the cat probably didn't have two patrol officers aiming weapons at its head.

had been a rebel in these parts for some time, and noticed the boy being held up in the distance. She wasn't a hero, but somehow, she knew

she couldn't just leave him like that, whoever he was. She darted in the guard's direction aiming for a sneak attack.

felt his back hit a wall of rock, and he couldn't help but wince. Officially cornered. Well, wasn't that just fantastic. At that point, a

flash of movement behind the guards caught his attention, although he made sure not to let it show; doing so would only get whatever was

helping him in trouble as well. Instead, he glanced at the guards and decided on something ridiculous. "You would think you guys have

nothing better to do than pick on people smaller than you."

Attacked the guards easily while the boy distracted them. It was almost as if he knew I was coming...The guards are dazed, but not

completely blacked out so she calls, "Run for it!" hoping the boy will comply and heads towards the outside of the sphere.

couldn't help but wonder when the hell Lady Luck had decided to be on his side, but now wasn't the time to ponder over it. Instead, he ran

over towards the girl. "If I'm to escape, you better be planning on it as well. They won't appreciate the fact that you stopped them."

grins at this boy. "Don't worry. I'm not the sacrificial type, although it's hard to leave someone hanging like that. But lets not waste

waste time talking." she started running again, hearing the guards clamber to their feet in the distance. She made a hand gesture to take a

sharp right, and tried to quiet her footsteps.

nodded briefly before taking off after the girl. The sounds of the guards behind them made him even more cautious than normal... Which would

have prevented this whole situation if he had just done in the first place. Still, he had never been more glad for being fleet-footed and

quiet in his life. Glancing at the girl, he turned abruptly, hiding behind a tree as he pulled a small round object out of his pocket,

waiting for the guards to get closer to them before yanking the pin out with his teeth and throwing it at their feet. Grenade set, he began

running again, hoping it would work.

began running even faster as she heard the explosion. She felt a sense of panic, not just for herself, but the guards. Its not their fault

that its their job you know. Although that wasn't entirely true. She pushed her messy thoughts aside and concentrated on running.

"This way!" she called out, leading him to the only place she was sure was safe.

kept slightly behind the girl, following her lead. He felt a slight bit of unease from the girl, and it took him a moment to realize it was

because of the grenade. His eyes automatically rolled. "Don't worry about them, I modified that grenade so it's pretty much just smoke, and

just a bit of acid to keep them on their feet." Nothing lethal; he wasn't a killer. And why was he blindly following some random girl? She

the only option he had.

sighed in relief at his words. "Glad to hear it. I'd rather not see a death every day if I have don't have to." She started slowing her pace

as they neared an abandoned city. The city was crumbling, filled with garbage, and covered in the haze that filled all that was outside the

spheres. But it was actually a sanctuary, to all who understood it. "We're heading in there." she said, pointing to the building though they

were just a few yards away."Try to watch your step." she added.

hummed his acknowledgement. "Death should be a natural thing, not an event caused by others." Once they reached the refugee city, he stared

in curious wonder; he was a scientist, one who thrived on knowledge. This place was fascinating. His gaze followed savior-girl's gesture,

and the building in front of him was full of mystery. Well, that and garbage, but he could ignore the second part. He took a few steps

before stumbling, a muffled curse escaping as he caught hiself from falling. Then he started muttering under his breath. "Great warning."

"Told you so." she said feeling a little humorous, odd as it was. She proceeded to lead him deep into the center of the city, through a

series of maze like passages and narrow streets. The closer they got to the center, the more small signs of plant life could be seen. Here

and there a vine coiled cautiously around a crumbling building. As they walked in silence, she decided now would be a good time for the two

of them to stop being strangers. "So," she began casually. "What brings you to the outside?"

shot the other a small glare at that statement before his features were schooled back to their usual blankness. Now wasn't the time for

that, considering he should be focused on trying to remember their path. Besides, it wouldn't do much good glaring at her back. He glanced

at his surroundings curiously; he hadn't been out of his sphere often, and everything was so different. "Information." Elaboration was

never his strong suit.

"I see." she said. Perhaps she didn't see, but she got the gist of it. That was after all, a common goal of the few who ventured outside the

spheres. She couldn't say that it was hers though. "And who are you exactly?" she asked, in a somewhat blank tone, even though on the inside

her curiosity was peaked. After all, it was rare for her to see anyone for weeks and weeks while living on the outside.

knew he should feel grateful to this girl for saving his life, but that didn't necessarily mean she was safe. He shrugged simply, gazing at

his surroundings still. "Lukas." One word answers were always the best method when not wishing to give something away; there was something

he was looking for, something that he wasn't allowed to even think about in his own sphere, and he wasn't going to get captured and ruin

it all.

smiled. "Nice to meet you then Lukas." It was an interesting name she thought, and she vaguely wondered where he was from. But she didn't

ask. He'd told her enough, and besides, it was unlikely they'd spend too much time together. If he was looking for something, he probably

wouldn't stick around. It was rare to have partnerships on the outside, and even rarer for them to be successful. But she understood this

city, even as it crumbled. It was more than companionship, and it was all she needed. Nothing on the inside could ever bring her happiness.

She knew where she belonged now, that was what mattered.

stayed silent for a moment, thinking. "You know, it's rude to ask someone else's name without giving yours in return." Plus Lukas was too

prideful to actually ask, but that was beside the point. Still... This girl was intriguing. Almost as intriguing as this city in general; he

would almost be willing to put aside his current goals to learn more about it. There was no denying he was a scientist at heart, even after

he stopped working for the higher ups of Phoenix; intrigue usually dominated his decisions.

"I wasn't sure you even wanted to know my name." she said, smiling again although he couldn't see her face. "My name is Elizaveta. Elizaveta

Hedervary." she added her last name because she had a certain pride in it, and besides, no one would know that name anymore. It had been

centuries since her family's name was known. And oh how it had been known...But that was another story. She neared a grand set of stairs

and began to climb them, quickening her pace slightly. In front of them was a majestic building, reminiscent of some cathedral, though it

crumbling. She turned the rusty handle of an old door in an apprehensive silence.