“When you do find your suearis, know that they will receive justice here.”

“Thank you, Mir. Bargel. That reassures me greatly,” Forti lied.

Mir. Bargel sweetly smiled at Forti, who returned a trained grin. The suearis man fainted and was taken somewhere into the darkness. A prison, Mir. Bargel told her. When Forti asked what they do with the suearies after these events, the sneaky, old man cryptically said that they’re disposed of.

The main exhibition ended, so young adults either went up the stairs to their families or stayed in their spots, merrily engaging in conversation about the new movie they plan to see or the delicious pastry that the others had to give a try. Some words were thrown around over what just occurred, like the priest and cutting and Mir. Bargel, but nothing more than simple remarks like the woman to her left commenting, “Man, that was cathartic as always. We’re heading to the dive bar now, right?”

Forti glanced at her. She was pretty, but her face quickly warped into something hideous, and Forti blinked her eyes in bewilderment. Every person turned repulsive and ugly once she looked at them, like a strange telescopic illusion that twisted their mouths into grotesque smirks and their eyes into nasty leers. They’re like monsters wearing human skin. She tried to see their honest faces. They’re like people dressing up as monsters. Like a square is a rectangle but the rectangle is also somehow a square when by definition, it wasn’t, it shouldn’t be. Forti didn’t know what to think out of the pile of thoughts stacking like dirty laundry.

“Mhm, that’s good,” Mir. Bargel said nonchalantly. “So when you’re in Deodunge, I do have a small favor to ask of you. It’s the least you can do since I am risking my safety, my job, even Sempirege, just for you.”

Forti caught a black blur approaching her from behind. It was a bouncer, and she noticed two more coming from the sides. Her intuition whispered in her ear and Forti’s pulse skyrocketed. Rula was sending her to Deodunge right now.

One stood behind her like a wall and the others each clamped her arms. She didn’t resist and took controlled breaths instead.

“Mir. Bargel, what’s going on?”

Rula Bargel had his suspicions at first. He anticipated, maybe desired, that Forti’s reaction to the suearis man would be completely different to what Forti actually demonstrated. However, the girl was a devotee through and through. No neofairist could look at a crucifixion that exuberantly, but Rula was still bitter about earlier. It was only right to frighten the girl a little. 

“I’m doing what you want and transporting you to Deodunge. Don’t worry. There’s a place I know where you can stay for a few days. I’ll give you very detailed instructions on our way to your ride.”

Rula began walking to the dark area behind the crowd where the suearis was taken. The bouncers tugged Forti along.

“Mir. Bargel, thank you for your very immediate response in helping me. I’m truly grateful, but I won’t be able to go today. My parents are expecting me for dinner soon.”

“You can tell them you’re staying over at a friend’s place.” The bouncers forcefully hauled Forti forward.

“No, they’re very strict and I always return home on time. If I don’t go back by six, they’re going to get angry.”

“Do they know you’re here?”

Forti stopped talking. 

Rula gloated. He planned to insist that Forti should text her parents about being on an impromptu trip with friends. Of course a ValorA student wouldn’t tell their parents they’re joining Sempirege. No kid would willingly get in trouble. If Forti texts her parents, sure, it would incur their anger, but Rula didn’t care about that. He would tell Forti that Forti wouldn’t be there to receive it anyways. 

Forti could practically see Rula’s thoughts. She smoothed the corners of her mouth back down. 

“They will find out soon,” Forti said matter-of-factly. “My tracker is always on.”

Rula stopped walking and Forti almost stepped on his heels. He turned to Forti in bafflement.

“What are you talking about?”

“I have a tracker. You know, those child-watch trackers? My parents put one in me when I was four. They trust me a lot and don’t watch over me like a drone, but that’s because I’ve never broken my promises and always return home on time. It’s more for emergencies, but if I don’t go back before dinner, they’re going to get very worried and… Well…” The implications soured Rula’s mood. To think Forti’s parents were of the irritable type that put chips in their kids like livestock or pets. 

“I see.” Rula frowned. “Well, that’s unfortunate. I don’t know when the next opening to Deodunge will be. Maybe in two weeks, maybe more. Could be a month, but if you can’t go today then, that’s that.”

“Yes, it’s too bad. I’ve been planning for when I can go, but I’ll let you know as soon as possible. And if you have any dates, please email me, too, Mir. Bargel.”

“Sure, sure.”

The bouncers dispersed and Forti was escorted back to the elevator. Mir. Bargel said brief pleasantries to the young adults who walked past, and when a familiar “ding” resounded from the stone pillar, he whirled around and spoke fast.

“Forti, it was such a pleasure to meet you. Again, I’m very sorry about what happened to your sister. It’s unfortunate that you can’t go to Deodunge today because it’s such a perfect time to go, but what can you do? You should ask your parents to get that tracker taken out. Anyways, make sure to check your email, and know that you have friends here in Sempirege. Good luck with your studies in ValorA!”

Rula dived into the elevator, and waved goodbye with a cordial smile. Forti returned the gesture, and the door slid closed, but not until Forti saw Rula’s grin drop at the last second.

With the Sempirege head gone, Forti released a large sigh of relief. She quickly raised a hand to her mouth, looking around, but no one paid her any mind. She followed the remaining people up the stairs at their leisurely pace, the cave gradually emptying. 

Her urgency to escape made her jittery, but she hadn’t seen a single camera. 

Caution ordered her to be calm.

Halfway up the staircase, a voice called out. 

“Hey, I never saw you here before.”