Maple propped her arms up behind her head, staring up at the ceiling. Her pajamas laid over her like large blanket, softening the soreness she felt through her body. Overhead, the lights cast a hazy glow. The generator's fuel supply had been purposely choked off so it wouldn't be so bright, allowing everyone to get some sleep. Next to her, Alyssa had made herself at home instead of going to her own room. The day had been rough for both of them, so Maple appreciated the company.

In the next room over, Marcus was laying across his mattress, family photograph in hand. He wondered what Helen would've thought had she been there. She probably would've scolded him over letting Maple and Alyssa venture off to that car place, but he felt it was necessary to let them roam. They weren't meant to stay cooped up like some livestock. He had hoped there would be a time when it was safe to let them set off on their own, go make a life for themselves. He had forgotten that there wasn't any life to be had anymore.

Maple heard him place the frame back down where it had been sitting, followed by a rummaging of blankets. It was evident that despite his general go lucky attitude, a deep anxiety had overtaken him. She suddenly felt her chest grow heavy once more. The recent events had reminded her of emotions that she often turned off. While she mostly remained apathetic to most things, only a few things in her life could spur such a depressing mood from her.

She glanced over to Alyysa, who had now managed to nestle herself directly up against Maple and was fidgeting, apparently suffering from some sort of dream. Maple pondered how the two had become so different in attitudes. Alyssa had lived an equally rough life, yet she was constantly smiling, trying to spread her cheer to those around her. Instead, Maple often distanced herself and went about things her own way, leaving someone's problems to be their own. Alyssa was one of the few people that Maple allowed herself to become close to.

Unable to allow herself to drift off to sleep, Maple gently rolled Alyssa onto her side and crept away. As passed through her father's room, Marcus rolled over to face her. He addressed her in a quiet tone, hoping not to wake Alyssa, "Where are you heading this time of night?" His tone was sodden and deep. It wasn't his usual self.

"I'm stepping out to get some air. I can't really sleep with everything on my mind." Maple loved her father, she really did. It was just hard for her to talk to him in depth. He did his best, but since they lost her mother, things had never been quite the same. She knew he tried his best, but his mindset was different than hers. This was a time that Maple felt she needed her mother more than ever.

"Just don't stay out too late. We've got alot to do with little time to do it. Make sure you don't go above ground either. We don't know what's out there right now."

Maple felt slight frustration at the statement, but waved it off. He was just trying to do his job. She knew that he was aware that she could take of herself, it was just his way of showing concern. "Yeah, I know. I just want to clear my mind so I can sleep." 

A few moments passed before Marcus spoke up again, "Maple, I know I can't understand what you're feeling, I never could. That was always your mother's job. When we lost her, I tried to do the best I could. I didn't want to shelter you from the world but I didn't want you to grow up hating it either. I hope you understand."

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Maple felt a tear begin to swell up in her eye. She wasn't used to hearing him speak like that. Rarely had he ever confided anything that was considered to be a deep subject, it just wasn't his way. She didn't know if he felt that it was the right time to say what he did, or if he was afraid this would be the only time. She wasn't going to run, and he understood that. It was better to say what needed to be said rather than leave it unspoken, never to leave his lips.

"Yeah Dad, I know. Don't worry. I'll be fine."

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Maple ran her fingers across the smooth walls that lined the corridors. While she knew it wouldn't be long before she couldn't see them anymore, it just wouldn't sink in for some reason. There was a fight coming, and she knew they would lose. Even still, she felt her desire to fight still burning. She wondered what her life would've been like if they had been on the other side. Would they live in large communities where the priveleged prospered under Helix, or would they be like the refugees? She couldn't imagine what it would be like.

As she paced back and forth around the central area, another mouse scampered out from behind a pile of trash behind one of the columns. Maple stared back at it, it's beady eyes focused on her. How similar they were, running around, scavenging, holing up in the walls living from one day to the next. Were they no better than the rodents that scampered around?

A shift in the shape of the shadows just beyond suddenly drew Maple's attention. Somebody was there. She slowly slid her way towards the column in front of her, contouring her body to its shape to hide herself. Out of the shadows, a cloaked figure slowly emerged. Maple instantly recognized the figure, the woman from before.

How had she slipped inside the Underground? Akatsuya was supposed to be on front watch while Briggs and Germaine were swapping roles guarding the blocked entry tunnels. The woman slowly began walking towards where Maple was hiding. She seemed to have no sense of caution about herself, strolling through as if she belonged there herself.

This woman, it was because of her that everyone was in the situation they were in. She had to have told Helix that there were people in the city. How else could the timing be explained? Maple felt her hands begin to tingle, and her chest began to burn. She clenched her fists, and prepared to strike.

Before she could pounce, the woman came to a stop and spoke, "Maple, I know you're hiding. I'm not here to fight. I come bearing some news. Possibly good news for the predicament you're in."

Maple hesitated, unsure of what the woman's intentions were. Before she could make a decision on what to do, a familiar person emerged from behind the woman. Akatsuya was standing in plain view. Why wasn't he attacking? Had the woman done something to him?

As if sensing Maple's hesitation, Akatsuya spoke up, "Her name's Lyria. I caught her walking right in our front door. I can't say that she has our best interests in mind, but she does have information that will be pretty useful for us." 

"See? I told you that I wasn't an enemy. Why don't you step out and see for yourself?" Lyria's voice sounded bewitching, like a siren luring sailors to their demise. Maple felt usnure if she should compromise herself, but she remembered that Akatsuya was there. If she tried to pull her tricks again, he would be able to counter them.

As she stepped out, Lyria pulled her hood back, letting the dull light shine down on her face. She had a pale complexion, a gentle appearance. Her hair, as Lyria saw, was a light colored lavender, flowing down over her shoulders just above her shoulder blades. On each side of her face, her hair drifted downwards, tightening up into curls at the end. 

Seeing Maple reveal herself from behind the column, Lyria let a warm smile escape from her face...