I folded a pair of pants just like how my mom taught me. Fold in half by an imaginary line in the crotch, another half by the length and another if still too long. It left me with a square fabric that fit perfectly into the suitcase.

There were dozens of pairs, of all kinds. It was a little tedious but I compared it to a game of Tetris, only the blocks were either two by twos or one by ones and could be rotated in the third dimension. It was complex enough as a game, imagine Chess on a cubed board. Shiver me timbers.

I didn't have to do it. I was aware of my "allowance," big ass quotes containing a big ass word. All I had to do was snap my fingers and like magic, I'd get what I wanted. I rather ask nicely and thank the courier. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate the never-ending generosity or the simple fact that an unhappy alien monkey could easily escalate to… I didn't know, but something bad no doubt.

My reasons were simpler. It felt right. I could've asked, well, not asked, and every essential thing I'd need was there before me. But why be wasteful? The toothbrush and paste in the bathroom were fine, there was a month or two before the brush retired. And… I kind of grew attached to the bleached drip, though those levels of swag had to be secured, contained and protected indoors and away from public eyes.

It felt great. As if I was coming back from vacation in the Caribbeans after soaking up enough sun for a year. I wanted to experience that return, the satisfaction. Plus, the luggage was cool. Matte black is overrated and rightfully so, shit looks sleek.

So, there I was, packing away whatever I wanted, everything replaceable like the plastic toiletries. I had five more garments before I was finished. In side compartments were miscellaneous items; the mentioned tools of the bathroom, a charger, and… that was pretty much it. The only other oddity was in my pocket.

Now, I wasn't a hater. Often. But who in their right mind thought parodying our brands was okay? Somy? Somy? You had to be kidding me! I wasn't complaining about the new phone serving as a device to spy on me, what were the chances they had a company one letter dissimilar to one I knew and hated and loved? Was god lazy when he erased us and bootlegged the restart?

Huffing, I folded the last shirt, pushing it onto the foot tall tower. Thinking over what else I missed, I shrugged, zipping the suitcase closed. „And that's… that." I grabbed the handle, lifting the case off the crumpled sheets and onto the floor. The four little wheels could take the abuse, it was their purpose. As I was going over everything just to be sure, I heard the door swoosh open, turning around with a smile.

"Hey," I greeted, elongating the handle to my lower chest, an elbow supported by the arisen.

"Good morning," Miya beamed, "how did you sleep?"

"Alright."

"... Just alright?" She grinned, the early bird.

"Mmmmaybe less. A little nervous, you know?" I chewed on an inner cheek, my elbow sliding sluggishly towards the button.

She laughed, "Of course I know. Did you get everything? You know-"

"I didn't have to. Yup. I just wanted to- woah!" The handle fell to the second notch, the sudden lack of a stable support pushing my knee against the case as I stumbled. It slid away, slowing to a halt before colliding with the wall.

Once I regained my footing, I sent a sideways glance to Miya, her hand covering her snickering beak.

"Ha. Ha. Funny," I frowned, slinking over to retrieve the luggage.

"It kind of is."

Pursing my lips, I let go of the petty beef. She was right, it was kind of funny, and I shouldn't take it to heart. Taking a deep breath, I dispelled the silly anger. Today was a good day. In fact, today was a special day!

"Yeah," standing before her, I looked her up and down one time. Casual fit.

Blinking at me several times, her posture softened, "Are you sure you have everything? Ah, sorry, just a habit."

"A hundred percent. And as you said, I can always just ask," stepping to the side, she did the same, clearing a way out of the room.

The room. Before I passed through the doorway, I had to look back one last time. The semi-messy bed, the empty closet, the shut bathroom. Goodness, was I really going to miss it? And why wouldn't I? Spending the better half of the year there left a mark on me, whether it was good or bad was to be seen.

„Goodbye," I weakly waved at the two foot mattress. In spite of that one time, I never noticed any residual sweat. I had to have one like that in my new room.

"Hm? Did you say something?"

"Just… parting away… from this place," we left the room, she shut the door after us.

"You could always come back if-"

"NO!" I shouted, clearing my throat in embarrassment, "S-sorry, no. No offense, but your workplace is… ass."

She deadpanned, "Johnny… language…"

"But it's true! I like you, and most of the animals here, but I can't stand these walls anymore! I don't think I can even look at milk the same way with all the white," I shuddered, while watching Miya's reaction I could've sworn I saw a hint of disappointment. At my cursing, no doubt.

"Johnny…" We started, although the entire width of the corridors was ours, we remained close to one another, "I know you well. But the animals out there… besides the… that time…"

"When I broke- technically, I didn't!" I pointed a index at the ceiling, grinning triumphantly, "the deal, yeah. Quite the oopsie, wouldn't you say?" We turned a corner, not a soul in sight.

"An 'oopsie'? The president was fuming!" She laughed, eliciting that cute tweet, though not very common. "Between me and you, an angry dog is something to behold," she snickered, wiping off that grin as an animal did greet us.

"Doc!"

"Ah! Johnny-san! What are-" he noticed the harpy eagle, zipping his muzzle shut, "oh, hey… morning."

"Morning," she replied, there was that neutrality. I wish she was with everyone as she was with me, she was a really nice lady when you got to know her.

"I literally just arrived, am I missing something?" The could-have-been orthodontist asked. What? That was his most memorable trait.

"I'm leaving, dude. Didn't you know?" I told him, his eyes turning into saucers.

"R-really? W…" His eyes darted to and fro a single time, "Aaah, I see. This is quite the surprise but I need to hurry. I wish you all the best, Jonathan," he shook my hand with both of his, a strange smile to boot. The teeth didn't bother me, he sure could use a dental plan himself.

"Bye, Doc, see you later," I replied as he passed us. When he was gone, I added, "That was rushed."

"Work," the best answer to many.

The rest of the way was uneventful. A total of two other animals were encountered and neither cared about me or my avian companion. That didn't bother me. Doc did. What was so urgent he couldn't give a proper goodbye? I didn't know when I'd see him again, if I would in the first place.

Not to brag or anything, but I was quite popular. Eons apart and even they cannot resist the aryan charisma. I love irony. On a serious note, I really did want to know what "work" was above me. Now that I thought about it, it didn't make sense!

It was the weekend, Saturday to be exact. Sure, it was morning, but it didn't count. As we turned the last corner, a pair of double doors came into view. I never had a job, I pointed out. They were likely as flexible as those Russian gymnastic girls; their schedules. To drive the useless inquiry home, some jobs required people to work on Sundays, so that's that.

Entering the cafeteria, the total of animals excluding ourselves could be accounted for using my fingers. I liked that. Less eyes, less attention. Plus, our table- ha! "Our," as if we owned it! Although no one ever sat there after my first month, it belonged to everyone.

Expectedly, the yummer selection was narrowed to the necessary; water, rice, beans and soy. I was no Jack, thank you very much. Those products weren't inherently bad, though they kind of were, I just didn't feel like it. The other three would do fine.

Grabbing a tray from the start, Miya did the same, following me down the short line. Since there were practically no breakfast-goers, we could serve ourselves the portions. Rice, beans, water dispenser, that was the order. However, they couldn't just leave the food unguarded, who knew what sort of crazies could poison it? Or worse; magically unseason it.

"Hey!" I called out to the lunch lady snoozing off near the water, startling her.

"H-huh? Wa- AH! Johnny-kun~! Good morning!" She straightened her posture, one hand over the other on the counter.

"Good morning, miss. Did they leave you alone for the weekend?" I scooped five portions of rice. They knew how to butter it up, if that was what it was. I didn't know, but I wanted to one day.

She sighed, "Yes, my turn came. At least, there's not much to do."

"True, true," I moved onto the beans, letting the oil strain before adding them to the plate.

"But seeing you made it better! How was your week? Are you eating well?"

"Good and yes," the next exhale revealed my ribcage, lucky me the loose fit.

Finishing with the second part, I took a cup from the stack, examining it under the light. The cow giggled, "It's clean, I did them."

"Always got to check, always," I placed it under the faucet, turning the level ten degrees for a steady trickle. "You know…"

She hummed in curiosity.

"This is the last day we will… see each other," Miya, unlike me, didn't skip on the soy cubes. White asses. Friendly fire is permanently on in real life.

"What do you mean?" She sounded unsure, fearful even. Perhaps I worded it wrong.

"I'm leaving this place. Can't stay cooped up my entire life," if all I did was play video games and jerk off, I'd eventually get tired of it, like turning a hobby into a job.

"Really? They let you?"

"Why wouldn't they?"

"... Johnny-"

"I know, stupid question. I mean, I wanted to leave from the start and I finally got it. I trust your government is competent, no?"

Her eyes averted away from me before she replied, "They are. But… you're…"

"C'moooon, it'll be fiiiine~ I'm only human, what can I do? I can't go back on our agreement now," a lie that had gone in the dark for too long may lead to ruin or the birth of a truth, no in-betweens.

Without looking away, I flicked the faucet, the rubber mechanism-whatever shutting off the water. Grasping the cup, I carefully placed it on the tray. All the while Miya was silently observing us.

The cow sighed, "If you say so. I wish you all the best, Johnny-kun. You're a good kid, don't change that," she smiled softly.

"Thanks. Who knows? We might meet again out there in society! It's a small world we live in," commandeering the tray, I gave her a downwards nod before leaving the female pair.

I could sit at any of the tables. I could. But that one… in the far corner. That was the one; owner of many memories.

Making my way around the ninety degree curves, it took me half a minute to get there without traffic or hurry. Taking a seat facing the rest of the cafeteria, I watched from a distance as the two conversed. Strangely, the cow lady seemed a little distraught, worse than my poor wording.

When Miya sat across my untouched food, I asked, "What was that?"

"What?"

"The cow lady, she… what did you tell her?"

"Ahh~ A… distasteful joke. You're a bad influence, Johnny~" She smirked, digging into the food.

I gasped, "Me?! You're like old enough to be my mom!" I laughed with my belly, "What was it, if I may know?"

"Not for you~" She teased, chewing on the soy.

I groaned, "Fine, you party pooper," dropping the matter altogether before starting on my own tray.

"Hey, I'm fun," she said after swallowing, stabbing another mushy cube.

"Not always," I remarked, a hug flashing in my mind.

"When?" She asked seriously.

"Not for you~" I parroted, pun intended, in a higher pitch. That was probably racist, oops.

Rolling her eyes, we went on to eat in relative silence, the occasional banter humored. I was a little flustered, not at the small talk, but the retrospect of our… friendship.

I was never hugged as much before I woke up to this new, wild world. I was feeling quite punny today, better than a mopy sack of shit. There were the greetings and lesser times but those were shared with family.

I didn't think it was a bad thing; being reclusive but to close ones and… us.

I was so used to touch thanks to her, it helped me pull myself through. If I closed my eyes, it was as if nothing had changed at all, just a fluffier pillow. Was it natural? So much fluff in one bird couldn't be healthy. Heck, if she was a little girl, I would've died of cuteness overload.

And there was more of that bothersome; she was older than me by a long shot. I chucked it to a different society, different culture, her being her. But part of me didn't sit right with it, there was a reason why men didn't like crossing their legs.

Why was I on that line of thought? Fuck if I knew. Something to occupy me, away from the bland carbohydrates. And what did it matter? That voice was small and insignificant. There were too many pros for cons to exist. It was paranoia. That was all. When things are too good, Murphy has to come around and shove his hand up an ass.

Not today. He could take a hike this once, he deserved an indefinite vacation for all the hard work he does for the good of nothing.

Scooping the last of the rice, I chewed until it was a mush, washing down with the idle cup. Miya had a third of a plate left, so I waited. I looked at no particular point in the room, trying to memorize the layout. I wanted to remember this place. Even though I disliked it, the memories were too fond to be forgotten.

The first time we walked into this place, I reminisced with a hint of content. The bewildered eyes, the unending wonder, the feisty mammals. That group bothered me the most for some reason, not as in being mean or repulsive, just… forward. But that's a story for another day.

The first time we visited the doctor for a check-up. The awkwardness was something else. Weirdly enough, I missed it. Well, part of it. My no no square was as sacred as Solomon's temple, I'm sure they found something in those files.

I'd like to imagine it was Ohmaygot Ambatukam, the super warrior from the kingdom of Batunat, neighboring Wakanut, throwing his children into the foyer in the name of his black and orange god.

As a result of the mental picture, I was quietly snickering as Miya cleaned her plate of food. She noticed it, asking, "Why are you giggling?"

"Nothing, nothing. Just remembered something funny."

"Care to share~?"

"Nah, it's silly as… yuck," which was totally true for many reasons. Let's leave that behind.

We got up from the table for the last time, the tray cart exactly where it always was. It was empty, absolutely bald. That was when I realized I really was going to miss this place, so I told her.

"But I thought you hated it?"

"I do, but not everything. I like you," I stated casually, my sight set onward, "the doctor was… unusual, but he was alright. That lunch lady, the possum janitor… that's about it, but better than nothing!"

"So, you liked the animals?" We placed the trays, mine first, then hers.

"The peop- animals, yes. I felt like this was the best time to tell you, that's all."

We turned to the exit opposite to our entrance, a clear line from the cart to the double doors.

"It's not a forever-farewell," she reminded me, her hand massaging my right shoulder.

"Yeah, but it sure feels like it," I chuckled, the next step bringing me closer to her as we walked.

"I don't think you should."

"Why?"

"Like I said, it's not forever," she opened the door for me, I thanked her with a nod.

"Yeah, yeah…"

"And you have my number," I patted my right pocket and sure enough, there was my new phone. I had gone so long without one I might have been cured of that addiction! One that would come back once I settled in.

"Right."

"You can call anytime you like, I'm always available for you~" She smirked, turning us into an unfamiliar corner.

"I appreciate that but is that actually, like… never mind…"

She stopped us, her hand firmly holding me, "Johnny…"

I sighed, knowing better now, "Is that legal? Well- not like- I meant-"

"Do I have other patients?" She asked for me, the angel.

"Yes, exactly, thank you."

"Not anymore," she assured, adding, "Helping you is my full-time job now, same pay, more benefits!"

"I'm… glad for you," I meant it, luckily saving a worrisome frosting to the verbal cake for another time. She was just doing her job. That was all it was, her methods were questionable at best but they were effective. And I wasn't educated on the matter, so who was I to judge?

"You still sound unsure…" She pointed out.

The path we took was entirely alien to me. I didn't even try to make a mental map, doing that on the first go was near-impossible and required some turbo-autism. Mainly, there was no point.

It was really happening. I was leaving this place for good. I could cry, but I'd done that some days ago. I could never thank her enough for sealing the deal with the president, ever! I wanted to tell her again, but she told me enough was enough, in a kind way, so I respected her wishes.

Turning the last corner, a tall elevator greeted us ten meters down the hall. It stood alone. This was it; my key to the surface. Geez, I feel like a forum moderator on a redemption arc.

"Uhm…" I spoke without thinking, "That's it?"

"What do you mean?" She looked at me quizzingly, "it's an elevator. You had those… back then?"

"Of course! I… I don't know, I thought it'd be more… grand?"

She snorted, "Johnny. This is no regular lift," she threw a glance over her shoulder, leaning down so her beak was next to my ear, "it's a secret one. We are actually right under a city."

"WHAT?!"

"Keep your…! Never mind, we are alone," she relaxed, moving past me. On the same note, she shouldn't have looked back, though it was likely another habit. If their cameras were anything like ours, they were decades behind the current level and lacked a microphone.

"Wait- wait! We are under a city?!" I kept my voice down anyway, quickly catching up to her. She pressed the arrow pointing upwards, calling the lift to our level.

"I said that. It's not the capital, but it's no small town either."

"Miya… how? When did they build this place?" I was beyond amazed. She had never… was this how explorers felt when discovering new lands?

"I don't remember, but I think it happened during the eighties, there was that natural disaster…" she crossed her arms, gazing at the ceiling, "I'll check that later, never gave it thought."

"A black site under a population center? Never once?" I gaped at her.

"Maybe once. You get used to these things in everyday life," as cool as ice, she was. "And who are you to say that, Johnny-kun~? Have you forgotten just who and what you are?"

"... Yes, yes I did," they were used to me, the animals here. But those outside? The rest? They had the broadcast as a reference, but as a first impression? it didn't count! Nuh uh, it did not! It was a prologue, a demo to an indie-scam, nothing more.

"There's that," Miya concluded victoriously, so I tickled her side, "H-hey!"

"Don't make fun of me," I warned, as serious as a German clown.

"I wasn't!" Her hand shot out to my scalp, roughing up my hair.

"HEY! Do you know how long it took me to comb myself?!" Playfully slapping her hand away, the ding of the elevator rang.

"Five minutes, give or take," she answered immediately.

Once the doors opened, we stepped inside. It was nothing fancy, a dusty chrome finish reflecting blurred versions of ourselves. As the doors closed, I watched Miya press the- „Holy fucking shit." That… was a lot of buttons.

"I have a feeling you said a naughty word…" Miya grumbled. Despite that, I didn't lie to her.

"Yup. How deep does this facility go?"

"Don't avoid the problem… half a kilometer."

"Wow… wow…"

"Johnny, you really need to be careful of what you say. I get you, but other animals… might not. Please, try to keep your language clean."

"I do," I said with confidence, the elevator's accession barely felt.

"You do?"

"I don't swear in your tongue… much, I do it in mine!" The cheeky smile stretched from cheek to cheek, imagining a glint in a front tooth.

Rubbing her shut eyelids, she could only groan at my flawless strategy, "Fine, just… try to remember what I said."

"Always do."

Her beak cracked open to say something but she didn't. Although she wasn't wrong, I wasn't that forgetful. And even if I did let something slip my mind, it was probably unimportant! Because if it were, I wouldn't have forgotten it! Truly, my genius is frightening to the bigoted.

A few minutes later, the elevator stopped. The door opened, revealing a strange environment. My expectations weren't high, but a dusty ass warehouse wasn't in the top ten. Unpainted concrete, wrapped crates, broken light bulbs; the place was a wreck. It was so abandoned no graffiti was present! That was so wrong. It was a secret entrance to a secret facility. There had to be a fence or something, an electrical one, or… I'd find out soon enough.

Stepping out of the lift, the doors shut, blending perfectly into the rest of the wall. No pad, no keycard reader. I asked Miya, "How do you go in?"

She stood beside me, her hands held behind her back, "That's the neat thing… you don't."

"Oooooh, so it's exit-only?"

"Yes. It has its uses, very convenient to get to the bla- city center in short time," she subtly grimaced at the cobwebs in the far corners, "I wish they cleaned this place from time to time."

"I think it has a charm," upon hearing what I said, her laugh was stuck in her throat, "It's like… camouflage! Hidden in plain sight! No one would suspect a thing!"

"Johnny… we are in a logistics center."

"Ah… I see… poor manage-

"Poor management," we chuckled, some things never change.

"So…" I began, "what now?"

"Hmm…" she turned on her phone's screen but didn't unlock it, "your ride to the academy should be here right…" Two beeps followed, right outside the garage doors in front, "now."

"Huh," was all I could comment on the timing. "Well…

I guess this is it?"

"We'll meet again~" She gently shook my shoulder.

"I know but it just-"

"Don't know where~" Turned me towards her.

"Miya-"

"Don't know when~" And hugged me.

"..."

"But I know we'll meet again…~"

"... Some sunny day…" I returned the hug, resting my head on her chest.

I taught her that song. It was a bad day and she was sad for whatever reason, so I did what I could for her. It didn't rhyme well in her tongue, but the melody was the same. I was pleasantly surprised she memorized what little we karaoked.

"I'll see you next week, okay?"

"Mhm."

"And you can always call me."

"I know."

"And if someone bullies you-"

"I'll handle them, moooom~" I joked, patting her on the back. Her spine was so tense and her arms tightened a bit. She needed a massage or something.

"Okay… okay…" she whispered, releasing me.

We looked at each other in silence, a nice one. Perhaps I made it out to be a bigger deal than it was, unrelated to my enlistment into the education system, but I couldn't help my feelings. I wanted to stay true to myself, for me and her.

I'll be fine. Worst case scenario, I could always come back to her… preferably above ground. Even in the dank warehouse the air was fresher… could have been a psychological thing, placebo and whatnot.

"Wait, where's my-!"

Stepping to the side, behind her was the luggage. I had completely forgotten about it, missed it.

"Didn't you say something about… I don't know-"

"Don't. Even." A hint of red crept onto my cheeks, the smile never faltering, "Thank you."

"You're welcome~" She passed me the wheeled case, the handle sliding into my palm.

Patting my pocket just in case, the phone was there as well. All was in order. One last thing remained. I was never good with these affairs, so I did what I could.

"B… bye," I bid, going from point A to point B in a straight line. Since the garage doors would take too long to unlock and make it awkward, more than it already became, I went for the regular door to the right.

"Bye, Johnny. Take care," she returned, weakly waving her hand.

I waved back, promising, "I will."

"Beware of strangers!"

"Of course."

"And eat well-"

"I will. I will," I stopped before the door, shaking my head, "I will…" I wished she'd come with me, but she refused. Reason be damned however good it may be. I had to do this. On my own. Back to normal. My normal.

"Good bye, Miya… see you…" I turned back, "... soon?" She was gone.

My focus darted from spot to spot but she had disappeared, one with the dust. Did she take the elevator? Why lie about its usage? Strange, strange indeed. Still, I trusted her, I could call her and ask.

"Nah," I grabbed the handle, the new one. Calling her already was too clingy. It was probably nothing, a different exit.

I took a deep breath, "This is it…" Pulling down, a soft click emanated from the mechanism, the hinges as smooth as butter.

With uncertainty and no regret, I opened the door. The sudden change in light blinding, filling my vision with pure white.

Cherryton, here I come.

Author's Note:

This is the end of the 1st arc.

Comment what you thought so far, feedback is appreciated.