I felt energized as I sprinted through the narrow, dark City Central streets. My ID card was at home, with its tracking device. If I was stopped it would be bad, but I was careful to stick to checkpoints and streets where I knew the cops—to be sure nobody asked for ID. I couldn’t leave it that way, with the girl, Melissa. I felt guilty about lying to my dad but I felt I had to do it.
It was such a strange ending to the evening. I wondered what she thought after I left. The apartments were jammed so tight together in this area that I wasn’t sure I could find her building. But then I recognized a graffiti-stained wall with ‘Anarchy Now’ scrawled angrily; and I knew her building was next. I ran into the elevator and didn’t hesitate until my hand was out to knock on the door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me Tyler, Tyler Jonz. Don’t worry. I’m alone.”
“Are you sure?”
I laughed. “I suppose I can’t blame you for being nervous, but yes, I’m pretty sure.”
I could only see one anxious eye through the door she only opened a crack. I smiled and she opened the door all the way. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. She was in a bathrobe.
“I was sleeping.”
She let me in and I closed the door.
“I wanted to apologize for the scene earlier. My dad is a General. He’s a little overprotective. It’s not like I’m a serial killer or anything.”
“I didn’t think of that, but thanks for giving me something to worry about.”
We laughed and hugged. I noticed over her shoulder that her mail terminal was blinking.
“You have mail?”
"Yeah, I got it earlier. I haven't deleted it. It's pretty important."
"Important. About what?"
"The Exodus. Do you want to see it?"
"You can just tell me."
“It’s about the Exodus to Earth. I’m on the list of first settlers. Apparently it’s working by area, and they’re starting with City Central. It says the government needs to relocate the more underprivileged members of our society first—isn’t that great!?”
She turned and hugged me again. She felt warm. I was happy. I felt proud to be serving this government, these people. Any trepidation I had about my mission to Earth was gone.
We were making Earth safe so that people could improve their lives. I was happy to be with her. The squalor of her apartment didn’t matter any more. It was fleeting, temporary; our minds were both filled with the promise of the future. The seeds were planted for our destinies—and it felt good, secure. The rest of the night was exciting but peaceful; it’s always good to be sure of where you’re going, what you’re doing—even though it’s so dangerous.
Man is willing to risk everything if he believes in the cause.