Just like that Graham opened the doors to a future with friends. After I ate with him, we hung out with the other kids.

So I did it! I made friends. I connected with Graham, Clara, and Regina. I even learned the names of the other three superpowered kiddos. Alec, Saul and Byron. With everyone living in the same building it was a piece of cake. Of course, we all had ridiculously long work days, but after dinner, we went swimming or played.

I soon learned from Clara that the women's bathroom was way more than I could ever expect. I had never bothered with it before and would go home to pee and shower. The girl's bathroom had a steam room, a dry sauna room, showers, and a spa area always stocked with supplies. It had everything from drinks, towels, brushes, shampoo, and anything a girl could need.

I wasn't too big of a fan of all the fancy stuff, but with Clara's expert fingers, I soon learned that you could glow and feel good with a face mask and the right conditioner.

Days passed, and it didn't take long for us to grow bored with the pool and explore the rest of the communal floors. They were empty but richly decorated. The floor was lush, and everything shone with the vigor of riches and cleanliness.

You could take the elevator, but stairs also connected them, funnily enough. We found out that the thirteenth floor had ten private movie rooms. Two were small and meant for less than ten people; four could hold up to sixty, and four were for four or fewer people. Each room had different kinds of seating. Lush, thick chairs could go back until they became a bed; some were outright beds in other auditoriums, and some chairs had tables instead of cupholders on the side.

The movies that played could be streamed online or from a movie disc. They could play in crystal clear images and 3d to make you feel like it was real life. A snack bar on that floor and a huge movie theater popcorn maker were always packed with goodies. Like with the pool floor, there were bathrooms with flattering lighting.

We only took some time to explore this floor before discovering that the fourteenth floor was the ultimate gaming center. By ultimate, I mean ultimate. We lost the boys that day because every gaming station known to mankind was there in brand new packaging and at least twelve options for them to pick. Like the movie theater floor, individual gaming rooms ranged from digital to card-based roleplaying. This floor also had a fully stocked snack bar and bathrooms. But there were also showers in this one and pillows and blankets set up as if expecting we might spend the night on this floor.

We girls left the boys to play and went up a floor to see what the final communal floor might be. It was a library. Almost entirely one colossal library. My eyes became as big as stars as I stared at rows and rows of books almost to the ceiling. This was the best floor yet! How much time was wasted not knowing this was here! There were study tables, rooms, and even a little cafe with all the makings for whatever drink you could think of. There was even a cute little instruction book; I guess it was too much to have someone staff it for us to learn how to make drinks. Regina took to that immediately while I fondled every book I could find. Clara took to the fountain and the art supplies that were near it.

This became the new norm of how we spent time. These four floors were packed with supplies, and we were unsupervised on them. That meant that no maids, bodyguards, or passersby watched us. This was the only space where we could truly be alone because, at any other time, someone was always staring at us on standby. Someone came in when we were done to clean it up, though, because it was always spotless, no matter how we left it the night before.

We ruled over the communal space from the twelfth floor to the fifteenth. That is until Clara became bored.

"Let's go shopping," Clara said as she stared down at me.

I was sitting in a comfy chair reading a fascinating book about grief and loss. None of the tips would help me, but it felt nice to think I could pass them on to another someday. This wasn't the first time that Clara had interrupted me while I was reading. Luckily, she learned to speak and not try to rip the book from my claws to get my attention.

"Ew," I said, scrunching up my nose. I'd never been a massive fan of shopping. Sure, I liked things, but I wasn't into spending money.

"No sitting in here cooped up is ew. Let's go to the mall and blow off some steam." Clara said with a huff.

"We have everything we need here. What more could we need?" I countered, genuinely confused. I had all the food I could ever want, all the books I could ever read, and all the fun I needed at that moment. Why go outside my hightower to walk in an overcrowded stinky mall?

But Clara was prepared for this. This wasn't her first time trying to convince me to leave my sanctuary and go out in the real world. I had spent years never leaving. I wasn't going to change that for anything.

I thought so until Clara slapped a pamphlet on the page I was attempting to read.

Bright colors tantalized my eyes, and I all but drooled as, without thinking, I scanned the words.

"It's an extraordinary bakery, and these tarts are internationally popular. I reserved a table."

Not just any tarts, lemon. My favorite. I made a face and lifted my eyes from the pamphlet to look at Clara. It shouldn't surprise me that my favorite treat hadn't escaped her gaze. But why was she going out of her way to get me out just to go shopping?

"We'll hit up some stores, swipe our cards, then enjoy tea and tarts."

Before I could stop my mouth, I was already asking about when we were leaving.

Luckily, it wasn't right at that moment. The trip was planned for tomorrow. I had time to ask my father about it.

Work had him almost out of the home 24/7, but when I saw him next, he looked mildly surprised and pleased that I was asking to leave.

"You haven't left on your own violation since we've moved in, have you?' He said as he scanned me over breakfast.

"'I haven't really needed to," I said primly, scooping heaps of sugar into my tea.

"It was a good idea to make sure those kids moved in. You can go, but you have to take a bodyguard." My father said, turning the page of his newspaper.

If this had been before the killer nannies, I might have argued, but my tiny body was not fit for combat. I'd gladly accept the support.

"You can use your allowance, but if that's not enough here," My father handed me a cell phone, and I looked at it strangely as I took it. "I've been meaning to give this phone to you, and you'll need it to talk to your friends." He showed me the app on the cell phone that served as a wallet, along with other features I'd never had a real chance to try. I squeezed him in thanks, and after he left, I fiddled with it before Clara came to get me, saving all the numbers I now needed.

I assumed it would just be Clara, Regina, and me, but the boys also showed up at my door. I looked at their uneager expressions. Only Graham seemed genuinely happy to be there. We shuffled to the elevator as Clara handed us each a printed copy of the day's itinerary.

I scrunched my nose and tossed my front door a look of regret. It wasn't too late to go back home, was it?

It was because Clara had cleverly seen my thoughts of escape and handed me a menu from the famous tart place. My heart panged painfully sweet at the thought of finding tarts as delicious as the ones Adam procured me.

Ha, fat chance, but a girl had to try.

We exited the building, and I blinked as I looked at the outside world. It had been years since I stepped outside, and the sun, unfiltered by thick bulletproof glass, was blinding.

A strange feeling grew in my chest as I looked at the bright blue sky and felt the crisp air. It was spring. How did I not know that it was spring? I had become so isolated from the outside world…should I feel regret or shame? I didn't know what to think or feel. As was the chill that seeped into my bones and soul. I spent so many years in perfectly controlled temperatures that this weak body couldn't handle the difference.

We were shuffled into a huge, expensive car. I didn't have time to take a decent look, so we went off. Clara, Graham, and I were the only ones who didn't immediately pull out a phone or device and start fiddling with it. I pressed my face to the glass as I peered out the window. This world I'd been living in for years was unfamiliar. Sure, there were movies, books, and windows that I could catch a glimpse of, but this was my first decent look at it…and for the first time, I wanted more.

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When we arrived at the mall, it was shockingly plush. I half expected it to look like any malls I'd seen on TV or in movies. It is big, open, and slightly dirty but overall decent-looking.

Nope. This mall was airy, glamorous, and packed with expensive stores I'd never heard of. I looked and felt like the mountainside orphan for the first time in a long time as I took in fancy storefront after fancy store.

I highly suspected Clara might have roped them in with some promise, but after visiting the first store, I could see she wanted them to carry her bags. With the price tags, I half expected it to be an empty fancy mall, but people were walking around and shopping casual as can be.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to this," I said with a half sigh as Clara encouraged Regina to try on clothes. I managed to skip that by picking out some clothing. Regina hadn't wanted to try on anything to buy, and Clara latched on to her reluctance to spend money with a vengeance.

"It doesn't hurt to," Graham said. He was the only boy that stuck with us. The rest had ditched us for the food court and arcade.

"That's what I'm worried about," I admitted before I could stop myself. This lifestyle was fun and carefree. Yeah, I had to do a lot of schoolwork and build on my powers under the guidance of my strict father, but it was fun. This was a world that was going to last only a short time. One day, it would be overrun with zombies, and I would have to leave it behind.

"You worry too much," Graham said with a laugh.

I made a face at him. "If it's not broken, don't break it."

"Aren't your worries breaking your mind, though?" Graham said. His words might be sharp in honesty, but he was looking at me curiously.

I hiccuped and shut my mouth. Damn, being able to read someone's aura really gave you the jump on them.

"You see too much," I said, looking away with a pout. He reminded me of someone else I had purposefully forgotten. Wyatt, my cousin, always seemed to know what was going on but was never one to give me answers.

Even in the end, he sided with Adam and left me out of the loop. It was less painful to think about him, but it bothered me nonetheless. I thought of him like a brother; he was the closest I'd gotten to in our messed-up family.

"Who are you thinking of now?" Graham said, snapping me out of memory lane.

I met his sparkling red eyes, marveling at how I couldn't hide anything from those eyes. I still had a choice in what I wanted to reveal, so I merely smiled and said with a shrug. "It's hard to explain." I all but ran over to help save Regina.

I ended up purchasing far too much. To thank me for giving her grace from Clara's machinations, Regina gifted me a pair of gloves. They were thick enough to grant warmth during the chilly spring days and big enough to slip on over my unmovable rings.

Luckily, the stores would send over most of our things, or we'd never be able to walk out the door. I would have slipped everything into my space for us, but no one wouldn't be seen as suspicious that our purchases had happened to disappear. This was the next best option.

"Isn't this fun!" Clara said with a skip in her typically elegant steps. The gleam in her eye was that of a satisfied cat.

I was about to give her a firm no but spotted something that stopped me in my tracks. A bookstore!

"That's the next stop on our itinerary!" Clara said with a smirk at my awestruck expression.

"This is so much fun!" I said with joy as I raced inside. No one else but Regina really thought so. She was fascinated by the cafe inside. I was overwhelmed with joy at all the books.

I walked and walked, grabbing anything that looked interesting and stacking them in my bodyguard's hands. For some reason, the bookstore didn't have shopping carts. They had these tiny baskets, and I made sure to fill them as much as possible. It didn't take long for me to be left alone as the other kids wandered off. I had everyone's number, so I wasn't too worried, and besides, this was more than worth it.

There were also stationary, home office sets up, and decorative journals. When I was ready to purchase everything that made my little heartbeat, I was astounded by the ten-digit numbers on the cashier's stand.

I bit my lip and scanned the digital wallet like my father told me to. I know he was rich, but what if this was too much? Should I go and put things back?

It worked! Everything would be delivered home.

I looked at my phone with sweaty palms. Mordecai was right. Being rich is the best!

I texted Clara that I was done, and she gave me their coordinates. I thought the tarts would be the highlight, but the bookstore was the best place. Next, however, was the tarts finally.

Or so it should have been. I arrived with a hungry stomach at the store, only to find that it was closed.

Clara was fuming with not-so-silent fury as a man tried consoling her.

I couldn't hear much of what was being said, but given his apologetic posture and the huge close sign on the door, there was only one conclusion to draw.

"Is it closed?" I said, looking at everyone and hoping someone would say no, it was just delayed.

"The baker was bought by some bigshot for the day," Alec said. I looked at him and saw that he seemed as disappointed as I felt.

"They said they'll refund the money at least," Regina said with a shaky smile.

Clara was attempting to bulldoze the man into opening the doors, but nothing could be done without the baker.

"We can go get tea somewhere else." Graham tried to intervene, but it didn't go over well.

Somehow Clara managed to get the bigshot who bought the baker for the day on the phone.

I tried to open and read a book while it went on, I could just make some lemon tarts when we got back, but Clara was raging. None of the other kids seemed like they would step in. The bodyguards with us were just silent statues.

"You're just an impetuous kid!" Clara screamed into the phone, and I had to bite back a smile. Weren't we all? I set my book aside and stepped forward to the plate. She was too stubborn to back down, but if we were going to get anywhere, a cool head and firm voice would be needed. It was the least I could do for her, giving me this wonderful experience outside my hightower.

"Clara, let me," I said but didn't give her a choice, so I took the phone from her.

"And whom might you be?" The voice coming off the phone was indeed that of a kid. For some strange reason, the hair on the back of my neck rose, and I furrowed my brow. It wasn't a familiar voice, so why were my senses going off? My heart began to pound, and a long-forgotten emotion started to bubble up in my chest. I popped it and wet my lips nervously.

"I'm Lyn," I said, dodging the truth, but it wasn't an outright lie. Lyn could be derived from Dolyn or even my true name, Gwendolyn. Dolyn was a name that the public knew belonged to the Savage family, and even with the copycats it was clear that we came from affluent families. Best to err on the side of caution. "And whom might I be speaking to?" I said, mimicking his overly polite speech.

"The new owner of the cafe. We're closed today, so it would be best if you and your friends leave. You're not welcome here."

I scrunched my face as I turned to glare openly at the cafe. How rude. "I thought the baker was only bought for the day."

"Buying the bakery and keeping those like you and your friend out seems profitable." The boy said with a trace of humor in his voice.

He was having fun at our expense. I could feel my right eye twitch as I fought to regain my composure. I'd been through worse things than I could get over a snotty rich kid withholding my lemon tarts from me. "Are you banning us from ever coming in?" Surely, that can't be what he was implying.

"Effective immediately." He said in a terse tone, still laughing at my expense.

"You little shit!" I shouted, unable to stop myself from swearing. Sure Clara overreacted, but we were all hungry and tired. She made a reservation. This kid comes in and spends more money to just buy the place outright to keep us out of it. I hung up and angrily handed the phone to the shaking man who had to deal with all of this.

"Let's just go home. I'll make lemon tarts and tea for us there." I said, grabbing Clara's hand. Everyone was too hungry and tired to complain, or maybe they agreed to leave. Either way, it was time to go home and finally eat something. My nose was running, and I wiped it away impatiently. This poor delicate body was going to be the end of me.

I wasn't able to make anything for anyone because I wound up falling asleep in the car. When I woke up, I was in bed. Mrs. Mina was fussing over me with a cool towel.

Luckily, youth was on my side, and I recovered within a few days. My father had come in to check on me, and even my friends popped by. My days of clear liquids were over, and finally, I found myself at the dinner table staring at my father. I had far too much time in bed to mull over what I wanted to do next. The path before me was clear!

"Father, I want to start a business," I said, setting my fork down to read his reaction.

He wiped his mouth with his napkin and set it down to look at me. His face gave away nothing, but I could hear the questions his gaze directed at me. My father was a businessman, so I didn't show up empty-handed. If I would get capital from him, I would need a plan. Again, I was stuck in bed for days with nothing but the fever of revenge brewing in me.

"It's not complete, but this is what I have in mind," I said, passing him the file I had composed. I, of course, used some of my fantastic new stationery items.

He accepted it wordlessly, and I watched as he skimmed it over. He was going to be surprised by the low cost, no doubt. I just needed enough capital to get off the ground. Thanks to my spacial ring and farming world, I could gather most of what I needed for free. I was going to need an adult to help with taxes and all the official paperwork I would need.

"Does this concern the boy who bought the bakery?" My father said, looking up at me when he was done.

I made a face. Of course, he knew about that. Well, it didn't have to, but the little shit spurned me into action. "I'm already way above my peers when it comes to academics. I need something more challenging, or I'll start taking college classes for a challenge in a couple of years."

"College isn't bad, but you're too young for it." My father said that with him in charge of my tutors, he would not allow me to start college. I suppose it would be strange for a child to do it, but wouldn't most parents push their kids to achieve that?

Not mine; he was still hiding me from the world while polishing me into a power-welding gem.

"So, can I work on this?" I asked with begging eyes. I need something to keep myself busy while I wait for the end of the world.

"I'll give you enough capital to get started, but you'll owe it as a debt. You'll have to sign a contract. I'll lend you someone to help with the paperwork, but it's on you, Dolyn."

Harsh but more than fair, considering all the money he let me swipe recently.

Of course, he didn't immediately sign off on it. I had to meet with advisors and other financial gurus. The only upsetting part of this process was that he wanted me to go under a fake name. That's right; my father created an entirely new identity for me to run this company, and of all the things he chose for my new alias, it was Lyn Tuffin.

Mordecai got his way in the end…again.