Deport

I didn't realized how tense I was as we weaved through the crowds and stalls until we made it back to the entryway. I sighed in relief as we stepped through, finally having some room to move without bumping into someone or something. Trusting my sense of direction, I turned to my left to go back the way we came, but Geo gently tugged my arm.

I realized we were still holding hands after squeezing through the alleyway and quickly dropped mine, glancing to see if anyone noticed. It appeared like luck was on my side as no one gave us a second look.

Embarrassed by my reaction, I cleared my throat. "Where are we going?" I asked.

Geo's brows scrunched with confusion. "Back to the lab," he said as if it was obvious. I had always had a good sense of direction, but at that moment I began to question it. I looked back the way we had came, puzzled. "It will be too crowded that way. Too many ahlies. There is another way back that takes around the same time," he explained before heading the opposite way.

I quickened my pace to catch up with him. "Too many what?" I asked. "That word doesn't translate for me."

"Ahlies," he said matter-of-factly. "They want to be different. During the day they wear their uniforms and complete their tasks, but at night they change. It is mostly popular with the youth." The way Geo described them made it sound like he was intrigued but removed, almost as if he were an anthropologist studying a foreign culture.

"You have never participated?" I asked with a teasing lilt.

Geo shook his head, but I could see a small smile on his lips. "It is not appropriate for the adopted son of a councilman nor the betrothed of a councilwoman."

"Well if it wasn't for propriety, would you?" I smiled, wondering if Geo did have a side to him that wasn't so serious and driven by work. He paused for a moment in thought. My smile faded when I saw how deeply he was thinking about my silly question. I had meant for it to be a lighthearted, but the sadness in his eyes told me I hit a nerve.

"I do not know," he admitted honestly. Geo looked bothered by the fact that he didn't have an answer as he vacantly stared off in thought. I looked around they alley to make sure it was clear before placing my hand on his shoulder. The contact startled him a little, but he quickly relaxed and looked at me with a soft smile. "We should keep going before the food turns cold," he said.

I looked at him for a moment, and although he was smiling, I could still see my question was gnawing at the back of his mind. A wave of guilt came over me. I knew that he didn't have much choice in his life after he agreed to Thanh's proposal, but I asked the question anyways.

I followed Geo as we walked passed shops and apartments, and I noticed that the alley was steadily becoming more crowded. It emptied out onto a large street, hover cars flowing towards the heart of the market. The sounds reminded me of an Earth city, the differences being the hum of the cars and the lack of bird calls.

I enjoyed looking around as we made our way back to our car, but I came to a standstill when I saw a large metal cell along part of the street. I could make out 3 people sitting along an old bench inside of it. One looked like an Arcan woman. Half of her face and both her arms looked like they had been badly burned. The other two people on the bench were men who looked like they came from another pod, but I couldn't tell which one. Their dark hair and eyes contrasted greatly against their pale skin, and they were slightly shorter than the average Arcan. All three looked resigned, one of the men was slightly shaking with nerves.

Geo noticed I was no longer beside him and turned back for me. Without looking away from the cell, I knew he was next to me. "What is this, Geo?" I asked, trying to hide my shock.

"I did not think about this when I decided to go this way," he said apologetically. A large vehicle pulled up alongside the cell as a guard unlocked the door.

"What is it?" I asked again firmly. I watched wide eyed as the three people were shuffled into the vehicle.

Geo sighed. "They are being sent to the Labyrinth. The council has decided they are not useful enough to Arca to stay," he said as if it was normal. I guess to him it was. Fear began to set in. They had told me over and over again, be useful or you will be sent away. I never doubted it, but the reality of it shocked me. I was frozen in place as I watched the vehicle pull away and head for the docks.

Geo gently gripped my hand to get my attention. The fear of being seen touching, even with something so innocent, made me panic as I ripped my hand away from him. The startled and hurt look in his eyes made me wince inside, but I kept my distance.

"We should keep moving," he finally said as he gestured for me to walk ahead of him. I quickly nodded and walked passed him. 'I just need to get to the car,' I chanted in my head as I put one foot in front of the other.