Sydney parked just outside the house. "You can go home. I'm going to grab new phones for you all."

"Oh, ok?" I unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped out of the car.

"Jill."

I turned around.

"I'm sorry that you had to see me like that. I prefer that we don't speak about what went on with Monroe."

"Ya, sure."

"Thanks."

She drove off after I closed the door.

I sighed and went inside, where it smelled like a fish market.

"What are you making?" I asked while stepping into the kitchen.

Owen turned his head around. "Hi, Jill. Uh, I'm currently making fish soup. Got my fish and all the vegetables chopped. Want to help?" He wore his ridiculous, tall chef's hat that made him seem taller than he really was.

"I'm good. Where are Roger and Tim?"

"Roger went out with Kaze for a snack run. Tim is in his room doing—I don't know." Focused on cooking, he didn't make eye contact with me that entire time.

"Alright, I'll head to the room, I guess."

Owen didn't respond. It's either that he didn't hear or he was too focused on cooking to care. Regardless, it's not like I cared.

Owen always had a passion for cooking. Ever since entering Ionia, though, that passion has grown exponentially. He cooked three meals a day, every day. He loved the kitchen more than ever.

Before heading upstairs to the room, I went back to speak to Owen.

"You know, since we have our IDs, we can apply for jobs and make money."

"Ya, what about it?" He responded without looking at me.

"Why don't you apply to be a chef somewhere?"

Owen responded in a dismissive way while wiping down the wet spots on the counter with a rag. "I'll think about it."

He probably didn't process what I said.

I shook my head and went upstairs to the room.

I slept on a twin–sized air mattress in the same room as Sydney. It rested next to the wall, away from the bed, creating a tiny pathway to the drawers and a small square window that allowed the perfect amount of light through. I collapsed on the unmade mattress.

"Did I not do my bedsheet…?" I sighed. "Whatever."

Only natural light was present in the room. I was used to the dimness, so I never bothered to turn on the bright ceiling lights.

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"Hey, you're back."

I stuck my neck out. It was Tim. He leaned against the wall just outside the room.

I forgot to close the door after entering the room, which was how he saw me.

"Where's Sydney?"

"Not sure. She dropped me off here and said she has to run errands."

He pushed himself off the wall and plopped on Sydney's bed. "I'm tired."

"Same." That was a lie. I wasn't tired, though I did want to rest a little.

"Hey, being in Ionia is so much different than the outside world," he said while gazing out the window from the bed.

Thinking about it, I haven't had an Ionia–outsider world related chat with the boys.

"Ya, it's different. In a good way."

"True. Only downside is that we have to be on our toes."

"Meaning?"

"SCAR. If they find out the truth, then we are all in big trouble."

"Tim," I said, "No need to worry about that. Nothing will happen."

"Yeah, you may be right."

I stared at the ceiling fan. "I hope so."

"Ugh! Stop worrying so much. Let's get up and do something."

I'm glad his leg had energy to move around. A week back, Kaze injected specific nanobots to fish out the bullet in his leg and remove it. It was a painful process, but it worked.

He stood over him with his fist on his hips. I grabbed the blanket and curled into a ball.

"I don't want to," I said.

"No!"

"Tim! Let go of the blanket! I don't want to leave the house!"

We played tug–of–war until I gave up. I let out a defeated groan and stood.

"Where are we going?"

"Downtown," he said with a smile.

I sighed again. I didn't want to leave the house, let alone go downtown. There was always a crowd, and the lines for food were constant. Traffic was a pain, and sometimes, cyclists crashed into pedestrians. It always made me giggle.

But at this time, I wanted to rest. Tim didn't seem to care. He wanted to go out. Whatever. It's been some time since I've gone alone with Tim anywhere.

We walked to the local metro station. The metro station was convenient since Sydney was the only one who knew how to drive. The station was extremely clean with not a speck of dust anywhere. It was like the city hired multiple people to ensure the place sparkled. The metro itself was no different. Even though it was unusually empty, not a single person left trash on the seat. Everyone minded their own business and were polite about it.

Seven stops until downtown. To kill time, I stared out the window, where there was only black. The metro is purely underground. Not a single part touches the surface. The entire time, you were encompassed by the dark surroundings. The only source of light was the bulbs above.

"Tim, what do you have on your mind?"

"Uhh—Not sure. Maybe go to the mall? They have a cool bookstore."

I cracked a smile. "Bookstore? Since when do you read?" Tim was practically illiterate. He knew enough to survive. Other than that, his reading comprehension was that of a child.

"Kaze has been teaching me. Getting a book or two will help me get better."

"I see." I looked down at my feet. "I think I'll buy a new pair of shoes. These are worn out."

A few days ago, Kaze gave Tim plenty of spending money. A little too much. Running out was never going to be a problem for today, at least.

"Buy whatever you want. I'll pay."

"Ya, you better."

The train stopped. Our stop was the one after this. I looked down at my shoes again. Dirt and debris covered the top, and the sole was ripping apart. The laces loosened as the old threads lost their strength.

It was only a matter of time before I abandoned the last bits and pieces of being an outsider. Soon, that part would no longer be with me. It'll be in the past, just like everything else.

The choice was mine. I wanted to come here. But, for some reason, I couldn't stop looking at my worn, beaten shoes.

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