"Walls. All around me. All I see is walls." Ramsey thought as he laid in his bed staring up at his wooden ceiling. "All my life it has always been work, eat, sleep, and walls... if only I had a way to break these walls." Ramsey thought back to what he saw in that telescope. He had been up all night thinking about it. The violent black hole with fiery plasma spinning around its circumference; but most importantly, the singular white dot that hid within its depths. The singularity. Ramsey lamented Paul's reaction.

"He has no idea... the power that lies within that single white dot. And how it can break down these walls." Ramsey continued to let his mind run wild as he wrote on a piece of paper. It was a note, and the only person in the world who knew what was written on that note was Ramsey himself. He gently folded the note and laid it on a stack of four other notes. Suddenly his alarm clock rang.

"No... stay calm and collected. You will know the time and place. Just be ready." Ramsey said to himself. He abruptly got out of bed slipping into his work clothes. Despite not getting a wink of sleep the night before, he looked refreshed and alert. Paul met Ramsey outside his door.

"You said we needed to talk?" Paul said. He looked exhausted as if he also didn't sleep the night before.

"Let's go to work and we'll talk when we get back, ok?" Ramsey said with an assuring voice. "And don't freak out... god you get so worked up all the time, Paul." Paul's expression stayed the same.

"I'm stationed at the western precinct, we are decommissioning a windmill, so hopefully I won't be out late tonight." Paul said. Ramsey nodded and they both headed for the door. Before they could reach it, Paul's mother stopped them.

"You boys, be safe. The Summer Solstice is coming up and inquisitors are everywhere." She said in a shaky voice. Paul dropped his head. Every year around this time, the inquisitors keep a close watch on local communities to prevent gatherings or parties. On June 21st, America observes the summer solstice and work is off. Historically this has resulted in mass riots and raucous parties. Consequently, this day is marked with blood as every protest is met with lethal force. But it's also the day when Paul's dad died ten years ago. Every year his mother mourns during the summer solstice.

Paul and Ramsey leave the house like any other day and are met with a beautiful sunrise. Red and orange streak across the horizon as it melds into the deep blues and purples of the receding night sky.

"Isn't this great? Imagine seeing sunrises like this and not having to work like a dog for rations," sneered Ramsey.

"Don't talk like that, idiot. We're outside and I can see the bus coming down the road." Paul fired back.

"Oh loosen up Paulie! If someone hears us you can just go back in time right?" Ramsey said with a smirk. Paul looked startled. "Things are gonna change for us, can you not feel it? I know it's summer right now, but it feels like spring," Ramsey said as he looked up to the sky. His eyes were glimmering anew with optimism. Paul and Ramsey both quickly climbed into the bus when it arrived. Like any other day they both sat in the same seat as the bus traversed to their designated work site. Ramsey was dropped off first at a small packaging plant in the north east precinct. He quickly hurried into the facility and was frisked by the guards before assuming his position in the line. To his excitement his favorite co worker was working right next to him. His name was Kinsey. Kinsey was rough around the edges but an all around good guy. When he wasn't at work he was always wearing a cowboy hat and boots. Due to Kinsey's insatiable appetite for hunting and exploring the wooded area around his house he acquired multiple lash wounds on his back and arms from inquisitors who caught him. Despite the abuse, Kinsey had an overwhelmingly positive attitude and kept the mood light with co workers.

"Kinsey... any new battle wounds?" Ramsey said underneath his breath as he began wrapping food rations in plastic.

"Damn right Rams... got me a new one on my left leg. From the same inquisitor that gave me a lashin' last week! Wer on a first name basis now." Kinsey responded with a small chuckle. "The gentleman's name is Von Shultz... I call him Von Shitz but we should probably keep that our lil secret." Both Kinsey and Ramsey quietly laughed.

"Tell ya what Kinsey, do you have any plans for the summer solstice?" Ramsey said with hesitation. Kinsey's eyes widened.

"This ain't the place fer such conversations Rams." Kinsey said with a hushed tone.

"I get that Kinsey, but where else? I need you to open up your left and act inconspicuous. Got it?" Kinsey quickly opened up his left hand and Ramsey dropped in a small note.

"Read that when you get home. Don't speak about this to anyone." Ramsey said with razor sharp clarity. Kinsey quickly got back to work but he couldn't help but smirk. Paper was incredibly hard to come by those days so Kinsey knew it was a very important occasion.

Paul arrived at the windmill site. He hopped out of the bus and followed a line that led to the windmill. The structure was massive. It towered over everyone as if it were a hand reaching out for the heavens. As he looked up towards the top he started to get dizzy. Every fiber of his being hoped that he didn't need to climb to the top since he was deathly afraid of heights. He saw a couple familiar faces around him. Abel and Ida were both already outside and stretching by the portable restrooms.

Abel had been a long time friend of Paul's since they were in most classes together during public school. Abel was a huge nerd and loved technology. Paul recalled Abel telling him how he rewired his entire house to turn the lights on and off with a simple clap of the hands. How he did that, Paul had no idea, all he knew was that he was wicked smart.

As for Ida, she had always been like an older sister to Abel and Paul. Even though she was one year older than them, she seemed to have developed a personal responsibility to make sure both Paul and Abel stay out of trouble. For that reason, Paul had a ton of respect for Ida and always enjoyed working with her.

All three of them lined up in front of the task master. Paul kept his head down bracing for his task for the day.

"Today we are decommissioning this windmill! It will not be an easy job so I ask all of you to take precaution and follow safety guidelines very carefully! We will be divided into two groups. First group will climb the windmill and deliver all electronics and mechanisms to the bottom. The second group will organize and store the materials in these here crates!"

Luckily, Paul was selected for the second group. Him, Ida and Abel worked for hours taking apart boxes, checking inventory of the electronics, and moving the materials into crates. During this time, Paul couldn't help but think about last night. But more importantly, what Ramsey was planning on doing now that he saw the singularity. Paul knew Ramsey more than anyone else on the planet. And because of that he knows that Ramsey has a deeply seeded hatred for the Soviet government. Paul understood why, but what worried him was how Ramsey would react with his newfound understanding of the fourth dimension. On top of that, he doesn't even understand how the fourth dimension works or how to utilize any of the abilities that come with it. Can Ramsey use the fourth dimension differently than Paul? If so, then what is Ramsey capable of? What is Paul capable of doing? Can he turn back time on a whim or even go forward in time? All of this thinking made Paul's head hurt so he decided to spark a conversation with Ida.

"Ida, what are you doing for the Summer Solstice?"

"Stop talking, you're gonna get in trouble." She responded. Typical response from Ida. She never risked it when it came to breaking rules. Paul got back to work with a disappointed look on his face.

"But if you really wanna know... I think I am gonna try and sneak out." Ida said nearly silently. Paul looked startled. Sneaking out was completely out of character for Ida.

"Ida... you would never do that." Paul said. Abel happened to be eavesdropping.

"Paul, come with us. Ida and I were talking about it on the bus. She got a note last night. Apparently there is a party at the pits." Abel said with an excited tone. Ida was quick to shut him down as she glared at him.

"Who was the note from?" Paul gently asked Ida not to upset her.

"No idea. It was on my nightstand when I woke up. Creepiest part of all, the handwriting looks nothing like my parents. So someone must have actually snuck into my house at night. Who wants me to go to a party so badly that they would sneak into my house? Regardless, I am excited. And it's about time you boys leave the nest, I've been saving your asses for the past 7 years." Ida said sarcastically. Paul grinned and went back to work. For a moment he completely forgot about the black hole. All he cared about was what he was gonna wear for the party at the pits.

"Hey Abel, what are you planning on weari—" Paul abruptly stopped talking as soon as he saw Abel's expression of horror. Abel's eyes were transfixed on the top of the windmill. Paul spun around quickly to see what he was looking at. His stomach fell.

A man was free falling from the very top. It seemed as if it were an eternity till he reached the ground with a sickening thud. Screams filled the air as task masters yelled at their workers to gain control of the situation. Paul couldn't believe his eyes. This was the most horrible thing he had ever witnessed. Death. The helplessness of the falling man replayed in his mind over and over again. Tears began to well up in his eyes. Suddenly he heard a grunt from an older man to his side. He kneeled down and whispered into Paul's ear.

"That was a task master. This is the people's war... a holy battle of retribution... if you want to keep your loved ones safe, stay inside on the summer solstice. Understood?" The old man said. He then quietly got back to work. Same with Paul, but his words were seared into his brain. Maybe what Ramsey said this morning was true, things will change. Whether or not it will be for the better is completely unknown. Paul could feel it in the air. An auspicious feeling hung thickly as each worker continued on with their day, all eyes ahead to the summer solstice.