"I was so worried," Van whispered into the crook of Chester's sweaty neck, "Are you alright?"

He held onto her slim hips, feeling relieved but paranoid to be back with the small group. She smelled like apples, not coconut, and it was better. Her green eyes searched his but he couldn't answer except to nod.

"How is your mother? Did they hurt you?"

Chester let her go and avoided answering by walking away. Why had Governor Spell let him go without threats or promises of death? Garth tracked his movement as he walked through the checkpoint of Neighborhood Saldivar where all children and The Institute lived.

Long school houses covered eight blocks, each divided by age and DNA approved erudition and living quarters. Chester recalled how he had hated waking up cold and hungry each day until sixteen when he was forced back into March where his mother had already declined and forced to work the landfill until twenty.

The Institute housed over four hundred people that ran Ozark's dark secrets and answered to state officials. Most were not a day over thirty as brighter and better perceptive children stepped in. Chester hadn't envied those from his childhood predestined to live their life in The Institute. Just because you were replaced, there were the experiments.

Chester shuttered, glimpsing the eyes of children peeking out of windows and doorways. These were the future minds of Ozark and they had no choice or voice over their own lives.

"Good to see you," Joey grinned beside Diamond in front of one of the living quarters, "Ernesto Saldivar said he'd talk to only you."

"Where is he?"

Joey pointed to the head building in the distance, "Home as usual. The man lives by his Virto-Frames. Hasn't left the neighborhood for five years."

Van tugged on his vest, "I'll walk with you. Do you think you could get a pair of Virto-Frames?"

Chester exhaled and looked down at her smiling face, wanting to tell her everything Governor Spell had confided. "I'll see what I can do."

"Hey, are you okay? I can tell someone hit you, but what happened? Did you see Spell?"

He huffed, wishing she'd shut up, "Everything is fine."

"That's my line."

"It's true. My mother is home, I'm here. Party is underway... everything is fucking great."

Van fell silent, and he felt grateful. When they reached the front doors of Saldivars' house, the doors opened and he stepped out wearing a long black robe. Chester remembered the man being bigger and more intimidating, he was, after all, responsible for all children until placed to their assigned station in life.

"Chester Drivel," Saldivar's Spanish accent was soft but kind, "It is good to see you again. I hear you are having a party in Wayfarer?"

"That's right. Would you like to join me?"

"I would like that very much, but my love has need of a ride," Saldivar came down the front steps, the long robe swishing around his frame, "It is good to see you as well, Vanyla Springs."

Van's smile grew, "Thank you. Who is your love?"

"Ah, the lovely Susan Potter, mayor of our fine state."

Chester closed his eyes for a brief second before biting out, "I was just at Fort Ozark. Why didn't she approach me there?"

"Were you approachable?" Saldivar's tone didn't change as he walked away.

"No, I wasn't," Chester begrudgingly agreed, "Okay, so what do I do Van?"

She sharply turned, "What? You're calling the shots here Chet. You won the lottery!"

"Did I?"

"Alright, that's it. Excuse us, Saldivar, I need a word alone with Chester."

"Please, use my casa," the man waved them off, "I'll join my friends at the checkpoint."

Van took Chester by the hand and led the way into the vast foyer. He remembered waiting there for his placement, the one and only time allowed inside the councils home.

"Come here," Van reached for the frames but he shook his head. Cocking her head, Van inspected and then understanding lit her eyes they had replaced his Vid Frames, "I know it's been a hard day, but soon we'll be back in the city, winding down your time as the winner of the lottery. You've made a great change for the people so far."

He frowned and looked anywhere but at her face, "When I was eighteen I thought everyone who won was the luckiest person in the world. I stayed out to watch and nearly got killed because the asshole ran over the crowd. I always wondered for what purpose did the lottery serve?"

"Hope. Twenty years ago we believed individuals could find it in themselves to incite change by proclaiming it so. Blood oaths with the promise of living a better tomorrow by changing a day."

"That was a long time ago, wasn't it? I'd forgotten that slogan. Made to feel dirty and rotten for banning alcohol and feeding people isn't hope, it's asking for me to abandon it."

"Oh, Chet," she touched the side of his face. "They can tell you many things, but in the end, it's your own gut instincts and feelings you have to contend with. I think you're doing wonderfully. Now come on, everyone is waiting."

As they walked back to the checkpoint, he placed an order for Mayor Potter to be picked up and was told she had already left Fort Ozark. What was Saldivar doing dating the Mayor and why did Spell allow her to leave the safety of Ozark? He'd never heard of such a thing allowed.

"Do you like my robe?" Saldivar questioned, pulling the hood over his face so it obscured his face, "I think you'd look good in it."

"There are a great many costume designers in the city," Diamond sniffed, "I believe he could do better."

"Ah, but I have one for everyone," the man said, holding up a bag Chester hadn't noticed before, "We should hurry to the city before nightfall as I'm sure the railcars and other transit commuters will block the way into Wayfarer."

"What do you mean?"

"Your invitation to the entire state for a costumed Halloween party has been gladly received Chester," Joey slapped his back, "You offer a good time with no violence. Why wouldn't one want to see Wayfarer City like that?"

Nervously Chester nodded, feeling as if he'd missed a chunk of information. Perhaps Joey or Van had spoken to the lottery coordinator while he had been detained. Instead of questioning the situation he got inside of the truck and let Van drive them towards the city once more.

"Costumes," he broached a while later, "I once saw a man painted all in gold pretending to be a statue and then another beat him with a hammer. Do you know what red and gold make when blended together?"

Van screwed up her face, "Damn Chet, do you have any good memories?"

"Orange or like an autumn leaf. It was as if his costume had come alive and eaten him."

"Hmm, fitting for Halloween then you morbid man. Listen, I think you should wear the cloak and I will too. Oh my, look at this!"

Ahead the road was overwhelmed with buses, and people on foot crowding their way into Wayfarer. Whole families, friends, and neighborhoods were coming together to celebrate a night that usually had everyone hiding in fear of what a lottery winner would do. Now not only were they not afraid of Chester, but eager to blow off steam on Halloween.

Van pulled over as did the rest of their convoy. Getting out Van suggested he call for air support.

Garth came to him before he could make the order, "Sir, are you aware there could be a riot if these citizens needs are not met?"

"I don't think that will happen," Chester tried to sound confident but since the incident at Ozark lacked optimism, "I'm calling in an Airbus to transport my new friends safely to the city center. What will you do?"

Garth sighed, "I must come with you obviously. Don't get any funny ideas."

He smirked, "Have you seen me have any funny ideas lately?"