Someone bumped into me from behind, putting a hand on my shoulder. Malachi's voice was loud in my ear as I stared up at the building, everything around me blurring. "Cory, they're coming," he told me.

That was when I snapped out of my thoughts. "Who? Officers?" I spoke, searching around for the people clad in black gear and masks.

"Yeah," Malachi replied, "that person that was following us? It was an officer and apparently they were stationed all over that place." He tugged my arm. "Now come on, before they catch up!"

"Wait," I said, taking off and maintaining his pace. We darted straight for the convenience store Reeves, Murl, and Ana had planned to meet us behind. "Where's Miles?"

Malachi shook his head and dodged a man walking, carrying a very large briefcase. "He took a different route!" he called over the clamor of the city.

I just sighed. Miles had to make everything confusing.

"Okay! I see it up ahead!" Malachi declared, sprinting faster when he noticed the store there, just across the street from Hale.

When I spotted it, I was brought back to when I had been observing the workers, locating my target so I could steal the device. I saw the exact area I had stood and where I had been bombarded by a flock of people leaving work. It was only a week ago since I had stolen the device, but it had felt like longer. So much had happened since then, I couldn't believe half of the things I'd done.

The rain splattered dismally on the street and the rain covers (like the ones in the Sera Section) began feeding out from sides of the buildings, lined with little orange lights that shined warmth down to the civilians and dried up any stray droplets. I could've stayed under there for hours if there weren't officers chasing me.

Malachi pulled me onward, leading me behind the convenience store underneath a fire escape.

"Reeves and the others should be here soon," Malachi said, peeking out at the streets. The sun hadn't exactly risen over the buildings yet, so the twinkling stars still dotted the endless sky, getting duller and sinking down. The fumes of the air taxis and Hale were carried by the wind, warming my skin with their bitter scent.

Malachi and I were waiting in silence when we heard quick footsteps nearby. We both straightened up then, preparing for officers to find us and take us away. Malachi snuck out a gun and I backed up, gripping my pocket knife in my hand, though it probably wouldn't do much good against the officers' paralyzing bullets.

Malachi pointed the gun where the sound was while a person rounded the corner.

Miles appeared, his cheeks a little rosy from the cold run, and his green eyes widened in surprise as he slowed. He was staring at the gun in Malachi's hand. "Whoa, what did I do?" he said, walking the rest of the way to us.

Malachi tucked the gun away and gave him an apologetic smile. "Sorry, we thought you were an officer," he confessed. I put away my knife and Miles stopped beside me.

"It's crazy over there," Miles said, gesturing in the direction of Hale. "There's no way we're getting in there with the devices. Loads of officers, just standing outside the door."

I looked to him, then Malachi. "How are we going to then?" I said. Peering from behind the store, I saw that at least ten officers with weapons of all shapes and sizes were guarding each locked door of Hale. "There's got to be some other way in," I mumbled.

"There is," a voice boomed from behind us. Malachi, Miles, and I turned around and watched as Reeves walked towards us, a hobbling Murl and Ana in tow.

I found myself smiling just a little at the sight of their faces again. Even Ana's.

Reeves' gray eyes glinted with worry. "But it's not a very safe idea," he told us.

"None of this has been very safe," I returned. Imagining my parents somewhere in that building just across the street made me shiver. "We don't have much of a choice right now."

Reeves sighed. "Okay, fine..." His gaze passed over each of us, as if trying to stall for as long as possible. "There's the river that runs close by," he explained.

The man-made river that I had jumped into from my apartment building's roof entered my mind. Its waters ran all the way around the entire city, surrounding every section. The machines and gears that powered enough of the city's energy were hidden below the surface, working all day and all night. I couldn't possibly understand what Reeves was getting at.

"That river reaches a point where it drops off like a waterfall, and flows under the city through a tunnel," Reeves continued, then took a deep breath, preparing us for what he'd suggest next. "Our best bet...is to jump where the water drops off, then somehow get into the tunnel once we're down there."

Miles shrugged, then crossed his arms. "Doesn't sound too bad," he said.

"Yeah, it doesn't sound too bad until you hear that the drop is about half the size of a Sera building, the water is rough enough to keep you under for minutes at a time, and the machines below are closer to the surface," Reeves retorted sternly.

Everyone didn't think twice about keeping their mouths shut. However, Miles raised his hands in mock surrender, dumb enough to test the glaring gray-eyes man's limits.

"If there's like, a zero percent survival rate with your idea," Miles started, lowering his hands, "then why'd you even suggest it?"

Reeves glanced at all of us. Suddenly, his expression was grave and he finally looked to me, his mouth opening slightly. "Because..." He swallowed and I could see right through him. He was thinking of his son, I knew. "Because it's not just another option. It's our only option."

No one said a thing. We all knew it to be true, that there really was no other way around the problem. Murl's face had gone pale and Ana was picking at her fingernails nervously. Malachi tried to remain calm, but hints of fear were showing through on his face and Reeves wasn't meeting anyone's gaze. Miles was the only one who seemed fine with the idea. I was pretty sure he just wasn't aware of how dangerous Reeves' plan really was. Jumping from the roof of an apartment building was scary enough for me. Now I'd have to jump into water that could potentially break every bone in my body.

Murl grimaced. "I guess we shouldn't waste any more time," he said, peering around the corner, "those officers are getting awfully close." From the tone of his voice I could tell he would rather be anywhere but here. That was how it was for everyone at the moment. "Lead us to it," he whispered, his skin as white as the clouds floating gently by.

• • •

We journeyed through Laurier Section, taking the safest streets to avoid the officers that were multiplying by the second. An aircraft flew overhead, sending us into the shadows of the skyscrapers as we kept on moving.

Ana didn't try to spit an insult at Miles or Reeves, Murl was hugging himself like he was freezing, Malachi kept his gun close to his side, and nobody spoke. If somebody did, it would be to warn the others of an officer, but that was it.

Once Reeves had brought us through half an hour's worth of the section's congested center, he led us past the last ring of skyscrapers until a long, narrow bridge stood before our eyes. The bridge allowed the metro to come up from underground and run across it, briefly surrounded by the city air before dipping back down and disappearing back under the streets of the next city.

Staring at the bridge, a part of me wanted to just race across it and leave everything behind: the danger, the officers, Hale. But I knew I couldn't do that if I wanted the truth about my parents. I wouldn't be able to live with not knowing what really happened.

"This way," Reeves directed, cutting to the left to take some stairs leading down, away from the bridge.

The rest of us followed, rushing after him along a steel path that hugged close to a wall. It wound around to a metal platform jutting out, rumbling underneath my feet by some unknown force. The winds were stronger here and they whipped up my hair, allowing the sun to light up my snow blonde locks.

"This is..." Malachi was at a loss for words.

The others were in front of me, gaping at something I couldn't see quite yet. Ana gasped and Miles' eyes glistened with anticipation.

I slipped by both of them and walked to the very front of the group, pausing at the edge of the platform to look out over a massive body of water far below me. I could see a strip of land across the way, the large factories of Laurier Section balancing on it. Giant jets of water poured out from each factory, into the waves many feet down, roaring like monsters. Around eight, bright circles of light stared back at us, one above each waterfall to illuminate the rapid, black waters in the orange glow of the sunrise.

The powerful grumbling of the platform was created by another, smaller waterfall, right under our shoes. My heart thudded immediately and I could see just how scary this would actually be. Reeves hadn't been lying when he'd said we could possibly die. Even if we survived, we wouldn't have the strength to fight the rapids.

I flinched when Reeves placed a hand on my shoulder. "I can't do this," I whispered, the thundering of the waterfall eating up all of my words. I shook my head and stepped back.

I'd been willing to jump off a roof, drop from an aircraft, and confront James Frost, but I couldn't do this no matter how hard I tried. Even when I knew this was the only way to get into Hale, I just couldn't do it. Maybe it was the height, maybe it was the thought of getting sucked down under the waves, but everything in me told me I couldn't do this.

I spun around and pushed through the others, trying to escape back up the stairs.

"Hey! Cory! Where are you going?" Reeves' gravelly voice called over the crashing waters. I ignored him and kept walking.

"Cory!" I heard again. Just as I got halfway up the winding staircase, someone yanked me back by my arm and my heart leapt to touch the sun. I wheeled around, my whole body trembling.

"Cory," Miles snapped, "what are you doing?" He was looking at me like I was crazy for not wanting to jump to my death.

I shook my head about a million times. "I can't do it," I managed to say in a wobbly voice. Miles didn't respond at first, just stared at me with uncertainty on his face. How was he so okay with this?

"Why not?" he finally said. His hand went to my forearm and locked around it, making me struggle to free myself.

"Because I can't," I answered dumbly, trying to get away before he could do something stupid.

He rolled his eyes and tugged me down a step. I tried to fight him, doing anything in my power to stop myself from going back to the platform. "Let go," I told him, which only resulted in him hauling me onto the floor of the platform with one final pull.

I stood up, glaring at him and again, he stared back at me, daring me to say something. I shook my head again. "I told you, I can't do this, Miles," I repeated. Then, I noticed the others were watching me, right over Miles shoulder.

"Cory," Murl started, "we're all doing this. We're all scared."

No. I couldn't do it, no matter how many times they tried to tell me I could.

Malachi stepped forwards, his solemn gaze on me. "Please, we need you. I know I haven't known you for that long, but I could tell right away why this group had gotten back on their feet. It was because of you, Cory," he stated.

I shook my head again while Reeves spoke next. "He's right. You have to listen. I wouldn't be going after my son's memories if you hadn't agreed to help us. Murl was right about you, Cory. You can help us save this city. Just think about what life will be like without workers and-"

"Stop," I interrupted, shutting my eyes tight. I thought maybe if I did, everything would go away. I wasn't ready for any of this.

Another voice spoke. It made me open my eyes instantly. Ana. "I'm not good with this kind of stuff," she admitted, examining her fingernails once again. Then she looked up at me. "But I feel like I should say something, even to you, Cory."

A smile almost made its way onto my face. Almost. I was too terrified to show even an ounce of happiness.

"Honestly, everything was boring until you showed up," she said, then put her hands in her pockets. "Who will I tease if you don't come with us?" She genuinely smiled, something I'd never really seen before. "These guys are no fun," she gestured to the others.

A sad yet appreciative smile broke out on my face and I looked around at everyone. Then I looked at Miles who straightened up and turned his attention to all of the sights and sounds surrounding us.

I glanced back at Murl, Reeves, Malachi, and Ana. "Guys, thank you, really," I said, "but if we do this, we might not see each other again."

Murl took a deep breath. "That's true. But you have to try, Cory, for your parents. You're one of us. Do this with us," he persuaded, shifting his weight to his other foot.

I sighed. "I," I paused, glancing at the others' gloomy but hopeful faces, "I-"

"Cory," Miles cut me off, "where are you even gonna go with all of those officers up there, huh?"

His question really made me think. As it sunk in, I realized nowhere in this city was truly safe. There was a high risk I'd die either way. Plus, my parents were still awaiting my arrival, or at least I thought and prayed. I felt like I'd throw up before I made my decision.

"Fine," I stammered. "I can do this," I told myself, "it's just a little ways down, I'm fine." More like 60 feet down.

Malachi nodded and turned to the edge, walking up to it like he'd been thinking about doing this for a while. His shoes were halfway off the side. "I'll see you guys soon," he told us optimistically. He didn't even look back as he stepped off the platform with little hesitation, then disappeared before I could even blink.

I froze up and Ana went next, staring down at the waters below. She chose a different place to step off the platform, then looked over her shoulder and grinned confidently. Taking a deep breath, she dropped off the side just like that. I didn't know how they were doing this so easily. It's like they couldn't feel fear.

Reeves inched closer to the edge and stared out at the factories across the water. He was mumbling something and I caught a few words, something about his son. "If I don't make it, make sure you take out Hale once and for all," he instructed us.

I nodded even though he wasn't facing me, and soon, he was following Malachi and Ana down the waterfall.

Now there were only three of us left. Surprisingly, Murl roamed away from me and faced the circles of light on the factories. "Great, this is it," he said, looking down uneasily. He turned back around and he took one last glance at me and Miles. "Just in case, I want to say that this past week has been the craziest but best week of my life." He looked specifically at me and dipped his head, then took one step forward and plunged into the depths.

Miles was next to me, staring at the place Murl had just been standing. "Do you wanna go or...should I go?" he asked, fixing his gaze on me.

My heart was thumping in my chest. I couldn't speak. I couldn't even move my legs or hands and it was hard enough to just look at the dangerous waters I'd soon be submerged in.

"If I go first, you won't bail on us and go back up the stairs, right?" he said, and I nodded, though I wasn't completely sure I could keep my promise. "Hey, you heard Malachi," he said. "We'll see everyone soon."

"Miles, I'm sorry I got all mad at you about the tracker," I blurted, relief flooding me after I said the words. I was beginning to worry I'd never be able to apologize before we would possibly kill ourselves. Miles hadn't done anything wrong and I hated that I'd made him feel like he had.

"Oh." Miles seemed to be a little stunned by this. "Nah, it's okay," he assured, "past is in the past." He smiled weakly then, probably in an attempt to make me feel better but it really only did the opposite.

We both were speechless for a while, the only sound in the air being the rumbling of the waterfalls.

"So, should I go first or you?" he tried again. He was waiting for my answer still, looking to the edge of the platform every now and then.

"I guess...you should go," I decided, my knees going weak.

Miles was clearly concerned because he took my shaking hand in his. I just stared down at the tattoos that snaked down his fingers, trying to distract myself from what was about to happen. Maybe if I stared long enough, everything around me would fade away and I'd be back in my apartment and not-

"Are you sure?" Miles' voice pressed.

No, I'm not. "Yeah," I mumbled. I couldn't breathe until he let go slowly and took a few steps to the end of the platform. Following him, I prepared for my turn. I would go right after Miles. At least, that was what I was telling myself.

Miles faced me, watching me attempt to calm myself down to no avail. An idea flashed in his green eyes for a moment. "Actually, Cory, do you wanna go with me?"

I looked at him, then after processing what he was suggesting, shook my head. It was a nice offer, but I needed more time. Unfortunately, that was something I didn't have much of right now.

He shrugged. "Alright," he said simply.

I turned, my back to him, which was a bad move. I had thought for sure he had left already, plummeting down, already halfway to the water. Instead, I felt Miles' hand pull hard on my wrist from behind, causing me to lose my balance and stumble backward. My feet slipped and there was nothing there below them. No.

I was sure my heart stopped for at least five beats. Everything went slow around me. I couldn't hear. I couldn't speak. All I could feel was a tightness in my chest and that my body was weightless, empty space surrounding me instead of my back hitting the floor of the platform. I was falling, the spray of rushing water spattering my skin, and I saw the bottom of the platform shrink, eventually disappearing into mist.