A/N: Hi! Sorry for the late update (again). I am working through some things right now and haven't had as much time or motivation to write. But I hope you enjoy this chapter nonetheless! Hehehehehe >:)

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02 - 07 - 2089

Once the blizzard has finally passed and both Cade and I have rested and regained our energy, we set out once again. The first sight of the world after coming out of the cave is so much whiter. A fresh, thick blanket of snow rests on everything in sight, and the world seems so bright. I have to squint after being in the cave for so long.

Cade and I head off in the direction of where he believes the nearest town is, hoping to reach there before noon. The sun is just starting to make its ascent into the sky, bright and cheery on the frozen land. I can't help but admire it.

"You shouldn't look directly at the sun," Cade calls from a few steps in front of me. I catch up to him and have enough courage to take his hand in mine.

"Why not?"

"The rays can be harmful to our eyes." Cade squeezes my hand gently and helps me over a protruding log, almost hidden from the fresh snow. My stomach growls and I feel embarrassment creeping up my cheeks.

To hide the fact that I am so hungry, I decide to ask a question. It has been on my mind since we left, and seems practical enough to ask as well. "Do you think we're safe?" I'm not sure I want to hear the answer to that question, but I can't stop myself from asking.

"No, I don't think so. You are very valuable to those poeple, Gis. And I don't think they are going to ever stop looking for you."

At his words, I feel dread in my stomach and fear. How are we to get away and ever be safe then? Will we even have a future? What happens if they find us? Those thoughts and many more rattle around in my head endlessly.

Cade glances down at me and halts. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I won't let them take you. I promise. But we do have to be quick. With the blizzard gone they will be searching for you. We need to reach the town."

I swallow my apprehension down, imagining it filling up my stomach and not only making me feel better but taking away my hunger as well. For some reason, the thought makes me smile. I wonder how it would taste if it were food. Would it taste like the food I was given back at the facility? Tasteless and squishy? Or would it have color and flavor?

My stomach growls again, as if to order me from thinking such thoughts. I rub my hand to soothe it and focus on my footsteps instead. One foot in front of the other. Pick up the left foot, then the right, over and over again.

Minutes pass, though I'm not sure how many. The wind whips across the land, hitting my cheeks and causing them to go numb. I have one hand clasped tightly in Cade's for warmth while the other is stuffed in my coat pocket. My legs have long since gone stiff, but Cade is steady and his presence keeps me going.

Eventually, and after I am sure there isn't even a town, I spot something up ahead, down in a valley. A cluster of dark spots in the midst of the white world. Buildings.

"Is that it?" I ask, my tone betraying my excitement and relief.

Cade smiles. "Welcome to Fairbanks."

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The town is breathtaking. That is the only word in my vocabulary that I can think to use in this situation. It truly is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Of course, that doesn't say much as I have been in the same building my whole life. But, nonetheless, it is amazing.

The buildings are all simple, made out of a durable material called adentite. I read about the material in a book once. It is very durable, flame resistant, and really good at holding in heat. I guess that's why it is used in such a cold place as this.

The roads have been plowed, but a thin remnant of the snow can still be seen. However, it isn't the pure white it once was. From the specialized vehicles driving over it, the snow has turned a soggy grey. For some reason, the sad snow makes me think of Doctor Acosta. Boring, dark, and entirely ruined. But those thoughts will lead me nowhere, so I banish them from my mind.

Cade leads me towards the sidewalks and out of the way of the vehicles, holding tightly to my hand. I'm glad for his strength and guidance, as right now I feel overwhelmed. There is so much to see, and if I don't calm down I might have a panic attack.

I want to see everything; I want to take in everything. Instead, I focus on a car parked across the street, just studying its features. Then, when we pass it, I focus on a man sitting outside a building across the street, using some sort of electronic. It looks similar to an A-book, although much smaller.

"What is that?" I point to what the man is holding, and Cade pulls my hand down hurriedly. "What?" I ask, looking at him in confusion.

"We can't draw attention to ourselves," he says. "But that's a mini A-book. Made for convenience."

"It's so... small."

"Yes," Cade agrees, his tone distracted. He pauses then says, "We can get some food here." I turn to see the building we have stopped at. It looks the same as all the others, except that it has two doors instead of one and a large sign identifying it from the others. Anni's. Then, beneath the name in smaller letters I read, Coffee and bakery.

"What is coffee?" I ask as Cade pulls the door open for me. A rush of heat hits me as we enter, and I sigh in relief. The heat instantly begins flooding into my bones and warming my stiff limbs.

"It's a hot drink that will do us both some good right now." Cade brings us to a small table and I sit opposite him, although I wish we could be closer.

As we sit and wait, though for what I'm not sure, I admire the place. It's small, and packed with tables. Towards the back of the room are a set of doors labeled as the kitchen. People enter through the door often, carrying platters of drinks and food.

I sniff as a girl goes by, carrying a pot of dark liquid. A strong, warm scent hits my nostrils. I look at Cade to see if he noticed it, and am surprised to see him smiling at me. It's a faint smile, revealing itself barely at the corners of his lips and eyes. But I see it anyways, and I smile back.

A few moments later, the same girl comes over to our table and asks us what we want. I have no idea what to say, so I let Cade do all of the talking. He orders us two cups of this coffee stuff and two ham sandwiches. My stomach growls again at the thought and my mouth waters.

"I'm so hungry I think I could eat anything," I say breathlessly once the girl is gone, leaning forward. Cade runs a hand through his unruly hair and nods.

"Me too."

Our food comes a little while later, and the girl sets two plates of sandwiches and something else Cade tells me are chips, onto our table. Then she gives us steaming mugs of coffee. She leaves, and I bring the mug to my lips, wanting to taste this coffee.

"Wait," Cade holds out a hand, but it's too late. The liquid pours into my throat and then I feel how hot it is. It burns my tongue and scalds my throat. on instinct, I spit it out, trying to expel the painful drink from my mouth.

I sheepishly look over at Cade once the burning sensation diminishes to see him wiping off his face, drops of the coffee all over him. "I'm sorry," I whisper. "It was hot." He doesn't look at me as he finishes wiping the liquid from his face and clothing.

"Cade..."

"It's okay," he finally says. Cade meets my eyes, and I don't see any anger in his. Only... amusement? Well, that makes me feel even more embarrassed. I know what I did wasn't appropriate. I can tell by all the stares we are receiving.

"Excuse me," Cade beckons the lady over who served us our food. "Can we get the check and a to go bag please?"

"Of course." The lady leaves, and Cade turns back to me.

"I know it was just an accident, but we can't risk all the attention. We'll find somewhere else to eat." He slides his hand across the table for me, and I stare at it before hesitantly taking it.

"Okay."

A minute later, the lady returns and Cade pays for our food. He wraps up the sandwiches in a bag, but leaves the drinks behind. We are about to leave, when a man wearing a deep blue coat enters the building. I admire his coat, liking the color, before I realize he is heading straight for us.

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