Chapter VIII - The pain of the setting sun.

The clock on the shelf under the television showed exactly sixteen twenty-three. The three kids, sitting next to each other on the green couch, were watching the news program with a blank expression. On the screen, there was a slim, elegant presenter with rosy peach-colored cheeks. Her eyes were the color of freshly brewed green tea, and her hair was a shade of burnt brown. The woman was sitting gracefully at a glass table, crossing her legs. In the background, a blue screen with a huge warm-blue "The Days News" headline appeared, written in a unique font meant to harmonize with the logo. The brunette smiled widely, showing a row of straight, white teeth.

- Doesn't she look like a horse? - asked Jaśmin, sitting cross-legged and breaking the silence.

- Maybe a little… - replied Teodor, scratching his head, looking confused.

- NO. - Nulla responded firmly, glancing at them disapprovingly. - She's a famous presenter... how does she resemble a horse?

- Maybe because of her protruding teeth. - Jaśmin commented, grabbing his legs.

- And she has this slim, horse-like face. - added Teodor, who was getting along exceptionally well with the stranger. - She looks like that doctor from the hospital.

- Did he also remind you of a horse? - Nulla asked accusingly, looking at Teodor from the middle of the group.

- No. - the brunette replied, leaning out from behind Nulla and glancing at Teodor. - But he looked like he'd had too many surgeries. - he said with certainty, and Jaśmin smiled, returning to his seat.

- Sometimes they overdo it. - Nulla said, slightly deflated.

At that moment, a woman's voice from the television interrupted the conversation:

- Terrorist attack on the "UiU" headquarters. Eastern activists attacked the Ministry of Education's Surveillance headquarters at 16:30.

Nulla straightened up, her face grew serious.

- I told you they were terrorists. - she whispered with satisfaction, looking at her brother, who was staring at the screen thoughtfully.

- If that's the case, include your father in that. - the embarrassed brunette replied, trying to defend his group.

- So far, we know nothing about fatalities. - Teodor could barely hear her words as the other two didn't stop arguing their points. Jaśmin passionately defended the activists, justifying them in every possible way, citing the lives of innocent children. Meanwhile, Nulla was showing the faces of the injured victims on the screen.

- SHUT UP! - Teodor yelled, wanting to focus on the situation. At that moment, one of the presenters handed the microphone to an anti-terrorism commander live on air.

- The number of fatalities is zero, the number of injured is fifty-four, the number of unconscious victims transported to hospitals is seven, and the number of missing persons is three. - said a tall man dressed in black with a rough voice. - Our people are already conducting a thorough search of the scene to determine the origin of the fire. - he continued.

- Why does he keep repeating "victims" and "victims"? Can't he find other words? Are there no injured or harmed people? - asked Teodor, frowning.

- You're such a pedant. - Nulla replied, leaning back against the green pillow.

- It's a cyborg. - Jaśmin pointed out, tightening the soft pillow as he sat.

Seeing his behavior, Nulla turned her head toward him and looked at the agitated boy.

- Are you afraid they caught a terrorist? - she asked.

- No, I just know someone who works there. - he replied, still agitated. Teodor sat in silence, not taking his eyes off the news.

- A terrorist undercover? I don't feel sorry for him. - she threw back, returning to her simple sitting position.

- She's not a terrorist! - the brunette shouted, seeing one of the injured being carried into the ambulance. - She works normally. - he said calmly.

- Sure. - Nulla replied, disgusted.

- Who was it then? - Teodor asked, but after a moment, seeing the teenager's fist clenching around a piece of soft pillow, he decided the question wasn't necessary.

- Does anyone know when Ignacy will be back? - Nulla spoke, changing the subject and drawing the brunette's gaze away from the TV screen.

- He said he has classes today. - replied Teodor.

- I know that much too. - the girl looked around the room. - But I thought he was usually home by three on weekends. - she corrected.

Jaśmin looked at the two of them, unsure of what to do, so he returned to watching TV. Teodor just shrugged and then did the same as the younger stranger. The albino woman, waiting for the situation to develop, alternated her gaze between the two, staring at them like potential victims. Jaśmin seemed to ignore her, listening intently to the news. Teodor, however, growing more and more nervous by the second, felt the pressure his sister was putting on him. He lowered his head, trying to pretend he didn't see her. The woman, seeing the embarrassed blond, didn't relent. Her efforts were interrupted only by the colorful advertisement intro, which spoke of new power lines being built outside the walls. The ad was so bright and loud that the irritated albino grabbed the remote control from the table in front of her and turned off the device. When she did that, a surprised Jaśmin glanced her way.

- Why did you do that? - he asked, absorbed.

- It's my TV, - she replied.

- You could just call him, you don't have to take it out on the remote. - he countered, tossing the pillow he'd been holding to the side.

- Teodor, - she began, and the grown man lifted his gaze to look at her. - Call him, - she said confidently.

- I don't even have a phone, - he replied, straightening up.

- Great, - the girl crossed her arms, irritated.

- Maybe you should call him, - Jaśmin said tiredly, following Nulla as she walked down the corridor. - You have a phone, - he added, noticing the girl getting better.

- THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO! - she added, straightening up. - I was just about to go to the room, - she replied, standing up.

- Why to the room? - Teodor asked, looking at the short-haired blonde.

- I HAVE A PHONE THERE, - she called over her shoulder.

- You could have just said that, - Jaśmin replied, following Nulla down the hallway.

The girl slowly disappeared behind the wall. Both men heard the loud slam of the door as the woman entered the room.

- She gets that from Ignacy, - Teodor remarked, settling more comfortably.

- Sure, - Jaśmin muttered, focusing his gaze on the space between the floor and the couch.

- What are you thinking about? - the blond asked.

- Don't you feel like something happened? - Jaśmin responded.

- What kind of something?

- I have this strange feeling, - he said, looking directly into the face of the twenty-one-year-old man.

- I've had that feeling for a few days, - he replied, trying to lighten the mood for the kid. He felt an unknown bond between them; he had no idea where he knew the kid from, but subconsciously he knew it wasn't their first meeting. - Listen, - he began. - Do we know each other from somewhere? - he asked.

- Know each other? - the brunette repeated, questioning. - You know Blue, - he corrected.

- So what?

- Maybe you've seen me somewhere, I often hang around him, - he said, turning his attention to the black TV screen. He saw his own reflection and became pensive. His face had lost its earlier glow, and the sparkles that had shimmered in his dark, chocolate eyes in the morning had completely faded.

- Maybe, - Teodor muttered. He didn't really know Blue, at least not in this moment. He thought about Jaśmin's words.

- Is the person you're thinking about important? - the blond asked.

The teenager turned back towards him and nodded, confirming.

- I understand, - Teodor replied, embarrassed, as the silence slowly enveloped the warm interior of the living room. Not wanting to seem odd in the stranger's eyes, Teodor turned toward the large balcony windows. He gazed at the blue, clear sky, completely free of clouds.

- I guess it's not going to rain, - he thought aloud.

- You should be happy about that, - the brunette replied.

- What's there to be happy about? Without rain, even cacti eventually dry out, - he said, returning his gaze to Jaśmin.

- My sister, - the teenager finally spoke. - My sister works there, - he finished, and a hint of bitterness appeared in his eyes.

- There were no fatalities, - Teodor reminded him, trying to comfort the boy. - Does your sister work in the government? - he asked, trying to change the subject.

- Yeah.

- So you don't see each other often, - Teodor continued, turning back toward him. - Ignacy told me something about districts, - he added, trying to fill the growing awkwardness as the boy's gaze focused on him.

- You're right, - Jaśmin nodded. - We actually don't see each other often, but I spent my whole childhood with her. She still visits us from time to time.

- Us?

- Our family, - he replied simply. - Uncle, aunt, me, and Blue.

- Blue is your family?! - Teodor exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock.

- They say you know him.

- I said I kind of know him...

- So, you were lying. - the brunet stated shortly.

- I wasn't lying! - Teodor defended himself fiercely. - I know her... it's just... I'm having some temporary memory problems, so... - he tried to finish, but Jaśmin's sarcastic stare interrupted him every time.

- Sure, sure. - the guy nodded with irony.

Suddenly, Nulla burst into the room, holding a frozen phone in her hand. The girl was as pale as a wall, and her bright eyes had lost their usual shine, drowned in gray. She was shaking, her body betraying her tremors, and the lack of one red slipper on her foot only highlighted the chaos inside her. The men stared at her in shock. Teodor, although he felt he should say something, stood frozen. His eyes followed her every move, but his heart only beat with uncertainty, not concern. Seeing Ignacy's sister in such a state made him uneasy, a fear that grew the more he realized that without Ignacy, his world could fall apart.

The brunet, sitting cross-legged on the green sofa, broke the silence first, his voice calm, as if trying to take control of the situation:

- Something happened? - he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nulla swallowed, unable to utter a word. Her gaze swept across the room, looking for the right words, but they all seemed to vanish in the chaos consuming her mind.

- Ignacy... - she finally said with a trembling voice.

The mere sound of the name made Teodor feel a cold shiver run down his spine. Although he didn't remember Ignacy, he couldn't ignore the fear that filled the room. That name always triggered tension.

- Nulla? - he began, his voice quiet, as if unsure whether he should even speak.

- He... - Her voice broke, and the hands holding the phone began to tremble harder. She paused as if simply saying those words was too painful for her.

The brunet looked at her intently, then finished the sentence for her, more confident:

- He was there. - There was no doubt in his tone, as if he had known the answer for a long time.

Teodor furrowed his brow, looking down at the brunet, the uncertainty inside him growing.

- What? - he asked, confused. At that moment, it felt as though he were merely a spectator who didn't understand the scene he had been thrust into.

- He was at "UiU." - the brunet replied, slowly getting up from the sofa. His posture revealed confidence, as if he had everything under control.

- How do you know? - Nulla finally managed to ask, her voice full of uncertainty and fear. She stood still, as though glued to the floor.

- I guessed. - the brunet answered calmly, shrugging. - From your behavior, it was obvious something was wrong. I took a shot, but I think I got it right.

Teodor looked at him with growing frustration. He was lost and didn't know how to react. Without Ignacy, this world seemed even more unpredictable. And now, was it all just a guessing game?

- Who is he? - he asked, looking towards Nulla as if searching for an answer he couldn't find himself. - I mean... what kind of victim?

- I don't know. - Nulla replied, her voice barely audible. - I spoke with some woman who answered his phone.

- You could've asked. - Jaśmin said irritably, grabbing his head. - That shouldn't have been that hard.

Nulla shuddered, and tears appeared in her eyes. She couldn't take it anymore. Anger exploded from her in an instant.

- Shut up! - she screamed, her voice echoing off the walls. - It's all... it's all because of you! - she shouted, her agitation taking over. In a swift, almost uncontrollable movement, she walked up to the brunet and slapped him hard across the face. - I hate you! - Her scream pierced the air. The brunet staggered and fell back onto the green sofa, staring at her in shock. He lay almost helpless, propping himself slightly with his hands on the floor, while Nulla stood over him, panting with rage.

Teodor, still silent, observed the scene. He felt a mix of sadness and fear, but not the kind that comes from caring about someone else. This wasn't concern for Ignacy, whom he didn't remember. His fear was more selfish - stemming from a fear of the unknown, of a world he didn't understand and couldn't survive without that small piece of stability that Ignacy gave him, even though he didn't fully know why.

- What do we do? - Teodor finally asked, his voice quiet and weak, as though he didn't have the courage to answer that question himself.

At the sound of his words, Nulla finally dropped the phone from her hand, which fell to the floor with a soft thud. She was emotionally exhausted, her left arm still shaking.

- There were no fatalities... - the brunet said quietly, standing up from the bed. His voice expressed something more than just confidence. - Do you at least know which hospital he's in? - he asked, straightening up and running a hand through his dark, shiny hair.

- Yes. - Nulla nodded, her voice still filled with pain. - The victims were transferred to "Kristina." - she answered, her words almost whispered.

- Where? - Teodor furrowed his brow.

- To the very center. - The brunet replied confidently, crossing his arms.

- It's the nearest hospital to "UiU." - Nulla corrected, looking uncertainly at Teodor.

- In that case, I'm not surprised they took them there. - Teodor stated, and his words met meaningful glances from the others.

- The center's pretty close, you can either take a taxi or a train. - the brunet said, still looking out the window, as though trying to avoid the albino girl's gaze.

- Sure, and what else? - Nulla hissed sarcastically. - We can't leave the terrorist alone at home. - Saying this, her eyes focused on Teodor, who looked as if he was about to vanish into thin air.

- Leave me with him. - Jaśmin motioned to the blond guy with his head, and his voice carried tension. - You go, check on the giant.

- You'd like that. - Nulla spat.

Teodor felt something inside him tighten as the albino ignored him. With every passing second, he felt more and more like an unnecessary piece of furniture, one that no one noticed.

- But someone has to go there. - Teo interrupted after a moment, desperately searching for any role for himself, feeling more and more useless.

- I won't leave you alone. - Nulla protested firmly. - If someone comes in and sees you and him... - she stopped, glaring at Jaśmin as if she wanted to blow him away with a single look. She grimaced with clear distaste.

- That terrorist. - the brunette finished, not turning away from the window, as if completely disconnecting from the situation.

- Yes. - Nulla confirmed firmly. Teodor felt a brief stab of regret. He saw nothing wrong with Jaśmin, and certainly not a dangerous terrorist.

- Then what are you planning to do? - Teodor asked, though he felt there was no sensible solution here. - Even if you stay here, you won't achieve anything if someone comes in and sees him - he added, more and more upset by the lack of a plan. His voice trembled, though he tried to hide it.

- I just need to show the rings. - Nulla replied calmly, her eyes lit up with a cold glow. She approached the cabinet, crouched down, and began feverishly searching through the items, as if her thoughts were far away.

- What are you doing? - Teodor asked, looking at her with a mix of surprise and concern.

- The longer we delay, the more time we waste. - the brunette interjected, turning away from the window and finally looking at Nulla.

- Shut up. - Nulla hissed, standing up from the floor with something silver in her hands. She approached Teodor, almost provocatively. - Here. - she said, handing him a strange object. Teodor saw a silver watch with a black face, but something about it made him uneasy. The hands didn't move, and the face was completely blank.

- What is this? - he asked with disgust.

- Your collar. - Jaśmin replied with a strange smile.

- Pardon? - Surprised, Teodor suddenly recoiled from Nulla, looking at her as if she was about to do something unpredictable.

- Shut up! - the woman hissed sharply. - It's just a watch.

Jaśmin, who was standing on the side, snorted with laughter.

- Probably broken. - he stated distantly.

Teodor, still keeping a safe distance from his sister.

- Come on. - Nulla replied firmly, grabbed his wrist with one hand, and with the other stretched the device, fastening it on his left hand.

The black monitor on the watch lit up, emitting a strange, distorted sound similar to a morning alarm clock. On the blue face, a 3D digital text appeared: "Hey."

- Is it supposed to glow like this? - Teodor didn't have time to finish his question before the text started shrinking, and soon after, a rotating patient card appeared on the screen, containing all his data: from his name and surname to his PESEL and blood type. Teodor stared at his hand, feeling as if foreign technology was wrapping around his wrist like a snake. - Is this normal? - he asked in disbelief.

- Yes, yes. - Nulla nodded affirmatively. - Yesterday they scanned you at the hospital, but today you have to do it yourself. - she replied.

- What does that mean?

- Give it here. - she said, pulling both his hands. - Do you see this button? - She pointed at a raised spot on the side of the watch, and Teodor nodded, indicating that he saw it. - You click it. - she said, pressing the button with her index finger. - Now the other hand.

Teodor extended his other wrist, and Nulla twisted his arm, showing him four circles engraved on the watch. Teodor looked at Jaśmin, as if seeking help, but the boy leaned against the wall, indifferent to the situation. Suddenly, the watch emitted a beam of blue light that lit up the room.

- You need to direct the beam at the circles... to their center. - she added, doing exactly that. The device made its strange sound again and then went dark. Nulla released her brother's hand, as if she had just completed a formality.

- What's the point of this? - Teodor asked, stepping back, still unsure what to think about this technology.

- You're reporting in. - Nulla stated briefly. - That's what everyone in the zones does.

- But he doesn't wear it. - Teodor pointed out, indicating Jaśmin's bare wrists.

- I'm not a dog. - Jaśmin replied coldly, shrugging his shoulders.

- Shut up. - Nulla snapped angrily, throwing a furious look at Jaśmin. - He's a terrorist.

- Sure. - Teodor muttered tiredly, though something in his voice suggested he didn't entirely share her concerns.

- Even in the first and second zones, people wear them. - Nulla replied, shifting her gaze from Teodor to Jaśmin. - This way, the system doesn't treat us like them, like HIM.

- This way they track you. - Teodor said coolly, looking at the watch with slight irony in his voice.

- Great. - Teodor replied reluctantly, letting his hands fall at his sides. - Back to Ignacy. - he turned to Nulla, who was silently staring at the reflection of the room in the TV screen. - What are you going to do?

- I don't know. - she replied after a moment of thought, her voice quieting as if she couldn't find the answer.

- Let's go there together. - Jaśmin threw the suggestion to his siblings. - If you don't want to leave us alone, let's all go. - he added, clearly impatient.

- How do you imagine that happening? - Nulla asked, slowly walking up to the brunette, her voice calm but clearly tense.

- Normally, you'll lead us, and I'll watch the blonde. - he emphasized the last word, giving Teodor a pointed look.

- Excuse me? - Teodor frowned, looking as if he had just been insulted.

- I remind you, you couldn't even open the catering with food. - Jaśmin raised an eyebrow, looking at him with mockery.

- I... I... - Teodor stammered, trying to find any argument that might work in his favor.

- On top of that, you couldn't even open the balcony. - Jaśmin continued, giving Teodor a cold look. - You can't even open doors, how do you expect to get out of this building?

- Fine. - Nulla interrupted them, raising her hand as if she wanted to end this exchange. - I guess we'll have to do it like this.

- What?! - Teodor's eyes widened in disbelief at what he had just heard. - He's an activist running from cyborgs! - He pointed dramatically at Jaśmin, feeling more and more lost.

- Fact. - Nulla replied calmly, pondering Teodor's words.

- They're even here! - Teodor tried to convince them, though he was starting to lose faith in his own arguments.

- Chill, I know how to mask myself. - Jaśmin responded confidently, ignoring everyone else.

- Isn't that why you didn't want to leave us alone? - Jaśmin continued, ignoring Teodor.

- Maybe. - Nulla replied quietly, as if not entirely sure of her own words.

- Maybe?! - Teodor exclaimed, clearly shocked.

- And now we have no choice. Whether I leave you or you come with me, it doesn't matter. - Nulla said loudly, trying to collect her thoughts.

- Me and the blonde. - Jaśmin looked at Teodor again. - We'll leave through the balcony. - he added, now looking at Nulla.

- How do you plan to do that? - Teodor asked, pale as a sheet, searching his sister's eyes for any sign of hope.

- There are emergency exits from the balconies. - Jaśmin explained calmly. - That's how I got in here yesterday.

- You broke in. - Teodor corrected him, crossing his arms over his chest.

- If you go out and draw attention away from us, then we can quietly slip by. - Jaśmin explained, ignoring Teodor's comment.

- How am I supposed to do that? - Nulla asked, clearly unsure of the plan.

- You have five circles, right? - Jaśmin stated, and Nulla nodded. - So, you're known here.

- Kind of. - The woman confirmed, still thinking about what they were going to do.

- Just start yelling and make a racket downstairs. - Jaśmin said, trying to clarify the situation.

- What if one of the neighbors above sees you? - Nulla asked, clearly worried. - After all, you have to pass through a few balconies.

- In my opinion, that's a bad plan. - Teodor interrupted, crossing his arms again.

- That's why Nulla has to do something to get everyone's attention on her, not us. - Jaśmin responded, not losing his confidence.

- What if it doesn't work and someone spots you? - Nulla asked, concerned for their safety.

- It's not even 7 PM yet, everyone is at work. - Jaśmin shrugged.

- It's the weekend. - Teodor replied, defeated. - And besides, there are still kids.

- They're not here. - Nulla interrupted him. - If they're over fifteen, they're in boarding schools. The rest are at school.

- Then why are you two here? - Teodor asked, turning directly to them.

- I only have one circle. - Jaśmin raised his hand.

- The rest are unfinished. - Nulla added.

- I'm off, everything I needed to do, I did yesterday. - she continued, and Teodor turned to the balcony window, visibly displeased.

- We'll get back to our plan. - Jaśmin flinched.

- Even if we manage to get there, we still need to get into the hospital. - The blonde said, worried.

- That's easy. - Jaśmin seemed confident.

- Easy?! - Teodor repeated, clearly skeptical. - There are more cyborgs at the hospital.

- I'm not going with you to the hospital. - Jaśmin replied, his tone decisive.

- What do you mean you're not going? - Nulla asked, quickly approaching him and grabbing his arm firmly. Surprised, he looked at her grip.

- Normally. - He replied, pulling her hand off his arm.

- Then what are you going to do? - Teodor asked, surprised, glancing at his sister.

- We'll split up. - Jaśmin replied flatly. - I'll take you to the hospital, then I'll steal an ambulance.

- What?! - Teodor's face turned red with anger.

- Ambulances aren't checked on the streets. - Jaśmin continued. - I'll drive it all the way to the eastern walls, then I'll ditch it in front of them, making a fake ruckus, I'll jump out and catch the border train, they're not checked.

The siblings stared at him, both wearing expressions of surprise, confusion, and anger.

- Relax, nothing's going to happen to me. - Jaśmin responded, noticing their reactions.

- I'm not worried about you, I'm worried about myself. - The teenager replied. - If you're focusing mainly on yourself in this plan, how can we trust you?

- Without you, my plan won't work, and without me, yours won't. - Jaśmin retorted.

- Our plan is simple, we can just split up after we leave the apartment. - the short-haired albino interjected assertively.

- Exactly. - Teodor said, although he wasn't entirely convinced if it was the right solution.

- What if you get into the hospital? - Jaśmin asked, raising his eyebrows.

- Entering the hospital. - the blond repeated questioningly.

- I'll remind you that I spent the whole day with your brothers yesterday. - Jaśmin said, mainly addressing Nulla.

- And what of it? - Teodor asked, not seeing the problem.

- It's because, you idiot, he's wanted. - the blond replied. - If someone catches you together…

- Even if they do, so what? - the older brother interrupted him. - We don't know him, we can just say he was following us.

- You don't understand. - Nulla's voice was filled with frustration.

- You're the one who doesn't get it. - Teodor retorted clearly. - You're trying to scare us into doing something, but honestly, you don't even have any solid arguments. - he said, a bit frustrated at the sight of his quiet younger sister. - Let's split up. - he said, looking directly at the brunette, who only reached his neck.

- Fine. - the brunette said. - I'll go through the balcony. - After saying this, he started walking toward the terrace doors.

- Stop! - the blond girl shouted, running after him, grabbing his wrist and pulling him closer.

- What do you want? - he asked, irritated.

- We can't split up. - she protested loudly. - Actually, both we and he can manage on our own, but that's not the point.

- Then what's the point? - he asked, not understanding the girl. Teo felt like he was in a state of heavy bipolarity; judging by Jaśmin's expression, the stranger seemed to be thinking similarly to the blond girl.

- Maybe it's about our father. - she said, rolling her eyes at the man's ignorance.

- I'll still steal this ambulance. - the brunette reminded her.

- Steal whatever you want. - she responded to the sound of his words. - Just don't get caught. - her voice sounded sarcastic. - But it won't be worth it. - she added, and the small boy looked at her questioningly.

- Why do you want to stick with him? - the blond asked, thrown off guard.

- I'm five. - she replied, showing her hands. - I can easily get you a transport pilot even for the second zone.

The brunette silently observed the girl, lost in thought. He didn't quite understand why she wanted to help him. He wondered if it was really just about their father. He looked at her suspiciously, then his gaze shifted to the blond, who looked helpless and disoriented. The brunette sighed loudly; he felt like he had to agree with the girl, and he wasn't entirely sure he could handle it alone. He didn't want to repeat yesterday's experience.

- Fine. - he agreed after a moment. - But you're coming with me. - he added.

- I was going to do that anyway. - she said, shrugging her shoulders.

- What?! - Teodor was surprised as he looked at the two kids standing in front of him.

- When do we leave? - the brunette asked.

- We still need to agree on the plan. - Jaśmin said, ignoring his older brother. Defeated, Teo, feeling like he had no say in the matter, sat on the sofa. - For now, we only know how to leave the apartment.

- Later we can take a taxi. - Jaśmin responded.

- No, we can't. - the blond girl firmly disagreed. - They'll detect you once you get into the car…

- Then a train? - Teodor asked. - Last time, I hopped on one at a station while a crowd of people dressed in white and black was getting off.

- I'm not sure if that's safe. There are loads of cyborgs there. - the woman began scratching her head, looking for a solution.

- Walking is out of the question; it's an hour away. - Jaśmin answered knowingly. - And eventually, we'll run into them anyway. - he said, shrugging.

Teodor felt his patience nearing its limit. He had no idea what to do. All he knew was that the adrenaline-fueled teenagers didn't see any flaws in their "perfect" plan. The blond closed his eyes, then calmly counted to five, trying to quiet his mind. Finally, he opened his eyes and stood up.

- We're going to get ourselves killed. - he said loudly, and his voice echoed through the room. Nulla and Jaśmin looked at him, interrupting their discussion.

- Do you want to add something? - the brunette asked, leaning forward.

- Your plan sucks! - Teodor protested.

- Then come up with a better one. - the small girl countered, and the exhausted boy lowered his head again. - If everything's decided, I'm going to get the bag. - she said, then quickly headed for the hallway.

- You really want to take it?! - the blond yelled after her, but the girl had already dashed into the room, slamming the wooden door behind her.

- What's wrong with me? - the teenager asked him.

Teodor's gaze moved to the brunette. The boy was wearing light jeans that Nulla had taken from his wardrobe earlier that morning. The numerous scratches and wounds on Jaśmin's chest were hidden under a beige long-sleeved shirt that hung loosely on him, at least two sizes too big. The blond girl had taken it from the redhead's closet. Finally, to complete his look, the brunette wore old white flip-flops that belonged to Nulla because, as it turned out, they were the only shoes in the house that somewhat fit his size.

- No, there's nothing. - he replied sarcastically.

The room door burst open again, and the blond girl rushed back in, out of breath. She had added a small red handbag with a long strap to her collection of red slippers. Her white dress billowed in the gust of wind created by her running. The girl smiled contentedly, and it seemed like large doses of adrenaline were pulsing through her body. Teodor had no idea what had caused it, but he wasn't too concerned about it. His gaze moved to the brunette standing next to him, who also showed no interest in the girl.

- Is that it? - Jaśmin asked, sighing.

- I'm not taking anything else, - the girl replied, her voice firm, though uncertainty was evident in her eyes.

- What, already? - Teodor asked, looking around the room, not expecting things to unfold so quickly. They thought they would have time to rethink the plan, maybe make some adjustments.

- Do you want to wait until tomorrow? - the teenager shot back sarcastically, with a hint of mockery in his tone.

- When I leave, wait another five minutes, then carefully make your way down, - the girl spoke, adding seriousness to her words.

- Sure, - the brunette nodded, then headed towards the kitchen area, where the sound of running water filled the room.

- I'm leaving! - the girl shouted as she ran through the hallway, her voice echoing through the empty corridors.

- What? - a stunned Teodor stared at Jaśmin, who calmly drank water, unaware of the tension in the air.

The loud slam of the door made him realize that his sister had left the house. The boy slumped onto the couch, staring blankly at the floor, feeling that the teenagers had completely different visions of what was supposed to happen. A moment later, the approaching sixteen-year-old confirmed his fears. When the blonde raised his head, he saw the smiling brunette standing over him, reaching out his hand.

- Are you coming? - he asked, grinning widely.

- We were supposed to wait five minutes? - Teodor reminded him, trying to steer the conversation.

- There's no time to wait! - the boy quickly grabbed Teodor's hand and pulled.

Dragged by Jaśmin, Teodor barely noticed when Jaśmin led him onto the balcony. He stopped next to the black railing, and the view from the twelfth floor took his breath away. The metropolis, shrouded in white, stretched out before him in a hypnotic yet terrifying landscape. Streets, sidewalks, and buildings were immersed in a snow-white hue, creating a monochromatic scene that acted like a magnet. Teodor felt that this view was familiar, but it didn't evoke warm feelings in him. The city's architecture was minimalist and futuristic, with buildings resembling perfect geometric shapes, surprising with their dynamic forms. A huge white cube, seemingly cut in half, with one part floating in the air, seemed to symbolize this city. Above the ground, hovering trains zipped along silver tracks, and flying cars, resembling flat boards used for cutting vegetables, dotted the sky. People moved through the city in white clothing, and around them, digital plants and trees grew, changing colors and shapes with each step they took. Above the city floated a network of three-dimensional advertisements that people passed through as if they were ordinary clouds. This city seemed like a place where technology and nature coexisted in harmony. The white color symbolizing purity, the future, and "new beginnings" made Teodor feel both awe and detachment. He cast a disgusted glance at the chatty boy moving around the black balcony when he noticed Jaśmin was once again focused on calculations. The blonde, turning his head toward the metropolis, heard his sarcastic voice.

- Our technological utopia was supposed to be a place where everything is possible, - he said, quoting a line from one of the advertisements that still echoed in his ears. - In this utopia, at least we feel like we're truly alive, and pain just confirms we're not dead yet. It means we still have something to lose. - he added with irony, rolling his eyes. He then returned to his calculations, wondering how high they might fall, suspecting that Teodor might be the one to do something foolish.

- What kind of life do people lead in such a city? - Teodor asked, crouching next to the brunette.

Jaśmin, absorbed in his questions, looked at him, confused, as if Teodor's words were unfolding in his mind like a thick fog. - Isn't this monochromatic aesthetic overwhelming? - he asked, and Jaśmin felt his mind split in two. He moved away from the boy, eager to share his thoughts on this "white utopia" again, but he knew they didn't have time for that. He shook his head, dismissing the annoying blonde. - What values does this city represent? Everything is so contradictory... - his thoughts swirled around. Teodor felt a pulsing tension in his head; he didn't understand his feelings toward the city, he didn't know what was real and what wasn't. He didn't think he had such a strong desire to understand this place.

- If you want answers to these questions... - he finally spoke, tired of the flood of thoughts in Teodor's mind. - Think better, is this not a dystopia?

After those words, Teodor fell silent, watching the teenager moving around the railing in quiet contemplation. The brunette stood up from his knees, his posture straight, signaling determination.

- I think it's time, - he said, wiping off his knees as if shrugging off his doubts.

- Has five minutes already passed? - Teodor asked, glancing at his watch, his voice tinged with concern.

- I don't know, but I'm ready, - Jaśmin answered, his tone full of certainty.

Not even a second passed, and the teenager climbed the ladder, as if discarding all doubts. Teodor looked around the balcony, feeling a sudden urge to follow him. Descending the rungs, he felt a slight shame; he wasn't comfortable with the fact that an unfamiliar person was below him. Thoughts swirled in his head: was it better to be above or below? Not finding any advantages to either option, he shrugged it off and slowly continued down. He heard Jaśmin safely jump onto the neighbor's balcony and felt relief when the kid landed without issue. Confident, Jaśmin jumped after him, and both looked around. They were beneath the neighbor's windows, covered by a dark-skinned curtain that spanned the entire width and length. Without thinking much, they rushed to the next ladder. Jumping from floor to floor, they suddenly heard a loud female scream that sounded exceptionally familiar.

- Nulla! - Teodor shouted, exhausted after six floors, with a hint of panic in his voice.

- Are you coming? - the brunette called, waiting for him below. - You're only halfway!

Teodor was silent as he slowly descended, watching the sky darken, its shade shifting toward a deep navy, covered with white clouds. He was two floors below his partner, feeling more and more tired with each step. It wasn't about the exhaustion or the constant bending and straightening of his knees; he envied the young boy, who especially now reminded him of a monkey jumping around in the zoo. After seeing his own naked body, he believed his fitness was exceptional, yet twelve floors had already worn him down. Although the fatigue grew maddeningly, the fear of falling diminished. He felt that with each step, his chances of survival increased. As he jumped down to the fourth floor, he almost fell off the balcony, tripping over the still figure of the brunette.

Tired and sleepy, he raised his gaze, propping himself up with one hand against Jaśmin.

- Who's that? - he asked, panting.

The sight of the old woman's plant floating onto the terrace didn't evoke anything in him anymore. What caught his attention more were the live flowers. He wondered if they were holograms or if they were real, colorful flowers, straying from the city's dominant monotony. But after a moment, he shifted his gaze to the stranger; his stomach was empty, leaving only remnants from a low-calorie meal, where even the amount of pepper was meticulously calculated, not to mention the lack of salt. Frustrated, he grabbed Jaśmin's left arm and pulled him along. The blonde decided it was twice as good to be up top than at the bottom; the sight of the kid's small behind made him feel even more uncomfortable than before. Disgusted, he tried to descend the ladder as quickly as possible, jumping to the next lower floor. The boy stopped on the balcony.

- You go first. - he replied, pushing Jaśmin ahead.

- Sure. - Jaśmin added happily.

Teodor, disgusted, wondered if the kid was staring at him in the same way he was at certain spots. Not wanting to dwell on it too much, he shook his head; he preferred to stop thinking about it, afraid of his overactive imagination. Teodor didn't even fully realize when he had covered such a great distance. Waiting below, Nulla watched as he jumped.

- Couldn't you have taken longer? - she asked, muttering something under her breath, arms crossed like a child.

- Shut up. - he retorted, holding onto Jaśmin's knees.

- Please. - she replied, handing Teodor water. The blonde felt some guilt as he grabbed the bottle, looking at the panting brunette.

- I hate myself. - he said silently, then took a huge gulp, drinking the entire contents of the bottle as if he were a camel.

- You didn't leave anything for him? - she asked, pulling another drink from her small bag. The brunette looked up at her.

- Here. - she tossed the bottle to the kid, who silently accepted it.

- Are you taking it? - he asked, shaking the water in front of him.

- Thanks. - the boy replied, grabbing the bottle.

- Catch your breath and let's get out of here. - she said.

- Did you wait long? - Teodor asked, throwing his trash in the bin.

- About an hour. - she said, fiddling with a strand of her hair.

- How did you get them out of here? - the brunette inquired, rising up.

- I flooded the main core at the reception... - she awkwardly explained, I left when the door was closing. - she said, her tone trying, albeit clumsily, to sound modest.

- Cool. - Jaśmin replied, now standing normally.

- And that's what immobilized them? - Teodor asked, not believing her.

- Well, you know, they're still struggling to open those doors. - she replied, pointing to the bald people trying to open the doors. - The whole city froze after that explosion. - she added. - They can't even call for more help.

- What now? - Teodor asked, glancing at his sister.

- We're going to the bus stop. - she declared. - You're walking next to me. - she added, pulling the stranger by the hand.

***

- Already? - he asked, surprised.

- This is just the stop. - the girl replied, looking around for the train.

- Let's take the direct one. - Jaśmin suggested.

- With you on my back? - the girl asked sarcastically.

- I rode one just like that recently. - he responded confidently.

Teodor was watching the mysterious girl in the train, and the memory of his rejected brother brought a smile to his face.

- Why are you smiling? - asked the albino girl, who had come dangerously close to Teodor. He pointed his finger at the brunet.

- Again him? - she asked, shaking her head disapprovingly.

- Do you have a problem? - the teenager asked, slightly offended.

- No, no. - she tried to explain. - It just reminded me of something. - she replied, seeing the unwavering gaze of the stranger. He looked around. - There are a lot of people here. - he added, trying to change the subject.

In the monochrome metropolis, where white dominated, Teodor felt like a foreigner. The inhabitants, carefully chosen to fit the futuristic landscape, walked through the streets, their outfits being both an expression of individuality and submission to the city's aesthetic. Two women in front of him caught his attention: one with short brown hair, the other a long-haired blonde, both wearing elegant, geometric dresses. Teodor noticed that their style resembled fashion from jewelry advertisements, where the model wore nearly the same dress as the brown-haired woman. The women wore midi and maxi dresses made of light, airy materials, and in contrast, a group of girls in short white shorts stood beside them, emphasizing their tan. Futuristic sunglasses and minimalist jewelry completed their outfits. Men in white suits symbolized elegance, but the younger ones experimented with casual sets: white T-shirts paired with jeans. The streets were ruled by the cult of youth and perfection. Teodor encountered only attractive people, and posters promoted smiling, ideal figures. As he walked, he realized that he hadn't seen anyone older than fifty. As he observed his surroundings, he felt how their perfection intensified his sense of alienation in this flawless, sterile world.

- Hey. - Teodor started, looking around. - Do only younger people live here? So far, I've seen only two older people.

- Older people are rare. - Nulla replied.

- And if they do appear, it's after undergoing a series of plastic surgeries that rejuvenate their appearance. - Jaśmin finished, and the girl gave him a meaningful look.

- They just age with dignity. - the white-haired girl remarked, not hiding her skepticism.

- Sure. - Jaśmin replied sarcastically.

- Hey. - Teodor started again, wanting to ask them a few more things, but unfortunately for him, a train arrived at the station.

- What are we doing? - asked Nulla, slightly nervous.

- It's an express. - Jaśmin replied. - We're getting on.

Determined, the brunet, as soon as the train doors opened, squeezed inside, surrounded by a crowd of white people who disappeared into the monochrome landscape.

- What? - Teodor asked, not fully understanding the situation.

- Just get in. - the woman replied, jumping into the vehicle.

Without thinking too much, Teodor did the same. The train doors closed right after everyone got inside, and he felt the daylight disappear into the abyss of white.