girl with practically
everything I desired, in his eyes, living the privileged life, but wishing for something more. Gosh, I can
imagine how it would sound and I wonder why I even came out here in the first place. What was I
planning to accomplish? Even if I saw how my people live, it wouldn't change the fact that they all
despise me. "Never mind. Ok? Just, please don't tell him. It would ruin us both, understand?"
He raises an eyebrow and then begins walking back through the alley, towards the house. Was that his
answer? A no? I want to scream with frustration. But my fear moves me forward. He's moving quickly
but I reach his arm. He brushes it off and keeps moving. I move in front of him, blocking him, and he
stops, folding his arms. He's looking at me in almost boredom, like there isn't possibly anything I can
say that will stop him from telling my father.
I clench my teeth tight together, deciding what to say. "You know what? Fine. Tell him. But just know
that if I go down, you're going down with me." I glare at him before turning forward and moving
towards the house myself.