The fluorescent lights flickered off, breaking Hans' focus on the paper. In a daze, he silently made his way back to his room. Once there, he mechanically started his evening routine, starting with a 4 min shower, before putting his lab coat in the automatic washer for the next day, and eating the government-issued meal pills. After eating, he changed into his gray, uniform pajamas and got into bed. Only when he was laying in the darkness did his mind return to the boy. 777’s eyes were burned into Hans’ mind. They were fierce, unafraid, and determined. Hans knew his doppelganger had lived a very different life from his own, and for the first time, wondered what had happened to result in him ending up in Circle Seven. He wondered what the boy had to say, and what his questions were. Hans also wanted to question the boy; “What was your life like?”, “When and where were you born?”, “Was it hard living in the lower Circles?”, “What were your parents like?”.

Hans was engulfed by emotion again, but this time, pure sadness and regret washed over him. Hans convulsed on his bed, uncontrollable waves of pain and grief wracking his body, far beyond his control. Years of pity and sadness crashed onto him all at once, all of his humanity returning at once. After what felt like hours, Hans lay exhausted in his bed, taking shuddering breaths as the tide finally eased, he was no longer suffocating beneath his emotions as they left him once again.

Once Hans felt “normal” and empty again, he finally remembered the Guards, and the cameras covering every corner of his room. Instantly, Hans was struck with bone-chilling anxiety and fear. He knew they were watching, and had seen everything. He knew it was only a matter of time before they came to him, to suppress him, to quiet him, or even to kill him. Hans had just shown all those watching that he was indeed suffering, and mentally broken. Broken Scientists were of no use to the city, not even surgery could make them usable, and as a result, they were quickly disposed of, their body parts dispersed throughout the circle. Hans lay in bed waiting, he knew there was nothing he could do now. He couldn’t run, he was far too away from the farming tunnels to escape the city. Instead, he filled his mind with the details from 777’s patient file, if only he had taken it home with him, if only he could read more about the boy.