Chapter IV

HOURS LATER, JOEY WALKED along the street alone in the dark. Alex, Jenny, Kathleen, and Heather had all stayed on the tram to catch a ride to the upper levels, while she, David, and Ella had hopped onto the tram across the way to return to their homes further down in the Slums. There she said her goodbyes to the Spencer's, who's apartment was a few blocks down, and she started her walk home.

She had only spent a couple hours in the diner, but the lack of sunshine always had a way of making the time feel later then it really was. Despite it being almost six, she knew Mom would still be working the long nights in the lab as usual, and Jamie wouldn't be home until the moon was in its place high above the city. She had grown accustom to spending her time alone.

Letting out an exhausted sigh, she recalled the brief seconds of sunlight she had gotten on the tram, and she yearned for its warmth again. She crossed her arms, drawing them in close as the cold wind blew against her, and she took her time on her evening stroll. She was in no hurry to return to the empty, gross apartment she called home.

A noise peaked her ears, sounding very much like someone could've kicked a glass bottle, and her heart pounded as she frantically glanced from side to side. Walking in the dark was scary enough, but after the day she had, the dark made it ten times worse especially since the streets were empty. She felt like Agcorp soldiers were stalking her from the shadows, ready to take her away. Away from her home, family, and friends, and unexpectedly, the urge to sprint home empowered her legs.

Her fear came into reality when a hand gripped her tricep firmly and yanked her into the shadows between two buildings. She wanted to let out a scream and cry for help, but a hand clasped tightly around her lips and her mask pressed against her skin keeping her silent. A scrawny arm wrapped around her waist and she was held firm against someone's chest as they tried to hold her still and keep her from squirming away. She pulled on the hand that covered her mouth trying to break free when suddenly, she was swung around to meet her captor face to face.

"Shh! Don't scream they'll hear you!"

Screaming wasn't the first thing that popped into her mind as Joey gasped and stared into a bloodied and bruised face. Though no name immediately came to mind, something was familiar about the mans tender brown eyes, but strangely, he wasn't wearing a mask making him harder to recognize these days. Squinting, she focused only on his eyes and instantly she knew. Pulling her mask below her chin, she shouted baffled, "Mr. Magnus?"

He held a finger up in front of his lips and glanced from side to side before placing his shaking hands on her shoulder. "I don't have a lot of time," he whispered.

Her brow arched as she placed a hand over her chest feeling her heartbeat. "Mr. Magnus, what's going on?"

"There's no time to explain! You have to listen to me!" He gripped her biceps tightly. "Get out of the city." He gazed intently in her eyes, fear mixing with his dark brown. "You're in danger!"

Her mouth fell agape. "Me?" She wasn't even sure if the words had passed her lips.

"Agcorp—" He was cut off as someone walked by drawing his attention over her shoulder. Once they passed, he continued, "Agcorp came to me earlier today, just after you left for your drill."

"What did they want?" she asked, quickly before giving him a chance to further explain.

He sighed giving off a defeated look. "You." His voice was no longer a whisper but it remained soft, and her face flushed as her chest tightened. "Joey, they've had their eye on you for a very long time," he continued. "Ever since Monasa. They know you've been moving to different cities on forged papers. The Underground has failed to safely move your documents."

"What?" Joey's brow pull together in confusion and she shook her head. Fear and worry consumed her so that she didn't even think to deny any of the accusations against her. "But ... the Underground is supposed to protect people like me."

"They've been keeping tabs on you, Miss Richards. They knew something was wrong the day they arrested your father." His voice lowered back to a whisper, "They ... know. They know about your ability. About what you did to that boy."

She gasped and took a stumbling step back as a sudden weight pushed against her chest making it hard to breathe.

"You have to get out of here." His words sounded urgent and desperate. "They're talking about moving in tonight. They have all the information they need to take you to the Domes to become a part of their testing."

Shaking, she asked, "How do they know all these things? We've been careful, and it's not like the Underground to screw up like this."

Mr. Magnus averted his gaze and stroked his handle bar mustache. "I ... may have been the one keeping tabs," he admitted.

"What?" she exploded.

He raised a hand silencing her as he once again glanced from left to right. "Please, lower your voice. I thought I was doing the right thing at the time."

"By watching me?" she continued to shout. "By ratting me out to Agcorp?" She took a couple steps back and shook her head. "You were only doing what was best for this city. Because you work for Agcorp, and because you'll kill innocent people to get your cure!"

She turned to leave when he reached out, gripping her shoulder. "If I was only thinking of myself and the protection of Walser, do you think I would be risking my own life coming here to warn you? Knowing what they'll do to me? What they have done to me?" He pointed at his face. "Please! Listen to me, and get out!"

She shoved his hand away. "I'm not going anywhere without my mom and brother. We'll find a new city. Just like we've done for years."

"That won't work, Miss Richards!" he argued. "The Underground is breached! Wherever you go, Agcorp will always find you." He paused. "It's safest to leave everything behind and live out in the camps." Her eyes widened. "Come now! I know the way past the wall. I can take you there, but you need to hurry!"

She felt his fingers on her tricep, but she quickly pulled her arm away and took off running. Mr. Magnus had to be crazy to believe she and her family could survive outside in the camps. With the Ignisha virus at large, they wouldn't last a night out there. No, the camps weren't an option. There had to be someone in the Underground that she could trust to move them to a new city. She tripped on a stone and stumbled, but quickly regained her footing. Running. This was the endless cycle of her life.

She dashed down the street and sprinted up the hill, anxious to reach her apartment. As she rounded the slope, the flat roof of her building appeared. She was almost home. In a matter of seconds, she'd be able to pack a few clothes for her and her family and leave this city before Agcorp even noticed. A tiny cell of hope rose as she continued running towards her destination, but as she approached the very top of the hill, a sudden sense of danger sent her body tingling.

She froze as her eyes met a man who wore a black suit, white button-up shirt with a black tie, and sunglasses—even in the darkest part of town—standing in the street in front of her apartment door. He stood with his hands clasped together in front of him in a serious manor, and she was surprised to find him without a mask.

She slowed to a stop as she panted, and blood pumped through her ears as she cautiously removed her mask that had been resting under her chin, cramming it inside her back pocket; she recognized this man as one of the higher up officials working for Agcorp. The soldiers patrolled the streets and fought the battles, but these men ... They were the ones trained and sent to retrieve those with abilities who were known to be of higher value. She had never actually seen one of these men in person, but the rumors from the Underground were vivid enough to paint a clear picture.

"Joey Richards." The mans deep voice sent a chill through her spine. "You've been a hard girl to track."

Her chest squeezed at the mention of her name. "I'm not who you think I am," she lied, her voice cracking.

A grin tugged at his lips, and he chuckled. "I think we both know that's not true." He started taking slow steps forward. "You're a very special girl, Joey."

She felt like her heart would burst as fear coursed through her veins, and she shook her head. "No, y-you've got the w-wrong girl." She cleared her throat and tried playing off being calm as she snickered. "Does this have something to do with Monasa?" She waved a hand through the air. "That was all my dad. Agcorp already knows this. He was arrested years ago." She crossed her arms. "You'd think Agcorp's systems would be better kept."

The man snickered as halted and glanced down. "And for a time Claire believed that." Returning his gaze, he continued, "Until she found out who Jeremiah Richards really was." She furrowed her brow in confusion, and he shifted on his feet with a smile. "You're good. You had us all fooled for a while, but ..." He wagged a finger at her. "We've finally seen through your disguise."

"Disguise?" Joey again shook her head. "Sir, I don't understand. I've done nothing wrong! I'm just a loyal citizen."

"Tell you what." He took a couple more steps forward, but this only caused her to take a few back. "I'll make you a deal. Come with me, and I'll let you see your father."

She felt like her heart had stopped as the world around her shattered. "No, that ..." Her tongue fumbled, unable to form words. "He's dead."

The man smirked. "Jeremiah is far from dead. After what he did, Claire would never let death come so easily for that man."

"Nobody escapes the trials of the Dome," she argued, interrupting him.

"Jeremiah isn't in the Domes." Her mouth fell agape. "He's with us. Safe and sound. I already told you I'd take you to him." He extended his hand. "So, do we have a deal?"

She took a couple more steps backwards, finding his words hard to believe. "No," she said softly. "Agcorp is full of lies. I don't believe you." She gritted her teeth. "I won't go with you!"

The man lowered his hand, and his jaw tightened. "Unfortunately for you, girl, I'm not giving you an option."

Feeling a rush of danger erupt through her veins, she clenched her hands into white knuckle fists and a surge of energy built up in her palms. Instead of forcing the feeling to go away—like she had on numerous occasions—she let it sprout and a transparent dagger giving off an illuminating bright orange glow appeared in both hands. Her fingers clasped the hilts as she raised them in a defensive position. There was no use in hiding it anymore. Agcorp knew, and it was time to fight or be taken.

It had been years since she had last recalled her daggers. Painful memories of the events that had taken place last time she'd lost control pushed to the forefront of her mind, but she stood her ground brushing them away. "I said I'm not going." She tried forcing out a brave tone, but knew her terrified expression and the way she shook betrayed her true feelings.

The man arched a brow. "You really think people haven't tried to fight me before?" He chuckled. "You're out of your league, girl." He took long strides towards her while reaching for a pocket inside his black suit. He pulled out a ring and slipped it on his thick middle finger. Closing his hand into a fist, a metal sword appeared out of thin air in his grasp.

Joey gulped as he advanced on her. He raised the sword in the air and drove it down on her, but with a quick move, she raised her daggers into the air crossing the blades. The daggers, lying against one another in an x, clanged against the metal sword and sparks of orange flew from her daggers. She knew she wasn't strong enough to fight off this man, and for the first time, she was thankful her daggers held a strong energy that could deflect nearly anything.

She panted from the rush of adrenaline as the man from Agcorp towered over her. "Give up, Joey," he said. "I don't want to hurt you. You won't survive the Domes if you're not at full strength."

She gritted her teeth as she used all her strength to push him off. Their blades slid against one another as he stepped backwards, and she raised her left dagger in front of her face, narrowing her eyes. She knew she couldn't fight off a man with his skill, but she recalled the lessons her dad had taught her all those years ago. He used to teach her how to control her ability with the training he had received in the army, and taught her how to fight to protect herself if a time like this ever came. Going into the Dome ... Dad had said she'd have a better chance surviving outside the walls in the camps then in there.

The man twirled his wrist and the sword followed elegantly. "You're inexperienced."

She raised a brow and smirked, keeping up her brave act. "Then why haven't you defeated me yet?"

He smiled. "Because it's fun to watch you think you stand a chance." In a blink, he spun and kicked her in the stomach.

Joey flew back a couple feet and skidded in the dirt, her daggers disappearing as her back collided with the curb. She grimaced and rolled herself up feeling a burning sensation fill her right arm. Wincing, she shot a glance at her bicep and discovered a gash that oozed blood. Her mouth dropped as she lifted her shaking hand towards the cut, and touched the crimson that ran down her arm. It was then she noticed the broken pieces of glass buried at the bottom of her palm just above her wrist.

"As I said." The man took a couple steps closer. "Inexperienced." She cowered on the ground, scooting backwards until her tailbone hit the curb. The man released his grip around his sword and it dispersed into tiny particles. He knelt down and gripped her by her pink T-shirts collar, pulling her close to his face. "Say goodbye, Joey. Where you're going ..." He paused and bellowed out a low laugh. "It'll make you beg for the Slums"

A rush of adrenaline coursed through her body, and she felt a surge of the energy in her right hand. Gritting her teeth, the transparent dagger appeared, and with one swift upward motion, she plunged it into the mans chest. His mouth fell open and his grip around her shirt loosened as his eyes widened in shock and ventured down towards the hilt that protruded from his chest. "And ... as I ... have said." She released her grip and the dagger vanished. "I'm ... not ... going."

She fell back on her elbows as the man toppled over in the street landing on his side. She watched as his body pixelated from his head and feet until it met at his torso, and the sparks drifted into the air in a cloud of blue.

Staring at the spot where the man had just been lying, only a small splash of red liquid pooled in the dirt. The world around her went silent leaving only her blood pumping in her ears. As it began to spin, her head suddenly felt heavy, and her arms propping her against the curb slowly turned numb as her stomach began to churn. Her arms went limp, collapsing underneath her, and her head and back landed on the sidewalk while her legs and feet remained resting in the street.

Her head fell to the side and through blurring vision she watched as the silhouette of a person ran her way. She couldn't make out who it was from this distance, but she just prayed it wasn't an Agcorp solider ready to swoop her up and take her to the Domes. Her brain told her to get up and defend herself, but her body wouldn't listen to the signals. This time she was too weak to fight back, and her eyes closed before she could figure out who was the mysterious black figure.