Faith walked along the path without a care, not at all attempting to hide her position. She had stopped caring about everything, ever since her sister Hope was killed by the Inc. Faith knew she couldn't do anything about it. The Inc. controlled everything, if she even hinted at trying to rebel, she'd be caught and executed. Just like her sister was. Bitterly clutching the acoustic guitar tighter, she finally arrived at a tree in the clearing. Her tree. Faith's father planted it himself, far before she was alive. He had brought her here when she was younger, and carved her initials into the strong trunk. Smiling slightly at the memory, Faith ran her hand over the rough bark, before leaning against the tree. She gazed out at the clouds, strumming lightly on the guitar, making sweet music echo throughout the forest. She taught herself guitar when she found the acoustic behind an abandoned building. It was charred, but it was intact. That was good enough for her. After searching throughout the ruins of her former neighborhood, she found some paint to repair the wood. Faith treasured the guitar dearly, she would actually kill for it. It one of the few things that made her happy. Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine. Faith stood from the tree, and warily glanced around, before she looked up at the Tower. She didn't like to look at the huge structure in the distance, but no matter how much she wished, it still stood there. An eyesore, really. The Tower was a disturbance in the natural beauty the forest had to offer. Squinting to adjust her vision against the sun, Faith's eyes swept over a window in the tower. The very window at Lucas was looking out of. She gasped at the sight of somebody else, and she blinked incredulously. But Lucas was very real. Faith had no idea Lucas was reacting the very same way. Faith felt herself genuinely smile, but she kept her hand to her side, fighting the urge to wave. She thought a smile would be enough. Faith plucked a flower, whose petals were as white as her dress, and held it close, feeling at ease. She began to sing, letting her voice reverberate through the clearing, wishing the boy would hear it. But, she knew that was impossible. Faith smiled lightly at the very thought, and walked off, returning to her home. "Home" was a well kept facility that Faith, as well as over thirty families lived. Built from the ground up from scavenged metal, it was reinforced monthly to keep it in shape. Surprisingly, the Inc. left it alone, and never bothered the inhabitants. Faith's father, Alan, led the people for years, keeping them safe from the Inc, as well as other dangers. The job was stressful, of course. It aged the man considerably, and he was much shorter with people than he was back then. Faith knew this, but she still resented her father for letting them grow distant. She reached the facility door, and knocked on it thrice, a sharp and quick pattern that indicated she wasn't an outsider. A moment passed, and the door opened, revealing an amused Ghost. Ghost was Faith's best friend. Since childhood, they both explored the ruins of the neighborhood, playing in the jungle of debris like it was a playground. Those didn't exist anymore. They only knew of playgrounds because of the stories their grandparents told about the past, before the Inc. came into power. Faith slapped Ghost upside the head, while he amusedly grinned at her. "Ghost, you knew it was me! You didn't have to make me wait an eternity." "No, I didn't have to. But I did anyways." Ghost responded, laughing as Faith grumbled. They continued into the facility, Ghost cracking jokes at Faith's expense, until Ghost stopped in his tracks. Faith arched an eyebrow at him, before looking down the hall to see Alan walking towards them. As usual, he didn't look happy. "Faith. What did I tell you about leaving the facility alone?" Alan asked, pinching the bridge of his nose and exhaling sharply. "…not to do it." Faith sighed, expecting a lecture from her father. "Then why do you keep blatantly disobeying me?" "…" Faith looked down. She couldn't explain that she felt locked up in the Facility. That she needed to be free. Free from everything, including the Inc. But such words would definently get everyone there in trouble. And it would surely get Faith executed. "Well? I want an answer"- "I just went for some fresh air, alright? I'm tired of it here!" "Don't you think I am too? Everybody? You're not the only one suffering here, Faith! I expect at least a little respect for taking care of you!" "Taking care of me? When did you last have a legitimate conversation with me?! When have you stopped to ask how I was? You hardly care for me"- Alan, Faith's angry shouts cracking his wall he built around himself over the years, lost his temper, and slapped her across the face. Faith blinked, raising her hand to her stinging cheek. Ghost worriedly looked at Alan, who seemed shocked himself. "Faith… I"- She shook her head bitterly, backing away. "No wonder Hope ran away." she whispered, her voice almost inaudible. Faith turned, and rushed away, absolutely refusing to cry in front of her father. Alan heard exactly what she said. And he started to cry. --------------------------------------------------- I updated!