INGUS:

We walk together in complete silence as the cold morning air hits us. We haven't said a word to each other since we left Euphorika. The Sun slowly peaks from its slumber and colors the sky with its orange hue, creating an ombre with the sky's pastel blue. Ms. 2000 clings to herself, crossing her arms and holding her hands in tight balls to keep warm from the cold. The Jungle surrounds us, quiet, but rising to a slight bustle as everyone wakes up in their homes. Most blinds are tightly shut, and I don't see anyone leave their houses but an odd feeling of being watched looms over us. The difference between here and Numena is insane. I wonder why everyone stays indoors so much? I'll tell you what though these houses are unlike anything I've ever seen. I find it hard to believe that a world like this can even exist compared to Numena. The air is clear here, over in Numena the air is filled with dark clouds and the smell of it always sticks to your clothes. The buildings aren't chipping away, the streets are perfectly painted, and each yard's grass is a vibrant green. Each house is painted in a matte, washed out color. Everything is so perfect that it feels like we're walking in a movie set.

MS.2000:

I feel bad bringing him along like this. Poor guy. He hardly even knows what a woman is and now I have him walking me home. For the life of me I can't even understand why I even asked him to come with me. Does he even know how to find his way back to Numena? Does he think something is going to happen between us? I guess I don't really care right now. God it's so cold. My hands are like icicles. Of all the things that could've happened tonight…It's just, why would Francine act that way? How could she throw away an entire friendship so nonchalantly? God, my heart. I've never seen her be so cold and distant. I have to be dreaming. This has to be some sick nightmare. I wish I could put these feelings into words so it made some sort of sense, but it's mostly indescribable panic, locking me in a vice grip and I can't escape.

I just had to have done something wrong. There has to be a way to fix things. Was I too mean to her? Maybe the other day when she was talking to me I wasn't attentive enough, or maybe I could have listened a little better. Maybe she's not telling me something, or maybe she's sick or something like that! That could be it, she's sick and is trying to distance herself. And who does The Lion think he is blowing me off? God he makes me so mad sometimes. 

INGUS:

We keep walking in the desolate streets as she stomps in her own world ahead of me. 

She seems sad and I want to help but what can I say? All I can think about is how pretty her face looks. Her sad face makes her look sweeter somehow, as if I can see the “her” under the mask. As if before, I was simply talking to an outfit, and this is a glimpse of the woman who wears it. I do wonder what she looks like under the mask. We eventually reach a long driveway of trees that lead to a giant gate. A camera sits on top of it, presumably scanning the people who approach. We stand in front of it. “Turn around,” she says. “Why?” I ask. “Just do it.” I turn away from her facing the long stretch of road we walked up. “And don't look,” she says over her shoulder. The gate creaks open and she tells me to come along. 

In time we reach her apartment building and walk up the stairs to her door. She opens the pouch on her thigh, pulling out a set of keys. After a jingle or two she unlocks the giant door and I'm transported into a new world. Ms.2000 walks into the dark apartment. It's lit by a faint glow coming in from a giant window being blocked by deep red drapes. Only a trickle of light comes in from the sides of the drapes and the middle where they don't quite connect. She throws her keys in the bowl on the coffee table and turns on the yellow lights next to the couch. I stand outside, waiting for permission to come in, or leave, it's anyone's guess. She collapses on the couch, covering her eyes with the inside of her elbow. She waits a moment and then lifts her arm, peeking at me. “Oh come on in.”

I walk in and the smell of a faint pomegranate hits my nose. This place is huge. The TV across from the couch reflects the light from the window. A white rug sits in the middle of the living room, and a zebra patterned painting sits above the couch, overlooking everything. I close the door behind me and she still doesn't say a word. Awkwardly I wait and she peeks at me again. She sighs out, sitting up, patting the seat next to her. I follow suit with her directions. The black leather couch squelches slightly. I've never seen a piece of furniture so intact let alone so fancy. We sit in silence and I look towards the window. Through the slit I can see Euphorika in the distance. The window lies to our right and a giant kitchen lies to our left. Stools sit underneath an open bar type of counter. The hallway to the rest of the apartment is behind the couch.

A cat appears and struts arrogantly down the long hallway. It's all black fur shines and it’s silhouette dimly reflects on the hardwood floor. It walks and then sits in front of me, just staring into my soul. I gulp. Ms.2000 lets out a tiny chuckle. “That’s Rohdan, he doesn't bite. Say hi Rohdan.” He stares at me and I swear I can see a killer look in his eye. I can see him sizing me up, waiting to strike as soon as he can get the chance. He tilts his head inquisitively. He then brushes along my leg and jumps up on the couch, sitting in between Ms.2000 and I. Ms.2000 pets him and he purrs loudly. “Be good,” she says, standing up. “I'm going to change.” No don't leave…me. 

MS.2000:

I walk into my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. I'm surprised he hasn't made a move on me, I'm going to have to tell him to go home at some point. This has been pretty awkward. I just can't understand Francine and it's ridiculous The Lion blew me off. She left me crying there. You know what, forget her. If she was my friend she wouldn't have left me. I go into the bathroom, turning on the lights above the mirror. I slowly take off my fingerless gloves and I rub the lines left onto the skin around my fingers. I take off my jacket, and subsequently my turtleneck. I try to avoid looking at myself in the mirror but I see a glimpse of the top of my hand. The tattoo on it stares at me. It's the piercing eyes of a lion. I put them back on. The mask stays on too, no question. 

I then kick my shoes off, kicking them into the corner. I take my pants off and do a shimmy, then stepping on the ruffled fabric around my ankles. My pants come off. I look directly at my body. My curves stare at me, taunting me. My underwear digs into my pelvis. The beginnings of stretch marks on my round stomach make me avert my eyes. Stupid. I grab my soft pink pajama bottoms off of the bed and put them on. I grab a plain black shirt out of the closet and begin to dress in front of the mirror again. Stupid. I guess I could change anywhere else but I keep expecting to see someone else to look back at me. 

I turn off the lights and sit on my bed. I need to tell this guy to get out of here. It felt better having him here I guess, I at least didn't have to be alone. 

INGUS:

Rohdan stares intensely at me. He looks in the hallway’s direction and upon seeing the closed door to the bedroom, a sadistic smile comes across his face. I stare at the turned off TV but Rodhan is burning a hole into the side of my head with his eyes. He licks his lips. I slowly move my body to the edge of the couch. His tail swings back and forth, like a rattlesnake’s. I build up the courage to slowly guide my eyes in his direction. Oh God!