Sleep was always sudden for River, working hard physically and in a hot environment left her shattered. As soon as her head hit the pillow she was gone, some nights she would almost fall out of bed as her body shocked her awake with a big jerk.

A long repeated vibration woke her at 4:30 am making River roll out and fall onto the floor. Her body was hot and covered In sweat so the cold floor was a welcoming feeling.

Stupid alarm.

She stood in front of the mirror her light icy blue eyes staring back tiredly at her. Splashing water over her face she wished she could go back to bed for another two hours or three. She brushed her calus hands through her ash blonde hair trying to make herself look as presentable, as possible. Her face looked thin and her eyes tired. She was petite, just like her mother was and her eyes were just like looking into her father's eyes.

The Under was even darker so early in the morning only the tiny lights were on through the night, a curfew was in place from 11 pm-5 am. River was the only person out just after 5 am this morning, it was as if she had the whole city to herself. She stood for a moment taking in the darkness and small twinkly lights and then looked up. The buildings just seemed to go up into the heavens so high and so many of them that you could hardly ever see the actual nights sky because they were in the Under and they didn't want them to see the blue sky, because that would remind them of freedom. She could remember as a child seeing the stars and moon and loved to draw sketches of them so she could never forget. She imagined them right there as she looked up closing her eyes.

The City of Aurora was a labyrinthine and you could get lost for days if you weren't careful. River had a knack for navigating as she had grown up in the tunnels and the machine rooms. Lots of blocks were housing and then some buildings were shops but the majority of buildings were for work. She knew the journey well to the bottom of the first steps that led to the main upper building. She had never actually gone up them as there was no need. The lights were bright inside the buildings at least making her eyes adjust quickly.

River stopped as her foot hung over the first step and she looked up at the multitude of steps that zig-zagged across like a never-ending bridge. Her foot hit the step and she began the climb. Sweat poured from her forehead as she read the signs on the doors on the way up. Finally, after reaching the 80th floor the elevators stood proudly with numbers on. Two guards also stood in front of the elevators staring at her. From this point on everywhere was heavily guarded and CCTV was on every corner, there was no way an Under was breaking out without permission. She quickly showed them her device with the message on, trying to stay still as her hands shook with nerves. The guards gave her a wave and a nod.

Wiping her forehead on her sleeve she pressed the button with the up arrow, the elevator was fast and the doors flew open surprising her. A guard in a blue uniform stood with a stern face waiting for River to step in. "What's your business here?" He signed as best he could.

River showed him her message on the small device again which they were made to carry at all times as showed their ID.

He looked at River clearly and spoke "Oh Ok floor 201 it is, young lady" River didn't need him to sign she could read his lips perfectly. He smiled pressing the button for floor 201 and then looked down at his device.

River tried to control her nerves which made her legs shake, a funny feeling ran up through her tummy as the elevator flew up the rest of the floors, like an animal was loose inside her stomach. She could hear a strange hum, it seemed to get louder and louder. It had been so long since she had heard a sound. Her eyes widened and she gripped the handle with all her might as the elevator flew upwards.

She felt dizzy as the doors opened and light flooded in, not the artificial light but actual sunlight, real light. A tall woman wearing a blue uniform was waiting and quickly placed a strange set of ear covers over River's ears. She tapped her on the arm and said follow me. This was all so overwhelming, the sunlight and the sounds. River could hear very dull noises as she followed the lady in blue. They reached a large office room and another lady in blue was there waiting. She seemed normal, nice even. River had no idea what to expect these people to be like, the ones who let other humans live down in the Under as slaves.

"Sit please, River"

"I'm sorry" The lady bent over and removed the ear protectors as she smiled.

"There, That's better. I'm sorry but I didn't want to overwhelm you with all the noises walking from the elevator to this room. This room is sound proof so it's nice and quiet"

River's eyes watered as she listened to the lady's smooth voice, she had forgotten what it was like to hear. It had been years now since she had that taken from her. It was a strange feeling the world seemed to open up to her in a completely new way, making her feel joy, excitement and anxiety all at the same time.

"I'm sorry where are my manners" The lady reached out her arm giving her hand to River "My name is Karen, and I bet you are wondering why you have been summoned up here?"

River took a shaky breath as she wiped her tears from the side of her eyes "Yes" She let out a little gasp as she heard her own voice again, it had changed so much. Just that one word sounded so grown up.

"Well, we have something that needs fixing and you might just be the right person. Looking at your record I could see you weren't born down there so I knew you would be able to speak, what's it been 8 years now give or take? And your record shows you are fast and get the job done. Discretion will be needed please, that is of the utmost importance. You will have as much time as you need to fix the problem and can report daily to me and I shall escort you to the building where the problem is. Does that sound good?"

River looked at the lady and nodded " What am I fixing?" This seemed so surreal to her like this was all just a dream.

"We shall wait until we get there for the surprise" She stood up quickly pushing her chair under the table creating a loud screech. The noise almost made River jump out of her skin. 

"Oh gosh, sorry that must have been loud. Please wear this visitor pass, so you can scan it when needed until the job is done. We will provide food and water for you and you had better put  those ear protectors on for now and follow me closely"