Standing outside the house, I shuffle uncomfortably. I only needed to get through one more day. One more day until I was away from this place. Right now, I'm not sure I'll survive one more day because I'm being reckless.

"You're very quiet," Isiah says.

"I've got a lot on my mind."

"Only one more day and you'll be a married woman."

"One more day," I repeat. Except I'm not sure I have one more day left. More like a few hours until I'm discovered.

"Are you excited?"

"Excited, nervous, worried. I'm taking it one day at a time." I drag my eyes away from the group crowded around Aidan. Dorothea holds Pru and is talking to a neighbour. Max is next to her scowling at me and Isiah. I arch an eyebrow at Isiah. "How have you managed to get out of today?"

"Work commitments but I'll be going to a talk tomorrow."

"I bet you can't wait," I say sarcastically.

Isiah looks slightly baffled and it's at points like this I'm reminded- normal law-abiding citizens and State-related sarcasm do not go together.

"Anyway, I don't want to keep you." Isiah glances at Aidan who is sending furtive looks our way.

"You shouldn't let him bother you," I say.

"Hard not to when no one speaks to me because of him."

"I'm speaking to you." I wave at Aidan and he frowns, puckers his lips and turns his back to me.

"You are going to get yourself into serious trouble one day," Isiah says sternly but he can't hide the grin forming on his face.

"Have you thought of getting married sooner so you can get away from all this?" I ask.

"Yes and no. I don't want to leave my mum earlier than I have to. My dad works away and she gets lonely. I know Dorothea visits but she doesn't have anyone else." Isiah shrugs. "I better go. I don't want to be late for work. Have fun."

"Yep, it's going to be super fun. I can't wait to listen to the famous Reflection Overseer Dickhead." I deadpan.

"Pickmed," Isiah shakes his head.

"Whatever their name, Aidan seems to think listening to this person will help refine and develop my lacking moral compass."

"I'm sure Aidan doesn't think that."

"I'm certain he does." I inhale the cool evening air and it sends a shiver down my spine or maybe it's the thought of walking into the main square. The same main square where the State Headquarters I nearly died in is located. The same main square which has the hanging platform where Grey's body should be displayed.

It's the only reason I agreed to go with Aidan and the others. It's the only reason I'm being reckless and heading to an area which will be swarming with Officials looking for an Unmarked.

On our visit, Aidan expects me to enter the Central Reflection Centre which I can't do without exposing myself as Unmarked. I should be scared. I shouldn't be going. However, all my common sense is overridden with my need to see Grey one last time.

It's stupid because his body may have already been taken down and disposed of or he could have been mutilated beyond recognition or maybe they simply killed him and decided to not hang his body. Grey said The State prefers to not let people believe there are any rebels or opposition.

None of these possibilities stop me wanting to go and see him with my own eyes. Maybe, I'm a glutton for punishment but I want to see Grey one last time. I need to.

"Reflection Overseer Pickmed's talks are known for being very inspirational," Isiah says. "You never know, you might find it interesting. Normally, Pickmed tours the country throughout summer but a week of talks was scheduled at major cities to help ease the unrest over last night's footage shown on television." Isiah whispers.

The footage no one has spoken about or mentioned or even acknowledged.

"So The State think a visit from Dickhead Reflection Overseer is going to make everyone forget that they lied about the labour camp being a place of rehabilitation? A few carefully planned lectures are hardly going to wipe away the images of suffering and torment we witnessed," I snap.

My throat constricts and a scratchy sensation threatens to betray how much those few seconds of blurred images affected me. I haven't had a chance to ask Zed if The Organisation is responsible for what we saw.

"The State is saying the footage was fake."

"Sure they are. They've also been saying for years that they've eliminated most forms of immoral activity which I can tell you is a complete lie. There are places all over the country where for the right price you can access alcohol, fighting, gambling, nakedness and sex. All at once if you're really active." I press my lips together tightly as Isiah gapes at me. I've said too much, my balled fists are shaking. "I should go. Bye, Isiah."

I walk slowly towards Dorothea who is holding Pru and talking to Aidan. I've spoke far beyond what is considered acceptable, revealed my true beliefs and even a hint of what I've been involved in.

I curse myself for being so weak and for letting my feelings spill out. The last few weeks have been a mess and my carefully held self is crumbling; flipping from an emotionless shell to an overflowing boiling pot of anger and rage.

One more day, and if I survive a visit to the main square, I'll have to wait and see if Isiah tells anyone about my outburst. Would his belief in The State make him inform on me to Officials? As much as I'd like to say no, I'd be a fool not to accept the answer is just as likely, if not more probable, to be a yes.

My tight clothing rubs against the inflamed friction burns across my back, butt and legs. The pain, however, is easy to ignore when I'm so focussed on the masses of Officials around the perimeter of the square. I've positioned myself next to Aidan, hoping all his marks displaying his commitment to The State will somehow keep me protected.

Aidan is talking animatedly to Dorothea who is holding a squirming Pru. The large glass dome of the Reflection Centre looms in front as we pass the platform.

My eyes scan the dangling decomposing bodies, quickly discarding the fresh ones and lingering on the bloated foul carcasses rippling with maggots and surrounded by a swarm of flies.

I search for Grey's marks, the ones my fingers traced and my mind has memorised and etched permanently into my heart. None of the black and green-hued skin on show looks familiar until my eyes rest on a body tucked away at the back.

There's a hint of recognition and my mind goes into slow motion and overdrive. I'm moving forward, heading towards him. I want to climb onto the platform, pull him down, make everything right. I can't.

A hand grabs onto my shoulder, seizing it tight. I swing around ready to fight anyone who gets in my way.

"Where are you going?" Max snaps as his fingers dig into my shoulder.

"Let go, Max,"I hiss, struggling to free myself of his grasp.

"No. We're going to be late, the talks about to start. Mum and Aidan are waiting for us." Max glares at me as he pulls me forward, towards the Reflection Centre where Adian, Dorothea and Pru are waiting by the doors. He's pulling me away from Grey.

I dig my heels in, resisting, but it's no use. I glance back at the swinging figure. I can't leave without seeing Grey properly. I tilt my head and bite into Max's arm hard. The taste of salt and blood fills my mouth. Max screams letting go and I dart back towards the platform. I hear Max shout, hear his feet pounding after me. From the corner of my vision, I see Officials approaching. It's all over. I know it is. I just need to get to Grey.

A blast of heat slams into my back. I stop breathing as my whole body goes flying then with a thump, darkness surrounds me.

Author's note

Hopefully a little unexpected.. I'm really into writing short chapters at the moment. Hopefully it works and you're enjoying them Xx